James Cook University

New research sheds light on why a surprising amount of fishers always follow fishing rules, even when enforcement is unlikely and breaking the rules offers a financial reward. Vince Fleming What’s more, their choice to follow rules may be even more impactful than they realise, with the findings suggesting new ways of protecting the Great Barrier Reef and other marine parks.

New James Cook University research shows the seagrass meadows of Trinity Inlet in Cairns Harbour have recovered after severe cyclones and flooding nearly wiped them out – but with a new mix of fish species. Researchers monitored Cairns seagrass meadows finding them bouncing back from severe weather impacts - with a new mix of fish species. Credit: JCU TropWATER. Seagrasses are flowering plants that thrive in marine environments and form extensive meadows along the tropical Queensland coast.

James Cook University has improved its position in the prestigious Times Higher Education World University Ranking. In the 2027 rankings, released today, JCU has risen to the 326-350 band, which is up from the 351-400 band in the 2026 rankings. The Times Higher Education World University Ranking noted JCU had improved in areas including research quality, industry links and international collaboration.

Many of Australia's unique freshwater fish species are edging closer to extinction, with new research warning that the nation's Wet Tropics is facing an escalating conservation crisis. Mossman River in the Daintree Rainforest.

For First Nations parents and communities managing the emotional, spiritual and psychological impacts of still-birth, it is hoped that new research will lead to improved healthcare and the provision of culturally-appropriate support. Cape York communities are remote and isolated - which makes health care challenging and reinforces the importance of culturally appropriate responses. Bottom left - Research co-authors Ms Deanna Stuart-Butler (R) and Ms Di Jans (L). Image credit: Deanna Stuart-Butler.

A common human nasal decongestant may help reduce bleeding during corrective nasal surgery in dogs suffering from brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Neil Cooper Dr Jun-Yan Sek, a small animal surgical registrar at JCUVet, lecturer at James Cook University and JCU veterinary alumnus, led a study investigating the use of xylometazoline hydrochloride during surgery.

James Cook University will offer aspiring maritime engineers the chance to begin their degree in Cairns from 2027 through a new partnership with the University of Tasmania’s renowned Australian Maritime College (AMC). The new Maritime Engineering major will allow students to complete their first two years at JCU’s Cairns Nguma-Bada campus before transferring to the AMC in Launceston for the final two years of their specialist degree.

James Cook University (JCU) has honoured its standout Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the tenth annual Indigenous Student Awards Night in Townsville last week. The Awards Night, hosted by the Indigenous Education and Research Centre (IERC), recognised the students for their outstanding academic achievements, hard work and dedication to their studies across JCU campuses in Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Mt Isa.

In a win for people and the environment, new economic modelling from James Cook University researchers reveals that a five-million-dollar investment to control crown-of-thorns (CoTS) starfish numbers in the Cairns region created 61 new jobs and generated $20 million of economic activity. INLOC crown-of-thorns-starfish workers getting ready for a day on the reef - injecting starfish to avoid population explosions. Image Credit: Rickard Abom, RRRC.

Analysis of the surge in melioidosis cases during Townsville’s record rainfall during the 2024-25 wet season has reinforced recommendations for emergency care staff. Frederic K√∂berl The lead author of the new study is Colin Banks, an emergency physician at Townsville University Hospital and an Associate Professor at James Cook University.