Nominations are now open for the 2017 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science, celebrating Australia's achievements in scientific research, research-based innovation and excellence in science teaching. [ + ]

Researchers have identified a gene that causes arrhythmogenic right ventricle cardiomyopathy (ARVC) — a genetic disorder that predisposes seemingly healthy young people to cardiac arrest. [ + ]

Researchers at the University of Sydney have made a remarkable and somewhat concerning discovery: Australia's koalas are getting thirsty, and it's likely a result of climate change. [ + ]

A groundbreaking study led by Western Sydney University has found that common Australian trees are unable to store as much carbon dioxide as previously thought. [ + ]

Physicists have designed a handheld device that uses the power of MRI and mass spectrometry to perform chemical analysis of objects. Their inspiration? The sonic screwdriver used in science-fiction program Doctor Who. [ + ]

Researchers have discovered that viruses jump between species more often than previously thought — an action which plays a significant role in virus evolution. [ + ]

According to recent research from the Aboriginal Heritage Project, Indigenous Australians' connection to country is far more than just spiritual in nature. [ + ]

Irish researchers have discovered that individual gold nanorods could be used to detect mercury with high sensitivity, making them potentially suitable for use as portable analysers that can perform a rapid analysis in the field. [ + ]

Arthur Sinodinos has announced $151.5 million to be invested in four new Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) — the winners of the 18th CRC selection round. [ + ]

Researchers have discovered a way to starve the malaria parasite, which in 2015 killed more than 400,000 people from an estimated 212 million cases. [ + ]

It's no secret that people with ginger hair and pale skin are more at risk of damage from ultraviolet light, but as it turns out, that's not the only thing our redheaded brothers and sisters need to be wary of. [ + ]

If the Ice Age animated film franchise were to follow the descendants of Manny the mammoth for a few thousand years or so, viewers would see the species suffer a 'mutational meltdown' as a result of its dwindling and increasingly isolated populations. [ + ]

UK researchers are warning their fellow scientists to beware of contaminated commercial reagents, which could skew study results. [ + ]

If you thought Photoshop was the cutting edge when it came to editing software, you ain't seen nothing yet. [ + ]

UWA's Zadko Telescope has captured the explosion that gave birth to a black hole 12 billion light years away, which took place before the Earth and Sun existed. [ + ]