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Researchers looking at the origins of life on Earth have come up with a new explanation for how the earliest molecular material was able to replicate in the primordial soup. They have found that hydrogen peroxide, an ingredient commonly associated with hair bleach, may have been the key to the early replication of RNA - the polymeric molecule that is thought to have existed before cellular life and DNA.

Astronomers searching for clues about dark energy, the mysterious force that is speeding up the expansion of the Universe, have uncovered new evidence about the nature of supernovae, finding many are lighter than scientists had expected. The findings, from an international team from the Nearby Supernova Factory project, overturn previous understanding of white dwarf stars and raise new questions about how these stars explode.

Australian National University-led research has busted the myth that overweight people live longer than people with a lower body mass index (BMI). The research examined the way in which data were analysed in a range of studies, some of which had suggested that overweight people can actually live longer and others which had suggested the contrary.

New research has helped explain the frequency of motorcycle collisions with cars, finding drivers are slower to notice motorbikes when there are fewer motorbikes on the road. Dr Vanessa Beanland, from the Australian National University's (ANU) Research School of Psychology, found motorists would see and react to motorcycles up to three seconds faster when more motorbikes were on the road.

New research has found some birds choose not to reproduce so they can guard the nests of their close relatives. "One of the mysteries of evolutionary biology is why, in about nine per cent of bird species, some individuals choose to forgo reproduction and help others raise young," says Dr Naomi Langmore of the ANU Research School of Biology.

As you step outdoors into the bright sunshine, your pupils automatically contract. Scientists from the Australian Centre of Excellence in Vision Science (ACEVS) based at The Australian National University (ANU) are making use of how this 'pupil reflex' is connected to the brain as a potential new way of testing the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Researchers have used computer modelling to correct our understanding of the ancient movements of tectonic plates, which will help accurately locate oil and gas resources in our region. "The location of oil and hydrocarbon resources is determined by the tectonic architecture of the Earth," explains Professor Gordon Lister of the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences.

When observing the bright explosion of a White Dwarf star in our neighbouring galaxy last year, researchers from The Australian National University collected the largest ever data set on what they recognised as one of our best 'standard candles' yet for distance measurements in the Universe. "We know how a candle of a particular brightness grows fainter as it is moved further away from us.

A team of palaeontologists, including three from ANU have uncovered the oldest fossilised vertebrate muscles ever discovered. The team have mapped the musculature of an ancient fossil fish approximately 380 million years old, discovered in the Gogo Formation in the Kimberley of Western Australia. "Gogo fossil fish are famous for their exceptional preservation," explains Dr Gavin Young of the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences.

A protein that costs the Australian sheep industry hundreds of millions of dollars each year may also pave the way to an antidote for chemical warfare agents. Having a better understanding of the structure of this protein will not only benefit farmers by enabling design of more effective pesticides, but is the first step towards creating an antidote for victims of chemical warfare agents, such as sarin gas.

Fish with parasites attached to their heads have a stronger preference for left or right when facing a T-intersection, giving them an edge when it comes to escaping predators, research from The Australian National University (ANU) has revealed. A preference for one side is called lateralisation. Many human behaviours, such as being left-or right-handed when writing, are lateralised due to the body's asymmetries and different wiring in the brain's hemispheres.

Most people associate work with negative effects on family life, but new research from The Australian National University (ANU) has turned this view on its head, showing that the positives of jobs flow through too. With both National Families Week and the Federal Budget this week, this finding is a timely reminder of the impact policy decisions about jobs, work and work conditions can have on Australian families.

We all know that the Earth rotates beneath our feet, but new research from ANU has revealed that the centre of the Earth is out of sync with the rest of the planet, frequently speeding up and slowing down. Associate Professor Hrvoje Tkalcic from the ANU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and his team used earthquake doublets to measure the rotation speed of Earth's inner core over the last 50 years.

Researchers from The Australian National University (ANU) working on the New South Wales south coast have discovered a new species of ancient fish, after unearthing the largest fossilised lobe-finned fish skull ever found in rocks of Devonian age. The descendants of these ancient fish evolved into the first land animals.

A team of Australian scientists has developed a powerful microscope using the laws of quantum mechanics to probe the inner workings of living cells. The team, a collaboration between The University of Queensland and the Australian National University, believe their microscope could lead to a better understanding of the basic components of life and eventually allow quantum mechanics to be probed at a macroscopic level.

Researchers have found parts of our coral reefs are more resistant to ocean acidification than first thought, casting a ray of hope on the future of our reefs. The study, published today, details their analyses of the mineral structure of coralline algae, which form a hard ridge around the reef, protecting delicate corals from harsh waves and holding the structure together.

A new study mapping when children spend time with their father after divorce, has revealed a shift away from children only spending time with their father every second weekend. The study, based on a random sample of 408 separated parents registered with the Australian Child Support Agency, found that despite the complexity of some parenting arrangements, children generally moved between homes two or four times each fortnight.

Physical activity rather than food has the biggest impact on children's weight according to new data from the Lifestyle of our Kids (LOOK) longitudinal study. Lead researcher Richard Telford from the ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment and the Clinical Trials Unit at The Canberra Hospital said the new aspect of the LOOK study provides some of the strongest evidence to date in the important debate around how best to tackle childhood obesity.

Regular players of electronic gaming machines (EGMs) find it difficult to identify early signs and symptoms of problem gambling and are reluctant to intervene when they think someone they know might have a gambling problem, according to new research released today. The report, Beliefs and knowledge about gambling amongst high-intensity players of gaming machines , by researchers at The Australian National University, was commissioned by the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission.

Global drought areas have not increased over the past 60 years due to climate change contradicting previous research. The findings are the result of the paper's authors using more realistic calculations based on the underlying physical principles behind droughts.