Pleasure and pain: what nude sunrise swims in winter tell us about social connection

Enduring discomfort together may bring people closer, especially when it’s mixed with a bit of joy, according to a study involving mass mid-winter river swims.

20 June 2025
A sunrise photo taken from the water with swimmers in silhouette against a cloudy orange sky.

New brain pathway discovered as key to memory formation

A new lipid-based pathway essential for memory formation has been discovered by UQ researchers – a breakthrough that could lead to treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder.

18 June 2025
Dendritic spines under magnification. Image, UQ.

Cooking up a future for Australian yams

a close up of fingers holding an onion-shaped brown ball with roots growing from it

Cooking up a future for Australian yams

Promoting the cultivation and use of a nutritious and tasty native plant tuber is the aim of a research project at The University of Queensland.

27 June 2023

Yeast dust makes a cheap, fast virus test

three people in safety glasses and white coats look at a glowing round yellow dish on a metal table

Yeast dust makes a cheap, fast virus test

Researchers from The University of Queensland have made a dust from baker’s yeast that can detect COVID-19 and could safeguard communities against future pandemics.

26 June 2023

UQ partners with Paralympics Australia to put Brisbane on track for 2032 gold

Three women standing in front of a screen displaying corporate logos

UQ partners with Paralympics Australia to put Brisbane on track for 2032 gold

Brisbane is set to become a hub for Paralympic sport with the announcement of a nationally-significant partnership between The University of Queensland and Paralympics Australia.

23 June 2023

Begging dolphins prompt calls to reform recreational fishing

A grey bottlenose dolphin reaching it's head above the surface of the water

Begging dolphins prompt calls to reform recreational fishing

University of Queensland researchers have found bottlenose dolphins in Moreton Bay off Brisbane could be teaching other dolphins to ‘beg’ for food from recreational fishers, with the behaviour creating short and long-term risks.

23 June 2023

UQ researchers tackle viruses with pandemic potential

a grey ball covered in red blobs and yellow and red lines

UQ researchers tackle viruses with pandemic potential

Researchers have shed light on how a highly infectious virus, that has recently transferred from animals to people, is able to enter human cells.

22 June 2023

Spider venom for MND research receives funding

A large brown hairy spider sits atop a rock at close range to the viewer.

Spider venom for MND research receives funding

Research using venom from a rare tarantula is one of two University of Queensland projects which have received funding to develop treatments for motor neurone disease (MND).

21 June 2023

UQ researchers secure $2.6 million in ARC funding

UQ researchers secure $2.6 million in ARC funding

Six University of Queensland research teams will share $2.6 million from the Australian Research Council (ARC) to support their innovative research and develop industry partnerships.

21 June 2023

Video games spark exciting new frontier in neuroscience

Two men in white lab coats in an office look at the camera, one holds a gaming controller.

Video games spark exciting new frontier in neuroscience

University of Queensland researchers have used an algorithm from a video game to gain insights into the behaviour of molecules within live brain cells.

15 June 2023

Dark energy study releases first insights

An observatory on a hill under a starry sky. The stars are forming curved lines across the sky.

Dark energy study releases first insights

Understanding the mysterious force behind the expanding universe is a step closer with the first tranche of data released from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI).

14 June 2023

Indigenous podcasts strike a chord

Indigenous podcasts strike a chord

The University of Queensland has launched a second podcast series in the Indigenous education space.

13 June 2023

UQ community recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

Professor David Craik portrait

UQ community recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

An internationally-recognised scientist is among an extensive list of University of Queensland representatives who have been named on the King’s Birthday Honours List this year.

12 June 2023