Why the bin chickens of Sydney ditched their 'paleo diet'
Far removed from its natural environment in the marshes of western NSW, in the city the white ibis is giving up its protein-rich diet and loading up on carbs.
Latest science news
DNA from dirt shows where ancient humans lived
It is commonly known that the atoms in our bodies are made out of star dust. Now scientists have found a use for what our ancestors later became: cave dust.
CSIRO and Boeing sign $35 million extension to joint research agreement
Larry Marshall remains optimistic about collaboration between the CSIRO and the US scientific community.
No bones about it: Scientists recover ancient DNA from cave dirt
Sifting through teaspoons of clay and sand scraped from the floors of caves, German researchers have isolated ancient human DNA - without turning up a single bone.
Cassini phones home after dive between Saturn and rings
NASA's Cassini spacecraft has made a historic descent through a gap between Saturn and its rings, NASA says.
Scientist planning to bring frozen brains back to life
An Italian professor aims to "wake up" cryogenically preserved people and transplant their brains into donor bodies.
Cassini begins first dive between Saturn and its rings
NASA's Cassini spacecraft has begun a manoeuvre to make a first-ever "dive" through the space between the planet Saturn and its rings.
Like a 'horror movie': how sea urchins defend themselves
When threatened by predators, the collector sea urchin releases a terrifying counter-attack.
After 13 years orbiting Saturn, Cassini ready for grand finale
On Wednesday, NASA's running-on-empty space probe will dive into the mysterious space between the cloud tops of Saturn and the inner edge of its majestic rings.
A very hungry caterpillar could rid the world of plastic bags
Crisis could be solved by a waxworm capable of eating through the material at "uniquely high speeds".
Thousands march for science: 'We need thinkers, not deniers'
Thousands of Australians have marched in support of science and evidence-based policy as demonstrations kick off around the world on Earth Day.
Indonesian 'hobbit' evolved from African ancestor, study claims
New research into the "hobbit" fossils of now extinct metre-tall humanoids discovered on the Indonesian island of Flores has found they most likely evolved from an ancient African ancestor and not from the taller Homo erectus found on Java, as widely believed.
What Tim Minchin and Nobel Laureate Brian Schmidt have in common
A list of scientific luminaries and their supporters have signed a letter in support of international scientific endeavour on the eve of the Global March for Science on Saturday.
How long-life milk is helping scientists understand age-related disease
It's an unassuming pantry item that's helping scientists better understand Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and type two diabetes.
Huge asteroid nicknamed 'The Rock' to sail past Earth on Thursday
A huge asteroid will sail past Earth on Thursday, reminding us that the universe is a dynamic and dangerous place.
Australia returns to space as satellites launched
Australia has returned to space with the successful launch from Cape Canaveral on Wednesday morning of three locally designed and built research satellites bound for the International Space Station.
Scientists found a giant shipworm. You may wish it stayed in its tube
Unlike with other shipworms, named because they ate their way into the sides of wooden boats, no one knew where the giant shipworm lived.
Scientists discover a potential antibiotic in dragon's blood
Biochemists' discovery sounds like something out of a fairy tale.
Public health advocate calls Academy of Science 'spineless'
A public health advocate has slammed the organisation for its refusal to endorse March for Science rallies in Australia.
Wind farms: $800,000 spent on handling 90 complaints
Almost half of the complaints received were for proposed wind farms that are not yet in operation.