Discovery
Research discoveries add to human knowledge. They help us understand our world – and the universe. They help us understand who we are, and plan and prepare for the future. Discoveries can be serendipitous. But more often, they are the result of painstaking work. Here are some discoveries from the University of Melbourne and its collaborators.
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Bringing birth forward to 39 weeks has no adverse developmental effects
Developmental outcomes of children birthed by induced labour at 39 weeks’ gestation shows there's no difference in childhood development at ages four to six years compared to full-term babies.
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Keeping career change teachers in schools
To ensure career change teachers remain in the profession, teacher educators must develop support strategies and consider the specific needs of career-change teachers, according to a new industry report from the Melbourne Graduate School of Education.
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An energy-efficient method to reduce drag in high-turbulence conditions
The method creates opportunities for counteracting drag caused by high turbulence, which affects the fuel efficiency of airplanes and ships.
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GABA inhibitory neurotransmitter excites cells in the adult brain
GABA – a neurotransmitter previously thought to have only inhibitory activity in the brains of adult mammals – can also excite certain types of cells.
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A new coating boosts the performance of implantable electrodes
A new coating improves the lifespan and performance of carbon-fibre microelectrodes, enabling two-way communication with single cells.
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Beneath the Surface and Inside Out: exploring neuroscience through art
A collaboration between a textile artist and a neuroscientist explores how the brain’s predictive processes are linked to mental health.
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Identifying changes in leg joints of female runners during puberty
How running affects females’ knee and hip joints changes during puberty. The findings could help prevent common sports injuries in female adolescents.
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Waste management legislation in Pacific region countries – insights and opportunities
A comprehensive legal review aims to reduce environmental, health and economic risk and improve waste management in 15 Pacific region nations.
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Modelling can predict the best cancer treatment for patient groups
For many cancers, treatment options are too numerous to test in clinical trials. Modelling can be used predict the best treatment for patient groups.
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Psychological therapy reduces depression in women who have experienced domestic violence
Combined evidence from 33 clinical trials shows that psychological therapy may benefit mental health in women who have experienced domestic violence.
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Stroke patients in remote Australia can’t reach hospital in time
The time taken to fly stroke patients from remote Australia to specialised stroke units exceeds the ‘golden hour’ for diagnosis and treatment.
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Quantum sensing of chiton teeth
Quantum magnetic microscopy shows processes of iron biomineralisation in chiton teeth, the hardest known animal teeth.
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App offers mental health support for carers
An app for carers of young people with mental illness appears to enable therapeutic bonds to grow between users and the app.
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The funeral industry in the digital age
Funeral directors decide which digital services are appropriate for grief and mourning, making it difficult for entrepreneurs to enter the industry.
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Designing for resilience in bushfire-prone areas
Researchers have developed nine principles to help urban planners, emergency services and communities collaborate to reduce fire risk.
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Gig economy requires a rethink of equality law
New ways to protect workers from discrimination and relevance of current equality laws questioned in gig economy.
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Women, workplaces and volunteering
Women are more likely than men to take on workplace tasks that don’t lead to personal gain, potentially impacting promotions and workplace diversity.
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Letters show children's help for refugees
Letters between two young pen-pals in the 1930s show how some Australians sought to help Jewish refugees when government policy didn’t.
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William Blake: A poet of the modern world
William Blake’s progressive views on sexuality, creativity and social justice offer a way to explore what it is to be human in the modern world.
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TACI: A new target for treating lupus
Removing the molecule TACI from immune cells in mice with lupus protects against the disease without compromising immunity.
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How buruli ulcer spreads in humans
Mosquito bites and puncture wounds are likely to transmit bacteria causing Buruli ulcer, a disfiguring infectious disease in humans.
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Marine bacteria push the limits of food-finding
Recreating microscopic features of the ocean shows marine bacteria have pushed food-finding behaviour almost to its limit.
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Modelling to predict chemical behaviour
Computer modelling methods based on density functional theory predict how molecules will behave. New tools help researchers choose the best method.
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Ancient marine life left clues to early evolution
A previously unknown form of marine life that lived around 600–700 million years ago provides clues to early evolution.
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Plotting Indigenous languages in 50 Words
While many Indigenous languages are in danger of disappearing, a new website is bringing the diversity of Australian languages to life.