It has  been found that cleaning clothes in a delicate wash cycle releases more plastic microfibres than any other cycle.
 
These plastic fibres can then reach waterways and ultimately end up in the ocean.
 
A PhD student from Newcaslte University, Max Kelly says that "Fabrics across the board need to be stronger and more durable to help reduce the amount of fibres that are being released during laundry."
 
Mr Kelly hopes that this research will influence the design of washing machines in the future. 
 

Surgeons in regional areas say robots capable of performing intricate medical procedures could bridge vast distances and benefit regional patients, but the cost of the equipment is too high.

Robots have the potential to reduce waiting lists and increase the number and types of procedures carried out in rural areas.

Dr Quentin Ralph said "You need a certain mass of people to support the number of cases needed to get a robot."
A single unit costs around $2.5 million, and that the technology is predominantly found in private hospitals.

Users will no longer see the number of likes, reactions and video views on other’s posts in a world-first trial which starts rolling out from Friday.

Instead, likes will be private and only visible to the post’s author in a change that follows a similar test on Instagram which started in July in Australia.

Facebook Australia’s director of policy Mia Garlick said  It’s hoped that people will be more comfortable with sharing on the platform rather than feeling like it’s a competition

In a global ranking of digital competitiveness Australia’s rank has dropped to 14th  out of a total of 63 countries.
 
Data strategist Rowena Martin says "the investment in digital literacy skills really hasn't been there. From the federal government there's been cuts and a lack of support for universities.”
 
The fall is due to poor performance in areas of business agility, tech skills and communications. 
 

The whale was caught in nets off the popular tourist spot about 7:00am.

Fisheries Department officers from Noosa and Mooloolaba spent almost three hours trying to cut the whale free.

The whale's mother was close by during the rescue.

Fisheries shark control program manager Michael Mikitis said "They seem to sort of sense that we were there to help," he said.

"The mother wasn't distressed, [she] was actually laying alongside the juvenile for most of the release."
 

The research commissioned by Brisbane City Council has found that local residents are happier with their quality of life that residents of every other Australian capital city.
 
Lord mayor Adrian Schrinner says that the council has collated the data for a new “Better Brisbane Index” to be updated annually.
 
The research finds Brisbane residents report a 93% quality-of-life rating, compared with Melbourne and Perth residents who reported an 89% rating and Sydney residents who reported a 76% rating.