News: School of Biological Sciences

Extinction risk of native bee populations increased by bushfires

The golden-green carpenter bee (Xylocopa (Lestis) aeratus Female)-Xylocopa, is a species especially vulnerable to fire, with much of its habitat burnt during the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires. Image credit James Dorey.

The number of threatened Australian native bee species is expected to increase by nearly five-fold after the devastating Black Summer bushfires in 2019-20, according to new research.

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DNA traceability tools to help determine timber 'roots'

Timber logs

Researchers at the University of Adelaide in partnership with InterpreData  and DoubleHelix Tracking Technologies, Singapore, have been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Commonwealth Government’s Global Innovation Linkages Program to develop scientific origin verification tools for global timber supply chains.

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New citizen science project to create a buzz in rural Australian schools

Butterfly image - Insect Investigators

School students will be able to document their local insect biodiversity and potentially discover new species in their area, as part of a new project led by SA Museum and University of Adelaide scientists.

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Fluorescent cells could be key to cancer diagnosis

PCNA sensor news story

Scientists are a step closer to creating a fluorescent sensor that detects cancerous cells, which could become a new tool in the early identification of cancer.

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Seeking eco-warriors to create award-winning videos

Young Scientist of the Year St Aloysius students

High school students have the opportunity to be named the University of Adelaide Young Scientist of the Year and win themselves cash prizes by making a short video about an environmental problem or solution.

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Tall Poppy awards for Uni of Adelaide researchers

SA Tall Poppy Award winners from the University of Adelaide. L to R Dr Hannah Wardill, Dr Alice Jones, Dr Catia Malvaso and Dr Dominic McAfee. (Absent: Dr Linda Armbrecht)

Five University of Adelaide researchers have won 2021 South Australian Young Tall Poppy Science Awards.

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Echidna conservation science initiative a finalist in Eureka Awards

Echidna CSI alpacas

The University of Adelaide’s Echidna Conservation Science Initiative (EchidnaCSI) is a finalist in the Australian Museum’s 2021 Eureka Prizes.

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Scientists named as environmental influencers

Professor Bob Hill

University of Adelaide scientists have been named among South Australia’s most influential people in the environment sector.

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How did sugar-eating birds co-evolve with plants that produce nectar?

New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae) feeding on nectar of Acorn Banksia (Banksia prionotes). Photograph by Todd J. McWhorter.

Research led by the University of Adelaide has shown, for the first time, that the digestive systems of nectar-eating birds co-evolved with the nectar-composition in flowers.

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United States influences Australia's illegal pet trade

illegal wildlife trade high risk species

When it comes to importing illegal reptiles, Australia’s trade closely follows US trends, according to new University of Adelaide research.

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