Microbial life may be present in the atmosphere of Venus, according to a paper published in Nature Astronomy today. (Written by Rohan Byrne, our resident geoscientist. Follow him at @buildmeaplanet) Traces of a telltale gas called phosphine have been detected in sunlight bouncing off the planet. The gas, a rare chemical sometimes used as a…
Satellite selfies, sauteed spiders and deep fake videos; National Science Week 2020 will take place from August 15 to 23, with hundreds of events and activities around the country. See our pick of highlights state-by-state: ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA And see our highlights by round or theme: Arts, entertainment, wildlife, education,…
Research finds rehab-only treatment yields better long-term results Knee reconstructions may lead to more problems later in life than non-surgical rehabilitation, researchers have found. A team led by Dr Adam Culvenor from La Trobe University looked at health outcomes for athletes with damaged anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) – a devastating injury, particularly common among footballers….
Types of quantum computer There are at least four main approaches towards building a quantum computer processor that have attracted major commercial investment. These are known as silicon spin qubits, superconducting qubits, ion trap qubits and topological qubits. Each brings specific challenges. Silicon spin qubits: can operate at 1.5 kelvin Spin qubits in silicon are…
Science in Public is open for business with a full suite of services including our training, which is available via Zoom, Teams, Skype etc. Our team of six salaried staff are all working from home and we’re working hard to ensure that we can keep everything rolling. Government support is helping. A few weeks ago,…
After 90 years, scientists reveal the structure of benzene. One of the fundamental mysteries of chemistry has been solved by Australian scientists – and the result may have implications for future designs of solar cells, organic light-emitting diodes and other next gen technologies. Ever since the 1930s debate has raged inside chemistry circles concerning the…
Link to HD sawfish footage, courtesy of Biopixel (the watermark must be retained). Background information Further videos, photos and captions Hundreds of citizen science sightings reveal opportunities to protect Australia’s four iconic sawfish species New hotspots for green sawfish in Weipa and Karratha. A sawfish nursery in the Brisbane River until about 1950. Evidence that…
Written by Akila Rekima and the University of Western Australia. For the full UWA press release, click here. A research team at UWA is investigating the complex interactions of breast milk with allergens and baby’s gut immune system. They’ve found that food-derived but also airborne allergens are present in breast milk. Some do give protection…
AC Margaret Elaine GARDNER VIC For eminent service to tertiary education through leadership and innovation in teaching and learning, research and financial sustainability. Bruce Gregory ROBINSON NSW For eminent service to medical research, and to national healthcare, through policy development and reform, and to tertiary education. Anthony William THOMAS SA For eminent service to scientific education…
We can’t easily monitor the health of plants, by the time we see that they’re sick it’s usually too late to save that. That’s an issue for your house plants, a field of wheat, orchards and plantations. Karina Khambatta has developed a way to use the waxy surface of leaves to monitor their health. Currently…