Scientists use turkey sprints to determine dinosaur movements

The anatomy and movement of dinosaurs may be further uncovered after researcher’s have constructed running tracks to test how the weight of various large birds affect their movement whilst sprinting.

The test was used to devise an equation which will calculate how dinosaurs would have roamed the earth, as well as potentially concluding whether dinosaurs were cold-blooded or warm-blooded.

Disability support pension applicant numbers drop

Approximately sixty percent of the people who apply for the Disability Support Pension are being rejected due to changes in the eligibility criteria.

Changes now require applicants to prove their permanent disability prevents them from working more than 15 hours a week.

Despite this, the Disability Support Pension is still the largest and most expensive welfare payment, costing the Commonwealth over $16 billion a year.

Domestic violence in LGBTIQ couples under-reported

Domestic violence within the LGBTIQ community is being systematically under-reported in Queensland, according to activists.

The Queensland Government has provided $155,000 to create training services for frontline workers to better respond in these situations.

Phil Browne from the Brisbane LGBTIQ Action Group said there are still perceptions of homophobia within the Queensland Police Service after years of persecution over the Joh Bjelke-Petersen years.

 

Investigation into nursing home deaths continues

The investigation into five deaths at a Townsville nursing home between November 2015 and November 2016 continues.

Acting Queensland Premier Jackie Trad dismissed claims that the alleged misconduct is indicative of larger problems within the state’s aged care system.

The Federal Aged Care Complaints Commissioner is currently looking into whether the actions of the nursing home, which fired three nurses and a doctor were appropriate.

 

Over 90 Nigerian girls missing, post Boro Haram attack

Citizens have raised concerns, after over 90 Nigerian schoolgirls have allegedly disappeared following attacks from the Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram in the northeastern state of Yobe on Wednesday.

While President Muhammadu Buhari has dispatched his foreign and defence ministers to investigate the situation further, is it yet to be confirmed whether these disappearances are as a result of these attacks.

Syrian violence at all time high

Residents of the eastern district of Ghouta in Syrian said they are just awaiting their turn to die, as the Syrian regime escalates their attacks.

This past week has been one of the deadliest in the country’s eight year long civil conflict, with the death toll since Sunday sitting at 310.

The UN has denounced the attacks and said the regime’s targeting of hospitals and other civilian buildings could be considered war crimes.  

 

Sydney Airport to trial biometrics

A flash of the face could be all you’ll need to fly overseas, with a biometrics trial being announced to start in May at Sydney Airport.

This new face- recognition technology could see passengers seamlessly passing through security without a need for a passport, reducing their time in customs by around 4 minutes and 23 seconds.

The photographs and information passengers will need to provide border force if they wish to participate in the trial is yet to be revealed.

 

Indonesian mangoes heading to Australia

Indonesia is set to start exporting mangoes to Australia later this year after a trade deal was struck between the two nations last week.

According to Indonesian reports, the first trays of the fruit will hit our shores in October, placing them in direct competition with the Australian harvest.

Australian growers are angered by the agreement, however Australian Mango Industry Association chief executive Robert Gray said he is confident consumers will still choose Australian grown.

 

Ipswich to trial electric driverless shuttle buses

Ipswich is set to trial driverless electric buses next week from Monday around its Orion water theme park lagoon near John Nugent Drive at Springfield.

The driverless buses, which cost approximately $320,000 and carry up to twelve passengers, is a long-term transport option which Ipswich City Council are investigating.

Spokesman for French company EasyMile, Simon Pearce which has developed the technology, hopes the trial will give the community insight about the future of public transport.