From time to time I write to the journalists we’ve met around the world with some Australian science stories.
This week we’ve got:
Tuesday, on embargo until 7 am CET / 5 pm AEDT: Melbourne’s 3D-printed jet engine technology flies into production in France—reception and announcement at the Australian Embassy in Paris.
More below and if you’re in Paris we’ll have some nice Australian sparkling wine.
Wednesday, on embargo to 7 am CET / 5 pm AEDT: after 160 years can we replace the needle and syringe? Australia’s Nanopatch technology in human trials and heading to Cuba. Now the rocket scientist who created it wins a national medical research prize. More below.
All month: what’s happening to our men—as men around the world grow moustaches for Movember it’s time to ask why men die early and what we can do about it.
Features, any time:
- Releasing (baby) cane toads to save northern Australia’s goannas, snakes and quolls
- The Aussie software that’s making global stock markets fair and efficient could transform health, mortgage and virtual currency markets
- Replacing the shiny bits on cars with long-lasting shiny plastic—also coming to aircraft, spacecraft, even whitegoods
- Re-engineering nature to fight for global health
- How working together in Borneo could save orangutans, elephants, communities and an opportunity cost of $50 billion.
Kind regards,
Tuesday: Melbourne’s 3D-printed jet engine technology flies into production in France
In Paris on Tuesday 8 November—embargo 7 am CET / 5 pm AEDT
Launch at the Australian Embassy in Paris, France
Press kit including photos and video available at: www.scienceinpublic.com.au/monash-uni, password: printing
Melbourne’s 3D printed jet engine technology flies into a big deal in France and we’re helping them launch it at the Australian Embassy in Paris.
The Monash University-led team who printed a jet engine last year have enabled a new venture for manufacturing aerospace components in France.
Melbourne-based Amaero Engineering—a spin out company from Monash University’s innovation cluster—has signed an agreement with the University and Safran Power Units to print turbojet components for Safran, the French-based global aerospace and defence company.
Email for more information niall@scienceinpublic.com.au or call the office +61 3 9398 1416.
It’s an opportunity to look at the real impact behind the hype of 3D printing.
After 160 years, it’s time to throw away the needle and syringe: Nanopatch starts clinical trials in Brisbane, with Cuba next
Embargo 7 am CET / 5 pm AEDT Wednesday 9 November 
Rocket scientist Mark Kendall from The University of Queensland reinvents vaccination and wins $25,000 CSL Young Florey Medal
Full profile, photos, and HD video available at: www.scienceinpublic.com.au/floreymedal, password: rocket
- Professor Mark Kendall helped create a small rocket for vaccine delivery.
- Then he invented a radically simpler concept that will replace the needle and syringe we’ve been using for 160 years.
- A small square of silicon with 20,000 microscopic spikes delivers vaccines directly to the skin’s immune cells.
- It’s painless, requires a fraction of the dose, doesn’t need refrigeration, and eliminates needle phobia.
- Now human clinical trials are underway in Brisbane, and the WHO is planning a polio vaccine trial in Cuba in 2017.
What’s happening to our men? Life’s transitions, mental health and suicidal ideation
Why am I likely to die four years younger than my wife Sarah? What can I do about it?
Australian men die four years younger than women (on average), live with worse health, and carry the greater burden of chronic disease.
This ‘hairy season’ Movember is urging us to act fast to stop men dying too young.
The global men’s health charity has released a survey that reveals the true state of men’s health around the world.
The research revealed:
- Nearly half (46 per cent) of the men who had been through a stressful life event, such as a relationship breakdown or sudden job loss, during the past year reported experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviours.
- The men surveyed were more likely than the women surveyed to cope with stressful life events in unhealthy ways, such as drinking, drugs, taking more risks, and becoming more aggressive.
- Men over 40 don’t recognise that this is the peak age for risk of intentional non-accidental injury, such as self-harm or suicide.
For interviews contact Molly Hyndman, Movember Foundation, on +61 418 536 528 or molly.hyndman@movember.com.
Defending Australia’s snakes and lizards; making stock markets fair and efficient; re-engineering nature to fight for global health; and more—Australia’s Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science
The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are Australia’s most prestigious and highly regarded awards for outstanding achievements in scientific research, research-based innovation and excellence in science teaching.
The winners are available for longer-lead stories and are happy to talk on different angles of their research.
- Conservation that works for government, ecosystems and people: Associate Professor Kerrie Wilson, the Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year.
Kerrie is currently in Denmark, as an Affiliated Professor in Conservation Science at The University of Copenhagen. - Defending Australia’s snakes and lizards: Professor Richard Shine, the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
- Making stock markets fair and efficient: Professor Michael Aitken, the Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation
- Creating new manufacturing jobs by replacing glass and metal with plastic: Dr Colin Hall, the inaugural Prize for New Innovators
- Re-engineering nature to fight for global health: Professor Richard Payne, the Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
Image credit: Terri Shine
Next year: The World Conference of Science Journalists – which is in San Francisco from 26 to 30 October 2017. More at wcsj2017.org.
More stories: I’ll write to you occasionally on Australian stories of international interest.
But if you want more Aussie science, I can add you to my Australian media list – just email me. Or follow me on Twitter at @scienceinpublic.
And if you’re ever looking for an Australian angle, Aussie talent, or are considering a visit to Australia, get in touch.
You can also get the latest in our Stories of Australian Science at stories.scienceinpublic.com.au, on Twitter at @AusSciStories, Instagram ausscistories, and Facebook www.facebook.com/ausscistories
More about Science in Public
We’re always happy to help put you in contact with scientists. Our work is funded by the science world – from the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes to Nature. We’re keen to suggest interesting people and stories – and not just those of our clients.
If you’re looking for ideas or people for features we know hundreds of science prize winners past, present, and future and are always happy to chew the fat about the developing themes in Australian science.
Feel free to pass these stories along to colleagues. And between bulletins, you can follow me on Twitter (@scienceinpublic) for more science news and story tips.
Kind regards,
________
Niall Byrne
Creative Director
Science in Public
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03 9398 1416, 0417 131 977
niall@scienceinpublic.com.au
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