Australian National University

The star Betelgeuse has dimmed twice in the past year. Now astronomers say they’ve found what may have caused the latest episode – and also discovered that the star is smaller, closer to Earth and further from exploding than previously thought.

Radioactive isotopes found in ocean sediments show that Earth has been traveling through a cloud of fallout from an ancient supernova for the past 33,000 years. A new study indicates that could only have been of extraterrestrial origin.

Solar-to-hydrogen cells can convert solar energy directly into hydrogen without needing an external electrolyzer, and an exciting new design out of the Australian National University has achieved record efficiency levels using low-cost materials.

Scientists have uncovered new evidence of the importance of keeping obesity and type 2 diabetes at bay through exercise, finding that it likely prevents early onset of liver cancer in high-risk individuals.

Stacking perovskite solar cells on top of silicon ones is one way to increase the amount of sunlight harnessed. Now researchers at Australian National University (ANU) have broken a new efficiency record for these tandem solar cells.

Scientists in Australia have made a big breakthrough in regenerative medicine, developing a hydrogel that acts as a “sanctuary” for transplanted stem cells in the brain, giving them the smooth start they need to survive in their new environment.

Scientists in Australia have developed a jelly-like material with many of the properties of living tissue. A form of a hydrogel, it is self-healing, very strong and can change its shape – allowing it to mimic skin, ligaments, and bone.

Nowadays, the Milky Way is a pretty quiet galaxy – but just a few million years ago its central black hole sent off huge flares of radiation.

Analysis of Saturn’s interior describes jet streams that continue deep below the surface and thick liquid that “flows like honey”.

Astronomers have detected a gravitational wave signal that appears to be caused by a black hole swallowing a neutron star. Aside from being an incredible cosmic cataclysm to witness, this detection is important for another reason: it may be the final point in the gravitational wave trifecta.

Human lives make it impossible to witness the full life cycles of stars, planets and galaxies. But sometimes, if we’re lucky, astronomers might be able to catch crucial moments playing out before their eyes. Now a team has done just that, watching as a red giant star goes through its death throes.

Engineers have recently focused on trying to emulate the structure of the brain with artificial synapses. Now, a team of researchers have made a new artificial synapse design that works using a light-based biotechnology technique called optogenetics.