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Science In Public

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

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Offshore fish farming produces bigger, healthier tuna

Port Lincoln tuna are bigger, healthier and happier when they are kilometres offshore, according to a study by University of Tasmania researchers.

Tuna are normally farmed near the shore, but a study published in the international journal PLoS ONE found that southern bluefin tuna thrive when they’re raised further out to sea.

The researchers collaborated on the world’s first commercial-scale trial of offshore fish development, finding that tuna farmed in deep, turbulent waters gained weight twice as fast as fish reared closer in. They also had better survival rates and superior health. [Read more…] about Offshore fish farming produces bigger, healthier tuna

Whole black carrots reveal the key to gut health

Black carrots have revealed how fruit and vegetables help maintain gut health and reduce the risk of developing cancer.

The antioxidant compounds they contain combine with fibre to play an important role in protecting the colon from cancer, Dr Anneline Padayachee from the University of Queensland has  discovered.

The compounds, known as polyphenols, are released from the plant cell during chewing. However, Anneline found that the majority of polyphenols are bound to fibre during this process. She found they were not free for absorption until they reached the colon in the final stages of digestion.

[Read more…] about Whole black carrots reveal the key to gut health

Fresh Science at the pub

Join us at the pub to hear some of Australia’s top young scientists talk about their discoveries over a drink.

Last year we heard about smart bandages, the sawfish saw, printable solar cells, wallabies immune tricks, ocean arteries, backward planets and more.

So come and hear what’s fresh in science this year.

The 2012 Fresh Science national finalists will be challenged to describe their work in less than a minute, in rhyme, reason or verse.

When: 7pm, Monday 15 October 2012

Where: Duke of Kent Hotel, 293 Latrobe Street (between Elizabeth and Queen St), Melbourne.

Cost: The science is free; meals and drinks at bar prices

RSVP not necessary but it will help us estimate numbers to AJ Epstein, aj@scienceinpublic.com.au, (03) 9078 5398, 0433 339 141

The Great Barrier Reef has lost half of its coral in the last 27 years

Can we save the Reef by controlling crown of thorns starfish?

The Great Barrier Reef has lost half its coral cover in the last 27 years. The loss was due to storm damage (48%), crown of thorns starfish (42%), and bleaching (10%) according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences today by researchers from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in Townsville and the University of Wollongong. [Read more…] about The Great Barrier Reef has lost half of its coral in the last 27 years

Single-atom writer a landmark for quantum computing

Posted on behalf of the University of New South Wales

A research team led by Australian engineers has created the first working quantum bit based on a single atom in silicon, opening the way to ultra-powerful quantum computers of the future.

In a landmark paper published today in the journal Nature, the team describes how it was able to both read and write information using the spin, or magnetic orientation, of an electron bound to a single phosphorus atom embedded in a silicon chip.

“For the first time, we have demonstrated the ability to represent and manipulate data on the spin to form a quantum bit, or ‘qubit’,  the basic unit of data for a quantum computer,” says Scientia Professor Andrew Dzurak. “This really is the key advance towards realising a silicon quantum computer based on single atoms.”

[Read more…] about Single-atom writer a landmark for quantum computing

Fresh Science 2012 state finalists

This year, thanks to funding from the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science, Research and Tertiary Education through the Inspiring Australia initiative, and partners in other states, we’ve expanded the program to include state finals in:

Here’s the state finalists – we’ll announce the national finalists in the next week or so. [Read more…] about Fresh Science 2012 state finalists