Despite the Montreal Protocol, the ozone layer, vital for obstructing UV radiation from the sun, isn’t fully repaired. This spells danger to Antarctic plant and animal species. The warning comes from 4 members of the UN’s Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, who write in the journal Global Change Biology that the annual ‘hole’ that widens in the ozone layer each year now remains open into Antarctica’s summer. This risks exposing species to harmful UV-B radiation at a time where plants and animals emerge periods of dormancy. The ozone hole typically peaked in September and October. “That’s ..read more

Fujianipus yingliangi fossil track. Credit: Anthony Romilio. Massive dinosaur fossil footprints have been found in southern China. They were left behind by a raptor which might be among the largest ever. Raptor is the term commonly given to members of the Dromaeosauridae and Troodontidae groups of bipedal dinosaurs. Analysis of their skulls indicates that these were pack-hunters and the smartest of dinosaurs, rivalling mammals for intelligence. It is believed that dromaeosaurids are the group which ultimately led to modern birds. Palaeontologists in China have identified many raptor species o ..read more

Soft drink manufacturers Coca-Cola and Pepsi account for a sixth of the world’s branded plastic waste and more than half can be traced to just 56 companies according to a global study. The 5-year study spanning more than 1,500 audits across 84 countries is part of a global citizen science collaboration, involving audit submissions from 200,000 participants. But while half of the world’s plastic can be traced to 56 companies, led by large, fast-moving consumer goods makers, half cannot be identified, prompting calls by the expert group for compulsory branding of plastic products for identifica ..read more

A new study reveals the complex dynamics of black holes in the centres of galaxies, how they slow down and interact with each other. This could help explain when and where black hole mergers occur. Led by researchers at Melbourne’s Monash University, the study is published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Unlike conventional astronomy, which is based on the emission of different wavelengths of light, the research used data from gravitational wave emissions resulting from black hole mergers. Gravitational waves, ripples in the fabric of space time caused by the most en ..read more

New South Wales researchers have been commissioned to design a medical drone. The specialised drone is to be equipped with a “medical capsule” to deliver cargo to remote regions. It will be able to transport pathology specimens, blood products, anti-venom, medications, medical supplies and other equipment. The drone will complement local primary health networks, telehealth and pathology services, and pharmaceutical delivery. ASAC Consultancy, which has funded the project, says research and development is for a hydrogen fuelled vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV ..read more

Reanalysis of the largest ever salmon, which lived several million years ago, shows that it sported tusk-like teeth which might have been used for fighting. Oncorhynchus rastrosus was first described in the 1970s. It’s the largest species of salmon, reaching up to 2.7 metres in length and weighing between 200 and 400kg, roughly the size of Atlantic bluefin tuna. Comparative size of the spike-toothed salmon to the largest living salmon and a 1.8m-tall angler. Credit: Ray Troll. O. rastrosus fossils have been found along the US west coast and Japan. It swam the North Pacific during the late Mio ..read more

Astronomers have witnessed a rare giant flare from a magnetar about 12 million light-years away. Such events release huge amounts of energy in the form of gamma rays and are therefore known as gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). These GRBs usually last less than a second and originate from neutron stars – the dense remains of a dead giant star’s core. Starburst galaxy Messier 82 imaged by Hubble. Credit: NASA, ESA and the Hubble Heritage Team | Acknowledgment: J. Gallagher, M. Mountain and P. Puxley. Magnetars are a type of highly magnetised neutron star. GRBs from these stars are extremely rare. They’v ..read more

Warming ocean temperatures caused by climate change could have a direct effect on octopus’ sight according to new research from South Australia and California. Marine biologist Dr Qiaz Hua and a team at The University of Adelaide Environment Institute and University of California Davis, tested embryos of the Southern Keeled Octopus (Octopus berrima) in water of different temperatures and discovered the potential threat that increasing ocean temperatures pose. The researchers exposed the embryos to water at 19°C (the control), 22°C (The current summer average temperatures) and 25°C (the future ..read more

Researchers have linked 4 genes to birds’ innate rhythmic ability in song, according to a new study in Nature Communications. Rhythm, which involves song elements being regularly distributed in time, is an essential component of communication that mediates key social behaviours, such as recognition of different individuals and mate selection. Of the genes identified, 2 – NRXN1 and COQ8A – are also known to affect human speech and have been widely associated with speech impairment. “Most genetic studies on bird song have so far focused on the genes implicated in song learning, thus leaving th ..read more

Researchers have recovered a 3.7-billion-year-old record of Earth’s magnetic field from Greenland, providing the oldest estimate of its strength derived from whole rock samples. “This is a really important step forward as we try and determine the role of the ancient magnetic field when life on Earth was first emerging,” says lead researcher Claire Nichols. Analysis estimates the planet’s magnetic field at the time appears to have been remarkably similar to the one surrounding Earth today, with a magnetic field strength of 15 microtesla, compared to the modern 30 microtesla. The whole rock sam ..read more