New Atlas

Biology Audio available

Scientists witness lizard lay eggs and give live birth in same litter

Michael Irving April 2, 2019

Normally, animals reproduce by either laying eggs or giving birth to live young, but an Australian species of lizard can apparently do both in the same pregnancy. Scientists witnessed a three-toed skink lay three eggs before giving birth to a live baby, which has never been observed before.

Scientists have witnessed a female three-toed skink laying eggs and giving live birth in the same ...

Science Audio available

Bold study claims humans may have arrived in Australia 120,000 years ago

Michael Irving March 15, 2019

It’s currently believed that Aboriginal ancestors made their way to Australia as long as 65,000 years ago, but new evidence may push the timeline back much further. If the Moyjil site does turn out to be human-made, it suggests that people have been living in Australia for as long as 120,000 years.

A bold new study suggests that Aboriginal Australians have lived on the southern continent for as ...

Biology Audio available

Incredibly rare "semi-identical" twins born in Australia

Michael Irving February 27, 2019

Twins born in Queensland, Australia have been found to belong to an extremely rare in-between type known as “semi-identical” twins. This is only the second known case in the world, and the first time it was identified during pregnancy using genetic testing.

Semi-identical twins born in Australia mark only the second known case in the world

Military

Boeing unveils Loyal Wingman military combat drone

David Szondy February 27, 2019

Boeing has taken the wraps off its latest combat drone, presenting a model of its Loyal Wingman UAV at the Australian International Airshow. The concept demonstrator aircraft is being developed in partnership between the Australian government and Boeing Australia.

A model of the unmanned Boeing Airpower Teaming System was unveiled at the Australian International Airshow

Medical Audio available

"Whole bacterial" pneumonia vaccine approaches human trials

Darren Quick February 3, 2019

GPN Vaccines has developed a vaccine that is claimed to be effective against all forms of Streptococcus pneumoniae, the main cause of pneumonia, and the Australian company has now secured funding to conduct preclinical trials.

A new pneumonia vaccine that is claimed to be effective against all strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae ...

Remarkable People Audio available

Remains of explorer who put Australia on the map found under Euston Station

David Szondy January 27, 2019

Archaeologists excavating an abandoned burial ground under Euston Station in London have uncovered the remains of the Royal Navy explorer Captain Matthew Flinders, who led the first expedition to circumnavigate Australia in 1802 and gave the country its name.

Captain Flinders was the first man to circumnavigate Australia

Holiday Destinations

Bikepacking and bush-bashing through lush forest on Australia's spectacular southern coast

Nick Lavars January 19, 2019

"Why am I doing this again?" I asked a friend, half-joking but also half-serious, as he helped me strap enough luggage to fill a small suitcase onto the seatpost of my bike. I was about to ride alone into the forest for two days, on the hunt for adventure.

On the road in the south-east corner of Australia

Medical Audio available

New ALS drug slows disease progression in groundbreaking clinical trial

Michael Irving January 14, 2019

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disease that usually claims the lives of patients within a few years. But now a new drug developed by a team of Australian scientists has shown promise in a Phase 1 clinical trial, improving symptoms and slowing progression of the disease.

A new drug, known as CuATSM, has had promising results in treating ALS in a Phase ...

Telecommunications Audio available

Australian government passes controversial world-first anti-encryption law amid broad criticism

Rich Haridy December 6, 2018

The Australian government yesterday passed a bill allowing law enforcement agencies to compel tech companies to hand over encrypted messaging data. The legislation has been broadly condemned with suggestions it could not only harm the Australian tech industry, but undermine encryption worldwide.

The Australian government has just passed an anti-encryption law that could have global implications

Biology Audio available

The mystery of how, and why, wombats produce cubic poop

Rich Haridy November 18, 2018

Wombat poo has mystified scientists for years. The shy marsupial is unique for being the only animal in the world to produce cubic poo. A team of researchers has finally uncovered exactly how this quiet animal produces its square feces, and the discovery could lead to novel manufacturing techniques.

The wombat is the only animal in the world to produce square-shaped poop