University of Queensland

Spider venom isn’t normally something you want in your body, but there might be exceptions. Australian researchers have identified two peptides from tarantula venom that show promise in blocking organ pain, working particularly well in mice with IBS.

Australian researchers have solved the mystery behind the sting of one of the most venomous plants on the planet. The newly discovered neurotoxin explains how Australian stinging trees cause pain that can last for extraordinarily long periods.

Scientists have developed a new method to detect trace amounts of plastic in edible tissues, and tried it out on a range of seafood such as oysters, prawns, squid, crabs and sardines to find plastic particles in all samples tested.

A strange set of fossilized footprints has been discovered in South Korea which look like crocodile tracks – but the stride is that of a bipedal animal. Scientists concluded that ancient ancestors of crocodiles were walking around on two legs.

Australian researchers are reporting a breakthrough in the battle against the novel coronavirus, discovering evidence of the virus in raw wastewater samples collected in the northern state of Queensland.

Opioid pain relievers not only produce potential side effects such as nausea and constipation, but they can also be highly addictive. Australian scientists have therefore created what could be a better medication, that is made using tarantula venom.

Scientists working on quantum dot solar cells have made a major breakthrough in the area, smashing the previous world record for conversion efficiency by close to 25 percent and bringing the idea of flexible, see-through solar cells one step closer.

Couples trying to conceive often feel like they're racing the clock, as the quality and number of eggs declines in women. Now, this egg aging process has been reversed in mice using a metabolic compound, possibly leading to new fertility drugs.

New research is shedding new light on the surprising complexity of squid brains. Using MRI scanning, researchers from the University of Queensland have produced a new map of neural connections to improve our understanding of their behavior.

Scientists have observed four new species of shark using their fins to walk across the sea floor, a motion rarely seen in the animals and one that affords them a strong advantage over the smaller creatures they prey on.

Scientists have uncovered what may have been the “last stand” of Homo erectus. Previously thought to have disappeared about 300,000 years ago, Homo erectus could have survived in Indonesia until as recently as 108,000 years ago.

In a way it seems so obvious: find out what kinds of things people are putting into their bodies by studying what comes out the other end. These do sound like muddy waters, but some see a very bright future for this dark corner of science.