CSIRO Publishing

We recognise the significant contribution the Association has made to Australia’s healthcare system over many decades.

We're committed to continuing Australian Health Review’s role as a trusted forum for health policy and services research.

About the journal: connectsci.au/ah

#AusHealthReview

An update on Australian Health Review:

CSIRO Publishing has entered into an agreement to formally acquire the journal following the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association’s entry into voluntary administration and subsequent liquidation last year.

#AusHealthReview

Australian sea lion pups learn diving and foraging skills from their mothers Research from Adelaide University and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) has shown for the first time that Australian sea lion pups can learn foraging behavior from their mothers. Social information transition exists in some mammals, such as sea otters, bottlenose dolphins and chimpanzees-the latter of which teaches their young to fish for termites using a stick. However, this type of behavior was not previously known in otariids, or "eared seals," the family of pinnipeds that comprises fur seals and sea lions.

Research from Adelaide University and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), published in Australian Journal of Zoology, has shown for the first time that Australian sea lion pups can learn foraging behaviour from their mothers.

phys.org/news/2026-02...

#AusJZoology

Seven invertebrates of varying colours and shapes against a black background: three seed shrimp, a pea shrimp, a water flea, a water boatman and a non-biting midge larvae. The image is credited as being by Brock A. Hedges, James B. Dorey, Perry G. Beasley-Hall. A caption invites us to read the open access article 'Environmental DNA reveals temporal and spatial variability of invertebrate communities in arid-lands ephemeral water bodies' in Marine and Freshwater Research.

'Environmental DNA reveals temporal and spatial variability of invertebrate communities in arid-lands ephemeral water bodies'

By Brock Hedges, Perry Beasley-Hall, James Dorey, Philip Weinstein, Andrew Austin, Michelle Guzik

#OpenAccess in @marinefreshwater.bsky.social:

doi.org/10.1071/MF24...

The surprising aquatic life of Australia’s outback - Australian Geographic Australia's outback rock holes aren’t teeming with fish, but are home to all sorts of weird and wonderful invertebrates.

Think of Australia’s arid centre as a dry landscape devoid of aquatic life?

Research in @marinefreshwater.bsky.social shows it’s dotted with natural rainwater reservoirs that act as oases for tiny freshwater animals & plants.

www.australiangeographic.com.au/nature-wildl...

#MarineFreshwaterRes

A brush-tailed rock-wallaby sits on a rock. The photo is credited as being by IainStych, Getty Images. A caption invites us to read the open access article 'From out of the shadows: a review of the distribution, threats and conservation actions to recover the brush-tailed rock-wallaby in Victoria' in Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria.

Brush-tailed rock-wallabies are critically endangered in Victoria.

A new study in Proceedings of the @royalsocietyvic.bsky.social investigated what led to them almost vanishing in the state and what can be done to bring them back from the brink:

connectsci.au/rs/article/1...

#ProceedingsRSV

The two authors of Carp in Australia smile at us as they hold up their book. On the left, holding the book, is Katherine Doyle, with brown hair tied back and wearing a light coloured t-shirt. On the right is Paul Humphries, who has a trimmed white beard and is wearing a dark blue button-up and a black cap.

Katherine Doyle & Paul Humphries are all smiles with the publication of Carp in Australia 🐟

The book explores the evolution, spread and significance of carp, and its problematic proliferation in this country.

Find it in bookshops & libraries, or online:
www.publishing.csiro.au/book/8132

An over the shoulder view of a patient talking to their doctor. The photo is credited as being by charliepix. A caption invites us to read the open access article 'The seen and unseen work of general practice: a national diary study of New Zealand General Practitioners' in Journal of Primary Health Care.

Editor-choice in Journal of Primary Health Care:

The seen and unseen work of #GeneralPractice: a national diary study of New Zealand General Practitioners

doi.org/10.1071/HC25...

#JPrimaryHealthCare #OpenAccess #HealthCare

The cover of Environmental Chemistry against a background photo of a a beautiful sunrise over the ocean, with the caption: "Enhancing our understanding of the natural and engineered environment; connectsci.au/en".

Join the Environmental Chemistry Editorial Board!

We're seeking Associate Editors to help evaluate submissions & manage peer review, especial those with #SoilChemistry, #MarineChemistry and interdisciplinary #EnvironmentalChemistry expertise.

Details:
connectsci.au/en/pages/edi...

#EnviroChem 🧪

A rakali sits by the water, holding something in its front paws, presumably edible, its fur wet from a recent swim. The photo is by patrickkavanagh, Flickr. A caption tells us: "Footage of a rakali ambushing a black rat suggests that this native Australian icon could play a positive role in biotic resistance against the invasive animal."

Footage of a rakali ambushing a black rat suggests that this native Australian icon could play a positive role in biotic resistance against the invasive animal.

Documented #OpenAccess in Australian Mammalogy:

doi.org/10.1071/AM25...

#AusMammalogy #WorldWildlifeDay
@sydney.edu.au

8/8

Hands hold out four freshwater mussels, ranging from the size of a pinhead to a much larger shell akin in size to a Pringle. The photo is from Murdoch University. A caption tells us: "Artificial waterbodies like dams and rivers can act as ‘arks’ for vulnerable freshwater mussels that play a vital role as a natural water filter."

Artificial waterbodies like dams and rivers can act as ‘arks’ for vulnerable freshwater mussels that play a vital role as a natural water filter.

Read the research #OpenAccess in @pacificconsbio.bsky.social:

doi.org/10.1071/PC25...

#PacificConsBio #WorldWildlifeDay
@murdoch.edu.au

7/8

A millipede moving in an 's'-shape across a bright green leaf. The photo is by Ruttapon Srisonchai. The caption tells us: "This unusual dragon millipede found in Thailand has alternately long and short legs, a rare trait known as ‘heteropody’."

This unusual dragon millipede found in Thailand has alternately long and short legs, a rare trait known as ‘heteropody’.

The researchers documented their find in Invertebrate Systematics:

doi.org/10.1071/IS25...

#InvertebrateSys #WorldWildlifeDay

6/8

A portrait of a Southern hairy-nosed wombat, with nose and many long whiskers prominently visible. The photo is credited as being by David Clode, Unsplash. A caption tells us: "Recent research suggests that without a moist nose pad, southern hairy-nosed wombats may depend more heavily on whiskers for navigation than bare-nosed wombats, which could be why their whiskers are so long and thick."

Research suggests that without a moist nose pad, southern hairy-nosed wombats may depend more heavily on whiskers for navigation than bare-nosed wombats.

#OpenAccess in Australian Mammalogy:

doi.org/10.1071/AM25...
@womsat.bsky.social

#AusMammalogy #WorldWildlifeDay

5/8

An underwater photograph of C. koellikeri from the Great Barrier Reef, a soft pink coral which looks like fluffy flowers. The photo is credited as being by Augustine Crosbie. A caption tells us: "Combining ancient DNA with the study of 19th century specimens, researchers resolved the identity of the Clavularia genus, a group of soft corals, which had been misclassified for nearly two centuries."

Combining ancient DNA with the study of 19th century specimens, researchers resolved the identity of the Clavularia genus, a group of soft corals.

#OpenAccess in Invertebrate Systematics:

doi.org/10.1071/IS25...

#InvertebrateSys #WorldWildlifeDay
@jcuofficial.bsky.social

4/8

An Australian sea lion swims up towards us over a shallow, sandy sea bed. The photo is credited as being by richcarey, Getty Images. A caption tells us: "Recently researchers used a sealcam to get a closer look at how Australian sea lions rear their young, witnessing a mother take her pup on an 8-hour foraging trip."

Recently researchers used a sealcam to get a closer look at how Australian sea lions rear their young, witnessing a mother take her pup on an 8-hour foraging trip.

Documented #OpenAccess in Australian Journal of Zoology:

doi.org/10.1071/ZO25...

#AusJZoology #WorldWildlifeDay

3/8

A portrait of a Powerful Owl, round yellow eyes staring at us with intensity from its perch in a tree. The photo is credited as being by Ken Griffiths, Getty Images. A caption tells us: "Powerful owls prefer tree hollows in areas of dense tree cover, and avoid sparsely treed or highly urbanised areas, according to new research to inform conservation strategies."

Powerful owls prefer tree hollows in areas of dense tree cover, and avoid sparsely treed or highly urbanised areas, according to new research to inform conservation strategies.

Read about it in @wildliferesearchj.bsky.social:

doi.org/10.1071/WR25...

#WildlifeResearch #WorldWildlifeDay

2/8

Celebrating #WorldWildlifeDay the best way we know how: with fascinating, research-backed wildlife facts. 🦉

From the purpose of wombat whiskers to millipedes with surprisingly mismatched legs, here are a few discoveries that stopped us mid-scroll.

🧪🧵

1/8

A close up of two people holding hands. The sun is shining and one is wearing a backpack while pulling the other towards them. The photo is credited as being by Jacob Lund. A caption invites us to read the open access article 'Challenges and opportunities in the prevention of travel-related STI' in Sexual Health.

Global travel has increased to unprecedented levels & situational disinhibition during travel contributes to less safe sexual practice, heightening #STI risk, according to new research in #SexualHealth.

The authors say sexual health advice should be part of #TravelMedicine.

doi.org/10.1071/SH25...

This article forms part of the 70th Birthday Tribute to Professor David Craik. @csiropublishing.bsky.social #AusJChem

You can find this collection here:
connectsci.au/ch/collectio...

Dispersive Soils Dispersive Soils redefines the understanding of soil stability across agricultural, environmental, and geotechnical contexts. Moving beyond the traditional emphasis on sodicity, it conceptualises dispersion as a cross-disciplinary phenomenon arising from coupled chemical, physical, and hydrological processes. The book elucidates the mechanisms that drive structural breakdown and links them to consequences for productivity, infrastructure performance, and ecosystem integrity. Synthesising decades of research, the book integrates insights from soil science, hydrology, geotechnical engineering, and land management to establish consistent principles for diagnosis, prevention, and remediation. Each chapter translates mechanistic understanding into applied strategies that enhance structural resilience, support sustainable production, and safeguard environmental quality. The volume provides a rigorous conceptual and empirical basis for re-evaluating how dispersive landscapes are characterised and managed, and outlines priorities for future research to strengthen the stability and long-term sustainability of vulnerable soils.

Out now: Dispersive Soils: Processes, Impact, and Management

Synthesises decades of research and insights from soil science, hydrology, geotechnical engineering, and land management to establish principles for diagnosis, prevention, and remediation.

Learn more: www.publishing.csiro.au/book/8207/

Carp in Australia Throughout much of the world, the common carp, Cyprinus carpio, is prized as an easily cultured, nutritious and tasty fish. It also features in a hugely popular fishery, especially in the UK, Europe and the USA. Koi, an ornamental type of carp, is revered by millions for its beautiful colours and intricate patterns. But despite carp’s popularity elsewhere, it is almost universally despised in Australia. Carp was originally introduced into Australia in the mid-1800s for ornament and angling, but since its escape into Gippsland and the Murray–Darling Basin, the fish has all but taken over our inland waterways, wreaking ecological havoc in our rivers, lakes and wetlands. In recent years, controversial methods, including a carp-killing virus, have been championed by some and maligned by others. Surprisingly perhaps, there still are carp enthusiasts in Australia, who fear what such a virus might do. Carp in Australia tells the story of how and why one of our most hated species was brought to this country. It explores carp’s relatively recent spread throughout our largest inland river system, the Murray–Darling Basin, its impacts on freshwater ecosystems and the attempts to deal with the scourge. Readers are given key insights into the management challenges and possibilities in carp’s uncertain future in Australia. Is there hope for eradication, or is this fish here to stay?

New book out now 📢

Carp in Australia by Paul Humphries and Katherine Doyle delves into the evolution, spread and significance of carp, and its problematic proliferation in Australia. Is there hope for eradication, or is this fish here to stay?

Learn more: www.publishing.csiro.au/book/8132/

Planet Fungi Fungi are nature’s great networkers, weaving connections, driving transformation and thriving in the most unexpected places. Planet Fungi: A Photographer’s Foray is a feast for the eyes, with stunning...

These stunning fungi photos by Stephen Axford are from the book Planet Fungi: A Photographer's Foray.

Learn more: www.publishing.csiro.au/book/8150

#FungiFriday

A bright green mushroom with a glistening stem stands upright amidst a patch of moss. Photo by Stephen Axford.

A blue mushroom with a strongly pointed cap amongst lush moss. The pointed cap is reminiscent of a wizard's hat, or perhaps a blue fir tree growing admist a moss forest. Photo by Stephen Axford.

A shelf fungi grows from the underside of a moss covered ledge. The undside is illuminated by a UV light, appearing to glow magenta, blending out to a vivid blue at the edges. Filaments at the far edge of the shelf fungi glow an eerie ice blue. Photo by Stephen Axford.

A stout, plum coloured mushroom emerges from the forest floor. Its rounded purple cap is glossy with moisture, showing reflections of the forest above it. The gills on the underside of the cap are cream-coloured and deeply defined. Photo by Stephen Axford.

📷 Stephen Axford
4) Gliophorus graminicolor
5) Entoloma hochstetteri
6) Ganoderma sp. under UV light
7) Cortinarius magellanicoalbus

#FungiFriday #CSIROPride 🌈🍄

A cluster of four deep red mushrooms with glistening stems stand together on a rotting log. Their caps are angled away from the viewer, exposing the deep red gills on the underside. Photo by Stephen Axford.

Two bright orange mushrooms sprout from moss. Their colour ranges from a sunny golden orange on their stems to blood orange at the top of their caps. Photo by Stephen Axford.

Two mushrooms with long, yellow stalks on a rotting log. Their caps are angled away from the viewer, exposing the pure white, delicate gills with yellow fringes. Photo by Stephen Axford.

We can't wait to watch #TeamCSIRO march in the #SydneyMardiGras parade!

This #FungiFriday we are getting our colours ready – and celebrating the natural diversity that makes life so interesting and beautiful! 🌈🍄

📷 Stephen Axford
1) Cruentomycena viscidocruenta
2) Hygrocybe sp.
3) Unknown sp., NSW

The cover of Marine and Freshwater Research over a photo of mangroves taken underwater, with the caption "an international journal publishing advances in aquatic sciences; connectsci.au/mf".

New Editor-choice research article in @marinefreshwater.bsky.social:

Effects of agricultural land conversion and interstitial sediment on Tasmanian stream macroinvertebrate communities

doi.org/10.1071/MF25...

@utas.edu.au
#MarineFreshwaterRes #OpenAccess

A postcard-perfect small islet surrounded with clear turquoise waters of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The photo is credited as being by Mlenny from Getty Images Signature. A caption invites us to read the open access article 'Significant reduction in shark (cucut) depredation rates when using an electrical deterrent device at Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Australia' in Marine and Freshwater Research.

An electric #SharkDeterrent device, RPELX, tested in Australia's Cocos Islands, reduced shark depredation by 63%, according to new #OpenAccess research in @marinefreshwater.bsky.social.

The device also reduced shark bycatch and loss of fishing gear.

doi.org/10.1071/MF25...

#MarineFreshwaterRes

A collage of four photographs of artificial waterways. A caption invites us to read the open access article 'Artificial habitats provide refuge for a threatened freshwater mussel in south-western Australia' in Pacific Conservation Biology. The photo is credited as being from Jake Daviot, Alan Lymbery, Angus D’Arcy Lawrie, Alan Cottingham, Stephen Beatty, the authors of the article in Pacific Conservation Biology.

A threatened #freshwater mussel species is persisting in artificial lakes, creeks and rivers, which are providing homes to populations suffering #HabitatLoss, according to new #OpenAccess research published in @pacificconsbio.bsky.social.

doi.org/10.1071/PC25...

#PacificConsBio #ThreatenedSpecies

A pharmacist at a shelf filled with various medicines holds up a box of pills. The photo is credited as being by MJ_Prototype from Getty Images. A caption invites us to read the open access article 'Exploring Australian community pharmacists’ perspectives, practices and use of emergency hormonal contraception guidelines: a qualitative study using the Theoretical Domains Framework' in Australian Journal of Primary Health.

Aussie pharmacists may not always be prescribing the most effective morning-after pill, according to long-form interviews with community pharmacists about how they handle requests for emergency contraception, published in @ausjph.bsky.social.

doi.org/10.1071/PY25...

#AusJPrimaryHealth #OpenAccess

This article is part of the 70th Birthday tribute to Professor David Craik. #AusJChem @csiropublishing.bsky.social

The collection can be accessed here:

connectsci.au/collection/2...

A Little Pygmy-Possum (Cercartetus lepidus) being held in a hand. The animal looks a little like a very tiny mouse, with round ears, brown fur and a long, slender tail. The photo is by Sophie Petit (Adelaide University) and David Stemmer (South Australian Museum).

'Is the Little Pygmy-Possum Cercartetus lepidus extant on the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia?'

By Sophie Petit (Adelaide University) and David Stemmer (South Australian Museum)

#OpenAccess in Australian Zoologist:

connectsci.au/az/article/4...

#AusZoologist