agriculture

Sceptical farmers adapt; permafrost methane versus cows; Menzies prizes; CSIRO scoops climate research prize

Today’s highlights are

  • As the weather gets weirder, even sceptical farmers are adapting
  • Permafrost versus burping cows – which produces the most methane
  • Loose joints; safe water; the limits of executive power: Robert Menzies’ legacy lives on with scholarships to young leaders in physiotherapy, engineering, and the law in Sydney and Melbourne.

And I think that’s all the science news we have for this week. Next week we’ll be talking supernovae, quantum computers and nanotech in the run up to the national physics congress in Sydney…  [continue reading…]

Even sceptical farmers are adapting as the weather gets weirder

Climate change will affect how we farm, but we’re not at the point of ‘adapt or die’. Right now the meme is ‘adapt and profit’.

Today’s stories from the agriculture and climate change conference range from farmers sharing practical, on-the-ground experiences, to CSIRO’s take on how ready the industry as a whole is looking. Also: a story about changing fisheries and it’s not good news for the Christmas lobster; prizes announced; and methane – agriculture versus permafrost. [continue reading…]

Inspiring Australia: Is that angry bird a native, farming in the desert, whale spotters wanted, something is fishy about this and more

Some of 63 Unlocking Australia’s Potential science communication grants totalling $5 million announced today by the Minister for Science and Research, Senator Chris Evans.

For the official announcement from the Minister; State by State releases; and a full list of grant recipients; go online to www.scienceinpublic.com.au/inspiringaus
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Inspiring Australia grant overviews

A total of $5 million has been awarded across three levels of grant categories, small, medium and large, for projects to be delivered in 2012 and/or 2013 and/or 2014.

The prime objective of the program is to increase the engagement of Australians in science and it has prioritised projects that engage people who may not have had previous access to or interest in science-communication activities. Inspiring Australia is an initiative of the Australian Government.

Below is the full list of grants received in each state. [continue reading…]

Inspiring WA

Public help sought in state-wide hunt for meteorites, the science behind cooking the perfect steak, whoopee cushion as educational tool and more.

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Feeding the future

The world cannot rely solely on high tech, genetic modification to generate the extra food needed to satisfy a human population projected to peak at about 9.5 billion later this century, according to keynote speakers at the XVIII International Botanical Congress being held in Melbourne this week. [continue reading…]