James Cook University

Microplastic pollution along the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area: Local source contributions within a remote marine protected area

This study provides the first quantitative assessment of microplastic (MP) contamination on beaches along the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area (NCWHA; Western Australia), a remote Marine Protected Area of multiple use, including tourism. Sediment collected across seven remote a...

Bidirectional migration routes of Chelonia mydas from the northern Great Barrier Reef

Understanding the full migration dynamics of highly migratory marine species is essential for effective conservation and management. In sea turtles, research has largely focused on one-way, post-nesting migrations, leaving key gaps in knowledge regarding return movements and over...

Objectives and principles for successful management and conservation of coral reefs and other tropical marine ecosystems

Abstract Coral reefs and other tropical marine ecosystems face catastrophic, accelerating degradation from a well-documented range of human pressures, yet conservation outcomes continue to lag far behind the pace of decline. I here outline a framework for successful management an...

The vocal repertoire of white-nosed coatis: structural features, temporal dynamics, and social variations

Abstract For many group living species, vocal signals are a vital form of communication needed to coordinate social behaviours. Investigating these processes first requires a detailed description of the species’ vocal repertoire. White-nosed coatis ( Nasua narica ), which forage...

Outcomes and associated risk factors among hospitalisations attributed to invasive group A streptococcal disease in Northern Queensland, Australia: a 21-year population-based data linkage study

Abstract Purpose Invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) disease is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of iGAS infection and associated risk factors in Northern Queensland, Australia. Methods A retrospective cohort study was...

Exploring successful implementation of occupational therapy led home fall‐hazard reduction interventions

Abstract Introduction Falls among older adults are a major cause of death, injury, and loss of independence. High‐certainty evidence demonstrates that comprehensive, occupational therapy–led home fall‐hazard reduction interventions can reduce the number of falls among older adult...

Divergent coronaviruses discovered in the virome of lamprey with reddening syndrome

ABSTRACT Lamprey reddening syndrome (LRS) is an emerging disease affecting pouched lamprey ( Geotria australis ; kanakana/piharau), a culturally and ecologically significant species in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Characterized by skin hemorrhaging and elevated mortality, the etiology...

Geospatial Foundation Models Improve Atoll Island Ecosystem Mapping: A Case Study Using AlphaEarth Embeddings

Ecosystems and the services they provide are essential for life but continue to undergo degradation worldwide. Satellite remote sensing has been essential for environmental mapping for decades, but can suffer poor accuracy when applied to mapping terrestrial ecosystems. Geospatia...

Clinically significant hypokalaemia and the utilisation of cardiac telemetry in hospitalised adults

Hypokalaemia is one of the most common electrolyte abnormalities in hospitalised patients, with moderate (2.5–3.0 mmol/L) to severe (< 2.5 mmol/L) deficiency associated with an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias, prolonged hospitalisation, and inpatient mortality [1]. While cl...

Conserving Australian lizards and snakes: an update on progress since 2017

The Action Plan for Australian Lizards and Snakes 2017 summarised results from the first comprehensive assessment of the Australian squamate fauna by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), updating a more precursory assessment in 1993. This review outlines the...

Shallow Bearing Capacity of Unsealed Roads Using FELA and Machine Learning

Abstract The bearing capacity of unsealed roads plays a central role in maintaining serviceability, especially because moisture variations and traffic-induced shear stresses govern the shallow surface instabilities that lead to corrugation. Traditional analytical approaches of be...

Multi-pathogen situational assessment and forecasting of respiratory disease in Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract Real-time analysis of epidemic trends and forecasts can help support public health planning and the response to seasonal respiratory disease. Here, we present two models that were used in a 2025 New Zealand winter situational assessment programme for three respiratory pa...

A machine learning approach to predict river hydrographs for water quality sampling

Abstract Hydrology and water quality are innately linked, as flow dynamics control the transport of pollutants within river systems. Consequently, the timing of sample collection in water quality monitoring programs strongly influences the accuracy of estimated pollutant loads. T...

Ginger for the treatment and prevention of migraine headaches: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Objective To determine the efficacy of ginger (either stand-alone or as an adjunct treatment) for the treatment and management of migraine headaches. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Epistemonikos and Cochrane CENTRAL from inception to 26 March 2025 which was...

Detecting somatic mutations in rare clones using single-cell multiomics

Abstract Background Somatic mutations are increasingly recognised as drivers of diseases beyond cancer, including autoimmune disorders. However, identifying rare, cell type-specific causal mutations remains challenging due to their low frequency within heterogeneous cell populati...

Fossil denticles reveal how ocean productivity shapes shark baselines and recovery potential

Shark populations on coral reefs have declined globally, but few baselines exist to quantify natural variability before human impact. Using fossil dermal denticles preserved in reef sediments, we reconstructed shark communities across the Isthmus of Panama before substantial expl...

Pleistocene Basaltic Volcanism on the Fly Platform in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea (PNG) remains one of the least studied regions in the Southwest Pacific, and the tectono-magmatic evolution of extensive areas such as the Fly Platform remains poorly constrained. This study presents the first investigation of basaltic volcanism on the Fly Platfo...

Community inclusion for people with complex disabling conditions from the perspective of people with lived experience and those who support their inclusion: a scoping review

Purpose To explore factors that influence community inclusion for adults with complex disabling conditions, from their perspective and that of their supports.Methods and Materials A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the Arksey and O’Malley approach. Studies were scr...

From gamification to work performance: a two-wave, two-study examination of psychological needs and meaningful work of employees in China and Singapore

Purpose Organisations are increasingly adopting gamification as a strategy to enhance employee motivation, engagement, and performance. While prior research has primarily examined gamification as an organisational tool, this study shifts the focus to how employees experience gami...

The secret of the saws: historical DNA analysis reveals global genetic diversity loss in a highly threatened species

Abstract Genetic diversity is critical to long-term survival of species but can be eroded by population declines driven by human pressures. Temporal genetic monitoring of threatened species can reveal changes in genetic diversity over time, providing key data for conservation. Sp...