CSIRO Publishing
LightNews LightNews
banner
csiropublishing.bsky.social
CSIRO Publishing
@csiropublishing.bsky.social
1K followers 150 following 620 posts
Australia's leading publisher of science news, journals and books.

Not-for-profit, editorially independent and proudly part of the research community.

About us + print books: publishing.csiro.au
Digital content (news, journals and eBooks): connectsci.au
Posts Replies Media Videos
csiropublishing.bsky.social
Researchers looked into the social lives of 68 people diagnosed with a neurological condition - such as stroke, MS, and Parkinson's - and say having a bigger social network was linked to decreased levels of neuroticism & loneliness.

doi.org/10.1071/IB24...

#BrainImpairment #BrainInjury #OpenAccess
An over the shoulder view of two people holding coffee cups during a social catch-up. A caption invites us to read the open access article 'The relationships between social network size, loneliness and personality in individuals living with a neurological condition: an exploratory study' in Brain Impairment. The photo is credited as being by SDI Productions, Getty Images Signature.
February 18, 2026 at 1:32 AM
csiropublishing.bsky.social
Researchers have used animal-borne video and movement data to better understand how young #AustralianSeaLions learn to forage.

They published their findings in a new #OpenAccess article in Australian Journal of Zoology:

doi.org/10.1071/ZO25...

#AusJZoology #AnimalBehaviour
A sea lion gives us side eye as it glides underwater over a sandy surface. The photo is credited as being by RugliG, Getty Images. A caption invites us to read an open access article in Australian Journal of Zoology titled 'Evidence for social transmission of foraging behaviour in the Australian sea lion'.
February 18, 2026 at 1:03 AM
csiropublishing.bsky.social
What shaped #PlantScience in 2024–2025?

A new #FunctionalPlantBio collection gathers the most influential papers from the past 2 years, spotlighting breakthroughs in #PlantStressBiology, #EnvironmentalAdaptation & emerging #biotechnologies.

Free to read to 1 July 🌱

connectsci.au/collection/5...
A close up of leaves illuminated by the sun at golden hour. The photo is credited as being by TrueCreatives and a caption invites us to read a new collection titled 'Best of Functional Plant Biology', which is free to read until July 2026.
February 17, 2026 at 2:57 AM
csiropublishing.bsky.social
The koala population in Richmond Range National Park NSW seems to have remained stable over a 10-year period, despite experiencing the driest & wettest periods on record in that time, according to new research in Australian Mammalogy.

doi.org/10.1071/AM25...

#AusMammalogy @ausmammals.bsky.social
A koala resting in a tree, perhaps scratching its leg, with a very unphased look on its face. A caption invites us to read the open access article titled 'Of droughts and flooding rains: koala population occupancy in a north-east New South Wales conservation reserve, and implications for range-wide surveys' in Australian Mammalogy. The photo is credit as being by Lukas Kloeppel, Pexels.
February 17, 2026 at 1:58 AM
csiropublishing.bsky.social
Many of these things will bring bad luck, but not just because it's Friday the 13th.

What 'unlucky' things would you add to this list? Reply and let us know 👇

#Friday13 #Unlucky
February 12, 2026 at 11:23 PM
csiropublishing.bsky.social
Making waves in freshwater science 🌊

Congratulations to Lydia Gilbert, winner of the inaugural Australian Freshwater Sciences Society– @marinefreshwater.bsky.social Conference Award! 🎉

#MarineFreshwaterRes
Lydia Gilbert grins happily at the camera. She has long brown hair and is standing in lush tropical bushland wearing a striped t-shirt.
February 11, 2026 at 11:54 PM
Reposted by CSIRO Publishing
globalplantgpc.bsky.social
🚨🚨🚨 #Webinar

It’s not too late to join our webinar, in collaboration with Functional Plant Biology, exploring cutting-edge advances in plant abiotic stress.

📅 12th February 2026 (TOMORROW!)
⏲️ 8:00 CET/18:00 AEDT

Register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

@csiropublishing.bsky.social
Promotional banner for a scientific talk titled ‘Innovative Approaches to Understanding Plant Adaptation to Abiotic Stress.’ The left side has a black panel with white text listing the speakers, Dr Alison Gill (Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space) and Thi Linh Chi Tran (Deakin University). The right side shows a circular photo of cracked, dry soil with small green seedlings emerging. Logos for The Global Plant Council and Functional Plant Biology appear at the top. A date and time bar at the bottom reads ‘12th Feb 2026, 8:00 CET.
February 11, 2026 at 9:43 AM
csiropublishing.bsky.social
Today, on International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we’re sharing one scientist’s message to her younger self.

@drvanessapirotta.bsky.social delivered an address at National Press Club last year on Australia’s scientific future, speaking to the importance of nurturing the next generation.
February 11, 2026 at 2:30 AM
csiropublishing.bsky.social
You occupy our every thought, libraries.

With #LibraryLoversDay this Sat 14 Feb, we're reaffirming our romance with libraries, which provide access to information & entertainment, often with free services & events.

Show your library some love this weekend!
#WeLoveLibraries #BookLoversForBridgerton
A still from the series Bridgerton, showing the character Penelope Featherington from an over-the-shoulder perspective as she gazes into the eyes of Colin Bridgerton. Her facial expression is tender and her eyes filled with attraction, as Colin lightly takes her chin in one hand, her thick red hair cascading over one shoulder. If there was a photo to illustrate 'in love' in the dictionary, this could be it. Colin is labelled "A notification from my library that my request is ready for pickup" and Penelope is labelled "Me". A still from the series Bridgerton, showing the character Penelope Featherington from an over-the-shoulder perspective as she gazes into the eyes of Colin Bridgerton. Her facial expression is tender and her eyes filled with attraction, as Colin lightly takes her chin in one hand, her thick red hair cascading over one shoulder. If there was a photo to illustrate 'in love' in the dictionary, this could be it. Colin is labelled "My library" and Penelope is labelled "Me". Colin says: "Free access to audiobooks, magazines and journal articles". A still from the series Bridgerton, showing the character Penelope Featherington from an over-the-shoulder perspective as she gazes into the eyes of Colin Bridgerton. Her facial expression is tender and her eyes filled with attraction, as Colin lightly takes her chin in one hand, her thick red hair cascading over one shoulder. If there was a photo to illustrate 'in love' in the dictionary, this could be it. Colin is labelled "My library hosting my favourite author for a talk about their new book" and Penelope is labelled "Me". A still from the series Bridgerton, showing the character Penelope Featherington from an over-the-shoulder perspective as she gazes into the eyes of Colin Bridgerton. Her facial expression is tender and her eyes filled with attraction, as Colin lightly takes her chin in one hand, her thick red hair cascading over one shoulder. If there was a photo to illustrate 'in love' in the dictionary, this could be it. Colin is labelled "My library" and Penelope is labelled "Me". Colin says: "Come to a maker event and learn a new skill while meeting like-minded people".
February 9, 2026 at 11:46 PM
csiropublishing.bsky.social
A new #OpenAccess article in @pacificconsbio.bsky.social quantifies the impact of entanglement on wildlife in terms of entanglement materials and impacts on particular species, especially species that are threatened with extinction.

connectsci.au/pc/article/3...

#PacificConsBio
Three grey-headed flying foxes hang upside down in a tree, while a fourth flies overhead, its black leathery wings gleaming in the sunshine. A caption invites us to read an open access article in Pacific Conservation Biology titled 'Untangling wildlife entanglements: patterns represented in rescue data from New South Wales, Australia'. The photo is credited as being by Mark Thomas, Pexels.
February 9, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Reposted by CSIRO Publishing
jhaue.bsky.social
Pesticides are getting more harmful, threatening global biodiversity goals
A study using a new analytic method suggests trends in worldwide pesticide toxicity fall far short of global goals, requiring immediate and coordinated action across countries.
connectsci.au/news/news-pa...
Pesticides are getting more harmful, threatening global biodiversity goals
A study using a new analytic method suggests trends in worldwide pesticide toxicity fall far short of global goals, requiring immediate and coordinated action across countries. National representative...
connectsci.au
February 8, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Reposted by CSIRO Publishing
whysharksmatter.bsky.social
Trophic ecology and stable isotope niche space of tunas, billfishes, and sharks in New Zealand waters connectsci.au/mf/article/d...
Trophic ecology and stable isotope niche space of tunas, billfishes, and sharks in New Zealand waters
Context. Highly migratory species (HMS), such as tunas, billfishes and sharks are a major component of the top predator guild in oceanic ecosystems, but th
connectsci.au
February 7, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Reposted by CSIRO Publishing
whysharksmatter.bsky.social
Utilisation of the Gulf of Mexico by western North Atlantic white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) as an overwintering area connectsci.au/wr/article/d...
Utilisation of the Gulf of Mexico by western North Atlantic white sharks (<italic>Carcharodon carcharias</italic>) as an overwintering area
<b>Context</b> The white shark (<italic> Carcharodon carcharias </italic>) is a large, highly migratory, apex predator typically fo
connectsci.au
February 7, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Reposted by CSIRO Publishing
inaturalist.bsky.social
Ptilotus senarius hadn’t been seen since the 1960s. People thought it was extinct — until nature-enthusiast and horticulturist Aaron Bean came across it and shared an observation to iNaturalist. There, community members helped confirm what once seemed impossible: this species had survived.
Close-up of delicate pink and white fuzzy flower held in hand. Text reads "FOR 60 YEARS, PEOPLE THOUGHT THIS PLANT WAS EXTINCT" Field of silvery-pink feathery flowers growing among grasses. Text explains Ptilotus senarius hadn't been seen since the 1960s until someone shared it on iNaturalist. Ground view of flowering plant growing in rocky soil. Text reads "On iNaturalist, community members helped confirm this species had survived, unnoticed, for decades." Flowering plants in Australian bushland with eucalyptus trees. Text reads "SOMETHING THAT LOOKS ORDINARY MIGHT SURPRISE YOU — AND EVERYONE."
February 6, 2026 at 3:01 PM
csiropublishing.bsky.social
New #EditorChoice article 📢

'Scientific attaché in Moscow. The 1944 appointment of Professor Eric Ashby to the Australian Legation in Soviet Russia' by James Cotton.

Published #FreeToRead in #HistoricalRecordsAS: doi.org/10.1071/HR25...
The cover of Historical Records of Australian Science against a background photo of the Shine Dome in Canberra, with the caption: "The history of science, pure and applied, in Australia, New Zealand and the southwest Pacific. ConnectSci.au/HR"
February 9, 2026 at 12:06 AM
csiropublishing.bsky.social
A happy day for herpetology and Harold Heatwole! 🦎

Harold was pleased to received his author copy of Biology of Skinks of the Genus Lampropholis, co-authored with Shelley Burgin.

Newly released in January, ask for it at your library or order online: www.publishing.csiro.au/book/8194
Harold Heatwole smiles at the camera. He is seated in a loungechair, holding open a copy of his book 'Biology of Skinks of the Genus Lampropholis'.
February 8, 2026 at 10:35 PM
csiropublishing.bsky.social
A horticulturalist putting bands on birds in a remote part of QLD saw an interesting plant.

He uploaded photos to a #CitizenScience app, where a Queensland Herbarium botanist saw them and recognised a plant thought to be extinct:

connectsci.au/news/news-pa...

@ausjbotany.bsky.social #AusJBotany
Citizen scientist re-discovers Australian plant thought extinct for nearly 60 years
A plant which was last collected 58 years ago has been rediscovered thanks to photographs presented on the citizen science platform iNaturalist. Ptilotus senarius is a small shrub found in the north of Australian state Queensland. The species was only named in 2014 after analysis of herbarium specimens from 1925...
connectsci.au
February 6, 2026 at 3:29 AM
csiropublishing.bsky.social
New #EditorChoice article 📢

'Fragmentary evidence: a review of the landscape-scale ecology of the extinct south-eastern pig-footed bandicoot (Chaeropus ecaudatus ecaudatus)' by Peter Menkhorst.

Published #OpenAccess in #ProceedingsRSV: doi.org/10.1071/RS25...
The cover of Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria against a background photo of Grampians National Park, with the caption: "Open access journal publishing content relevant to Victoria and south-eastern Australia. ConnectSci.au/EN"
February 5, 2026 at 11:33 PM
Reposted by CSIRO Publishing
bioone.bsky.social
E is for Echidna — studying the short-beaked #echidna population is challenging because of their secretive behavior. A paper in Australian Journal of Zoology @csiropublishing.bsky.social used tracking data to understand population dynamics: bio-one.co/4ag2SD9

#BioOneCompleteAtoZ #Zoology #scisky
Population demography of the Tasmanian short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). Open Access. Tamika J. Lunn, Stewart C. Nicol, Jessie C. Buettel, Barry W. Brook. Australian Journal of Zoology.
February 5, 2026 at 9:11 PM
csiropublishing.bsky.social
New Editor's Choice article 📢

'Jurisdictional movement among people with hepatitis B and C in Australia: implications for national data' by Jennifer H. MacLachlan, et al.

Published #OpenAccess in #PHRP, the journal of @saxinstitute.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1071/PU25...
The cover of Public Health Research and Practice, the peer-reviewed and open access journal of the Sax Institute; publish.csiro.au/pu.
February 5, 2026 at 12:06 AM
csiropublishing.bsky.social
Bird fossils in Naracoorte Caves, South Australia, are helping scientists trace how Australia's climate, habitats and ecology have shifted over tens of thousands of years.

Read more: connectsci.au/news/news-pa...

For more science stories like this, head to ConnectSci News and keep exploring.
Screenshot of an article from the ConnectSci News website, titled 'Ancient bird fossils reveal changing climate along Australia's southern coast' and featuring a large photograph of a plains-wandered bird in the wild.
February 4, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Reposted by CSIRO Publishing
timcurran.bsky.social
Wiminyji in the Western Desert: Martu knowledge reveals historical declines of northern quolls in arid Australia

by Muuki Taylor @harryymoore.bsky.social @judydunlop.bsky.social et al.

connectsci.au/wr/article/5...
Wiminyji in the Western Desert: Martu knowledge reveals historical declines of northern quolls in arid Australia
This study documents Martu Traditional Owners’ knowledge of the northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) or wiminyji, in the Western Desert of Western Australi
connectsci.au
February 3, 2026 at 1:33 AM
csiropublishing.bsky.social
Combining ancient DNA with the study of 19th century specimens, researchers finally resolved the identity of the Clavularia genus, a group of #SoftCorals, which had been misclassified for nearly 2 centuries.

Published in Invertebrate Systematics:

connectsci.au/is/article/4...

#InvertebrateSys
1/4
A hand holds up a specimen jar with shelves of other specimens visible in the background. The location is Natural History Museum in Paris and the jar is labeled 'Clavularia viridis'. A caption explains: "The 200-year-old mystery of a group of soft corals has been resolved, leading to the description of a new species, a new genus, and even a completely new coral family." The photo is credited as being by Stefano Borghi.
February 3, 2026 at 2:57 AM
csiropublishing.bsky.social
Today is #WorldWetlandsDay.

To honour these life-sustaining ecosystems, we're sharing research from @marinefreshwater.bsky.social that helps us better understand wetlands, their importance, threats, challenges and conservation strategies.

#CelebratingWetlands #MarineFreshwaterRes

1/7
February 2, 2026 at 4:50 AM
Reposted by CSIRO Publishing
drbrucewebber.bsky.social
A new paper in @pacificconsbio.bsky.social reveals that preventing pet cats from roaming remains a significant but important challenge. Our findings reveal that change is long overdue for Western Australians to rethink what it means to be a responsible pet cat owner.

OA: doi.org/10.1071/PC25...
A content cat lies in a hammock in an enclosed catio to protect it and wildlife from the dangers of roaming. This photo accompanies a new publication in the journal Pacific Conservation Biology on the benefits of cat containment.
January 27, 2026 at 8:36 AM