Eureka Prizes

Blue Carbon Horizons team wins Eureka Prize for Environmental Research

Collaboration investigates the link between changing sea levels, global warming and the health of marine wetlands.

Blue Carbon Horizons Team Eureka Prizes 2019 © Salty Dingo 2019 CRG-7409

Carbon dioxide capture by coastal ecosystems operates in direct relation to the speed of sea level rise.

That was the conclusion of extensive research conducted by a team of scientists from Macquarie University, University of Wollongong and ANSTO – work that has now won the scientists the NSW Environment, Energy and Science (DPIE) Eureka Prize for Environmental Research.

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No need to shed tears over Australia’s scientific future

  • Why onions make you cry, and how to avoid the tears
  • Why you shouldn’t get your appendix out

These questions were answered by the winning videos for the University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize.

Last night the 2015 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes winners were announced at a gala Award Dinner at Sydney Town Hall, affectionately referred to as the Oscars of Australian science. A total of 16 prizes were given for outstanding contributions to Australian science.

Sponsored by the University of Sydney, the Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize is named in honour of Dr Karl (Kruszelnicki) and Adam Spencer.

The Prize recognises excellence in communicating scientific ideas ‘painlessly’ or, as the Sleek Geeks like to say, “help people to learn something without even noticing.” It rewards the best of hundreds of submitted short films – each communicating a particular scientific concept in an accessible and engaging way.

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Prize-winning medical research

  • Time to die: killing cells to save lives
  • World’s smallest, brightest nano-flashlights finding a diseased needle in a haystack
  • The much-maligned appendix: not just for grass eaters
  • Making blood on demand with stem cells?

Last night three outstanding medical researchers were among the winners of the 2015 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, announced at a gala Award Dinner at Sydney Town Hall. And an up-and-coming medical researcher won the secondary school prize for unveiling the secrets of the appendix in her video – in which her Nobel Prize-winning grandfather also makes an appearance.

A total of 16 prizes were given for outstanding contributions to Australian science.

Established in 1827, the Australian Museum is the nation’s first museum and one of its foremost scientific research, educational and cultural institutions. The Eureka Prizes are the most comprehensive national science awards, honouring excellence in Research and Innovation, Leadership, Science Communication and Journalism, and School Science.

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Environmental science recognised

  • Speaking science underwater
  • Vaccines for oysters
  • A global standard for environmental threats, from coral reefs to desert dunes
  • Melting salt to store solar power

Last night four outstanding environmental researchers were among the winners of the 2015 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, announced at a gala Award Dinner at Sydney Town Hall. A total of 16 prizes were given for outstanding contributions to Australian science

Established in 1827, the Australian Museum is the nation’s first museum and one of its foremost scientific research, educational and cultural institutions. The Eureka Prizes are the most comprehensive national science awards, honouring excellence in Research and Innovation, Leadership, Science Communication and Journalism, and School Science.

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Battlefield communication by mobile, wi-fi and satellites

Defence Science and Technology Group Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science for Safeguarding Australia

  • Winner: Northrop Grumman M5 Network Security

Secure, handheld communication tools developed in Canberra simultaneously use multiple available mobile-phone networks, wi-fi and satellites to ensure the signal never drops out.

Yet despite using these easily accessible public networks, the tools remain secure enough for use by military or intelligence personnel.

For development of the Secure Communications System suite of tools, Northrop Grumman M5 Network Security have been awarded the Defence Science and Technology Group Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science for Safeguarding Australia.

Designed for situations when secure, reliable communications are paramount, the tools are part of a whole suite of secure communication tools.

The lightweight SCS-100 is the smallest of the tools –handheld and easily packed into carry-on luggage, but carrying everything needed for one person’s self-contained, secure communication.

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Winners of the 2015 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes announced

Salt batteries for renewable energy and vaccines for oysters: Australians rewarded for excellence in science

Last night the 2015 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes winners were announced at a gala Award Dinner at Sydney Town Hall, affectionately referred to as the Oscars of Australian science. A total of 16 prizes were given for outstanding contributions to Australian science, including new prizes for international scientific collaboration and rural innovation.

“It’s an honour to be able to recognise and reward the very best of the valuable, inspiring scientific research being done around the country,” Kim McKay AO, Executive Director and CEO of the Australian Museum said.

“The sponsors and supporters of the Eureka Prizes help us reward excellence in Australian science and I take my hat off to them,” she said. [continue reading…]

Eureka 2015 – winners photos

Pictures of the  Australian Museum 2015 Eureka Prize Winners are available below. Other photographs are also available Getty Images by following this link.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 26:  Dr Phillip Urquijo is presented with the '3M Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science' at the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes 2015 at Sydney Town Hall on August 26, 2015 in Sydney, Australia.  (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 26: Dr Phillip Urquijo is presented with the ‘3M Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science’ at the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes 2015 at Sydney Town Hall on August 26, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

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Capturing coral’s beauty

New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science Photography

Queensland Museum photographer Gary Cranitch has been awarded the New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science Photography for his image Soft Coral.

coralSoft corals are more diverse and widespread than hard corals, but much less is known about their overall contribution to coral reef biodiversity. About one-third of the world’s soft coral species are found on the Great Barrier Reef, with our limited knowledge of these species an indication of how much we still have to learn. Through his beautiful image, Gary Cranitch highlights this true ‘indicator’ species.

“Gary’s striking image highlights the need to understand the Great Barrier Reef’s often-ignored soft corals” Kim McKay AO, Executive Director and CEO of the Australian Museum said. “I congratulate Gary on being a finalist for the second year in a row and now the winner of this prestigious prize,” she said.

Taking out second place was Murdoch University’s Aileen Elliot with her photograph Thorny-Headed Worm.

Third was Saltwater Crocodile by NSW’s Justin Gilligan. [continue reading…]

Prize-winning Australian science revealed tonight

The best in Australian science discovered tonight Aus Musuem Eureka Prizes logo

2015 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Award Dinner at Sydney Town Hall

At the end of July, 49 finalists were announced for 16 Eureka Prizes worth a total of $160,000.

Tonight we’ll find out who will take home a coveted Eureka Prize.

To be part of the Eureka Prizes experience, follow us live from the red carpet on Twitter at @EurekaPrizes, and using the #Eureka15 hashtag. We’ll Tweet each winner the moment their names are read out on stage.

Established in 1827, the Australian Museum is the nation’s first museum and one of its foremost scientific research, educational and cultural institutions. The Eureka Prizes are the most comprehensive national science awards, honouring excellence in Research and Innovation, Leadership, Science Communication and Journalism, and School Science.

This year, new prizes recognise excellence in rural research and international collaboration.

For media enquiries please contact the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes media team:

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