Macquarie University

2024-09-25 @ 19.36.09 ∈ In English

“World-first” indoor vertical farm to produce 4M pounds of berries a year

The Richmond farm uses 97% less land and up to 90% less water than conventional farming, eradicates the use of pesticides, and the controlled environment and shorter supply chain will also lower pathogenic risk to crops.

2024-06-27 @ 11.14.53 ∈ In English

Frog ‘saunas’ help endangered frogs survive the devastating impacts of a deadly fungal disease

The research team found artificial 'hotspot' shelters built from readily available materials, such as bricks and PVC greenhouses, can allow frogs to quickly 'bake off' infections with the chytrid fungus. When frogs shifted to hotspot shelters, chytrid infections were reduced significantly.

2023-05-03 @ 18.09.10 ∈ In English

Example of tool use by an insect found in Australian assassin bugs

In simply watching the bugs, the researchers noted that both males and females would scrape resin off grass blades and apply it to parts of their bodies—most specifically their forelegs. […] After testing a number of the bugs, the research team found that they were 26% more successful at capturing their prey when the resin was on their bodies.