Curtin University researchers have detected traces of hundreds of plants and animals by collecting DNA from the air as they drove more than 1,100km across Western Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The study demonstrates how a car-mounted air sampler could help scientists monitor biodiversity across vast landscapes, while also detecting pest species that could threaten agriculture and the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Researchers collected air samples along a route from Cottesloe to Cocklebiddy, taking samples approximately every 26km as they travelled through forests, farmland and inland regions towards the Nullarbor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By analysing the genetic material collected, the team identified 633 different types of plants and animals, including native wildlife, insects and invasive species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lead author Dr Joshua Newton<\/a> from Curtin\u2019s School of Molecular and Life Sciences<\/a> said the research showed that DNA collected from the air could reveal meaningful patterns in biodiversity across different environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEvery environment has its own mix of plants and animals, and we wanted to see whether we could detect those differences simply by collecting DNA from the air as we travelled,\u201d Dr Newton said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAcross more than 1,100km, we detected hundreds of different types of plants and animals. Importantly, the results showed the DNA we collected reflected differences in the landscapes we travelled through.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The study found habitat and environmental conditions were more important in explaining differences in the plants and animals detected than distance alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The findings suggest the technique could help researchers build a broader picture of biodiversity across large areas, complementing traditional surveys that often require scientists to search for individual species in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Co-author Professor Paul Nevill<\/a>, also from Curtin\u2019s School of Molecular and Life Sciences, said the approach could offer a practical way to expand biodiversity monitoring across areas that are difficult or time consuming to survey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBeing able to collect DNA while travelling through the landscape opens up exciting possibilities for monitoring biodiversity over large distances,\u201d Professor Nevill said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt could help us identify patterns in wildlife and plant communities and highlight areas where more detailed surveys are needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The researchers also detected 12 regulated pest species along the route, as well as other species of agricultural and environmental importance, including native budworm, stable fly and Australian sheep blowfly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The findings highlight the potential for airborne DNA sampling to contribute to biosecurity monitoring by helping identify species that may warrant further investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the researchers cautioned that DNA could travel through the air or be carried indirectly, including by vehicles. A detection does not necessarily mean a species lives at that exact location, and further surveys may be needed to confirm some findings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr Newton said the method could complement existing monitoring techniques rather than replace them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAirborne DNA gives us another way to look for signs of life across large areas,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCombined with other monitoring methods, it could help researchers and land managers better understand where species are being detected and where further investigation may be needed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The study \u2018Car-mounted airborne eDNA sampling detects landscape scale biodiversity turnover along environmental gradients\u2019<\/em> has been published in Molecular Ecology Resources<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"The road to discovery: DNA in the air maps WA biodiversity","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-road-to-discovery-dna-in-the-air-maps-wa-biodiversity","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-10-20 09:31:59","post_modified_gmt":"2026-10-20 01:31:59","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/?post_type=media-release&p=32565","menu_order":0,"post_type":"media-release","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":32556,"post_author":"4490","post_date":"2026-10-19 11:35:02","post_date_gmt":"2026-10-19 03:35:02","post_content":"\n Artificial intelligence chatbots could help people better understand and manage their mental health, but they could also reinforce harmful thoughts and increase emotional dependence, a Curtin University researcher warns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Published in Digital Health<\/em>, the paper compares AI conversations that follow two possible paths: one that helps people explore their problems and consider new perspectives, and another that traps them in a cycle of repeated thoughts and reassurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Author and Professor of Mental Health Warren Mansell<\/a>, from the Curtin School of Population Health<\/a>, has proposed a new framework to explain why AI conversations can have very different effects on people depending on their emotional state, what they hope to gain from the interaction and how the chatbot responds. Professor Mansell was the first to evaluate a therapy chatbot, back in 2013, and his research has focused on trying to measure and understand how a person\u2019s attention either narrows or broadens during a conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Mansell said chatbots could be helpful when they helped people to explore their feelings and question their assumptions, rather than simply agreeing with everything they said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAI conversations can move in very different directions depending on what a person brings to the interaction and how the chatbot responds,\u201d Professor Mansell said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFor some people, a chatbot may provide a space to express their feelings and explore problems without fear of judgement. For others, repeatedly receiving reassurance or having their existing beliefs confirmed could make it harder to see things differently.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Research into AI and mental health has produced contrasting results. Some studies suggest chatbots can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, while others have raised concerns about harmful responses, emotional dependence and AI reinforcing users\u2019 existing beliefs, even when those beliefs could be damaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Mansell said the same chatbot could potentially help one person while having a negative effect on another or even affect the same person differently depending on how they use it over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, someone experiencing anxiety might use a chatbot to explore their worries and consider alternative ways of looking at a situation. However, if the conversation repeatedly focuses on seeking reassurance or confirming their fears, it could narrow their thinking rather than help them work through the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The paper suggests the risks could be particularly concerning for people who are already vulnerable and most in need of psychological support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While AI chatbots are often accessible, inexpensive and available at any time, Professor Mansell argues their benefits may depend on whether they encourage meaningful reflection or simply provide immediate reassurance to keep users engaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He said developers should design chatbots that encourage people to think through their problems, ask thoughtful questions and consider different perspectives, rather than simply telling users what they want to hear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The proposed framework also highlights the importance of understanding how conversations develop over time, rather than judging a chatbot's effectiveness solely on whether users feel better immediately after an interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Mansell recommends people approach AI conversations with a clear purpose and consider how their use of chatbots fits alongside other priorities and relationships in their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The proposed framework is yet to be tested, and further research is needed to establish why some AI conversations may support mental health while others could increase psychological distress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As AI becomes an increasingly accessible source of mental health support, Professor Mansell said understanding these differences would be important for developing safer and more effective technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The paper \u2018Up the mountain or down the rabbit hole? A simple rubric to conceptualise the benefits and risks of AI conversations as dynamic changes in awareness\u2019<\/em> was published in Digital Health<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","post_title":"AI chatbots could help mental health but also reinforce harmful thinking","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ai-chatbots-could-help-mental-health-but-also-reinforce-harmful-thinking","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2026-10-19 11:35:07","post_modified_gmt":"2026-10-19 03:35:07","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/?post_type=media-release&p=32556","menu_order":0,"post_type":"media-release","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":32553,"post_author":"4490","post_date":"2026-10-19 09:30:00","post_date_gmt":"2026-10-19 01:30:00","post_content":"\n New Curtin University research has found parents want to treat their children equally when helping them onto the property ladder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With housing becoming increasingly difficult to afford, many Australian parents are stepping in to help their children buy their first home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The study surveyed 831 parents from families with two children and researchers found parents are largely guided by fairness, with the way they help one child strongly linked to the support they plan to give their siblings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lead author and PhD candidate Paul Vivian<\/a>, from Curtin Business School<\/a>, said parents wanted to help their children become homeowners while making sure they treated their family fairly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur research shows when parents help one child buy a home, they are much more likely to help their other children too,\u201d Mr Vivian said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cParents appear to take a consistent approach, rather than simply favouring one child over another.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The research also found parents were more likely to help children they believed were struggling financially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parents were 16.2 percentage points more likely to help a child they considered poor or very poor than one they viewed as financially comfortable or wealthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The relationship between parents and their children also mattered, with those who shared a stronger emotional bond more likely to receive help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the research found little evidence parents consistently favoured children based on their age or gender. One exception was older sons with younger sisters were more likely to receive assistance than other sibling combinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The researchers also examined whether parents expected anything in return for helping their children buy a home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just over half of the children due to receive assistance could expect help without any strings attached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the rest, parents could anticipate something in return, such as repayment of a loan, a say in where or what type of home their child bought or help with their future care needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The findings showed parents who planned to help one child without expecting anything in return were also much more likely to offer the same type of support to their other child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n