Weekly Science Picks
FollowNew Sunday, new editor’s selections stories. Well, let us see what would be the most promising and exciting news of this week. This weekly presentation covers many different areas from Australia’s biodiversity, over the idea of artificial human blood, until a nice whale migration story. Sure you will enjoy this week’s review. So, let’s begin.
Artificial blood that’s better than the real thing
Each week on the BBC World Service programme The Forum, a global thinker from the worlds of philosophy, science, psychology or the arts is given a minute to put forward a radical, inspiring or controversial idea – no matter how improbable – that they believe would change the world.
Been whale watching lately? Scientists want your snaps to tell migration story
Scientists are studying the migration to better understand the recovering population. Peta Beeman, a researcher from Southern Cross University, is turning to citizen science to help gather data.
Can we feed the world and save our species?
There is a range of intensities of primary production in Australia today. Hunting and gathering and use of fire to manipulate the abundance of native species is at the lowest end of the spectrum, then livestock grazing of native pastures, right through to complete replacement of native species for intensive cropping and forestry plantation (the latter requiring inputs in the way of fertilisers, machinery, chemicals etc.). The more intensive the production method, the more food and fibre can be produced per unit area, but with greater impact on biodiversity. Less intensive production methods provide opportunities for native species to coexist with production.
What lit up the universe?
New research shows we will soon uncover the origin of the ultraviolet light that bathes the cosmos, helping scientists understand how galaxies were built. The study by cosmologists shows how forthcoming astronomical surveys will reveal what lit up the cosmos.
Here we are at the end of one more amazing journey. Until the next time, please stay curious and scientifically passionate.