Safeguarding an important food crop—and the world’s beer supply On-site – farmers’ crop of barley infected with leaf rust Lee Hickey, University of Queensland geneticist and John Agnew, Chair of the Northern Region Barley Advisory Committee will be available for comment. An international study led by a Queensland scientist has found a way to better…
Despite the claims of some, commercially viable fuels from algae have not yet been developed. But newly trialled native algae species provide real hope, a Queensland scientist has found. Dr Evan Stephens and the team at the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, in collaboration with Germany’s Bielefeld University and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology,…
The discovery of a link between a specific gene and ageing in a species of worm could reveal valuable lessons for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Low levels of the protein generated from the gene known as ‘tau’—also present in humans—not only hastens age-related changes in the brain of the worm, but also shortens the…
Two tiny fossils are prompting an overhaul of theories about marsupial evolution after they revealed unexpected links to South America – and possibly Africa. One of the fossils, found at the Tingamarra site in south-eastern Queensland, is a 55 million-year-old ankle bone from a mouse-sized marsupial previously known only from South America. The second is…
Melbourne researchers have invented and patented a way of detecting and locating potential electrical faults along large stretches of power line before they occur. The invention was inspired by a boyhood interest in electric fishes, such as the black ghost knifefish. The patented detection system, already being employed by local electricity companies, could help prevent…
Asthma inhalers could soon become much more effective, thanks to a clever new way of making the particles they deliver invented by a Melbourne chemical engineer and his team. Current puffer designs and typical size ranges of particles mean a large portion of the medication propelled into a patient’s throat remains there. Only a fraction reaches the lungs.
After five state finals involving 58 young scientists and 15 journalists, we’re looking forward to introducing the twelve national finalists to the world. They’ve each had to: write their own press release; practice radio and TV interviews; polish up their ‘elevator pitch’; come up with answers to tricky questions; and entertain a crowd over a […]
Today at ANSTO’s Discovery Centre at Lucas Heights, 14 of NSW’s future science leaders are participating in the NSW Fresh Science state final. In total, 60 state finalists have been chosen competitively for their discovery and for the quality of their research. Today, they will be trained in how to talk science to journalists, business […]
Today at Scienceworks, 15 of Victoria’s future science leaders were put to the test at the Victorian Fresh Science state final. In total, 60 state finalists have been chosen competitively for their discovery and for the quality of their research. Today, they will be trained in how to talk science to journalists, business and the […]
Today at Scienceworks, 15 of Victoria’s future science leaders were put to the test at the Victorian Fresh Science state final. In total, 60 state finalists have been chosen competitively for their discovery and for the quality of their research. Today, they will be trained in how to talk science to journalists, business and the […]