Category: News
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Weekly Science Picks
It’s been an interesting week in the world of science, with the predominant story focused on just who our mammalian ancestor might be. Everyone has been covering this, the BBC, the New York Times and national Geographic. But some other newsworthy notes include new developments on graphene, a discussion on just how big the universe…
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Australia’s National Science Agency – Focused on the Future
I find myself spending a lot of time thinking about the future of our society and planet – how we can solve problems of today and prevent those of tomorrow. Quite often I draw up battle plans on scrap paper in preparation for those policy battles we don’t even know exist yet, those looming around…
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Weekly Science Picks
#Scio13 This week Science Online kicked off in Raleigh, North Carolina. The unconference that brings together communicators of science in all their ilks — writers, bloggers, scientists themselves, filmmakers etc — the list goes on. “I write fiction in the form of grant proposals…” For those of us that couldn’t make it out to Raleigh…
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New leader of CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science division
CSIRO’s astronomy, spacecraft tracking and space science activities will be headed up by a new leader, with the announcement today that Dr Lewis Ball has been appointed as the incoming Chief for CSIRO’s Astronomy and Space Science (CASS) division. Dr Ball returns to CSIRO from his present role as Deputy Director at the Atacama Large…
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Research gives digital economy a boost
CSIRO will today launch Australia’s largest publically-funded research initiative focused on the digital economy. The Digital Productivity and Services Flagship, CSIRO’s tenth National Research Flagship, is a A$40 million research initiative focusing on the services sector and optimising the full value of national broadband infrastructure. The Digital Productivity and Services Flagship, CSIRO’s tenth National Research…
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Greenland ice core records provide a vision of the future
Ice cores drilled in the Greenland ice sheet, recounting the history of the last great warming period more than 120,00 years ago, are giving scientists their clearest insight to a world that was warmer than today. In a paper published on January 24th 2013, in the journal Nature, scientists have used a 2,540 metre long Greenland ice…
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Telescope takes temperature of Universe
CSIRO telescope takes temperature of Universe Astronomers using a CSIRO radio telescope have taken the Universe’s temperature, and have found that it has cooled down just the way the Big Bang theory predicts. Using the CSIRO Australia Telescope Compact Array near Narrabri, NSW, an international team from Sweden, France, Germany and Australia has measured how…
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Australian scientists may have found ‘potential cure for AIDS’
Australian scientists say they have made a breakthrough that could lead to a potential cure for AIDS, modifying a protein in HIV so it prevents against replication and instead protects against the infection. A FORM of gene therapy developed by researchers at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research may provide hope to sufferers of HIV,…
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Weekly Science Picks
Another week, another collection of weekly science picks! Those of us over here in Northern Europe have been enjoying snowy weather this past few days, with more expected on the way. At the same time, many of us have been keeping a concerned eye on the recent events in Australia – the bush fires being…
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Zorbing: Adventures in a Hamster Ball
Zorbing It was a cloudy day, but we headed down the M1 towards the Gold Coast. Arriving at our destination around 9/9:30AM. Destination: OzBall. It was about a year ago I had seen video of this amazing, thrilling ride. A weatherman on Sunrise 7 strapped inside a huge plastic ball rolled down a hill. This…
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Phantom fishing targets turtles in northern Australia
14 January 2013 Phantom fishing targets turtles in northern Australia CSIRO scientists working with GhostNets Australia and Indigenous rangers are identifying hotspots where lost fishing nets are threatening our marine biodiversity. Worldwide, around 640 000 tonnes of fishing gear is lost or discarded each year. These ‘ghostnets’ can continue fishing for decades, entangling huge numbers…
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Weekly Science Picks
I’ve just returned from a fantastic holiday in Australia (sad I had to leave). The great thing about travel is that it opens your mind and exposes your senses – elevates it to a higher level of thinking, thinking that is clear and uninterrupted. The not so great thing about travelling to far away places…
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Weekly Science Picks
With 2012 firmly behind us, with no more reflections and no more top ten lists, let’s begin… The BBC. As warm and comforting as mother’s milk. A beacon for the rest of the world to follow. Journalistic integrity, and more bang for your buck than any other establishment I can think of. There is nothing…
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2013: The Year to Come
The 21st century is now a teenager. We prospered. We suffered. But most of all, we survived. Here’s to 2012 and the year ahead. 2012 was a remarkable year, especially for science. There were world firsts and breakthroughs. The story of the Higgs boson definitely made the top of many lists. The relentless march of…