Science In Public
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The world’s most farmed tree has had its genome read, opening the way to new breeding, biofuel, and conservation opportunities.
The genome of one of Australia’s biggest Eucalyptus trees, the Flooded Gum or Eucalyptus grandis, has now been mapped, allowing scientists and conservationists an insight into the secrets of an important piece of Australiana. [Read more…] about Eucalyptus genetic secrets unlocked
Posted on behalf of CSIRO
CSIRO scientists are investigating the potentially damaging effects climate change will have on Australia’s agricultural crops and native plants as carbon dioxide concentrations, temperatures and rainfall patterns change.
“We’re facing an urgent need to develop new crop varieties for anticipated conditions in 20 to 50 years,” said a team leader in the climate-ready cereals project at CSIRO, Dr Jairo Palta. [Read more…] about Adapting crops and ‘natives’ to a changing climate
Botanical illustration incorporates an extraordinary range of plant representations from flower paintings to finely detailed drawings of plants used for botanical purposes. As an artform it is often based in science and as a scientific document it is often viewed as an artwork. [Read more…] about The Eternal Order in Nature: The Science of Botanical Illustration
Issued by CSIRO Ref 11/81
With the world’s population set to reach 8.9 billion by 2050, CSIRO scientists are hunting down and exploiting a number of wheat’s key genetic traits in a bid to substantially boost its grain yield. [Read more…] about Improving wheat yields for global food security
For humanity, all seven billion of us, plants, algae and fungi are the major source of food, clothing, shelter and medicine.
Our fossil fuels were formed by them. They clean our air and water, store carbon, and protect us from floods and drought. [Read more…] about No plants: no foods, no fuel, no life…
Genetics can be used to shape plants underground so they absorb water better
Recent discoveries by a University of Queensland agricultural scientist provide the basis for custom designing plant roots. Her discovery is already being used by plant breeders to develop drought-resistant sorghum crops. [Read more…] about Designer roots to counter drought
Two thymus glands fast-track immune defences –
Baby wallaby photos available
Until now, it was a mystery why many marsupials have two thymuses—key organs in the immune system—instead of the one typical of other mammals.
Now postdoctoral researcher Dr Emily Wong from the University of Sydney and her colleagues have found that the two organs are identical, which suggests why they are there.
[Read more…] about Tammar wallaby’s clever immune tricks revealed
Published by CSIRO on 4 July 2011
Decreasing autumn and winter rainfall over southern Australia has been attributed to a 50-year decrease in the average intensity of storms in the region – a trend which is forecast to continue for another 50 years.”Our recent work on climate model projections suggests a continuation of these trends over the next 50 years.”
In an address today to the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics conference in Melbourne, CSIRO climate scientist, Dr Jorgen Frederiksen, said these changes are due to reductions in the strength of the mid-latitude jet stream and changes in atmospheric temperatures. The jet stream comprises fast moving westerly winds in the upper atmosphere. [Read more…] about Fewer rain storms across southern Australia
Cell death genes essential for cancer therapy identified.
New research has uncovered why certain cancers don’t respond to conventional chemotherapy, highlighting the need to match treatments to cancers better. [Read more…] about Match your treatment to your cancer
HIV can hide out in the brain, protected from the immune system and antiviral drugs, Dr Lachlan Gray and his colleagues at Monash University and the Burnet Institute have found. [Read more…] about Understanding the link between HIV and dementia