Posts tagged as:

biology

Fresh Scientists of 2010

26 May 2010

We are pleased to announce the Fresh Scientists of 2010:

Peter Domachuk, School of Physics, University of Sydney
Naomi McSweeney, School of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Australia
Andrew Dowdy, Bureau of Meteorology
Julien Ridoux, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Melbourne
Bridget Murphy, School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney
Dave Ackland, Department of [...]

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Big babies and small families make evolutionary sense

10 July 2008

Why don’t elephants (and humans) have thousands of little babies instead of one big one?
Sydney researchers have discovered and modelled the key factors responsible for offspring and family size.

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Fin tips reveal the secret of underwater flight: ten times faster than an Olympic swimmer

17 June 2008

Certain small reef fish use wing-like fins to ‘fly’ underwater, allowing them to cruise at speeds equivalent to tuna, a team of Australian and US researchers has found. The design of the fins has drawn the attention of underwater submersible designers and the US Office of Naval Research.   

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Australian orchids’ sneaky sex tricks: floral arms race seduces insects

20 August 2007

Australian orchids are engaged in an arms race, using sensory overload to seduce male insects.

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How sea slugs fall in love

14 August 2007

Scott Cummins and his colleagues at The University of Queensland have uncovered a potent mix of chemicals which acts like a cross between Chanel No 5 and Viagra-but only if you are a sea slug.

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Playing possum: one love

10 August 2006

Why are some males faithful, stay-at-home partners while others sleep around, with no strings attached? In mountain brushtail possums, it turns out to depend on how disturbed their home is.

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What Females Want: Just what do fish find sexy?

26 May 2001

Scientists agree: some people are universally gorgeous. Studies in evolutionary biology show that few things are more advantageous to success than being attractive, since good looking individuals leave more offspring than their unattractive contemporaries.

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