Nick Ashill and Ted Chick may be very different, but they are united in their passion to raise awareness and make an impact in their communities. Both men are undertaking massive treks across Australia in order to support vital issues, and they are eager to share their stories.   Nick Ashill and supporters on a run.   Racing for research  Nick Ashill is a 59-year-old ultra marathon runner attempting to become one of five people to run across both America and Australia in their lifetime. Starting April 15, he will be running almost 4000 miles across the country to raise money f ..read more

A new method of frog collection could help conservationists to save endangered amphibian species. While frogs may not seem like a scarce species, they belong to a class of animals known as amphibians, the most endangered group of species on the planet. Currently, two out of every five species of amphibian are classified as threatened with extinction, and this number continues to grow. Faced with this harsh reality, a group of scientists led by Flinders University are attempting to protect Australian frogs by introducing a new method for collecting wild frogs to breed in facilities or relocate ..read more

Australia’s Great Southern Reef is under attack from invasive urchins. With global temperatures rising as a result of climate change and a marine heatwave causing the east coast of Tasmania to remain two degrees above average temperatures for long periods of time, species in the north are making a descent to the Great Southern Reef. In a study from the Global Change Biology journal, it was found that 198 species have begun shifting their distribution south since 2003, the most dangerous among these species being the Centro sea urchin. According to research from the University of Tasmania, wate ..read more

A study of dingo urine could support future species management strategies, according to new research. Recently, UNSW teamed up with Taronga Conservation Society and the Dingo Sanctuary and Research Centre to study the chemical makeup of dingo urine. The subsequent article, released in the Chemical Senses journal, revealed patterns of behaviour in dingo populations as a response to the scent of dingo urine. According to lead researcher and UNSW PhD student Ben Walker, “the major finding of this study is that urine from an adult male dingo in his prime seems to have an immediate effect on dingoe ..read more

Rex Airlines has been named Australia’s most reliable airline for the 17th consecutive month. The Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) conducts regular investigations into the operations of Australia’s major airlines, in order to support customers in making the best travel decisions.  In February 2024, Rex was again labelled as the most reliable airline in the country for the 17th month in a row. In fact, the on-time departure rate for Rex Airlines flights was calculated at more than 80 percent, while Virgin acheived a domestic rate of 74.1 percent and Qantas ..read more

A team led by Monash University have developed a blood test that can accurately determine whether someone has slept in the last 24 hours. With high levels of sleep deprivation known to result in serious injury in risky situations, the implications of the test are far reaching.    Sleep deprivation increases the risk of an accident on the road   Impacts of sleep deprivation  High levels of sleep deprivation are known to increase the risk of serious injury or fatality, especially in risky situations. In fact, about 20 percent of all road accidents in Australia are caused by ..read more

Supporting good mental health and wellbeing is an important goal no matter your circumstance or situation. However, it can sometimes be difficult to find the right resources for your specific needs. These mental health apps are just a couple of examples of the programs and initiatives using technology to reach out and offer a helping hand.     Emergency Mindset Tools  The Emergency Mindset Tools (EMT) app is designed to protect the mental health of first responders using natural therapies. In particular, it speaks to the unique challenges faced by corrections officers, police o ..read more

Experts from Saxo discuss factors behind the recent surge in gold and Bitcoin. At the beginning of the year, Saxo spoke with AusBiz. about 2024 becoming the year of the metals. So far, we’re seeing one metal in particular on the move, and it’s defying the odds a little. Gold has reached record closing highs, trading well above USD 2000 an ounce despite rising bond yields and an appreciating USD – two financial drivers that don’t typically have a positive impact on the gold price. So, something else is going on. Saxo believes that “something else” is retail investor demand for gold remaining st ..read more

The Great Barrier Reef, an iridescent gem nestled off the northeastern coast of Australia, stands as the largest coral reef system in the world.  Stretching over 2,300 kilometres and comprising more than 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, it’s a spectacle of nature’s splendour. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a haven for an unparalleled diversity of marine life, including over 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of coral, countless species of sharks, turtles, and dolphins, along with a myriad of other marine creatures. The reef is also a major pillar of tourism, drawing millions of ..read more

More than halfway through the current dairy season, Australian milk production is experiencing remarkable growth, according to Rabobank.  The Q1 Global Dairy Quarterly report highlights a 2.5 per cent year-on-year increase in milk production, reaching 5.35 billion litres from July 2023 to January 2024. This surge is attributed to exceptional summer rainfall and excellent farmgate margins, leading to widespread growth across all dairying regions. Senior dairy analyst at Rabobank, Michael Harvey, forecasts a promising year for Australian dairy farmers, with milk prices expected to remain hi ..read more