Welcome to my monthly bulletin with news and events for September 2010 and beyond.
This month the AIP is stimulating neurons in Canberra, exploiting colour in Sydney, illustrating the history of computers in Brisbane and talking about radiation–free nuclear energy in Melbourne.
Don’t forget the CSIRO Lindfield and NMI (National Measurement Institute) open day where you can find out how modern movies such as Avatar use science, technology, engineering and lots of complicated maths. Follow it on Twitter: @NMIOpenDay or Facebook: NMI Open Day. Read the full article →
Released on behalf of the Australian Academy of Science.
We know more about the surface of Mars than we do of the earth beneath our feet. Australian earth scientists are calling for a national program to map our country – 300 metres down under.
Read the full article →
The three L’Oréal Australia For Women In Science Fellows received their awards on Tuesday night at the Melbourne Museum. Here are some photos from the night.
All the images are available for use in the context of the L’Oréal Australia For Women In Science Fellowships and should be credited to SDP Photo.
To view the full citations [...]
This week on radio, Tim Thwaites is talking about tracking and recovering meteorites; liquefying your body; chlorophyll that works with low energy light; ancient zombie ants; and more…
1. Desert fireballs—An intelligent camera system has been set up to track and recover meteorites in the Nullarbor. It is expected to detect about three or four of them a year. Many of these will be recovered. As debris left over from when planets were constructed, they carry a unique record of the birth of the Solar System.—Australasian Science.
This story can be found in the latest issue of Australasian Science. Read the full article →
How does breast cancer start?
Capturing and releasing gases with smart crystals?
Giving malaria a kick in the gut
L’Oréal Australia For Women in Science Fellows announced
The 2010 L’Oréal Australia For Women in Science Fellows are (click on links to see full citation, videos and photos):
Marie-Liesse Asselin-Labat, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne – [...]
Deanna D’Alessandro
University of Sydney
A sponge that filters hot air and captures carbon dioxide
We need better ways of capturing carbon dioxide emissions from power stations and industry. And we won’t be using hydrogen cars until we’ve developed practical ways of carrying enough hydrogen gas in the fuel tank. Deanna D’Alessandro’s understanding of basic chemistry has led [...]
Rowena Martin
The Australian National University, Canberra/The University of Melbourne
In the 1950s it seemed as if medical science was winning the fight against malaria with the help of the ‘wonder drug’ chloroquine. Over the past half century the drug has saved hundreds of millions of lives.
But now the parasite that causes malaria has fought back. Chloroquine-resistant [...]
Marie-Liesse Asselin-Labat
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
Most women in Australia who have breast cancer recover. But many then relapse years later.
Marie-Liesse Asselin-Labat wants to know why. If she can solve this mystery, her work will open up opportunities for new drugs and treatments. Her achievements to date suggest that she is well placed [...]
In two weeks Australia will play host to a major UN conference focusing on global health and the Millennium Development Goals. More than 70 countries and over 300 organisations will be represented. There will be many compelling stories that matter to Australia and our region. More details and downloads below.
Also, in Canberra today the Australian Academy of Science Think Tank is tackling questions regarding Australia’s mineral deposits. Will we run out of minerals? How much more mineral wealth is still to be found? Do we have the technologies to find it and extract it safely? The media releases are online at www.scienceinpublic.com.au/blog
These issues are being discussed in Canberra at a forum on 19 and 20 August. The media are invited to day one and the speakers are available for interview. The findings will be published later in the year. Read the full article →
Released on behalf of the Australian Academy of Science
Predicting where Australia’s next mineral boom will come from is serious business. Data collected using satellite sensing, airborne surveys, seismic crews and prospecting teams is immense and is piling up rapidly. But what use are all these data? Read the full article →
