Animals & Plants

Here’s what you need to know about the Varroa mite

Bee populations worldwide have been collapsing under attack from parasitic Varroa mites. Now, these mites have reached Australia. Professor Sasha Mikheyev from The Australian National University...

Male dogs four times more likely to develop contagious cancer on nose or mouth

A new study has found that male dogs are four to five times more likely than female dogs to be infected with the oro-nasal...

Great white sharks may have contributed to megalodon extinction

Using zinc isotopes, researchers investigated the diet of the megalodon, the largest shark to have ever lived Megatooth sharks like Otodus megalodon, more commonly known...

Dog is your heart’s best friend

Scientists from St. Anne's University Hospital found that owning a pet may help maintain a healthy heart, especially if that pet is a dog. The...

This extinct giant crocodile species likely preyed on human ancestors

Millions of years ago, giant dwarf crocodiles roamed a part of Africa with a taste for our human ancestors. In a new study, researchers led...

Pets could benefit health in people with autism

Scientists from Edge Hill University found that animal ownership has multiple benefits for adults diagnosed with autism. They found that not only do people with...

The largest plant on Earth stretches across 180km and is 4,500 years old

Australian researchers have located what is believed to be the largest plant on Earth—and they estimate it's at least 4,500 years old. The ancient and...

Wild animals are evolving much faster than previously thought

The raw material for evolution is much more abundant in wild animals than we previously believed, according to new research from The Australian National...

Scientists find ancient bird behind giant eggs ate by Australians around 50,000 years ago

Scientists settle debate surrounding 'Thunder bird' species, and whether its eggs were exploited by early Australian people around 50,000 years ago. Proteins extracted from fragments...

The power of pets: health benefits of human-animal interactions

Nothing compares to the joy of coming home to a loyal companion. The unconditional love of a pet can do more than keep you...