https://phys.org/ en-us Latest news from University of Queensland University of Queensland researchers are urging governments to use newly created national data to protect the country's last remaining ecosystems free of human pressures. The two new datasets map the extent of ecosystem disturbance across the country and show that while about 30% of Australia is still free or almost free of human pressures, many landscapes are becoming increasingly fragmented. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-scale-ecosystem-disturbance-australia.html Plants & Animals Thu, 02 Apr 2026 22:20:01 EDT news694337619 Researchers have created a detailed map of a deadly childhood cancer, showing it uses "shields" and "bodyguards" to protect itself, paving the way for new treatments. The team's paper, titled "Spatial multi-omics characterization of neuroblastoma reveals ferroptosis-associated metabolic features in high-risk tumors," appears in Genome Medicine. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-shields-bodyguards-scientists-uncover-hidden.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:20:05 EDT news694192741 A plant signaling gene has been identified as a promising target for breeding cereal crops to produce a steeper, narrower root system architecture, but with associated yield penalties in barley. University of Queensland Ph.D. candidate Richard Dixon said collaborative research with scientists at the Australian National University revealed the gene, known as CEPR1, has a conserved function across multiple grain crops. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-roots-future-cereal-crops.html Biotechnology Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:30:02 EDT news694167842 An Australian-first early pregnancy loss support program has been developed to better address the emotional care of bereaved parents. The program, M-HELP (Mental Health after Early Pregnancy Loss), was developed by University of Queensland senior lecturer and psychologist, Dr. Marjolein Kammers and her research team and implemented at various Ramsay Health Care maternity hospital sites in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. The work is described in the journal Midwifery. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-early-pregnancy-loss-isolating.html Mon, 30 Mar 2026 18:30:03 EDT news694109701 Converting sugarcane waste to biofuel could become more environmentally friendly and cost-effective, thanks to a joint project at The University of Queensland and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. Ph.D. candidate Neethu Joshikumar has successfully tested a process to simplify the preparation of sugarcane waste, known as bagasse. The research was published in Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-pot-sugarcane-jet-fuel.html Biotechnology Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:20:05 EDT news693742741 Emotional Intelligence (EI) training can improve employee well-being and prevent burn-out in high-stress environments, University of Queensland research has found. Dr. Jemma King from UQ's School of Psychology said EI training has proven beneficial for high performance athletes, including Formula 1 drivers and crew in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, with potential for people in other workplaces. The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-special-emotional-intelligence-boost-stress.html Social Sciences Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:40:01 EDT news693571741 Two locations have been identified as the most likely entry points into Australia for a disease that poses a huge risk to the beef and dairy industries. A University of Queensland-led team has built the first geospatial model to map where insects carrying lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) could arrive either blown by strong wind or carried on ships. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-geospatial-potential-lumpy-skin-disease.html Veterinary medicine Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:40:04 EDT news692617145 Researchers may have discovered a new way to diagnose and treat major depression at the earliest stage of the condition, giving patients the best opportunity for recovery. The research is published in Translational Psychiatry. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-cellular-linked-depression-fatigue.html Wed, 11 Mar 2026 08:40:01 EDT news692436108 A University of Queensland analysis of genetic data from northern Australian cattle has identified key regions of the genome that influence traits like fertility, growth and body condition, sometimes all at the same time. Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation researcher Dr. Mehrnush Forutan said the study helps explain why some cattle grow faster, reach puberty earlier and maintain better body condition than others. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-bigger-cattle-hidden-fertility-offs.html Molecular & Computational biology Tue, 10 Mar 2026 17:40:03 EDT news692353981 A simple five-minute test addressing major endometriosis diagnostic delays and treatment, has been developed by University of Queensland researchers. The Simplified Adolescent Factors for Endometriosis (SAFE) score uses a questionnaire to identify at-risk patients and fast track specialist referrals for further investigation. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-simple-endometriosis-diagnosis.html Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:20:06 EDT news692370781 Certain species of wasps and frogs share a pain and inflammation peptide similar to one found in vertebrates to help defend against predators—a discovery that contributes to a shifting view of how evolution works, say researchers. Their paper is published in the journal Science. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-toxic-evolution-wasps-frogs-mimic.html Plants & Animals Thu, 05 Mar 2026 19:40:01 EST news691949282 Almost 90% of illegal steroids contain unexpected, incorrect or dangerous substances, a Queensland drug testing study has found. ROIDCheck—a project led by University of Queensland researchers—tested the purity of image and performance enhancing drug (IPED) samples but found only 1 in 10 matched what was claimed on their labels. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-dangerous-health-exposed-illicit-steroid.html Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:30:01 EST news691935362 A global study of mangroves has found that a modest boost in conserved areas could significantly increase their ability to adapt to the changing climate, including rising sea levels. University of Queensland Ph.D. candidate Alvise Dabalà led the analysis, which showed that safeguarding the coastal mangrove ecosystem didn't require huge expansions in protected areas, just smarter planning. The study is published in the journal Nature Communications. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-smarter-mangrove-links-area-boost.html Environment Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:50:01 EST news691866841 The types of fats we consume directly impacts the survival and strength of the body's immune cells and ability to fight disease, researchers have found. A University of Queensland team led an international collaboration that found diet could change the fat composition inside T cells—the immune cells that help protect a person from infections and cancer. The research is published in Nature. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-fats-ability-disease.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:40:03 EST news691848961 A University of Queensland study has shown that a deadly scorpion's venom carries an extra biochemical sting that could be used to guide future medical treatments and tests. The paper is published in the journal Biochimie. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-tail-scorpion-venom-blood-clotting.html Ecology Tue, 03 Mar 2026 16:20:07 EST news691775582 University of Queensland researchers say Australia's reptiles are at risk of extinction because a little understood fungus is infecting species throughout the environment. Associate Professor Celine Frere from UQ's School of Environment said Nannizziopsis barbatae caused fungal skin lesions and lethargy, leading to reptile starvation and eventual death. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-deadly-soil-fungal-pathogen-australia.html Plants & Animals Tue, 03 Mar 2026 09:00:01 EST news691749601 Higher levels of blood lactate may be the key to a longer life for people with the neurodegenerative condition ALS, new research suggests. A study at The University of Queensland and Japan's Shiga University of Medical Science has revealed blood lactate is a key biomarker that can predict physical outcomes and prognosis in patients with ALS. The research was published in the Annals of Neurology. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-blood-lactate-physical-outcomes-als.html Neuroscience Fri, 27 Feb 2026 12:00:08 EST news691411980 Researchers have used geospatial data to illustrate significant life expectancy differences across Queensland, including for areas only kilometers apart within cities. Health geographer Associate Professor Jonathan Olsen from The University of Queensland's Institute for Social Science Research led a team that used railway stations as geographic markers to map health data. The research is published in the Health Promotion Journal of Australia. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-queensland-reveals-health-inequality.html Health informatics Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:50:04 EST news691349581 Researchers have found a way to fabricate film-thin membranes imbued with super strength that could extend the durability of decarbonization technologies. Chemical engineers at The University of Queensland are harnessing an intricate building technique to produce the hyper-thin film membranes that boost the reliability, efficiency, and lifespan of key clean energy systems. The research is published in Nature Synthesis. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-nanochannel-method-ion-membranes-strong.html Nanomaterials Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:40:04 EST news691330141 A University of Queensland study has found that almost 90% of people killed and injured by landmines and similar weapons are civilians. Dr. Stacey Pizzino from UQ's School of Public Health, together with her research team, collated information on 105,931 casualties in 17 countries and regions across Asia, Europe, Africa and South America. The research is published in the journal Communications Medicine. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-civilians-deadly-explosive-weapons-country.html Health Wed, 25 Feb 2026 18:20:04 EST news691259041 University of Queensland researchers have developed a less invasive way to test for a potential life-threatening reaction to an anesthetic. The work is published in the journal Anesthesiology. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-life-threatening-reaction-anesthetic.html Surgery Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:00:08 EST news691260242 Alcohol pricing is often analyzed using sophisticated computer models to understand how policy changes, such as adjustments to excise, might affect drinking behavior and public health. But the growth of no and low alcohol drinks that closely resemble well-known beer, wine and spirits products—"nolo" look-alikes—means alcohol companies themselves now provide useful real world points of comparison for alcohol pricing. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-alcohol-free-uncover-pricing-secrets.html Economics & Business Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:50:04 EST news691252995 New strategies may be needed to protect infants older than six months against the highly infectious Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV, new University of Queensland research has found. The study examined 18,683 cases of RSV among Queensland children under 2 years of age between 2022 and 2023, finding particularly high rates of the virus in children aged 0–15 months. The findings are published in the journal BMC Public Health. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-rethinking-babies-longer-rsv.html Pediatrics Tue, 24 Feb 2026 07:20:03 EST news691139520 A University of Queensland study has modeled how genes can influence a child's body mass index (BMI) over time and how they may contribute to the risk of developing diseases, such as heart disease or type 2 diabetes, later in life. Researchers used data from the Children of the 90s study, based at the University of Bristol, to understand the genetic contribution to the BMI patterns of 6,291 children between the ages of one and 18 years. The research is published in the journal Nature Communications. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-childhood-bmi-genetically-linked-adulthood.html Genetics Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:29:53 EST news690722941 Scientists have pinpointed crucial genetic resistance to a fungal disease that threatens the global banana supply in a wild subspecies of the fruit. In a valuable step forward for banana breeding programs, Dr. Andrew Chen and Professor Elizabeth Aitken from the University of Queensland have identified the genomic region that controls resistance to Fusarium wilt Subtropical Race 4 (STR4). The study is published in the journal Horticulture Research. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-genetic-discovery-global-banana-farming.html Molecular & Computational biology Wed, 18 Feb 2026 17:06:40 EST news690656762 University of Queensland research has revealed that double-stranded RNA-based biopesticides (dsRNA) sprayed on plant leaves can travel right down into root systems. Led by Dr. Chris Brosnan at UQ's Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Science, the work also disproves a long-standing misconception that dsRNA directly enters plant cells. The research is published in Nucleic Acids Research. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-biopesticides-opportunities.html Biotechnology Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:54:33 EST news690569641 Researchers have successfully shown a technology developed at the University of Queensland can improve the efficacy of a chemical-free flystrike treatment for sheep. The technology, BenPol, addresses the limitations of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) treatment to mitigate flystrike, which is the painful and sometimes fatal infestation of maggots on live sheep. The paper is published in the journal Pest Management Science. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-chemical-free-future-flystrike-sheep.html Molecular & Computational biology Sat, 14 Feb 2026 12:00:04 EST news690108895 Researchers have identified a new type of visual cell in deep-sea fish larvae that challenges a century of knowledge about vertebrate visual systems. Dr. Fabio Cortesi from The University of Queensland's School of the Environment said the finding could lead to new camera technology and medical treatments. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-twilight-fish-reveals-unique-hybrid.html Ecology Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:00:01 EST news690023130 A study of wastewater samples has revealed that illicit tobacco use has increased by 150% in Australia. University of Queensland researchers used samples taken across Australia and found that while general tobacco use has declined, vaping and illicit tobacco rates have increased. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-wastewater-illicit-tobacco-australia-rose.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:00:06 EST news689875291 Shift work and irregular eating patterns could affect liver function and disrupt its delicate circadian rhythm, University of Queensland researchers have found. Dr. Meltem Weger from UQ's Institute for Molecular Bioscience said the body has various circadian clocks that regulate critical biological processes including liver function. She said the liver operates its own body clock, releasing proteins in a 24-hour rhythm, and disruptions to this cycle are linked with chronic conditions such as obesity. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-shift-irregular-impact-liver-body.html Endocrinology & Metabolism Thu, 05 Feb 2026 16:12:27 EST news689530321