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Science In Public

Science writers, communicators, media, training, and public relations

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Discovering brain stem cells and waking them up with exercise

DSC_3314Professor Perry Bartlett is putting people with dementia on treadmills. He has already reversed dementia and recovered spatial memories in mice through exercise. During the next year he’ll find out if exercise will have the same impact on people with dementia. Then he’ll look at depression.

Underpinning these projects is the idea that the brain is constantly changing and that learning, memory, mood and many other brain functions are, in part, regulated by the production of new neurons. When Perry started exploring the brain in 1977, the mature brain was regarded as static and unchangeable. He challenged this dogma and his work has led to a transformation in our understanding of the brain. [Read more…] about Discovering brain stem cells and waking them up with exercise

Computers learning to find Australian cancers and broken bones that people miss

Making radiology faster, more accurate, and more affordable for Australia and the world

A deal signed today means a ‘deep learning system’ will soon help Australian radiologists to find cancers and breaks that are often missed, and to ignore lumps that don’t matter. Then it will bring modern medical diagnostics to developing countries where radiologists are in short supply.

In a global first, Melbourne-headquartered radiology business Capitol Health announced this morning that it will implement the machine-learning system developed by Silicon Valley start-up Enlitic. [Read more…] about Computers learning to find Australian cancers and broken bones that people miss

2015 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science

The 2015 winners are:

  • Graham Farquhar (ANU, Canberra)—Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
  • Graeme Jameson (University of Newcastle)—Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation
  • Cyrille Boyer (UNSW)—Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
  • Jane Elith (University of Melbourne)—Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
  • Ken Silburn (Casula High School)—Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools
  • Rebecca Johnson (Windaroo State School)—Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools

Read on for more about the 2015 winners.

[Read more…] about 2015 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science

Making polymers with light: 2015 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year

Cyrille Boyer_headshotA/Prof Cyrille Boyer

Cyrille Boyer uses light to make new and complex polymers.

It’s the latest in a series of techniques that have enabled him to create materials which are being applied in areas as widespread as non-stick coatings, anti-fouling technology, precision drug delivery, medical diagnosis and imaging. [Read more…] about Making polymers with light: 2015 Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year

Bringing students to science: 2015 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science – Secondary teaching

Kenneth Silburn_headshotKen Silburn

Fifteen years ago Casula High School was just an average state school in Sydney’s south-western suburbs with just eight students doing science at year 12. But something extraordinary has happened. Two-thirds of Year 11 and 12 students now choose science subjects and they are performing well above the state average. [Read more…] about Bringing students to science: 2015 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science – Secondary teaching