Stories of Australian Science 2010

Meeting science journalists and television producers around the world, we’ve discovered that they have a healthy appetite for Australian science and Australian wine.



So we’ve put together this publication to give journalists and others with an interest in science a taste of what’s happening Down Under.

For this collection we invited Australian research organisations to contribute snapshots of some of their current research. The stories illustrate the breadth and depth of Australian science.

Click here to read the stories, including:

  • the astronomy inside the world’s Wi-Fi computers and networks
  • the benefits of an imaginary friend
  • how bacteria from kangaroos are fighting cancer
  • breast restoration using your own stem cells
  • a milk protein that encourages exercise
  • the hidden clock in a grain of sand
  • understanding what happened on Black Saturday

Among the other fifty stories you’ll meet the winners of this year’s Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science, learn about plans for a giant radio telescope and more.

This is our second collection of Australian science stories. The first was put together in 2007 when journalists met in Melbourne for the 5th World Conference of Science Journalists. In December 2009 Melbourne hosts the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers. We welcome you to Melbourne.

In my introduction I mentioned wine. We are keen to get your feedback on this publication. In return I have six bottles of fine Australian shiraz waiting. Each month, from December 2009 to May 2010, I’ll choose one person from the mailbox and send them a bottle. And you can read about the wines of the future on page 28.

Send me your comments at niall@scienceinpublic.com.au

We’ll also provide updates and links online here.

If you’d like to receive occasional bulletins about Australian science please also let me know at niall@scienceinpublic.com.au or sign up online.

I invite you to read these stories and to follow up with any organisation whose work captures your interest.

And look out for our next collection of stories—it will focus on Australian astronomy and will be published in May 2010. For more information about how you can be involved, click here.

Niall Byrne
December 2009