Unearthed in 1958 by a young fossil hunter in Albion, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, dinosaur footprints have been officially recognized as the continent’s oldest, dating back approximately 230 million years to the late Triassic period. This discovery indicates that dinosaurs inhabited the Brisbane region far earlier than previously thought by paleontologists.
Living fossils unearthed from Petrie Quarry, Albion, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Image credit: Anthony Romilio & Bruce Runnegar, doi: 10.1080/03115518.2025.2607630.
The 18.5 cm (7 in.) long dinosaur footprint was discovered at Petrie’s Quarry, part of the Aspley Formation, alongside a slab featuring narrow linear grooves interpreted as possible tail traces.
Both specimens were extracted before the quarry site was redeveloped, passing through several university collections since then.
“This is the only dinosaur fossil discovered in an Australian capital, highlighting how significant finds can remain hidden in plain sight,” stated Dr. Anthony Romilio, a palaeontologist from the University of Queensland.
“Urban development has rendered the original site inaccessible, leaving behind these footprints as the only evidence of dinosaurs in the area.”
The footprints show impressions of three forward-facing toes, with the central toe demonstrating a faint fan-shaped outline, characteristics typical of a bipedal dinosaur.
Advanced 3D modeling and morphometric analysis revealed that this footprint closely resembles the Ichnogenus Evazoum, commonly linked to early sauropod dinosaurs found elsewhere.
Based on the dimensions of the footprints, Dr. Romilio and Professor Bruce Rannegar estimated that the corresponding dinosaur stood about 78 centimeters (31 inches) tall at the waist and weighed around 144 kilograms (89 pounds).
Utilizing established scaling equations, researchers calculated the maximum potential running speed to be about 60 km/h (37 mph).
While no dinosaur skeletons have been found in the Aspley Formation, these footprints serve as the only direct evidence of dinosaur presence in this time and place.
“Dinosaurs may have walked along waterways, leaving their tracks preserved in sandstone that was later cut to build structures across Brisbane,” Dr. Romilio explained.
“If not for the foresight to conserve this material, the history of Brisbane’s dinosaurs would have remained completely unknown.”
“These footprints were made in sediment by large animals and exemplify a unique kind of trace fossil,” stated Professor Rannegar.
The associated tail print, approximately 13 centimeters (5 inches) long, aligns with structures interpreted as a dinosaur’s tail track. However, the authors caution that without preservation of the corresponding footprint in an appropriate location, its origin remains uncertain.
“The shallow linear grooves found in the tail block closely match reported tail drag traces, yet lack any remaining evidence of Manus or Pes. Their true identity remains ambiguous,” they noted.
“These grooves could have resulted from caudal contact in the orbits of prosauropods, but typically on-site and near the midline of such orbit, which isn’t applicable in this case.”
The team’s research paper has been published this week in The Alcheringa, Australian Journal of Paleontology.
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Anthony Romilio and Bruce Rannegar. Australia’s oldest dinosaur: Reproductive fossils unearthed from the Carnian Aspley Formation in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Alcheringa published online on February 1, 2026. doi: 10.1080/03115518.2025.2607630
Shorebirds serve as important indicators of coastal and wetland ecosystems, and their widespread distribution highlights their ecological significance. Although wading shorebirds are infrequently found in the fossil record, a remarkable collection of shorebird fossils has emerged from Pleistocene deposits at the Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Site in South Australia. Recent studies on these fossils provide insights into the evolution of wetland environments, revealing that flourishing habitats vanished with climate shifts as far back as 60,000 years ago. The research links a drying phase around 17,000 years ago to the decline of many of the nine or more shorebird species discovered in one of the Naracoorte Caves.
Red knot (Calidris canutus), near Grinet, Brittany, France. Image credit: Stephan Sprinz / CC BY 4.0.
“Shorebirds are rare in the fossil record, making the discovery of numerous shorebird fossils in Blanche Cave surprising,” stated PhD candidate Karl Lenser from Flinders University.
“This finding suggests that wetlands and tidal flats—vital feeding grounds for plovers, sandpipers, and other shorebirds—were more prevalent during the last Ice Age.”
Currently, climate change and habitat loss are contributing to the decline of Australia’s shorebird populations.
Gaining insights into how these species adapted to historical climate changes may be essential for forecasting their future.
Lenser and his team were particularly intrigued by the remains of the Plains Wanderer, an endangered bird found mostly in Victoria and New South Wales, which was among the most common fossils identified in this study.
Out of approximately 300 examined bones, more than half were identified as those of Plains Wanderers.
“Today’s Plains Wanderers are selective about their habitats; however, other fossils from Naracoorte indicate that the area once featured wooded environments—starkly different from the treeless grassland they inhabit today,” Lenser explained.
Naracoorte represents the only fossil site in Australia with such a substantial population of Plains Wanderers, indicating a significant decline in their numbers over the last 14,000 years due to habitat restriction.
Dr. Trevor Worthy from Flinders University highlighted the uniqueness of this sandpiper fossil sample, noting its representation of migratory species that travel from the Northern Hemisphere to spend winters in Australia.
“This includes three species from the Calidris genus and the Latham Sandpiper (Galinago hardwickii),” he added.
“Fossil assemblages also include blue-bellied plovers that migrate from Australia to New Zealand for breeding.”
“Fossil evidence shows that two young birds flew approximately 2,000 km from New Zealand and were captured by owls near Blanche Cave in Naracoorte,” Dr. Worthy explained.
“There remains much to uncover about Australia’s bird species from the last Ice Age, and fossils from sites like Naracoorte are crucial for filling in these knowledge gaps,” Lenser noted.
“Naracoorte Caves holds a 500,000-year record of biodiversity in Southeast South Australia,” stated Dr. Liz Reid from the University of Adelaide.
“As this study clearly demonstrates, caves offer a glimpse into pre-European landscapes, providing valuable information for the conservation of endangered species today.”
Visitors to Naracoorte Caves can explore the excavation site and delve into the science behind South Australia’s only World Heritage Site.
Findings have been published in the online journal Old Trogia Electronica about the study.
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Karl M. Lenser et al. 2026. Fossil shorebirds (order: Charadriidae) revealing a Pleistocene wetland trend at Naracoorte Caves, South Australia. Old Trogia Electronica 29 (1): a2; doi: 10.26879/1608
Instagram alerts that accounts for users under 16 will be terminated
Stringer/AFP (via Getty Images)
Australia’s groundbreaking social media restrictions on users under 16 have officially started, unveiling some contentious issues from the inaugural day of the new law. Notably, some minors managed to sidestep age verification measures intended to prevent them from accessing their accounts.
This initiative has garnered backing from numerous parents who hope it will mitigate online harassment, promote outdoor activities, and lessen exposure to inappropriate material. However, critics argue that the ban may be ineffective or even counterproductive, as highlighted by a variety of satirical memes.
Andrew Hammond, associated with KJR, a consultancy in Canberra where he oversaw age verification initiatives for the Australian government, is keenly observing how the current situation evolves. He mentioned having spoken to several parents of children covered by the ban, none of whom had lost access to their accounts yet. “Some have reported they circumvented it or haven’t yet been prompted,” Hammond stated, though he anticipates more accounts will be disabled next week.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has initiated account removals about a week ago. A spokesperson affirmed, “As of today, we have disabled all accounts confirmed to be under 16.” They confirmed, “As the social media ban in Australia takes effect, we will preclude access to Instagram, Threads, and Facebook for teenagers known to be under this age and will restrict newcomers under 16 from setting up accounts.”
While Meta did not disclose the specific number of accounts terminated, a representative referred to earlier data indicating that approximately 150,000 users aged 13 to 15 are active on Facebook, and around 350,000 on Instagram in Australia. This implies that at least half a million accounts belonging to young Australians have been deleted on these two platforms alone.
The company stated its dedication to fulfilling its legal responsibilities, yet many concerns voiced by community organizations and parents have already manifested on the first day of the ban. These include risk of isolating vulnerable youth from supportive online communities, nudging them towards lesser-regulated apps and web areas, irregular age verification practices, and minimal concern for compliance among numerous teenagers and their parents, according to the spokesperson.
Mr. Hammond raised further questions, particularly regarding the status of minors under 16 who are vacationing or studying in Australia. The government has clarified that this regulation applies equally to visiting minors. While Australian accounts have been deleted, Mr. Hammond suspects that visitors’ accounts may simply be momentarily suspended. “It’s been merely a few hours since the ban was enacted, so there remains substantial uncertainty about its implementation,” he stated.
Australia and other nations are closely monitoring the repercussions as the law is fully enforced. “We will soon discover how attached minors under 16 are to social media and the actual situation that unfolds,” he said. He speculated that perhaps “they will venture outside to play sports.” Nonetheless, he warned, “if their lives are deeply intertwined with it, we may witness a plethora of attempts to evade these restrictions.”
As Australia readies itself to restrict access to 10 major social media platforms for users under 16, lesser-known companies are targeting the teen demographic, often engaging underage influencers for promotional content.
“With a social media ban on the horizon, I’ve discovered a cool new app we can switch to,” stated one teenage TikTok influencer during a sponsored “collaboration” video on the platform Coverstar.
New social media regulations in Australia will take effect, effectively prohibiting all users under 16 from accessing TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, Kick, and X starting December 10.
It remains uncertain how effective this ban will be, as numerous young users may attempt to bypass it. Some are actively seeking alternative social media platforms.
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Alongside Coverstar, other lesser-known apps like Lemon8 and Yope have recently surged in popularity, currently sitting at the top two spots in Apple’s lifestyle category in Australia.
The government has stated that the list of banned apps is “dynamic,” meaning additional platforms may be added over time. Experts have voiced concerns that this initiative might lead to a game of “whack-a-mole,” pushing children and teens into less visible corners of the internet.
Dr. Catherine Page-Jeffrey, a specialist in digital media and technology at the University of Sydney, remarked, “This legislation may inadvertently create more dangers for young people. As they migrate to less regulated platforms, they might become more secretive about their social media activities, making them less likely to report troubling content or harmful experiences to their parents.”
Here’s what we know about some of the apps that kids are opting for.
Coverstar
Coverstar, a video-sharing app based in the U.S., identifies itself as “a new social app for Generation Alpha that emphasizes creativity, utilizes AI, and is deemed safer than TikTok.” Notably, it is not subject to the social media ban and currently holds the 45th position in Apple’s Australian download rankings.
A screenshot from Yope reveals that the Guardian was able to set up an account for a fictitious four-year-old named Child Babyface without needing parental consent. Photo: Yope
Children as young as 4 can use this platform to livestream, post videos, and comment. For users under 13, the app requires them to record themselves stating, “My name is ____. I give you permission to use Coverstar,” which the app then verifies. Adults are also permitted to create accounts, post content, and engage in comments.
Similar to TikTok and Instagram, users can spend real money on virtual “gifts” for creators during live streams. Coverstar also offers a “premium” subscription featuring additional functionalities.
The app highlights its absence of direct messaging, adherence to an anti-bullying policy, and constant monitoring by AI and human moderators as key safety measures.
Dr. Jennifer Beckett, an authority on online governance and social media moderation at the University of Melbourne, raised concerns regarding Coverstar’s emphasis on AI: “While AI use is indeed promising, there are significant limitations. It’s not adept at understanding nuance or context, which is why human oversight is necessary. The critical question is: how many human moderators are there?”
Coverstar has been reached for comments.
Lemon8
Lemon8, a photo and video sharing platform reminiscent of Instagram and owned by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, has experienced a notable rise in user engagement recently.
Users can connect their TikTok accounts to easily transfer content and follow their favorite TikTok creators with a single click.
However, on Tuesday, Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant revealed that her office has advised Lemon8 to conduct a self-assessment to ascertain if it falls under the new regulations.
Yope
With only 1,400 reviews on the Apple App Store, Yope has emerged as a “friends-only private photo messaging app” that is positioned as an alternative to Snapchat after the ban.
Bahram Ismailau, co-founder and CEO of Yope, described the company as “a small team dedicated to creating the ideal environment for teenagers to share images with friends.”
Similar to Lemon8, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner also reached out to Yope, advising a self-assessment. Ismailau informed the Guardian that he had not received any communication but is “prepared to publicly express our overall eSafety policy concerning age-restricted social media platforms.”
He claimed that after conducting a self-assessment, Yope determines it fully meets the law’s exemption for apps designed solely for messaging, email, video calls, and voice calls.
Australian government adds Reddit and Kick to social media ban for under-16s – video
“Yope functions as a private photo messenger devoid of public content,” asserted Ismailau. “It’s comparable in security to iMessage or WhatsApp.”
According to Yope’s website, the app is designed for users aged 13 and above, with those between 13 and 18 required to engage a parent or guardian. However, the Guardian successfully created an account for a fictitious four-year-old named Child Babyface without needing parental consent.
A mobile number is mandatory for account creation.
Ismailau did not address inquiries about under-13 accounts directly but confirmed that plans are underway to update the privacy policy and terms of service to better reflect the app’s actual usage and intended audience.
Red Note
The Chinese app Red Note, also referred to as Xiaohongshu, attracted American users when TikTok faced a temporary ban in the U.S. earlier this year.
Beckett noted that the app might provide a safe space, considering that “Social media is heavily regulated in China, which is reflected in the content requiring moderation.”
“Given TikTok’s previous issues with pro-anorexia content, it’s clear that the platform has faced its own challenges,” she added.
Nonetheless, cybersecurity experts highlight that the app collects extensive personal information and could be legally obligated to share it with third parties, including the Chinese government.
Despite the increasing number of restricted social media services, specialists assert that governments are underestimating children’s eagerness to engage with social media and their resourcefulness in doing so.
“We often overlook the intelligence of young people,” Beckett remarked. “They are truly adept at finding ways to navigate restrictions.”
Anecdotal evidence suggests that some kids are even exploring website builders to create their own forums and chat rooms; alternatives include using shared Google Docs for communication.
“They will find ways to circumvent these restrictions,” Beckett asserted. “They will be clever about it.”
a■ Australia is capitalizing on the AI boom, with numerous new investments in data centers located in Sydney and Melbourne. However, experts caution about the strain these large-scale projects may impose on already limited water resources.
The projected water demand for servicing Sydney’s data centers is anticipated to surpass the total drinking water supply in Canberra within the next decade.
In Melbourne, the Victorian government has pledged a $5.5 million investment to transform the city into Australia’s data center hub. Currently, hyperscale data center applications already exceed the collective water demands of nearly all of the top 30 business customers in the state.
Tech giants like Open AI and Atlassian are advocating for Australia to evolve into a data processing and storage hub. With 260 data centers currently operational and numerous others planned, experts express concern regarding the repercussions for drinking water resources.
Sydney Water projects that it will require as much as 250 megalitres daily to support the industry by 2035—more than the total drinking water supply in Canberra drinking water).
Cooling Requires Significant Water
Professor Priya Rajagopalan, director of RMIT’s Center for Post Carbon Research, points out that a data center’s water and energy requirements are largely dictated by the cooling technology implemented.
“Using evaporative cooling leads to significant water loss due to evaporation, while a sealed system conserves water but requires substantial amounts for cooling,” she explains.
Older data centers typically depend on air cooling. However, the increased demand for computational power means greater server rack densities, resulting in higher temperatures. Hence, these centers rely more heavily on water for cooling solutions.
Water consumption in data centers varies significantly. For instance, NextDC has transitioned to liquid-to-chip cooling, which cools processors and GPUs directly, as opposed to cooling entire rooms with air or water.
NextDC reports that while initial trials of this cooling technology have been concluded, liquid cooling is far more efficient and can scale to ultra-dense environments, improving processing power without a proportional increase in energy consumption. Their modeling suggests that the power usage efficiency (PUE) could decline to as low as 1.15.
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The data center sector measures its sustainability using two key metrics: water usage efficiency (WUE) and power usage efficiency (PUE). These metrics gauge the levels of water or power consumed per unit of computing work.
WUE is calculated by dividing annual water usage by annual IT energy usage (kWh). For instance, a 100MW data center that uses 3ML daily would yield a WUE of 1.25. A number closer to 1 indicates greater efficiency. Certain countries enforce minimum standards; for example, Malaysia recommends a WUE of 1.8.
Even facilities that are efficient can still consume substantial amounts of water and energy at scale.
NextDC’s last fiscal year’s PUE stood at 1.44, up from 1.42 the previous year. The company indicates that this reflects the changing nature of customer activity across its facilities and the onboarding of new centers.
Calls to Ban Drinking Water Usage
Sydney Water states that estimates regarding data center water usage are continually reassessed. To prepare for future demands, the organization is investigating alternative, climate-resilient water sources like recycled water and rainwater harvesting.
“Every proposed connection for data centers will undergo case-by-case evaluations to guarantee adequate local network capacity. If additional services are necessary, operators might need to fund upgrades,” a Sydney Water representative said.
In its submission to the 2026-2031 rate review in Victoria, Melbourne Water observed that hyperscale data center operators seeking connectivity “expect instantaneous and annual demand to surpass nearly all of Melbourne’s leading 30 non-residential customers.”
Melbourne Water mentioned, “This has not been factored into our demand forecasting or expenditure plans.”
The agency is requesting upfront capital contributions from companies to mitigate the financial burden of necessary infrastructure improvements, ensuring those costs do not fall solely on the broader customer base.
Documents show that Greater Western Water in Victoria has received 19 data center applications. See more from ABC provided to the Guardian.
The Concerned Waterways Alliance, composed of various Victorian community and environmental organizations, has expressed concerns regarding the potential diversion of drinking water for cooling servers when the state’s water supplies are already under stress.
Alliance spokesperson Cameron Steele emphasized that expanding data centers would create a greater reliance on desalinated water, thereby diminishing availability for ecological streams and possibly imposing costs on local communities. The group is advocating for a ban on potable water usage for cooling and demanding that all centers transparently report their water consumption.
“We strongly promote the use of recycled water over potable water within our data centers.”
Closed Loop Cooling
In hotter regions, like much of Australia during summer, data centers require additional energy or water to remain cool.
Daniel Francis, customer and policy manager at the Australian Water Works Association, highlights that there is no universal solution for the energy and water consumption of data centers, as local factors such as land availability, noise restrictions, and water resources play significant roles.
“We constantly balance the needs of residential and non-residential customers, as well as environmental considerations,” says Francis.
“Indeed, there is a considerable number of data center applications, and it’s the cumulative effect we need to strategize for… It’s paramount to consider the implications for the community.”
“Often, they prefer to cluster together in specific locations.”
One of the data centers currently under construction in Sydney’s Marsden Park is a 504MW facility spanning 20 hectares with six four-story buildings. The company claims this CDC center will be the largest data campus in the southern hemisphere.
Last year, CDC operated its data centers with 95.8% renewable electricity, achieving a PUE of 1.38 and a WUE of 0.01. A company representative stated that this level of efficiency was made possible through a closed-loop cooling system that does not require continuous water extraction, in contrast to traditional evaporative cooling systems.
“CDC’s closed-loop system is filled only once at its inception and functions without ongoing water extraction, evaporation, or waste generation, thereby conserving water while ensuring optimal thermal performance,” the spokesperson noted.
“This model is specifically designed for Australia, a nation characterized by drought and water shortages, focusing on long-term sustainability and establishing industry benchmarks.”
Despite CDC’s initiatives, community concerns regarding the project persist.
Peter Rofile, acting chief executive of the Western NSW Health District, expressed in a letter last June that the development’s proximity to vulnerable communities and its unprecedented scale posed untested risks to residents in western Sydney.
“This proposal does not guarantee that this operation can adequately mitigate environmental exposure during extreme heat events, potentially posing an unreasonable health risk to the public,” Rofile stated.
YouTube will fall under the federal government’s ban on social media for users under 16, but its parent company Google has stated that the law “fails to ensure teens’ safety online” and “misunderstands” the way young people engage with the internet.
Communications Minister Annika Wells responded by emphasizing that YouTube must maintain a safe platform, describing Google’s concerns as “absolutely bizarre.”
In a related development, Guardian Australia has reported that Lemon8, a recently popular social media app not affected by the ban, will implement a restriction of users to those over 16 starting next week. The eSafety Commissioner has previously indicated that the app will be closely scrutinized for any potential bans.
Before Mr. Wells’ address at the National Press Club on Wednesday, Google announced it would start signing out minor users from its platform on December 10. However, the company cautioned that this might result in children and their parents losing access to safety features.
Initially, Google opposed the inclusion of YouTube, which had been omitted from the framework, in the ban and hinted it might pursue legal action. Nevertheless, the statement released on Wednesday did not provide further details on that front, and Google officials did not offer any comments.
Rachel Lord, Google’s senior manager of Australian public policy, stated in a blog post that users under 16 could view YouTube videos while logged out, but they would lose access to features that require signed-in accounts, such as “subscriptions, playlists, likes,” and standard health settings like “breaks” and bedtime reminders.
Additionally, the company warned that parents “will no longer be able to manage their teens’ or children’s accounts on YouTube,” including blocking certain channels in content settings.
Mr. Lord commented, “This rushed regulation misunderstands our platform and how young Australians use it. Most importantly, this law does not fulfill its promise of making children safer online; rather, it will render Australian children less safe on YouTube.”
While Lord did not address potential legal actions, they expressed commitment to finding more effective methods to safeguard children online.
Wells mentioned at the National Press Club that parents could adjust controls and safety settings on YouTube Kids, which is not included in the ban.
“It seems odd that YouTube frequently reminds us how unsafe the platform is when logged out. If YouTube asserts that its content is unsuitable for age-restricted users, it must address that issue,” she remarked.
Annika Wells will address the National Press Club on Wednesday. Photo: Mick Tsikas/AAP
Mr. Wells also acknowledged that the implementation of the government’s under-16 social media ban could take “days or even weeks” to properly enforce.
“While we understand it won’t be perfect immediately, we are committed to refining our platform,” Wells stated.
Wells commended the advocacy of families affected by online bullying or mental health crises, asserting that the amendments would “shield Generation Alpha from the peril of predatory algorithms.” She suggested that social media platforms intentionally target teens to maximize engagement and profits.
“These companies hold significant power, and we are prepared to reclaim that authority for the welfare of young Australians beginning December 10,” asserted Mr. Wells.
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Meta has informed users of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, along with Snapchat, about forthcoming changes. Upon reaching out to Guardian Australia, a Reddit spokesperson mentioned that they had no new information. Meanwhile, X, TikTok, YouTube, and Kick have not publicly clarified their compliance with the law nor responded to inquiries.
Platforms that do not take appropriate measures to exclude users under 16 may incur fines of up to $50 million. Concerns have been raised about the timing and execution of the ban, including questions about the age verification process, and at least one legal challenge is in progress.
The government believes it is essential to signal to parents and children the importance of avoiding social media, even if some minors may manage to bypass the restrictions.
Wells explained that it would take time to impose $50 million fines on tech companies, noting that the e-safety commissioner will request information from platforms about their efforts to exclude underage users starting December 11, and will scrutinize data on a monthly basis.
At a press conference in Adelaide on Tuesday, Mr. Wells anticipated that additional platforms would be included in the under-16 ban if children were to migrate to sites not currently on the list.
She advised the media to “stay tuned” for updates regarding the Instagram-like app Lemon8, which is not subject to the ban. Guardian Australia understands that the eSafety Commission has communicated with Lemon8, owned by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, indicating that the platform will be monitored for potential future inclusion once the plan is enacted.
Guardian Australia can confirm that Lemon8 will restrict its user base to those over 16 starting December 10.
“If platforms like LinkedIn become hubs of online bullying, targeting 13- to 16-year-olds and affecting their mental and physical health, we will address that issue,” Wells stated on Tuesday.
“That’s why all platforms are paying attention. We need to be prompt and flexible.”
Australian crisis support services lifeline is available at 13 11 14. In the UK and Ireland, you can reach Samaritan via freephone 116 123 or by email at jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, contact the 988 Lifeline for suicide and crisis at 988 or via chat at 988lifeline.org. For further international helplines, visit: befrienders.org
The demand for electricity by data centers in Australia could triple over the next five years, with projections indicating it may surpass the energy consumed by electric vehicles by 2030.
Currently, data centers obtain approximately 2% of their electricity from the National Grid, equating to around 4 terawatt-hours (TWh). The Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo) is optimistic about this share significantly increasing, projecting a growth of 25% annually to reach 12TWh, or 6% of grid demand by 2030, and 12% by 2050.
Aemo anticipates that the rapid expansion of this industry will drive “substantial increases in electricity usage, especially in Sydney and Melbourne.”
In New South Wales and Victoria, where the majority of data centers are situated, they contribute to 11% and 8% of electricity demand, respectively, by 2030. Electricity demand in each state is projected to grow accordingly.
Tech companies like OpenAI and SunCable are pushing Australia towards becoming a central hub for data processing and storage. Recently, the Victorian Government announced a $5.5 million investment aimed at establishing the region as Australia’s data center capital.
However, with 260 data centers currently operating across the nation and numerous others in the pipeline, experts express concerns about the implications of unchecked industry growth on energy transition and climate objectives.
Energy Usage Equivalent to 100,000 Households
The continual operation of numerous servers generates substantial heat and requires extensive electricity for both operation and cooling.
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Globally, the demand for data centers is growing at a rate four times faster than other sectors, according to the International Energy Agency. The number and size of centers are escalating, with large facilities becoming increasingly common.
As highlighted by the IEA, “AI-centric hyperscale data centers possess a capacity exceeding 100MW and consume energy equivalent to what 100,000 homes use annually.”
Professor Michael Blair, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Melbourne and director of the Net Zero Australia project, stated that there is a significant connection between electricity and water usage due to cooling requirements, as servers convert electrical energy into heat.
“In confined spaces with many computers, air conditioning is required to maintain an optimal operating temperature,” he explains.
Typically, digital infrastructure is cooled through air conditioning or water systems.
Ketan Joshi, a climate analyst at the Oslo-based Australia Institute, shares that many tech companies are reporting a surge in electricity consumption compared to last year. The intensity of energy usage has also been increasing across several metrics: energy per active user and energy per unit of revenue, when compared to five years ago.
“They aren’t consuming more energy to serve additional users or increase revenue,” he asserts. “The pertinent question is: why is our energy consumption escalating?”
In the absence of concrete data, Joshi suggests that the undeniable growth in demand is likely attributed to the rise of energy-intensive generative AI systems.
“Running Harder to Stay in the Same Place”
Joshi is monitoring this issue, as data centers globally are evidenced to place substantial and inflexible demands on power grids, resulting in two significant repercussions: increased dependence on coal and gas generation, and diverting resources away from the energy transition.
While data center companies often assert they operate using clean energy through investments in solar and wind, Joshi remarks that there can often be a mismatch between their companies’ persistent reliance on the grid and their renewable energy production profiles.
“What’s the ultimate impact on the power grid?” he questions. “Sometimes, we have surplus energy, and other times, there isn’t enough.”
“So, even if everything appears favorable on paper, your data center might be inadvertently supporting fossil fuel transportation.”
Moreover, instead of renewable energy sources displacing coal and gas, these sources are accommodating the growing demands of data centers, Joshi notes. “It’s like sprinting on a treadmill—no matter how hard you run, it feels like the speed is continually increasing.”
The demand for electricity has surged to the extent that some companies have resorted to restarting their operations. Nuclear power plants in the U.S. that were once mothballed are being revived as demand for gas turbines increases. Some Australian developers are even proposing the installation of new gas generators to fulfill their energy needs.
Aemo predicts that by 2035, data centers could consume 21.4TWh, nearing the country’s annual energy consumption, comparable to that of four aluminum smelters.
Blair pointed out that AI adoption is in its infancy, and the outlook remains uncertain, as Aemo’s 2035 energy consumption scenarios range between 12TWh and 24TWh, indicating that the future might not be as expansive as anticipated.
In the National AI Plan released Tuesday, the federal government recognized the necessity for advancements in new energy and cooling technologies for AI systems. Industry Minister Tim Ayers stated that principles for data center investments will be established in early 2026, emphasizing requirements for supplementary investments in renewable energy generation and water sustainability.
“Undeniable Impact” on Electricity Prices
Dr. Dylan McConnell, an energy systems researcher at the University of New South Wales, noted that while renewable energy is on the rise in Australia, it is not yet progressing rapidly enough to meet required renewable energy and emissions targets. The expansion of data centers will complicate these challenges.
“If demand escalates beyond projections and renewables can’t keep pace, we’ll end up meeting that new demand instead of displacing coal,” he explains.
Unlike electric vehicles, which enhance demand on the grid while lowering gasoline and diesel usage, data centers do not reduce fossil fuel consumption elsewhere in the economy, according to McConnell.
“If this demand materializes, it will severely hamper our emissions targets and complicate our ability to phase out coal in alignment with those targets,” he advises.
In its climate targets recommendations, the Climate Change Agency stated: “Data centers will continue to scale up, exerting deeper pressure on local power sources and further hampering renewable energy expansions.”
McConnell asserted there will be a significant effect on overall energy costs, influencing electricity prices.
“To support this load, we will need a larger system that utilizes more costly resources.”
Increasing concerns have been raised regarding the federal government’s need to tackle the dangers that children face on the widely-used gaming platform Roblox, following a report by Guardian Australia that highlighted a week of incidents involving virtual sexual harassment and violence.
While role-playing as an 8-year-old girl, the reporter encountered a sexualized avatar and faced cyberbullying, acts of violence, sexual assault, and inappropriate language, despite having parental control settings in place.
From December 10, platforms including Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and Kick will be under Australia’s social media ban preventing Australians under 16 from holding social media accounts, yet Roblox will not be included.
Independent councillor Monique Ryan labeled this exclusion as “unexplainable.” She remarked, “Online gaming platforms like Roblox expose children to unlimited gambling, cloned social media apps, and explicit content.”
At a press conference on Wednesday, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant stated that platforms would be examined based on their “singular and essential purpose.”
“Kids engaging with Roblox currently utilize chat features and messaging for online gameplay,” she noted. “If online gameplay were to vanish, would kids still use the messaging feature? Likely not.”
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“If these platforms start introducing features that align them more with social media companies rather than online gaming ones, we will attempt to intervene.”
According to government regulations, services primarily allowing users to play online games with others are not classified as age-restricted social media platforms.
Nonetheless, some critics believe that this approach is too narrow for a platform that integrates gameplay with social connectivity. Nyusha Shafiabadi, an associate professor of information technology at Australian Catholic University, asserts that Roblox should also fall under the ban.
She highlighted that the platform enables players to create content and communicate with one another. “It functions like a restricted social media platform,” she observed.
Independent MP Nicolette Boere urged the government to rethink its stance. “If the government’s restrictions bar certain apps while leaving platforms like Roblox, which has been called a ‘pedophile hellscape’, unshielded, we will fail to safeguard children and drive them into more perilous and less regulated environments,” she remarked.
Communications minister spokesperson Annika Wells mentioned that excluding Roblox from the teen social media ban does not imply that it is free from accountability under the Online Safety Act.
A representative from eSafety stated, “We can extract crucial safety measures from Roblox that shield children from various harms, including online grooming and sexual coercion.”
eSafety declared that by the year’s end, Roblox will enhance its Age Verification Technology, which restricts adults from contacting children without explicit parental consent and sets accounts to private by default for users under 16.
“Children under 16 who enable chat through age estimation will no longer be permitted to chat with adults. Alongside current protections for those under 13, we will also introduce parental controls allowing parents to disable chat for users between 13 and 15,” the spokesperson elaborated.
Should entities like Roblox not comply with child safety regulations, authorities have enforcement capabilities, including fines of up to $49.5 million.
eSafety stated it will “carefully oversee Roblox’s adherence to these commitments and assess regulatory measures in the case of future infractions.”
Joanna Orlando, an expert on digital wellbeing from Western Sydney University, pointed out that Roblox’s primary safety issues are grooming threats and the increasing monetization of children engaging with “the world’s largest game.”
She mentioned that it is misleading to view it solely as a video game. “It’s far more significant. There are extensive social layers, and a vast array of individuals on that platform,” she observed.
Green Party spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young criticized the government for “playing whack-a-mole” with the social media ban.
“We want major technology companies to assume responsibility for the safety of children, irrespective of age,” she emphasized.
“We need to strike at these companies where it truly impacts them. That’s part of their business model, and governments hesitate to act.”
Shadow communications minister Melissa Mackintosh also expressed her concerns about the platform. She stated that while Roblox has introduced enhanced safety measures, “parents must remain vigilant to guard their children online.”
“The eSafety Commissioner and the government carry the responsibility to do everything within their power to protect children from the escalating menace posed by online predators,” she said.
A representative from Roblox stated that the platform is “dedicated to pioneering safety through stringent policies that surpass those of other platforms.”
“We utilize AI to scrutinize games for violating content prior to publication, we prohibit users from sharing images or videos in chats, and we implement sophisticated text filters designed to prevent children from disclosing personal information,” they elaborated.
In a recent study, Professor Mike Archer from the University of New South Wales and his team revisited the fossilized tibia (the lower leg bone) of the now-extinct giant stenurine kangaroo. These bones, discovered in Mammoth Cave in southwestern Australia around World War I, provided solid evidence that Indigenous Australians hunted large animals, a finding in which Professor Archer was involved. A 1980 study had concluded that distinctive notches in the fossilized bones indicated slaughter. However, Professor Archer is now ready to acknowledge that this initial conclusion was incorrect.
Giant animal unearthed from mammoth cave about 50,000 years ago: giant long-beaked echidna Malayanglossus hackettii, giant kangaroo Procoptodon brauneorum, giant diprotodont Zygomaturus trilobus, and possum (Thylacinus cynocephalus). Image credit: Peter Schouten.
“As a scientist, updating the record as new evidence emerges is both my duty and responsibility,” Professor Archer stated.
“In 1980, we interpreted those cuts as signs of slaughter based on the best conclusions we could reach with the tools available to us then.”
“With advancements in technology, we now understand that our original interpretation was incorrect.”
“After the 1960s, there was a significant debate about whether Aboriginal peoples coexisted with Australia’s prehistoric megafauna or contributed to their extinction.”
“Many believed the incisions in the bones were made by humans using tools, suggesting that the extinction of megafauna and the arrival of humans approximately 65,000 years ago were not coincidental.”
“For decades, the bones from Mammoth Cave were seen as the ‘smoking gun’ indicating that Indigenous Australians hunted giant animals, but with that evidence dispelled, the discussion on megafauna extinction is now reopened, and the role of humans is more ambiguous than ever.”
To reexamine the same dissected stenurine leg bone, Professor Archer and his co-authors utilized advanced 3D scanning technology to analyze the bone without causing any damage.
They also employed modern radiometric dating methods to accurately determine the age of the bones and their cut surfaces while conducting detailed microscopic examinations.
Their findings indicated that the cuts were made after the bone had dried and cracked, suggesting the bones were likely already fossilized when the incisions occurred.
Paleontologists also investigated a fossilized tooth given to archaeologist Kim Ackerman by a Wora man from the Mowanjum mission, who had collaborated with Indigenous communities in the Kimberley during the 1960s.
This tooth, belonging to the Zygomaturus trilobus, a species of giant marsupial related to wombats, was part of Australia’s Pleistocene megafauna.
The tooth was retrieved from the Kimberley in northwestern Australia, and its characteristics closely matched other fossils found in Mammoth Cave in southwestern Australia.
Dr. Kenny Trabouillon from the Western Australian Museum remarked, “The discovery of this tooth in the Kimberley, far from its likely origin in Mammoth Cave, implies it may have been transported or traded by humans across great distances.”
“This suggests that cultural appreciation and symbolic usage of fossils existed long before the advent of European science.”
“The First Peoples might have been the continent’s, and possibly the world’s, earliest paleontologists.”
Researchers haven’t entirely dismissed the possibility of Aboriginal people having hunted Australia’s megafauna.
However, without concrete evidence, we cannot definitively assert that Indigenous Australians caused its extinction.
“While these remain hypotheses, we need substantiated proof before concluding that predation by Indigenous peoples contributed to the extinction of now-vanished megafauna, especially considering the long history of Indigenous peoples respecting and sustainably utilizing Australia’s wildlife,” Professor Archer stated.
“If humans were truly responsible for the unsustainable hunting of Australia’s megafauna, we would expect to find much more evidence of such hunting in the fossil record. Instead, the only solid evidence we had until now was this single bone, which now shows strong indications that the mutilations occurred post-mortem.”
If humans were not solely accountable for the extinction of Australia’s ancient megafauna, then what was?
Researchers indicate that many megafauna species went extinct long before humans arrived, and while some coexisted with humans for millennia, their decline often aligned with significant climate changes.
“What we can ascertain is that the First Peoples were the first in Australia to exhibit a keen interest in and collect fossils, likely thousands of years before Europeans arrived on the continent,” the researchers affirmed.
Their paper was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.
_____
Michael Archer et al. 2025. Australia’s first people: hunters of extinct megafauna or Australia’s first fossil collectors. R. Soc. Open Science 12(10):250078; doi: 10.1098/rsos.250078
Issa Schultz follows a daily routine that few can match.
“I wake up, brew my coffee, then head to the computer for quizzes. After lunch, I return for more quizzes,” he states. “It might sound obsessive, but I embrace it. It’s fair to say I treat it like a full-time job.”
Schultz is the top quizzing champion in Australia, known among enthusiasts for his serious approach to trivia. Quizzing is not just a pastime for him; it defines his life. Every year, he appears on Channel 7 for about six weeks as one of the “Chasers” on the quiz show Chase Australia. The rest of his time is spent immersed in various topics, from sibling rivalries to AFL Drafts and Academy Award winners.
“I could easily go outside and engage in normal activities,” he chuckles. “But as one single guy without family responsibilities, I’ve got the unique opportunity to invest time into this.”
Schultz as the Supernard of Channel 7’s Chase Australia. Photo: Chase
“What’s crazier is that some individuals dedicate even more time than I do, especially in the UK and the US.”
Quizzing is a niche but worldwide phenomenon, thriving from North America to Europe and India. It can often be viewed as an evolution of pub trivia, particularly in its complexity. Schultz participated with pub teams daily before advancing to the next level. “When we enter international quizzes, pub trivia just isn’t challenging enough,” he explains.
A standard quiz question isn’t necessarily straightforward, often requiring one to connect seemingly unrelated images (“Was he a Chilean military dictator from 1973 to 1990?”).
Instead of raucous environments, the world of quizzing tends to be characterized by silence or solitude. The premier event in the quizzing calendar is the World Quiz Championship, held each June, where participants solve questions read by a proctor in a formal examination setting. Australia began hosting its national championship in February across Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane. These events, devoid of prizes, ascertain rankings both nationally and globally, with enthusiasts also exploring smaller competitions and Zoom leagues.
“When we arrive at the international quiz, the pub trivia is not obscure enough”: Issa Schultz. Photo: Guardian
“Usually, when I tell people about my weekend plans, I say, ‘I’m off to the library to sit quietly with a group of fellow nerds for an hour,'” shares Sally Gridley, an enthusiastic Australian quizzer. “We’ll take an exam for fun. Prizes? No, it’s purely for bragging rights, and you have to pay to participate.”
Gridley has been a serious quizzer for 11 years and even secured a win on a quiz show. Programs like The Chase and Mastermind capture audiences with their excitement and are one of the few effective ways to monetize one’s hobby. Gridley estimates the Australian quizzing community comprises around 30-35 regular quizzers, while the Global Leaderboard indicates unofficial membership is below 2,000. Participants note it’s a small yet committed community, warm and inviting to newcomers.
Nonetheless, a specific demographic predominates: men. Gridley estimates she is one of about eight regular female quizzers across Australia, where local groups are approximately 90% male. There are overlaps in other communities as well.
“It’s important to note that quizzing is quite popular among neurodivergent demographics; many quizzers have conditions such as autism and ADHD,” Gridley mentions. “In fact, I might be the most socially engaged person at any quiz event.”
Or as Schultz puts it, “There are many quirky individuals, and we embrace eccentricities!”
To climb the leaderboard as a quizzing participant, a unique form of dedication is required.
“It’s purely about glory”: Quizzer Sally Gridley showcases prizes from ABC’s hard quiz. Photo: Ellen Smith/Guardian
Aaran Mohann, a 35-year-old financial worker ranking third in Australia, believes he isn’t as dedicated to studying as many of his counterparts. His primary strategy involves completing numerous online quizzes, as competitors often cover similar topics. For instance, many focus on events from Coldplay concerts and popular culture phenomena like Dubai Chocolate.
Flashcards as memory aids have gained popularity within the quizzing community, reveals Mohan. “It’s clear that many quizzers delve deeply into Wikipedia. One article leads to another, and before you know it, hours have passed.”
Schultz expects films to feature prominently in quizzes. He also invests in DK reference books covering topics from medicine to fishing, transcribing intriguing facts into his notebooks—a system that is “pointless to anyone except myself.”
However, he sets limits. “Pat Gibson is among the best British quizzers of all time and reads about five newspapers daily. I can’t keep up with that.”
Australian representative for Spain’s 2024 Quiz Olympiad (Aaran Mohann)With Jane Allen from the International Quiz Association. Photo: Supply
There’s much to appreciate about being a dedicated quizzer beyond mere competition and TV appearances. Gridley finds fulfillment in answering questions correctly, and the knowledge she gains benefits her career as a teacher. Mohan states that his hobby satisfies his innate curiosity about the world. The quizzing process improves attention to detail, as participants must read questions closely to avoid misnaming cities instead of countries.
For Schultz, this pursuit offers a soothing sense of consistency.
“I appreciate that it’s all centered around facts and truths in an era dominated by AI and misinformation. [fake news] He explains. Charles I will always be Charles I, today and 100 years from now.”
Schultz cherishes the life he has crafted around quizzes, for better or worse.
“I’ve never driven a car, I can’t cook, and I often lose my house keys… I think outside of quizzing, I seem to lack direction. My fate seems intertwined with this.”
Schultz is determined to retain his status as Australia’s number one quizzer, a title he has maintained since 2011.
“Usain Bolt, the fastest man alive, has dedicated his life to running; I aim to dedicate my life to quizzing,” he states. “After all, why not?”
mAya Angelou once remarked, “Heroes are individuals who genuinely strive to make the world a better place for everyone.” In her thoughts, I can only imagine she had Aussie TikToker and micro-influencer Tenil_deals in mind.
So, who is Tennilles_deals exactly? Firstly, she is Teresa, a devoted mother and a savvy queen who represents the Australian supermarket scene. Secondly, I must admit I don’t know much about her since she doesn’t market herself like the typical influencer; instead, she allows her work to shine.
What does she do? Tenil meticulously navigates major supermarkets and shares weekly POV-style videos highlighting the week’s special offerings. Her calming voice and steady hand bring you through the sea of yellow price tags. Her work is detailed, thoughtful, and essential.
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I once felt deep shame for eagerly awaiting the Coles and Woolworths catalogs to drop every Monday at 5 PM. Wednesdays held a special thrill as it signaled ALDI Catalog Day—nothing felt quite like discovering a niche European snack or a new cleaning gadget with a staggering 75% discount.
Flipping through the supermarket catalog evokes the same excitement I felt as a kid rifling through the Royal Easter Show showbag booklet in the early 2000s. I vividly remember the thrill of touching each item listed in the $15 (somewhat offensively named) Megasmo bag. The anxious choice between Wonka or With Fizz, knowing my mom wouldn’t buy both. The supermarket catalog brings that same pulse-racing experience—may it soon be yours too.
However, the era of flipping through paper catalogs has truly ended. Thus, Tennilles_Deals plays a crucial role, offering concise 3-minute videos that provide 360-degree views of every item. We find ourselves in a battleground with her, Woolworths and Coles, where she serves as our protector, skillfully guiding us through each aisle. She is our mother, and we are her children.
I’m not alone in my praise for this incredible woman. It’s evident why Tennilles_deals has garnered nearly 100,000 followers—she provides what giant supermarkets often lack: a space for cash-strapped Australians to voice their frustrations over price changes.
Commentary on TikToks by Tennilles_deals creates a space for both admiration and solidarity. Photo: TikTok
In one of her videos discussing the price of extra virgin olive oil, the comments section ignites debate. Kelly from Tamworth recalls when it was only $7, and we love how Kerry’s reactions foster a sense of unity. We’re not alone in this. Barry from Wagga Wagga expresses his frustration over Cadbury Chocolate Block pricing. He commiserates that two for $10 seems absurd, bringing back memories of simpler days when it was just $3. Despite his subsequent comment on something unrelated, we appreciate that he stands with us in solidarity over the chocolate prices.
The stress of supermarket shopping instills a common Australian anxiety. Gone are the days of wandering the aisles without a clear plan. Now, I’m armed with the knowledge to snag 5 Chobani pots for $10, just like Carol’s encouraging voice from Broken Hill reminds us: “Don’t let go of that Chobani deal.” This mantra helps ease my budgetary worries while keeping my gut microbiota happy.
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What Tennilles_deals is doing is fostering community. “Australia of the Year,” remarked one TikTok user, noting a half-price Woolworths item spotted last week.
Sadly, the nominations for the 2026 Australia of the Year have closed, so the only way I can show my appreciation is through this heartfelt essay. Keep up the amazing work, Tennille—people love you, and they need you. You truly are the real deal.
In a few months, Australian teenagers may face restrictions on social media access until they turn 16.
As the December implementation date approaches, parents and children are left uncertain about how this ban will be enforced and how online platforms will verify users’ ages.
Experts are anticipating troubling outcomes, particularly since the technology used by social media companies to determine the age of users tends to have significant inaccuracies.
From December 10th, social media giants like Instagram, Facebook, X, Reddit, YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok are required to remove or deactivate any accounts for users under 16 in Australia. Failing to comply could result in fines reaching up to $49.5 million (around $32 million USD), while parents will not face penalties.
Prior to the announcement of the ban, the Australian government initiated a trial on age verification technology, which released preliminary findings for June, with a comprehensive report expected soon. This study aimed to test an age verification tool on over 1,100 students across the country, including indigenous and ethnically diverse groups.
Andrew Hammond from KJR, the consulting firm based in Canberra that led the trial, shared an anecdote illustrating the challenge at hand. One 16-year-old boy’s age was inaccurately guessed to be between 19 and 37.
“He scrunched up his face and held his breath, turning red and puffy like an angry older man,” he said. “He didn’t do anything wrong; we wanted to see how our youth would navigate these systems.”
Other technologies have also been evaluated with Australian youth, such as hand gesture analysis. “You can estimate someone’s age broadly based on their hand appearance,” Hammond explains. “While some children felt uneasy using facial recognition, they were more comfortable with hand assessments.”
The interim report indicated that age verification could be safe and technically viable; previous headlines noted that while challenges exist, 85% of subjects’ ages could be accurately estimated within an 18-month range. If a person initially verified as being over 16 is later identified as under that age, they must undergo more rigorous verification processes, including checks against government-issued IDs or parental verification.
Hammond noted that some underage users can still be detected through social media algorithms. “If you’re 16 but engage heavily with 11-year-old party content, it raises flags that the social media platform should consider, prompting further ID checks.”
Iain Corby from the London Association of Age Verification Providers, which supported the Australian trial, pointed out that no single solution exists for age verification.
The UK recently mandated age verification on sites hosting “harmful content,” including adult material. Since the regulations went into effect on July 25th, around 5 million users have been verifying their ages daily, according to Corby.
“In the UK, the requirement is for effective but not foolproof age verification,” Corby stated. “There’s a perception that technology will never be perfect, and achieving higher accuracy often requires more cumbersome processes for adults.”
Critics have raised concerns about a significant loophole: children in Australia could use virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass the ban by simulating locations in other nations.
Corby emphasized that social media platforms should monitor traffic from VPNs and assess user behavior to identify potential Australian minors. “There are many indicators that someone might not be in Thailand, confirming they could be in Perth,” he remarked.
Apart from how age verification will function, is this ban on social media the right approach to safeguarding teenagers from online threats? The Australian government asserted that significant measures have been implemented to protect children under 16 from the dangers associated with social media, such as exposure to inappropriate content and excessive screen time. The government believes that delaying social media access provides children with the opportunity to learn about these risks.
Various organizations and advocates aren’t fully convinced. “Social media has beneficial aspects, including educational opportunities and staying connected with friends. It’s crucial to enhance platform safety rather than impose bans that may discourage youth voices,” stated UNICEF Australia on its website.
Susan McLean, a leading cybersecurity expert in Australia, argues that the government should concentrate on harmful content and the algorithms that promote such material to children, expressing concern that AI and gaming platforms have been exempted from this ban.
“What troubles me is the emphasis on social media platforms, particularly those driven by algorithms,” she noted. “What about young people encountering harmful content on gaming platforms? Have they been overlooked in this policy?”
Lisa Given from RMIT University in Melbourne explained that the ban fails to tackle issues like online harassment and access to inappropriate content. “Parents may have a false sense of security thinking this ban fully protects their children,” she cautioned.
The rapid evolution of technology means that new platforms and tools can pose risks unless the underlying issues surrounding harmful content are addressed, she argued. “Are we caught in a cycle where new technologies arise and prompt another ban or legal adjustment?” Additionally, there are concerns that young users may be cut off from beneficial online communities and vital information.
The impact of the ban will be closely scrutinized post-implementation, with the government planning to evaluate its effects in two years. Results will be monitored by other nations interested in how these policies influence youth mental health.
“Australia is presenting the world with a unique opportunity for a controlled experiment,” stated Corby. “This is a genuine scientific inquiry that is rare to find.”
Small, toothed mammals represent the most unusual of all whales. If they were still around today, they would be as symbolically Australian as kangaroos. A new paper published this week in The Linnaean Society’s Journal of Zoology details a recently identified species named Janjucetus lullardi, derived from a 25 million-year-old specimen unearthed in Victoria, Australia.
Janjucetus lullardi — 25 million years ago, a calf and its mother swam in the shallow waters off the coast of Victoria. Image credit: Ruairidh Duncan.
“Currently, some of the most iconic species of whales, including blue and humpback whales, are whale veil.” I noted, said LeAilid Duncan, a paleontologist from Monash University.
“These marine giants utilize a hairy filter in their mouths called Baleen to sift through plankton.
“In contrast, these mammals had bodies measuring less than 3 meters, with large eyes and short jaws filled with teeth.”
“Despite this description, we know that mammalian whales lacked Baleen.”
“They appeared to be derived from the major evolutionary lines leading to today’s toothless giants.”
All known mammalian species thrived during the late Oligocene epoch, approximately 27 to 23 million years ago.
Interestingly, three of the four identified species were found along the Victoria Surf Coast, southeast of Melbourne.
“The first mammal was uncovered in 1932 and was named in 1939 Mammalian Coraliber,” the paleontologist remarked.
“It featured a blunt jaw bone with a rich supply of blood and nerves for its facial and lip muscles.”
“Notably, the teeth show signs of wear on the gums, indicating they foraged for abrasive prey (along with gritty substances) from the seafloor.”
“In 2006, a local naturalist discovered the first fossil of a species named after him, Janjucetus hunderi.
“This whale had a sturdy triangular snout with sharp teeth and strong muscles to close its powerful jaw.”
“However, the exact differences in the lifestyle of Mammalian Coraliber and Janjucetus hunderi compared to other whales remain largely unclear, hinting at a diverse range of behaviors.”
The fossilized remains of Janjucetus lullardi, dating back 25 million years, were found in 2019 by school principal Ross Dallard along the coast of Yang JUC in Victoria.
“Janjucetus lullardi measured about 2 meters in length. It’s compact enough to fit in a standard single bed,” the researcher noted.
“This may be the first fossilized whale discovered in Australia, and potentially the first fossils of a juvenile whale found in this region.”
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Ruairidh J. Duncan et al. 2025. Insights into the mystiology of immature teeth from the Australian Oligocene and mammals (Cetacea: Mysticeti) morphology, phylogenetics, and ontogeny. The Linnaean Society’s Journal of Zoology 204 (4): ZLAF090; doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf090
The perception that video games lack seriousness fails to recognize the benefits they provide to gamers who often feel disconnected.
“During the Covid pandemic, I realized that games serve as a vital means for people to connect and maintain relationships.”
Ross Simmons, CEO of Big Ali Studios, a Melbourne-based game development firm, recalls Tony Abbott’s dismissal of the national broadband network in 2010 when he referred to it as merely “internet-based television, video entertainment, and gaming.”
Simmons asserts that the industry’s marginalization has not endured over time.
Data from the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) indicates that Australians invested $3.8 billion in video games in the past year. Although this sector remains smaller compared to major development countries like Canada, it is gradually evolving.
In 2023, the Australian government introduced the Digital Game Tax Offset (DGTO), enabling local developers to claim a 30% refundable income tax offset for creating or porting games in Australia. This policy is applicable to companies that spend a minimum of $500,000 on development in Australia, with a cap of $20 million per company.
Ron Curry, CEO of IGEA, reports that the Australian gaming industry employed approximately 1,300 individuals between 2020 and 2021.
Industry experts believe that the government’s tax offsets and rebates are drawing international developers and fostering local talent.
Photo: Assanka Brendon Ratnayake/Guardian
The Game Development sector in Australia now employs 2,465 full-time staff and generated $3399.1 million in revenue for the fiscal year 2023-24. “This reflects nearly a 100% rise in employment and an approximate 85% increase in revenue,” he notes.
“The DGTO has activated numerous avenues. Previously, Australia was one of the most expensive places to develop games and the only developed nation lacking rebates or offsets. We have corrected this to align ourselves with other developed nations.”
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Curry expresses confidence in the industry, indicating that government support, along with state and territorial grants, has signified Australia as a “healthy environment for operation,” fostering trust among investors, game publishers, and prospective employees.
Interstate Competition and Legacy Building
Serge Xebian, a partner at Playlight Consulting which advises gaming firms on financial matters, states that the offset has substantially benefited companies hiring in Australia, spurring momentum in the sector.
“International studios are increasingly aware of this, particularly those with existing ties to Australian vendors. Now, many are actively looking toward Australia. My clients’ suggestions are rapidly moving up the agenda.”
Xebian notes that while New South Wales was once a film haven, Victoria now stands out as a game development center, although competition is intensifying. Queensland offers a 15% rebate in addition to the federal benefits, with a threshold set at $250,000, while Victoria’s rebates range from 10% to 15%, based on investment level, with a $500,000 threshold.
“We are seeing many independent game studios relocating to Queensland,” observes Xebian.
French game developer Gameloft inaugurated a studio in Brisbane in 2014, responsible for reviving the famous character Carmen Sandiego on Netflix, Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo Switch this year.
Manea Castett, head of the Brisbane studio, reminisces about playing Carmen Sandiego games with his father, describing the character’s persona as both thrilling and adventurous. He appreciates the opportunity to reimagine the game and provide players with a “fun twist” on Sandiego’s adventures.
Castett mentions that their Brisbane studio stands out within the company for its rapid growth, expanding from 55 staff two years ago to 217 today. He highlights their ability to develop two games simultaneously, enabling a more comprehensive approach to game design, technology, audio, quality assurance, and marketing.
“Globally, the landscape is shifting… there remains significant revenue potential. The Australian video game industry is on the rise.”
Development challenges
Big Ali’s studio became the center of a controversy during the launch of Rugby League 26 in July when users reported game bugs, which included incorrect jersey numbers and server issues that hampered gameplay.
Simmons described the day patches were deployed to enhance the game as “very satisfying,” explaining that the near deadline for release aligned with the NRL season forced hasty changes.
Simmons noted that Big Ant Studio’s latest rugby title temporarily overwhelmed its online servers, achieving sales over six times their anticipations. Photo: Assanka Brendon Ratnayake/Guardian
“In the week prior to the release, we implemented 1,200 changes, many of which involved alterations due to sponsorships related to betting, alcohol, and other elements,” he explains, describing the challenges involved.
Logos of gambling and alcohol companies present on player jerseys in real life were removed from the game due to increasing concerns about promoting these products to underage audiences. Simmons believes that they underestimated the game’s demand on launch day, which sold six times their initial projections, causing server issues they eventually addressed.
Before the tax offsets were introduced, Big Ant had around 50 employees; now, with the growth fueled by these initiatives, they expanded to 147. Simmons states, “This enables us to compete globally.”
The tight job market, wherein game development skills are sought after across diverse sectors including artificial intelligence, further complicates their growth trajectory.
Curry notes that while the industry boasts transferable skills that participants take pride in, it must vie for talent. Ensuring safe jobs, competitive salaries, and an immigration framework that attracts skilled professionals will aid in recruitment, he adds.
“Integrating senior talent into the country serves as an accelerator for the people they mentor,” he remarks. “In Canada, you can bring developers into the country in as little as two weeks. We’ve witnessed instances of individuals taking over two years to enter Australia.”
“In a fast-paced industry, such delays are problematic.”
Australians engaging with various social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, X, and others should verify that they are over 16 years old ahead of the upcoming social media ban set to commence in early December.
Beginning December 10th, new regulations will come into effect for platforms defined by the government as “age-restricted social media platforms.” These platforms are intended primarily for social interactions involving two or more users, enabling users to share content on the service.
The government has not specified which platforms are included in the ban, implying that any site fitting the above criteria may be affected unless it qualifies for the exemptions announced on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese noted that platforms covered by these rules include, but aren’t limited to, Facebook, Instagram, X, Snapchat, and YouTube.
Communications Minister Annika Wells indicated that platforms are anticipated to disable accounts for users under 16 and implement reasonable measures to prevent younger individuals from creating new accounts, verifying their age, and bypassing established restrictions.
What is an Exemption?
According to the government, a platform will be exempt if it serves a primary purpose other than social interaction.
Messaging, email, voice, or video calling.
Playing online games.
Sharing information about products or services.
Professional networking or development.
Education.
Health.
Communication between educational institutions and students or their families.
Facilitating communication between healthcare providers and their service users.
Determinations regarding which platforms meet the exemption criteria will be made by the eSafety Commissioner.
In practice, this suggests that platforms such as LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Roblox, and Coursera may qualify for exemptions if assessed accordingly. LinkedIn previously asserted that the government’s focus is not on children.
Hypothetically, platforms like YouTube Kids could be exempt from the ban if they satisfy the exemption criteria, particularly as comments are disabled on those videos. Nonetheless, the government has yet to provide confirmation, and YouTube has not indicated if it intends to seek exemptions for child-focused services.
What About Other Platforms?
Platforms not named by the government and that do not meet the exemption criteria should consider implementing age verification mechanisms by December. This includes services like Bluesky, Donald Trump’s Truth Social, Discord, and Twitch.
How Will Tech Companies Verify Users Are Over 16?
A common misunderstanding regarding the social media ban is that it solely pertains to children. To ensure that teenagers are kept from social media, platforms must verify the age of all user accounts in Australia.
There are no specific requirements for how verification should be conducted, but updates from the Age Assurance Technology Trial will provide guidance.
The government has mandated that identity checks can be one form of age verification but is not the only method accepted.
Australia is likely to adopt an approach for age verification comparable to that of the UK, initiated in July. This could include options such as:
Requiring users to be 18 years of age or older to allow banks and mobile providers access to their users.
Requesting users to upload a photo to match with their ID.
Employing facial age estimation techniques.
Moreover, platforms may estimate a user’s age based on account behavior or the age itself. For instance, if an individual registered on Facebook in 2009, they are now over 16. YouTube has also indicated plans to utilize artificial intelligence for age verification.
Will Kids Find Workarounds?
Albanese likened the social media ban to alcohol restrictions, acknowledging that while some children may circumvent the ban, he affirmed that it is still a worthwhile endeavor.
In the UK, where age verification requirements for accessing adult websites were implemented this week, there has been a spike in the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) that conceal users’ actual locations, granting access to blocked sites.
Four of the top five free apps in the UK Apple App Store on Thursday were VPN applications, with the most widely used one, Proton, reporting an 1,800% increase in downloads.
The Australian government expects platforms to implement “reasonable measures” to address how teenagers attempt to evade the ban.
What Happens If a Site Does Not Comply With the Ban?
Platforms failing to implement what eSafety members deem “reasonable measures” to prevent children from accessing their services may incur fines of up to $49.5 million, as determined in federal court.
The definition of “reasonable measures” will be assessed by committee members. When asked on Wednesday, Wells stated, “I believe a reasonable step is relative.”
“These guidelines are meant to work, and any mistakes should be rectified. They aren’t absolute settings or rules, but frameworks to guide the process globally.”
A recently identified giant stick insect species, discovered in the wet tropical rainforests of Australia, is poised to be recognized as the heaviest insect ever recorded on the continent.
Acrofera Alta weighs 44 grams, roughly equivalent to a golf ball, and measures around 40 cm in length. To date, only two female specimens have been collected, with a third individual photographed and released by surprised locals.
The genus of these insects has been known since 1835, yet this particular species remained hidden from scientific discovery, likely due to its elusive habitat, according to Angus Emmott from James Cook University in Townsville, Australia.
The lush, damp tropics of northeastern Australia serve as a pristine wilderness, rich with cool rainforests and home to other rare species like tree kangaroos.
So far, Acrofera Alta has only been found in tree canopies above 900 meters, specifically in the mountainous regions of Millaa Millaa and Mount Phypipamee in Queensland.
The species name Alta reflects both the altitude of the forests it inhabits and the height of the trees it commonly frequents.
“It has very large wings, but due to its bulky body, it can only use them to glide down to the ground,” Emmott explains.
Current population status remains uncertain. “We can’t really determine its rarity,” Emmott states. “It’s limited to small stretches of high-altitude rainforests and exists primarily in the canopy, making it less visible to observers unless they survive being affected by cyclones and birds.”
Insects and Ecosystem Expedition Safari: Sri Lanka
Explore the heart of Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity on this unique expedition focused on entomology and ecosystem study.
A lifeline has been extended to the residents of Tuvalu, a low-lying Pacific nation grappling with the impacts of rising sea levels. Each year, Australia permits 280 Tuvaluan individuals to reside there. This agreement anticipates a relocation of the entire population within the next few decades.
The Australian Tuvalu Farapili Union, regarded as the world’s first climate migration agreement, also allocates funds for adaptation to aid those who are lagging behind.
Could this serve as a prototype for managing climate migration gracefully before calamities ensue? However, the situation is far from ideal. In order to secure this deal, Tuvalu had to concede to Australia having a voice in future security and defense matters. Few nations may find such terms acceptable.
Moreover, Tuvalu’s population is minuscule. In a country like Australia, which has 28 million residents, accepting around 10,000 climate migrants is relatively insignificant. It’s estimated that between 25 million and 1 billion people could face forced displacement by 2050 due to climate change and other environmental pressures. Where will they go?
Environmental factors could force 1 billion people to move by 2050
Many assert that wealthy nations, historically the largest emitters of carbon dioxide contributing to global warming, have a moral duty to assist those affected by climate change. However, discussions on these matters have yet to translate into the legal recognition or acceptance of forced climate migration. In fact, many high-income nations seem increasingly resistant to various forms of immigration.
There have been some progressions in creating funds for “loss and damage” to aid affected countries dealing with the aftermath of global warming. This could potentially curtail the necessity for future climate migration, yet the promised financial support to date is only a fraction of what is essential.
The foremost action that any nation should undertake is to limit future warming through emission reductions, but global emissions continue to rise. Regrettably, the Farapili Union symbolizes a decline into the ocean, not a turnaround.
Australia’s online safety regulators advise that YouTube should not be granted an exemption from a social media ban for individuals under 16, stating that video streaming platforms can expose children to dangerous content.
In contrast, YouTube contends that it should adhere to a proposed regulation indicating that the government will provide exemptions to the platform.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of regulating YouTube? And what implications does this have for a child watching YouTube if it becomes prohibited?
Why did the government consider exempting YouTube initially?
Last November, when Congress introduced legislation banning access to social media for children under 16, then Communications Minister Michelle Roland indicated that YouTube would be exempted.
This exemption was justified on the grounds that YouTube serves “an important purpose by providing youth with educational and health resources.”
The ban on social media in Australia for individuals under 16 is now law. Many details remain unclear – Video
This exemption came just 48 hours after revelations in April by Guardian Australia regarding the minister’s direct lobbying efforts involving the global CEO of YouTube.
This decision surprised YouTube competitors such as Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat. TikTok described it as a “special deal.” YouTube has launched vertical video products like Instagram and TikTok reels, leading its competitors to believe it should be included in the ban.
What led the eSafety Commissioner to recommend banning YouTube?
As new regulations regarding social media platforms were being formulated, the Minister consulted with eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant.
In a recent report, Inman Grant highlighted findings from a youth survey indicating that 76% of individuals aged 10 to 15 use YouTube. The survey also showed that 37% of children who experienced potentially harmful content online encountered it on YouTube.
Additionally, it was observed that increased time spent on YouTube correlates with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and insomnia among youth, according to the Black Dog Institute.
“Currently, YouTube boasts persuasive design elements associated with health risks, including features that could encourage unnecessary or excessive usage (such as autoplay, social validations, and algorithm-driven content feeds),” noted Inman Grant.
“When combined, these elements can lead to excessive engagement without breaks and heighten exposure to harmful material.”
Inman Grant concluded that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that YouTube provides exclusively beneficial experiences for children under 16.
However, it’s noted that children may still view content on YouTube even if they are logged out and thereby prohibited from using accounts.
What is YouTube’s position?
In a recent statement, Rachel Lord, YouTube’s senior public policy manager for Australia and New Zealand, commented on the eSafety Commissioner’s advice which was examined and subsequently supported by Parliament. YouTube views the findings on community opinion regarding the platform’s suitability for younger audiences as being “inconsistent with government commitments.”
YouTube has been developing age-appropriate offerings for over ten years, and in Q1 of 2025, the company removed 192,856 videos for breaching its hate speech and abusive content policies, a 22% increase from the previous year.
The platform asserts its role primarily as a video hosting service rather than a promoter of social interaction. A survey conducted among Australian teachers revealed that 84% use YouTube monthly as a resource for student learning.
YouTube also stated that the eSafety Commission and potentially the Communications Minister may be reconsidering the exemption following pressures from YouTube’s competitors.
What about YouTube Kids?
YouTube asserts that it offers a platform tailored for younger users, restricting both the uploading of content and commenting features for children.
The company does not seek exemptions solely for its children’s products.
When questioned about YouTube Kids during the National Press Club event, it was indicated that the platform is considered low-risk, designed specifically for children, and possesses adequate safety measures. However, it was stated, “I cannot respond until I have seen the regulations.”
Can children access YouTube without an account?
Yes. Inman Grant confirmed that if teachers wish to show videos to their students, they can access YouTube without needing to log in.
She noted that YouTube has “opaque algorithms that create addictive ‘rabbit holes’,” and remarked that when she accessed the site while logged out, her experience was positive, empowering users to engage without being subjected to addictive technological features.
In response to YouTube’s assertions on Thursday, Inman Grant reiterated that the call for exclusion from the ban aims to “allow young Australians to access YouTube’s diverse content.” However, she clarified that her advice does not imply that children will lose access to YouTube’s educational resources.
“The new law strictly restricts children under 16 from holding their own accounts. They will not be able to access YouTube or other services while logged out,” she added.
“There is nothing preventing educators with their own accounts from continuing to share educational content on YouTube or other platforms approved for school use.”
What are the next steps?
The Minister will finalize the guidelines and identify the social media platforms covered by the ban in the upcoming months.
A trial on age verification technology is expected to be reported to the Minister by the end of July, which will establish the technology platforms must implement to prevent access for users under 16.
The government has announced that the ban is anticipated to come into force in early December.
YouTube has expressed its discontent with the nation’s online safety authorities for sidelining parents and educators, advocating to be included in the proposed social media restriction for users under 16.
Julie Inman Grant from the eSafety Commissioner’s office has called on the government to reconsider its choice to exclude video-sharing platforms from the age restrictions that apply to apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
In response, YouTube insists the government should adhere to the draft regulations and disregard Inman Grant’s recommendations.
“The current stance from the eSafety Commissioner offers inconsistent and contradictory guidance by attempting to ban previously acknowledged concerns,” remarked Rachel Lord, YouTube’s public policy and government relations manager.
“eSafety’s advice overlooks the perspectives of Australian families, educators, the wider community, and the government’s own conclusions.”
Inman Grant highlighted in her National Press Club address on Tuesday that the proposed age limits for social media would be termed “delays” rather than outright “bans,” and are scheduled to take effect in mid-December. However, details on how age verification will be implemented for social media users remain unclear, though Australians should brace for a “waterfall of tools and techniques.”
Guardian Australia reported that various social media platforms have voiced concerns over their lack of clarity regarding legal obligations, expressing skepticism about the feasibility of developing age verification systems within six months of the impending deadline.
Inman Grant pointed out that age verification should occur on individual platforms rather than at the device or App Store level, noting that many social media platforms are already utilizing methods to assess or confirm user ages. She mentioned the need for platforms to update eSafety on their progress in utilizing these tools effectively to ensure the removal of underage users.
Nevertheless, Inman Grant acknowledged the imperfections of the system. “For the first time, I’m aware that companies may not get it right. These technologies won’t solve everything, but using them in conjunction can lead to a greater rate of success.”
“The social media restrictions aren’t a panacea, but they introduce some friction into the system. This pioneering legislation aims to reduce harm for parents and caregivers and shifts the responsibility back to the companies themselves,” Inman Grant stated.
“We regard large tech firms as akin to an extraction industry. Australia is calling on these businesses to provide the safety measures and support we expect from nearly every other consumer industry.”
YouTube has committed to adhering to regulations outlined by former Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, who included specific exemptions for resources such as the Kids Helpline and Google Classroom to facilitate access to educational and health support for children.
Communications Minister Annika Wells indicated that a decision regarding the commissioner’s recommendations on the draft rules will be made within weeks, according to a federal source.
YouTube emphasized that its service focuses on video viewing and streaming rather than social interaction.
They asserted their position as a leader in creating age-appropriate products and addressing potential threats, denying any changes to policies that would adversely impact younger users. YouTube reported removing over 192,000 videos for violating hate speech and abuse policies just in the first quarter of 2025, and they have developed a product specifically designed for young children.
Lord urged that the government should maintain a consistent stance by not exempting YouTube from the restrictions.
“The eSafety advice contradicts the government’s own commitments, its research into community sentiment, independent studies, and perspectives from key stakeholders involved in this matter.”
Shadow Communications Minister Melissa Mackintosh emphasized the need for clarity regarding the forthcoming reforms from the government.
“The government must clarify the expectations placed on social media platforms and families to safeguard children from prevalent online negativity,” she asserted.
“There are more questions than answers regarding this matter. This includes the necessary verification techniques and those platforms will need to adopt to implement the minimum social media age standard by December 10, 2025.”
Paleontologists have discovered peptide markers for three extinct Australian megafauna. This breakthrough facilitates research on creatures such as hippo-sized wombats, colossal kangaroos, and marsupials with enormous claws, aiding our understanding of the series of enigmatic extinctions that took place 50,000 years ago and the potential role of humans in these events.
“The geographical distribution and extinction timeline of Australia’s megafauna, along with their interaction with early modern humans, are subjects of intense debate,” commented Professor Katerina Dorca from the University of Vienna.
“The limited fossil finds at various paleontological sites across Australia complicate the testing of hypotheses regarding the extinction of these animals,” added Dr. Kali Peters, Ph.D., of the University of Algarbe.
“Using ZooMS (Zoo departments by mass spectrometry) can aid in increasing the number of identified megafauna fossils, provided that collagen peptide markers for these species are accessible.”
Through the analysis of peptides in collagen samples, researchers can differentiate between various animal species, occasionally even distinguishing among different variants.
Collagen proves to be more resilient than DNA, making this method effective in tropical conditions where DNA may not endure.
However, most reference markers originate from Eurasian species that are not found elsewhere.
This study aims to develop new reference markers tailored for Australian contexts, enhancing the understanding gleaned from the fragmented fossil records of Australia.
“Proteins tend to endure better over extensive time periods and in harsh environments compared to DNA,” noted Dr. Peters.
“Thus, in studying megafauna extinction, proteins might still be preserved even in the absence of DNA.”
The research focused on three species crucial for comprehending megafauna extinction: Zygomaturus trilobus, Palorchestes Azael, and Protemnodon Mamkurra.
Zygomaturus trilobus and Palorchestes Azael belong to a lineage of animals that vanished entirely during the late Quaternary period, while Protemnodon Mamkurra survived long enough to likely coexist with humans arriving in Tasmania.
Scientists previously dated fossilized bones from one species back over 43,000 years.
“Zygomaturus trilobus was among the largest marsupials that ever lived, appearing much like a hippo-sized wombat,” said Professor Douka.
“Protemnodon Mamkurra was a massive, sluggish kangaroo that might have occasionally walked on all fours.”
“Palorchestes Azael was a uniquely shaped marsupial with a distinctive nose and long tongue, powerful forelimbs, and a skull equipped with large claws.”
“If ancient continents connected early modern humans to what we now know as Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania 55,000 years ago, they would have encountered astonishing creatures.”
The researchers eliminated contaminants and compared peptide markers using reference markers.
The collagen in all three samples was well-preserved, enabling the identification of appropriate peptide markers for each species.
With these markers, paleontologists successfully differentiated Protemnodon from five living genera and one extinct genus of kangaroo.
They could also differentiate Zygomaturus and Palorchestes as these two species couldn’t be distinguished from other large extinct marsupials.
This is common in ZooMS, given that collagen changes accumulate slowly over millions of years of evolution.
Unless further studies enhance specificity, these markers are most effective at identifying bones at the genus level rather than the species level.
Nevertheless, Zoom’s ability to distinguish genera from temperate regions presents opportunities to try and identify bones from tropical regions, where closely related species may feature similar or identical peptide markers, since DNA preservation is rare in these environments.
“The introduction of newly developed collagen peptide markers allows us to identify a multitude of megafauna remains in Australia’s paleontological collections,” stated Dr. Peters.
“Yet, many more species still require characterization through collagen peptide markers.”
“For instance, Diprotodon, the largest marsupial genus ever known, and Thylacoleo, the largest marsupial predator.”
The team’s findings will be published in the journal Frontiers in Mammal Science.
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Kari Peters et al. 2025. Collagen peptide markers from three Australian megafauna species. Front. Mammal. Sci. 4; doi:10.3389/fmamm.2025.1564287
An anonymous collective of activists in Adelaide is persistently opposing Elon Musk’s Tesla from establishing battery factories in residential areas.
Tesla has faced global scrutiny due to Musk’s associations with the Trump administration and staunch protests fueled by beliefs that billionaires often back through his social media channels.
This week, the discontent was palpable in the South Australian capital, a significant distance from Washington, D.C.
Approximately 95% of nearly 1,000 submissions voiced opposition to Tesla’s proposals for recycling showrooms and batteries, as well as repurposing the factory. Many expressed sentiments characterized as “anti-Tesla and anti-Elon Musk.”
To maintain decorum, the local council revised the language in several submissions to clarify references to Musk and Tesla.
“We shouldn’t profit from support. [redacted] Who is openly [redacted]? It’s a salute [redacted]. Humans.”
The world’s richest individual has declared his departure from his government efficiency role, which has often led to chaotic and detrimental consequences, including job cuts and reduced funding for US government agencies. He is now facing challenges related to his businesses, including Tesla, amid declining sales.
Meanwhile, in Adelaide, the Marion City Council has moved past community disagreements and approved the factory project for further progression, pending state government approval. The council indicated that the project is expected to inject millions of dollars into the local economy.
Nevertheless, the protest group “Tree Not Teslas” remains committed to their cause.
Environmental organizations and others opposed to the Tesla project argue that the trees designated for removal to clear the construction site are irreplaceable. They also hold Musk personally accountable.
“Neon,” a member of Tree Not Teslas, chose to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation, partly because the group identifies as a collective.
He noted the group’s traction has been “extraordinary,” and their website has attracted thousands of visits, though he admitted it is hard to gauge their overall impact.
Neon stated that the fight will persist as the state government weighs the council’s proposal to reclassify the site as community land.
“We’re going to push it further. We have to take action regarding the state government,” Neon declared.
“We’ve raised awareness and are encouraging more people to get involved. This issue extends beyond just Congress; it’s a fundamental matter for the state.”
He emphasized that their campaign primarily aims to safeguard the trees on the site. “… Our central focus is on preserving the green space,” he clarified.
“We are indeed advocates for electric vehicles and green energy.
“However, the industry that obliterates green spaces… is ironically labeled as ‘green.’
The council has asserted that the area has been inaccessible to the public since 2016 due to pollution. Neon countered, claiming the trees are vital for restoring the land.
Neon also echoed comments made by Councillor Sarah Lascomb, who opposed the proposal, arguing that the factory’s plans to recycle or reuse Tesla batteries do not cater to the needs of most consumers who use different brands.
The ongoing debate centers around electric vehicle batteries, with the possibility of recycling Powerwall batteries at the site.
Guardian Australia reached out to Tesla for a statement.
Neon mentioned that the council voted 8-3 in favor of seeking state government approval, despite community pushback that made the public consultation process feel like a formality.
Mayor Chris Hannah stated that the project would generate jobs and revenue for the community, asserting that Tesla would establish operations elsewhere if not in Marion. According to Hannah, Tesla has committed to preserving the most significant trees and replanting more than necessary.
Neon argued that replacing established trees with seedlings minimizes their ecological benefits.
Premier Peter Malinauskas indicated that the state welcomes significant industrial development and is reluctant to oppose Musk, emphasizing that it’s “his prerogative.”
A spokesperson for the state government stated that they appreciate investments in South Australia and job creation, and will indeed consider the proposal.
“Rachel, I have some unfortunate news,” the text read. “They are planning to dismantle the loom tomorrow.”
Rachel Halton still doesn’t know who made the decision in October 2022 to eliminate the $160,000 jacquard loom, which had been the foundation of RMIT’s renowned textile and textile design course for two decades.
Standing at 3 meters tall and weighing over half a tonne, the loom was an intricate machine made of polished wood, steel, compressed air, and mechatronics. It served as both a grand tribute to the textile industry’s golden age and a modern tool for weaving intricate fabrics from strands of thread. Halton couldn’t bear the thought of it ending up in a landfill.
The Jacquard Loom uses punch cards—an early form of coding—to guide the lifting and dropping of threads.
Photo: Stuart Walmsley/Guardian
“It was my day off, and I jumped out of bed and rushed over,” recalls Halton.
The loom was unique in the Southern Hemisphere and one of only a few globally. Halton acquired it for the university’s Brunswick campus in the early 2000s soon after she began teaching there. It “expanded artistic possibilities,” she states. Students enrolled specifically to work with it, and international artists visited to weave on it. It became integral to Halton’s creative process.
Upon her arrival on campus that October morning, she was determined to “rescue it from the brink.”
“He severed it right in front of me,” Halton recounts. “It felt like I was pulling the plug on a family member’s life support.”
Many shared her sentiment, prompting a grassroots effort to save the loom as news spread about its impending removal. A passionate collective of weavers, educators, students, and alumni rallied to find it a more suitable home, all while carefully disassembling it for transport to a compassionate technician’s workshop, eventually settling on a former student’s living space.
Textile artist Daisy Watt, part of that collective, describes the event as a “telling snapshot of the challenges” facing higher education in arts and crafts.
Warp and Weft
The loom’s cumbersome name underscores its significance. Traditional jacquard looms utilize punch cards (rows of holes in cardboard slips, the earliest form of coding) to control the lifting of vertical (warp) threads and weave fabric through thread manipulation. The Arm AG CH-3507 loom can be operated manually or via computer, providing total control over every thread and opening up limitless design avenues.
Watt collaborates with technician Tony De Groot to restore the loom.
Photo: Stuart Walmsley/Guardian
Watt has a “deep connection” to the loom. Not only did she invest countless hours during her time at RMIT, but she also housed it for months post-rescue. Self-taught in coding, she is now updating its electronics. Given its roots in Jacquard punch card technology, it feels as though the loom is intertwined with the **fundamentals of modern computing.**
“We often think of crafting as separate from technology, yet this embodies the beautiful chaos of that intersection,” Watt explains. “Effective crafting technology revolves around creating beauty.”
Instructor Lucy Adam notes that when the loom was acquired, RMIT offered textile design as part of its arts diploma.
In 2008, RMIT shifted from offering a diploma to a Certificate IV training package, part of a wider and controversial national restructuring of vocational education. This approach omitted traditional curricula in favor of job-focused “competency units” directed by industry, all under stringent regulation.
Government officials defended these reforms as necessary for streamlining qualifications and eliminating underperforming training providers. However, educators and union representatives warned that this would dilute educational quality, resulting in a systemic decline in skill development which labor theorist Harry Braverman described as a shift from “conscious skilled labor” to rudimentary tasks.
Testimonies from RMIT’s textile design faculty indicate this was indeed the outcome despite their best efforts.
De Groot inspects educational materials recovered from the loom.
Photo: Stuart Walmsley/Guardian
The program has become “very dry and at the lowest common denominator,” according to Adam. Resources have been cut back significantly, and student interaction time has halved. Despite the loom’s educational potential, there was insufficient time to teach students how to operate it adequately. Halton endeavored to integrate it into student projects as much as possible, personally overseeing its setup, disassembly, and maintenance.
In her Master’s thesis, Adam scrutinized the effects of these changes on vocational education and noted that competency checklists missed the essence of trade disciplines like textile design, ceramics, cooking, metalworking, woodworking, and other fields that marry technical skills with artistic expression.
“Unless you are an exceptionally skilled educator capable of circumventing the banality, you’re relegated to an archaic teaching model,” she argues.
Artist and educator John Brooks echoes the concerns about the restrictive course structure, highlighting that even basic tasks like starting or shutting down a computer are now considered part of the evaluation requirements. “With so much focus on compliance, we compromise the fundamental skills we aim to teach,” he laments.
Adam remembers a student lamenting their training package, saying it felt like “filling out a visa application repeatedly.” “It truly saddened me,” she reflects. “Where does real learning take place? Where can you learn it?”
The loom’s new location in Ballarat.
Photo: Stuart Walmsley/Guardian
This trend isn’t confined to TAFE. Ella*, a third-year student from the University of Tasmania, shares with Guardian Australia that advanced 3D media courses, particularly in her areas of focus—furniture, sculpture, or time-based media—cease after the first year. There are also no offerings in art history.
“It significantly affects students’ understanding of contemporary art,” Ella asserts. Her instructor is striving to “revitalize” the course.
Professor Lisa Fletcher, representing the Faculty of Arts at the University of Tasmania, emphasizes the institution’s commitment to arts education, stating they aim to equip students with “strong and sustainable skills,” while actively seeking feedback as they regularly evaluate their art degrees.
Crafting the Future
The loom is currently housed in an incubator space in Ballarat, where rescue organizations can operate for minimal fees. The city is dedicated to preserving rare and endangered craft techniques. Certain crafts have nearly disappeared; for instance, stained glass work, once close to being extinct in Australia, has seen a revival thanks to a handful of artists who successfully reintroduced it into the TAFE system and launched a course in Melbourne’s polytechnics. However, such revivals are rare.
Watt and fellow weavers aspire for looms to be accessible once more, allowing others to learn, teach, and create. As Brooks puts it, the less prevalent these skills become, the fewer opportunities there will be to acquire them. “We’re in danger of losing them altogether.”
An RMIT spokesperson mentioned that the university had to remove the looms as part of an upgrade to ensure students had access to “reliable and modern equipment” that prepares them for the workforce. Presently, the space previously occupied by the looms is dedicated to military-funded textile initiatives, requiring security clearance for entry. Last year, RMIT stopped accepting enrollments for the Certificate IV in Textile Design after state government funding for the course was withdrawn.
Yet, there is a glimmer of hope. Adam remains determined; she recently proposed a new diploma that has been approved. Despite the growing constraints, she isn’t alone in her endeavors at the university. As of this writing, the institution is set to acquire new equipment—a modest yet promising $100,000 computer-controlled Jacquard loom.
O Over the last ten years, Dean has built a robust collection of video games, ranging from mainstream blockbusters to niche favorites. His digital library is akin to a cinematic treasure trove, allowing instant access with a simple click. Yet, his son, Sam, has set his sights on just one game: Roblox. This expansive virtual universe and video game, Roblox is the leading title worldwide.
The company reports over 97 million daily active users on Roblox, with around 40% of them, like Sam, aged under 13. In 2024, Roblox generated approximately $5.6 billion (US$3.6 billion) in revenue, mainly from purchases of “Robux,” a form of in-game currency, with the average user spending about $25 a month.
Amid concerns about children’s exposure to bullying and inappropriate content, a recent report highlights the impacts of game monetization on young users.
Experts argue that Australia’s current classification system does not adequately assist child gamers and their parents in navigating the tricky monetization landscape.
New reports from Australian researchers scrutinize the manipulative “dark design patterns” in gaming that encourage spending and confuse children with unclear cryptocurrency transactions.
One recent report from Monash University and the Center for Consumer Policy Research (CPRC) focused on players aged 18 and older, revealing that games designed with dark patterns are almost unavoidable. Of the 800 surveyed, 83% reported “negative effects” from these designs, and 46% faced economic disadvantages, feeling pressured to purchase items and overspending.
Another recent study from University of Sydney researchers sought to understand how children, who represent one-fifth of the gaming population, recognize these mechanisms and perceive the design of video games.
“Concerns about children’s interaction with digital media often lead to panic and policy decisions that overlook the actual experiences of children,” states Taylor Hardwick, lead author of the study.
Hardwick and her team interviewed 22 children aged 7 to 14 and their parents. Each child received a $20 debit card and was instructed to explain their purchases.
Among the 22 children, 18 played Roblox, with 12 spending their entire $20 on Robux. The remaining five used the funds on other games like Call of Duty, Fallout 76, and Minecraft.
Participants expressed concerns about being misunderstood and frustrated by their purchases, especially if they suddenly lost access to their accounts or items.
Sam’s father shared that Sam has spent around $400 a year on Roblox over the past four years, with a recent purchase leaving him disheartened.
Sam had used some of his Robux to buy Godzilla “skins” (digital costumes) in a popular Roblox game called Monster Universe. However, upon logging in, he found his skin had vanished unexpectedly after the game was shut down by Toho, the copyright holder. He did not receive a refund from Roblox.
One major concern raised by Sydney researchers is the impact of “random reward mechanisms” (RRMs) on children. RRMs, like loot boxes, offer players mystery items through lottery-style draws.
While children in this study accepted RRMs as part of gaming, many expressed dissatisfaction with them.
“Even if children talk about game percentages in slang, they don’t entirely grasp the risks of navigating these digital experiences,” the authors note. “Gambling-like mechanisms such as RRMs are harmful and inappropriate for children’s games.”
Recommendations include eliminating RRMs, simplifying refund processes, enhancing account protections for children, and improving transparency regarding cryptocurrency.
Christopher Ferguson, a psychologist at Stetson University, found the study interesting but highlighted the small sample size and questioned the researchers’ definition of “harm.” He argued that while children may feel deceived, the monetization aspects could be more annoying than harmful.
“It’s encouraging that researchers are inquiring about children’s perspectives on their experiences,” he said.
A USTRALIA has attempted to shield children from monetized RRMs by introducing a new classification system that was implemented in September 2024. Currently, games containing RRMs or loot boxes are not recommended for those under 15.
However, these new regulations apply only to newly classified games, and pre-existing games are not required to update their classifications.
Leon Xiao, a researcher from City University of Hong Kong studying loot box regulation, states that Australia faces implementation issues rather than legal ones. He argues that several video games were misrated after the new law came into effect, indicating flaws in consumer education.
A preliminary study by Marcus Carter, co-author of the University of Sydney research, suggests that about 20% of the top 100 grossing mobile games on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store do not comply with Australian regulations. Hardwick and Carter recently noted that Australia’s guidelines “do not fulfill their intended purpose.”
Roblox, with its extensive user-generated content, exemplifies the confusion surrounding ratings. Xiao argues, “Roblox should either be rated or not recommended for players under 15.” However, the game is rated PG on the Google Play Store.
In contrast, Apple’s App Store lists a regional age rating of over 15 years, which aligns with global ratings from Apple that set the limit at 12.
A Roblox spokesperson informed Guardian Australia that developers must use the PolicyService API to comply with jurisdictional requirements, ensuring access only for eligible users with paid random items. Due to an update rolled out to developers in September 2024, paid random items are currently unavailable to users in Australia.
“As a platform for user-generated content, we provide developers with tools, information, and guidelines applicable to various gameplay aspects within games and experiences.
“We are committed to addressing reported content that fails to adhere to guidelines or does not effectively use tools necessary to meet Australia’s local compliance requirements.”
The company strives to inform parents about their children’s purchasing habits, does not store billing information as defaults, and fails to give warnings that real money is being spent during initial transactions. Parents are also alerted via emails regarding high spending activity.
“Our parental controls enable parents and caregivers to receive notifications about their child’s spending on Roblox and set monthly spending limits for their accounts,” said the spokesperson.
Hardwick believes navigating monetization is challenging for parents, who are often busy, informed, and lack resources. She feels they aren’t equipped to manage children’s in-game spending effectively.
Dean is making every effort to guide Sam through these trends, discussing what Sam spends Robux on and why. While Dean acknowledges Sam’s disappointment over the Godzilla skin, he has encouraged Sam to explore a gardening game where he can utilize Robux to purchase new species.
Few voters have as much influence over climate change as Australians do.
In terms of per capita greenhouse gas emissions, only the US and Canada are close to Australia. The nation stands as one of the largest exporters of fossil fuels, significantly contributing to global warming by selling vast quantities of natural gas to Asian countries, alongside some of the most polluting fossil fuels.
As national elections approach this Saturday, polls indicate that climate change is not a primary concern for many voters. However, the leading candidates from the Labour Party and the Liberal Party hold starkly different views on climate and energy policies.
At the forefront is the reliance on aging coal plants, which dominate the country’s electricity generation.
“We’ve seen various approaches worldwide,” stated Andrew McIntosh, a professor of environmental law and policy at the Australian National University. “On one hand, there’s a push for expanding renewable energy, while on the other, a conservative coalition advocates for nuclear power.”
Both strategies aim to reduce emissions, according to McIntosh, though many remain puzzled by the nuclear initiative. Nuclear plants can take over a decade to build, while renewable energy solutions can be implemented in just a few months.
“We need to rely on coal for years to come,” he added.
In some ways, analysts compare the polarized situation in Australia to that in the US, where former President Donald J. Trump downplayed climate science, dismissing it as a scam. Matt McDonald, a political scientist specializing in climate matters at the University of Queensland, remarked:
However, instead of heightening Australians’ concerns about climate change, Trump’s criticisms “don’t seem to have generated significant international momentum to address the issue, effectively cooling tensions on both sides,” said Dr. McDonald.
If Australians are feeling pressure, it stems from surging household energy prices. According to Australian energy regulators, average energy costs have risen by approximately 60% over the last decade.
Anthony Albanese, the current Prime Minister and Labour Party leader, has committed to a relatively ambitious renewable energy target, aiming for over 80% generation by 2030.
“Yet,” Dr. MacDonald noted, “we still have a significant reliance on coal.”
Albanese’s main rival, Peter Dutton, heads a coalition that aims to increase domestic gas production for electricity generation. While gas is still a fossil fuel, it is far less polluting than coal. Dutton proposes requiring gas producers to sell portions of their output to Australian electricity grids while expediting approvals for new drilling projects.
Generally, both parties endorse gas development, with Australia being the second-largest gas exporter globally, following the US.
Polling indicates a competitive race, revealing that the Green Party and the so-called Teal Independents strongly advocate for robust climate policies and could play a crucial role in Congress. “If they maintain their current seats, they will be in a position to advocate more strongly for climate action, such as reducing coal exports,” Dr. McDonald said.
A significant question looming globally is whether Australia will host next year’s annual United Nations-sponsored Global Climate Conference, commonly known as COP. Australia is currently vying with Türkiye to secure this event, which comes with notable geopolitical significance and economic advantages, drawing tens of thousands of delegates.
Host countries typically influence the ambition levels of negotiations, and Prime Minister Albanese’s administration has been lobbying for international support for Australia’s bid for over a year. “If they are elected, it’s unlikely to happen under the coalition government,” Dr. McDonald concluded.
HHello. Welcome to TechScape. Happy belated Thanksgiving to all my American readers. I hope you all enjoy a fun holiday party this weekend. I’m looking forward to baking gritty bunts for the Feast of St. Nicholas. This week in tech: Australia causes panic, Bluesky raises the issue of custom feeds, and we cover the online things that brought me joy over the holidays.
Australia on Thursday passed a law banning children under 16 from using social networks.
My colleague Helen Sullivan reports from Sydney: The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) would prohibit social media platforms from allowing users under the age of 16 to access their services, with penalties of up to A$50 million (A$3,200) for failure to comply. He is threatening to impose a fine of US$ 1,000,000. However, it does not contain any details about how it will work, only that companies are expected to take reasonable steps to ensure that users are over 16 years of age. Further details will be available by the time the Age Assurance Technology trials are completed in mid-2025. The bill will not take effect for another 12 months.
The bill also does not specify which companies would be subject to the ban, but Communications Minister Michel Rolland has said that Snapchat, TikTok, X, Instagram, Reddit, and Facebook are likely to be subject to the ban. YouTube is not included because it is for “important” educational purposes, she said.
The new law was drafted in response to Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying there was “a clear causal link between the rise of social media and the harm it causes to Australian youth mental health.”
TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and X are angry. Following the bill’s passage, Mehta said the process was “fast-tracked” and that it would take a long time to hear from young people, the steps the tech industry has already taken to protect them, and existing research on the impact of their social media use. He said he did not consider the evidence.
Australian children are not a significant user base for these companies. According to UNICEF, in 2023, there were 5.7 million people under the age of 18 living in Australia. Facebook reported 3 billion monthly users in 2023. May 2023. There are approximately 370 million Facebook users in India. Even if all Australian children were to leave social media, which is unlikely, the number of users would not decline significantly.
If countries around the world turn their young people away from social media, social media companies will face an uncertain future.
Of concern to tech companies is the precedent set by the new law. Tech companies also fiercely opposed measures in both Australia and Canada that would require them to pay for news content. The issue was not the amount requested, but what happened next. If countries around the world required people to pay for news, the financial burden it would place on Facebook and others would be enormous, as would the responsibility of determining what is news. As countries around the world turn their young people away from social media, social media companies will face an uncertain future. The pipeline of incoming users will dry up.
What tech companies want in Australia is a measure that would require parental consent, but this would be a more vague standard and one that would divide responsibility between companies and users. Mehta and others opposed a 2023 law passed in France requiring parents to approve accounts for children under 15 with far less vigor than Australia’s new law. However, in an ominous sign for Australia’s measures, local French media reports that technical challenges mean the under-15 rule has not yet been implemented. Also, does the parental consent feature work? Data from several European countries shows that it doesn’t. Nick Clegg from Meta said the company’s data shows that parents are not using parental control measures on social networks.
Australian law shows that this is indeed possible in any country. We have seen the laws of one country tilt the global governance of social networks before. In the United States, a law governing children’s privacy passed in 2000 imposed a minimum age of 13 for social media users. Social network privacy policy.
Click here for a comparison of Australia’s social media ban laws with those of other countries.
Dingo (Dingo) are an iconic element of Australia’s biodiversity, but evidence-based management and conservation of dingoes depends on understanding their origins and population history. New ResearchIssued this week Proceedings of the National Academy of SciencesResearchers have sequenced the genome of an ancient dingo individual, providing clues about the early history of dingoes in Australia, prior to the introduction of modern domestic dogs and the persecution of dingoes by European settlers. The results provide insight into the ancestry and origins of modern dingoes, including their relationship to the singing dogs of New Guinea, and will be a valuable resource for future developments in dingo management and conservation.
Dingoes are culturally and ecologically important free-living canines whose ancestors arrived in Australia more than 3,000 years ago, likely carried by sea voyagers. Image courtesy of Karlel.
Modern dingoes are free-ranging and naturalized Canine They live on most of mainland Australia and some of the nearby islands, including K'gari (known as Fraser Island from the 1840s until 2023).
Between the arrival of their ancestors in Australia at least 3,000 years ago and the introduction of domestic dog breeds as part of European colonisation beginning in the 18th century, dingoes were isolated from domestic dogs for thousands of years and represent an early 'primitive dog' lineage distinct from other free-ranging representatives of modern domestic dogs.
The early branching and free-living nature of dingoes means they were not subjected to the same intensive selective breeding as the ancestors of modern domestic dogs.
As a result, dingoes are behaviorally, genetically and anatomically distinct from domestic dogs and, as the continent's largest and most widespread terrestrial predator, they affect the distribution and populations of many other animal species.
“Dingoes have cultural significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and play a vital role in Australia's ecosystems,” said University of Adelaide researcher Dr Yasin Suirmi.
“Understanding the historical population structure of dingoes will help us to protect their role in Australia's ecosystems and culture.”
“Dingoes are currently under threat from lethal culling programs and our research highlights the importance of protecting populations both inside and outside national parks.”
For the study, Dr Suirmi and his colleagues sequenced genetic data from 42 dingo specimens taken from coastal Western Australia, the Nullarbor Plain and coastal eastern Australia, stretching more than 3,000 kilometres from east to west.
The majority of the dingo specimens the researchers analysed predate the arrival of Europeans in Australia, with some dating back more than 2,000 years, and therefore represent the true genetic diversity of dingoes before they interbred with modern domestic dog breeds.
“This dataset provides a rare glimpse into the genetic landscape of pre-colonial dingoes, without any interbreeding with modern dog breeds,” said Dr Sally Wasef, a palaeogeneticist at Queensland University of Technology.
“As a result, they are behaviorally, genetically and anatomically different from domestic dogs.”
“The ancestors of modern dingoes arrived in Australia more than 3,000 years ago, probably carried there by seafarers.”
“The samples we analysed represent the oldest ancient DNA ever found in Australia and point to broad potential for future DNA and conservation action for dingoes and other animals.”
“Dingo populations have been divided into eastern and western groups and were previously thought to have formed during post-colonial human activity.”
“However, our results show that dingo population structure was already present thousands of years ago, shedding light on the dingo's genetic heritage and highlighting the importance of using ancient DNA for wildlife conservation.”
“For example, all of the K'gari dingoes we analysed are free of domestic dog blood, proving they have retained their ancestral heritage intact.”
“Although we only studied a small number of K'gari dingoes, our results highlight the importance and usefulness of ancient pre-colonial genomic data in conserving our unique native fauna.”
“Bad human behaviour has led some dingoes to take food from tourists so although a few problem dingoes have been culled, this is concerning given the small population.”
“Our unique dataset of ancient dingo DNA has helped us to reveal important details about the ancestry and migration patterns of modern dingoes,” Dr Suirmi said.
“Dingoes existed in Australia long before Europeans arrived, with distinct regional populations roughly separated along the Great Dividing Range, and certainly before the construction of the dingo-proof fence.”
“DNA analysis also shows that there has been less interbreeding between dingoes and modern dogs than previously thought, and our study confirms that today's dingoes retain a significant amount of their ancestral genetic diversity.”
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Yasin Suirmi others2024. Ancient genomes reveal dingo population structure over 2,000 years. PNAS 121(30):e2407584121; doi:10.1073/pnas.240758412
A prestigious portrait competition has defended its ability to allow entrants to submit works generated by artificial intelligence, arguing that art should reflect social change rather than being stagnant.
of Brisbane Portrait Award The work, which is worth a top prize of $50,000, is being described as Queensland’s answer to the Archibalds, and selected works will be exhibited at the Brisbane Powerhouse later this year.
This year, the Brisbane Portrait Prize has announced in its entry terms and conditions that as long as the artwork is original and “fully completed and fully owned” by the entrant, it is “completed in whole or in part by generative artificial intelligence.” It states that it will accept submissions that have been submitted. .
A spokesperson for the awards told Guardian Australia that allowing AI submissions acknowledged that the definition of art is not stagnant and is always growing.
“The BPP prides itself on being a contemporary prize, fostering the continued evolution of the art and participating in the conversation around it, while always being interested in what ‘contemporary’ portraiture is.” ” they said.
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A spokesperson said that in the past, more traditional artists objected to allowing digital and photographic submissions, but it is now generally accepted in the art world.
“As technology continues to adapt and integrate into our society, the use of assistive technology is already paving the way for inclusion for artists with disabilities, and we believe that the use of AI tools and methodologies will continue to grow in this field. “We believe this is the next step,” the spokesperson said.
The previous winner, painter Stephen Tiernan, said: told ABC The creation of AI-generated works still involves an artistic process, and the rule changes ultimately kept the awards modern.
A spokesperson said the contest will determine ownership of works based on the terms of the process used and the AI program behind it. At the time of submission, artists must declare that they have full copyright to their submitted work.
Dr Rita Maturionite, a senior lecturer in law at Macquarie University, said that under Australian copyright law, AIs themselves cannot be authors, but how much of an AI-assisted work of art can humans own in order to claim ownership. He said whether the information would have to be entered remains an open question.
“What is unclear is [is] “How much human contribution is enough for a person to become a writer?” she said. “Is one prompt enough for her, or does she need to create 100 prompts?”
A spokesperson for the Brisbane Portrait Prize said if the artist contributed “sufficient independent intellectual effort” to the creation of the work, it was likely to be protected by copyright.
“An example of someone determining full ownership of content is when an artist uses an AI tool to use elements of some of their own original work, and all original designs belong solely to the artist. This could be the case if we create new artwork,” the spokesperson said.
“We recognize that AI is an evolving field and that our laws often keep pace with technological advances.”
Dr TJ Thomson, Senior Lecturer in RMIT's School of Media and Communication, said: 'Creating an image through a camera and imagining an image through a keyword prompt are completely different experiences that require very different skills. There is,” he said.
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“If you have some knowledge of photography principles and equipment, you can understand the intent of the photo, but it’s not fair to pit camera-generated images against AI-generated images.”
This is not the first contest to tackle AI entries since the explosion of widely available generative AI applications over the past year.
The National Portrait Gallery’s 2024 National Photographic Portrait Awards allows the use of generative AI tools in the development of submitted photographic works, but does not allow images that are entirely AI-generated.
However, there are strict conditions, such as requiring details of which tools were used and how. If your prompts to AI include someone else’s name, image, work, or creative style, you must obtain their explicit consent.
Thomson said the competition was a messy space with many unanswered questions, but other competitions in the meantime are likely to have similar results.
In November, the World Press Photo Contest announced it would exclude AI-generated entries from its public format after receiving “honest and thoughtful feedback,” and said the ban was “in line with our long-standing values of accuracy and authenticity.” He said that it was something that
German artist Boris Eldagsen said he submitted an AI-generated photo of two women “as cheeky monkeys” to see if there would be a competition for AI images, and he won a prize at Sony last year. He declined the award in the Creative Open category of the World Photography Awards.
“They’re not,” he said last April.
In Sydney last year, a woman claimed to have taken a photo of her son with a mobile phone but lost out in a competition after judges suspected it was generated by AI.
At the NGV Triennial Exhibition to be held in Melbourne this year, Works by Irish artist Kevin Abosch They created “deepfakes of scenes depicting social unrest around the world,” including in Melbourne, and investigated how manipulated information fuels social unrest.
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