News: Biological Science
eDNA techniques to transform subterranean environmental assessment
![A tiny (0.7 mm long) crustacean from the family Parabathynellidae found in groundwater aquifers in the Pilbara region of Western Australia (Image by Kym Abrams)](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-01/news-subterranean-fauna-parabathynellidae.jpg?h=fbf4b26c&itok=I67RS2Zy)
A new project is set to transform understanding of the impact of mining on Australian subterranean species.
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Drones helping Australian sea lion survival
![Australian sea lions are in trouble. Their population has never recovered from the impact of the commercial sealing that occurred mainly in the 19th century.](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2020-01/news-sealion-main.jpg?h=96a96008&itok=UY25lboU)
Australian sea lions are in trouble. Scientists are using drones to investigate the health of these animals.
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Modern apes smarter than pre-humans
![Modern apes smarter than pre-humans](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-11/news-lucy-ape.jpg?h=cdaa52cf&itok=XwDjYwMq)
Scientists suggest living great apes are smarter than our pre-human ancestor Australopithecus, a group that included the famous ‘Lucy’.
Gene scans provide deep insights into plant evolution
![Gnetum gnemon (Nature)](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-11/lowe-gnetum-gnemon.jpg?h=5d515c91&itok=7fmjxuKl)
The availability of high-quality plant genome sequences and advances in functional genomics is revolutionising our ability to understand plant evolution.
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Hot as shell: birds in cooler climates lay darker eggs to keep their embryos warm
![Birds lay eggs with a huge variety of colours and patterns, from immaculate white to a range of blue-greens and reddish browns.](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-10/news-bird-nest.jpg?h=08b866d1&itok=1gT7888V)
Research shows that climate is an important indicator of what colour and pattern bird eggs will be.
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New Ramsay Fellow in Applied Science
![Ramsay Fellow Fiona Whelan](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-10/ramsay-fellow-fiona-whelan.jpg?h=2f83cd36&itok=04v78CkZ)
Fiona Whelan has been appointed as the newest Ramsay Fellow in Applied Science.
Who's eating away Australia's national parks?
![Kangaroos grazing](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/media/images/2019-10/news-kangaroos-grazing.jpg?h=2084ef8f&itok=cQVX06nS)
Australia’s national parks are under serious threat of overgrazing and native kangaroos are major contributors to the problem.
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Urban rewilding paper wins Bradshaw Medal
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A research paper that recommends increasing urban green spaces to prevent human disease, has won a significant award in its field.
Marine biologists provide deep thoughts on kelp forests
![Kelp image](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-kelp.jpg?h=f9db93db&itok=zQT2Uw1K)
Australian and New Zealand researchers have joined forces to document their view of kelp forests.
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