The removal of invasive rodents from Lord Howe Island has triggered a rebound of invertebrate life, with researchers from the University of Sydney and collaborators documenting sharp increases in the abundance of insects and other small animals that underpin the island’s ecosystem.

Meet the newest animal found in the Galápagos: a tiny blue octopus. It was discovered by scientists using a robotic camera to examine the ocean floor, and it's a testament of how much of the deep sea remains unexplored.

More than 40 years after the end of commercial whaling, new research reveals a recent increase in sightings of the world’s two largest whale species in the southeastern Atlantic. 

A new study outlines a comprehensive framework leveraging AI and big data to combat illegal plant trade, addressing global biodiversity threats with technological innovation.

From curiosity to research

For Prof. Dahlang Tahir, physics was never solely about abstract curiosity. It was about bridging the gap between theoretical understanding and real-world applications. “Over the years, this quest has led my research across an unusually wide scientific landscape, spanning condensed matter physics, nanotechnology, renewable energy, radiation protection, biodegradable materials, drug delivery, and antimicrobial biomaterials,” reflects Prof. Tahir. While the list is long, in practice, it reflects a remarkably consistent research vision. Be it carbon-based nanomaterials, cellulose composites, or biopolymer wound dressings, Prof. Tahir is driven by the same goal "to design and optimize materials at the nanoscale to maximize their functional performance in critical applications.”

Seagrass meadows are critical habitats which need conservation — and research shows that for one particularly important species of seagrass, Amphibolis antarctica, this could be as simple as collecting their free-floating baby seedlings and replanting them. By scuba-diving to observe wild meadows scientists have now learned that it reproduces sexually, producing seedlings which are new genetic individuals rather than clones of the parent plant. This boosts the plants’ genetic diversity, giving them the best possible chance of surviving disease, heatwaves, and other threats. We can restore healthy meadows and protect biodiversity by giving these seedlings somewhere to settle down.