A team of scientists from the QIMR Berghofer Research Institute has discovered 70 previously unknown genes with links to serious mental illnesses.

The group analysed the expression levels of 331 genes, to determine their role in mental illness.

Lead researcher Professor Eske Derks says the aim is to develop patient-specific treatments for mental illness based on their individual genetic profile.   

Far North Queensland has been issued another cyclone warning, with Tropical Cyclone Ann expected to make landfall on Wednesday morning.

The category one storm will bring winds of up to 120km per hour, but is expected to weaken to a tropical low after hitting the coast.

Warnings for heavy rains and minor flooding have been issued for residents between Coen and Cape Tribulation.

‘Greenpeace’ protestors scaled the Sydney Harbour Bridge early this morning, calling for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to “declare a climate emergency”.

Greenpeace CEO David Ritter said, “Australians who have survived climate disasters have come to the centre of Sydney to demand action because they are sick of being ignored.”

Temporarily closing one lane of traffic, six protestors mounted the structure while others lined the pedestrian areas of the bridge. It is thought that the climbers were planning to release a large banner.

A New South Wales man has been charged for hiding more than $600,000 worth of cocaine inside children’s books.

Imported to Sydney from Portugal, the Australian Border Force officers inspected the shipments and found 1.72kg of cocaine, with an estimated street value of up to $645,000.

He appeared at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday and is due back today.

Global stock markets have taken a tumble as the trade war between China and the US continues to intensify.

This comes after China announced it would be imposing higher import tariffs ranging from 5 to 25 percent on a range of US goods.  

President Trump has declared he will be meeting with the Chinese President next month to continue negotiations.  

Regional experts and government officials are voicing their worry over the potential for conflict — intended or accidental — to break out between the U.S. and Iran.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has warned US officials that an unintended escalation of conflict in the Persian Gulf may arise if not treated carefully.

Mr. Hunt stated argued that we need to make sure that we don’t end up putting Iran back on the path to re-nuclearisation.

A young child in Georgia has opened a Lego box his parents purchased from a consignment store containing $40,000 worth of drugs instead of lego.

Police believe the postal system has sent the undelivered package of methamphetamine to the consignment store as is common practice with other undelivered parcels.

Similarly, police in Ohio seized similar packages in February when two Lunchables boxes were found to be concealing more than 4 pounds of cocaine.

Seattle zoo has given a baby giraffe a custom pair of therapeutic shoes to treat a leg abnormality that prevented him from walking.

The Woodland Park Zoo said the 11-day-old was born with hyperextended fetlocks, a condition common in horses, in which the hooves are not properly aligned with the animal’s back.

The specially designed kicks are made from high density polyethylene and plywood, and are designed to support his limbs and strengthen his tendons to allow him to walk.

A Jewish school in Melbourne has broken a Guinness World Record for most people to form the shape of a menorah.

Bialik College gathered 1,048 people together and coincided the event with Israeli Independence Day.

The school says the official counters confirmed they exceeded the previous record which was held by a school from New Jersey in 2017.