Jacinta Bowler

2 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Jacinta Bowler

With generative artificial intelligence (AI) advancing in leaps and bounds, tech giants are racing to power the energy-hungry computer systems running it all. But a pair of studies published in Nature today suggest a long-sought technology could improve the efficiency of computing itself, making AI more energy efficient and much faster. The new studies used optical computer chips, a type of technology that uses light instead of electrons to undertake the processes done in a computer.

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Jacinta Bowler

Jupiter's stunning auroras have been captured by many telescopes and spacecraft since Voyager 1 flew by nearly 50 years ago. Recently, scientists detected a mysterious band of hot gas — almost hot enough to melt aluminium — that stretched halfway around the planet. The band of gas was hundreds of degrees warmer than it's surroundings, said James O'Donoghue, a planetary scientist at the University of Reading. "It's the first time we've ever seen anything like this on a giant planet," he said.

3 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Jacinta Bowler

By Jacinta Bowler, ABC science reporterThe research was undertaken using the live shingles vaccine Zostavax, however that has now been replaced with the Shingrix vaccine. The shingles vaccine has been linked to lower dementia risk, according to a large study in Wales. Researchers say vaccination may have this effect by reducing reactivations of the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles, or through broader immunological effects.

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Jacinta Bowler |Olivia Willis

Scientists may have produced the strongest evidence yet that the shingles vaccine is linked to reduced dementia risk. Using the health records of more than 280,000 older adults in Wales, researchers found those who received the shingles vaccine were 20 per cent less likely to develop dementia over the next seven years than those who did not receive the vaccine.

4 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Jacinta Bowler |Ellen Phiddian

The world's first gene-modified pig liver to be transplanted inside a person functioned for 10 days — and was not rejected by the recipient during that time. The Chinese team behind the transplant, which was conducted a year ago, has just published details of the process in the journal Nature today. The study is part of a small — but growing — group of animal-to-human whole organ transplants, in a practice known as "xenotransplantation".