Latest news with #FlindersUniversity
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Your outdated tech might be a ‘goldmine'
In 2025, it's not uncommon for a typical household to have a drawer overflowing with discarded phones and cables. But this graveyard of circuitry isn't just a static memorial to past tech trends. For those willing to put in the effort, each of those old iPhones and micro USB cables still contains a small amount of valuable metals and minerals—including gold. Researchers estimate that a single printed circuit board can contain around 200–900 mg of gold per kilogram. The actual extraction of those precious metals from discarded tech is a labor-intensive process. Historically, it has often required the use of highly toxic chemicals like cyanide and mercury, which can be harmful both to the individuals doing the extraction and to the environment. But, researchers at Flinders University in Australia now say they've developed a new method of gold extraction and recycling that is far less hazardous and may have a lower environmental impact if scaled for production. By using a leaching reagent derived from trichloroisocyanuric acid—a sustainable compound commonly used in water disinfection—they were able to dissolve and extract gold without relying on dangerous chemicals. The researchers, who published their findings in the journal Nature Sustainability this week, demonstrate they could use their process to extract gold from e-waste, as well as used ore. 'Overall, this work provides a viable approach to achieve greener gold production from both primary and secondary resources, improving the sustainability of the gold supply,' they write in the paper. Gold has captured human attention for millennia. It backed the currency of empires, adorned countless pieces of royal jewelry, and has come to the rescue in root canals. Today, the coveted element is widely used in electronics, valued for its natural electrical conductivity, durability, and high resistance to corrosion. As a result, small amounts of gold are likely present in most of the devices found on a typical office worker's desk. And while tech companies have taken steps to extract and recycle that gold for years, much of it still ends up in landfills. The United Nations estimates that the world produced around 62 million tons of e-waste in 2022—a figure that's up 82 percent from 2010. Contamination from toxic substances used to strip gold from devices isn't the only concern. The industrial leaching process typically requires vast quantities of water, further compounding its environmental impact. Runoff from those facilities can also make their way into food supplies or local wildlife. The Flinders University researchers took a different approach. First, they developed a process using the trichloroisocyanuric acid that, when activated by salt water, effectively dissolved gold without the need for toxic substances. Next, they bound the dissolved gold to a new sulfur-rich polymer they designed themselves. The polymer was engineered to serve as a vehicle for selectively capturing gold, even in the presence of many other metals. Once the gold was extracted, the polymer could 'unmake' itself, reverting to its monomer state and leaving the gold behind. That fully separated gold could then be recycled and used again in new products. 'The aim is to provide effective gold recovery methods that support the many uses of gold, while lessening the impact on the environment and human health,' Flinders University professor and paper authorJustin Chalker said in a statement. In testing, the researchers demonstrated that their process could extract gold not only from e-waste, but also from ore concentrates and scientific waste streams. Although, the sheer volume of global e-waste makes it the most obvious candidate to benefit from this method. The researchers say they are currently working with mining and e-waste recycling companies to test the process on a larger scale. 'We dived into a mound of e-waste and climbed out with a block of gold!' Flinders University research associate and paper co-author Harshal Patel said in a statement. 'I hope this research inspires impactful solutions to pressing global challenges.' That said, everyday electronics consumers don't need to wait for this new method to scale up in order to benefit from e-waste recycling. Most major cities have certified e-waste recycling centers that accept large quantities of discarded electronics. Local scrap yards, as well as some private companies, will also pay a small amount for scrapped devices—especially those containing relatively high amounts of gold, silver, or copper. Large nonprofits like Goodwill also offer electronics recycling services. Many of these organizations handle the hard work of separating components from used devices, then sell the individual parts to industrial recyclers.
NDTV
a day ago
- Health
- NDTV
Seasons And Geographic Locations Strongly Influence Sleep Patterns: Study
New Delhi: Sleep patterns are significantly influenced by the day of the week, the season, and geographic locations, according to a study. The study, led by researchers from Flinders University in South Australia, is based on data from more than 116,000 adults and over 73 million nights of sleep. The team used an under-mattress device to objectively track sleep duration and timing across 3.5 years, Xinhua news agency reported. The study finds that sleep is shaped not just by personal habits, but by environmental factors like daylight, temperature, and weekly routines. "Our findings underscore the seasonal nature of human sleep, and that it is influenced by demographics and geography," said Hannah Scott, a sleep health expert at Flinders University. People in the Northern Hemisphere sleep 15 to 20 minutes longer in winter, while those in the Southern Hemisphere sleep less in summer. "Interestingly we found that the farther you live from the equator, the greater the seasonal variation in sleep," Ms. Scott said. People go to bed later and sleep in longer on weekends, recovering some lost sleep, especially middle-aged adults balancing work and family. These irregular patterns are increasingly linked to negative health effects, according to the study published in Sleep. The study found a gradual decline in sleep, with people sleeping about 2.5 minutes less per night from 2020 to 2023, possibly due to the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. "Irregular sleep is more than just feeling tired -- it can be a health risk and understanding how our routines and environments affect sleep is a helpful step towards improving it," said Danny Eckert from Flinders University. Although the study focused on tech-savvy users and didn't account for factors like pets or partners, it underscores how the environment shapes sleep, reminding people to consider time and season for better rest, said the researchers.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Bizarre way couple settled surname debate at their wedding
A British couple has gone viral after settling the question of whose surname to take at their wedding with a game of rock, paper, scissors. The unorthodox moment played out right at the altar, leaving guests in shock as the pair tossed aside tradition and opted for a best-of-three showdown to choose their family name. 'Ro Sham Bo to see who takes whose last name, Hunter versus Pearce,' a wedding guest is heard saying in the clip shared on social media. The groom, Pearce, took the lead by winning the first round, but it was the bride, Hunter, who ultimately came out on top. 'Congratulations Mr and Mrs Hunter,' reads the on-screen caption, as the crowd bursts into cheers and the newlyweds share a hug and kiss. While many Western traditions still involve the woman taking her husband's surname after marriage, a growing number of couples have been embracing an egalitarian approach in recent years. The viral clip has ignited plenty of discussion online, with viewers both praising and questioning the couple's unconventional choice. 'Love this! Let's normalise this kind of secure masculinity! Solid green flag!' one user commented. While another user wrote, 'Can we talk about what a green flag groom is? No sore loser tantrum, just hugs and kisses, celebrating his gorgeous wife. Very well done!' Not everyone was impressed, though. 'Imagine having to take your father in law's last name as a man,' one user commented. 'Ancestors rolling in their graves at this,' another wrote. Others floated a compromise: 'Pearce-Hunter would be pretty cool, just saying.' While comprehensive data on the trend in Australia is still limited, Flinders University professor Yvonne Corcoran-Nantes told the ABC in 2016 that over 80 per cent of Australian women continue to take their husband's surname after marriage. Similar patterns have been observed internationally. A 2023 report from the Pew Research Centre found that 80 per cent of women in heterosexual marriages in the United States adopted their husband's surname, while a 2019 UK survey cited in Sage Journals put that figure even higher — closer to 90 per cent.
Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
'Ancestors rolling in their graves': Bride and groom play Rock, Paper, Scissors, to solve surname dispute at the altar in viral video
A British couple has gone viral for playing a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors at their wedding to decide whose surname they would use, with footage of the moment dividing the internet. The unconventional scene unfolded at the altar in front of stunned guests, as the couple ditched tradition in favour of a "best of three" battle to determine the family name. "Ro Sham Bo to see who takes whose last name, Hunter versus Pearce," a wedding guest can be heard saying of the game in the video shared to social media. The groom, Pearce, won the first round, but it was ultimately the bride, Hunter, who emerged victorious. "Congratulations Mr and Mrs Hunter," reads the on-screen caption as the crowd erupts in cheers and the couple embrace. While many Western traditions still see the woman taking her husband's surname after marriage, more couples in recent years have been choosing alternatives. The playful clip has sparked widespread commentary online, with users both applauding and criticising the move. "Ancestors rolling in their graves at this," one user wrote, while another commented, "Oh god, imagine the parents' reaction". "I don't understand why this should be something to compete for," said a third. Others hailed the moment as a refreshing display of gender equality. "Love this! Let's normalise this kind of secure masculinity! Solid green flag," one Instagram user said. "Everyone going like 'omg no a lineage will end', as if that isn't what has been happening for centuries every time a woman has to step away from her last name," wrote another. Some suggested joining the names together: "They should just double-barrel it." Others simply called the move "fun". "These commenters are boring. This is fun! And taking the woman's last name is normal- it's 2025," one seemingly progressive user said. While comprehensive data on the trend in Australia remains limited, Flinders University associate professor Yvonne Corcoran-Nantes told the ABC in 2016 that more than 80 per cent of Australian women still adopt their husband's surname after marriage. Similar statistics have emerged abroad. A 2023 Pew Research Centre report found 80 per cent of women in heterosexual marriages in the US took their husband's name, while a 2019 UK survey referenced in Sage Journals reported the number was closer to 90 per cent. South Australian marriage celebrant Camille Abbott, who has over 15 years' experience, told the AFR in 2021 that women taking their husband's surname remains by far the "most common practice" in heterosexual marriages. "Planning to have a family together in the future and wanting to share the same last name often motivates females to decide to change their last name after marriage," she said. In 2021, Melbourne-based social media influencer and entrepreneur Laura Henshaw and her husband, Dalton Graham, opted to take her last name on their wedding day. "The decision was pretty straightforward but to so many it was a shock," Henshaw said at the time.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Science
- Scoop
Magpie Ancestors Lived In Aotearoa New Zealand 19 Million Years Ago, New Study Finds
Magpies may be considered Aussie immigrants, but new research reveals that their relatives lived in Aotearoa New Zealand 19 million years ago. Magpies were introduced from Australia in the 1860s and since then New Zealanders have developed a love-hate relationship with the sometimes aggressive bird. Researchers – from Flinders University (Adelaide), the University of New South Wales (Sydney), Canterbury Museum and Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha University of Canterbury – have spent more than two decades unearthing and analysing fossils discovered near St Bathans in Central Otago. They have now found enough fragments to describe a new species of currawong, which was an ancestor of the bird that menaces New Zealand today. The newly discovered bird, which the researchers have named the St Bathans Currawong, lived in New Zealand around 19 to 16 million years ago. It probably went extinct near the end of the Miocene, an era that ran from 20 million years ago to 5 million years ago. The ancient bird would have been about the same size as the Australian magpie found in New Zealand today but was probably all black. Co-author and Canterbury Museum Senior Curator Natural History, Dr Paul Scofield, said the research, published today in the journal PalZ, challenges New Zealand views on the much-maligned magpie. 'We persecute the magpie as an Australian that has no place in the New Zealand ecosystem but its close relatives lived here in the past,'' he says. 'We've probably been without a member of the magpie's extended family for only 5 million years.' Co-author and Flinders University Associate Professor Trevor Worthy says New Zealand's ecosystem has changed dramatically over millions of years and harboured diverse species across different eras. 'There's an idea that we should aim to return New Zealand to a pre-European ecological state,'' he says. 'But at that point in time, New Zealand's ecosystems had been changing continuously for millions of years. Aotearoa had lost much of the floral diversity formerly present by the time humans arrived. There were few fruiting tree species left and the loss of currawongs and other pigeons reflects this. 'Other groups of plants and animals arrived from 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago. Many more have arrived since humans occupied the land. The pre-European ecological state of New Zealand is not necessarily any better or worse than any other time in the past. Instead, the fossil record suggests there was no utopian state and that we should celebrate the diversity we currently have.' The St Bathans fossil site, which has been studied since 2001, was once at the bottom of a large prehistoric lake. It offers the only significant insight into Aotearoa's terrestrial wildlife from 16 to 19 million years ago. Scofield says the work has revealed that New Zealand's bird population in the Miocene era had surprisingly strong similarities to that of Australia today. 'During the Miocene, 20 to 5 million years ago, New Zealand was much different. Walking through a New Zealand forest from that era, you would have seen numerous eucalypts, laurels and Casuarina, much like you would in an Australian forest today.' 'The major thing that shaped the New Zealand we see today was the extinction of many plants and animals that thrived in warm climates after a period of rapid cooling that began about 13 million years ago.' The distinctive call of the currawong would not have been the only birdsong you would hear in ancient New Zealand. Separate research led by Dr Vanesa De Pietri of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha University of Canterbury has found that the early Miocene New Zealand bush was alive with more birdsong than today. Analysis of songbird fossils found at St Bathans indicates there were probably many more different species of songbirds living in New Zealand 20 million years ago than just before humans arrived.
