Not proof of life on Mars or even Elvis sending messages via doughnuts
17 February, 2014The source of the magically appearing rock on Mars has been revealed.
Old trees continue to grow and store more carbon
22 January, 2014An international study has found that trees do not slow in their growth rate as they get older and larger. In some cases, large trees appear to be adding the carbon mass equivalent of an entire mid-sized tree each year and are thus better at absorbing carbon from the atmosphere than previously thought.
Why beer bubbles over or the physics of beer bottle foam-over
25 November, 2013Finally, some important physics - researchers have worked out why if you tap the bottom of a newly opened beer bottle it froths up and foams everywhere.
Golden gumleaves reveal hidden mineral deposits
25 October, 2013CSIRO scientists have discovered that eucalyptus trees in Western Australia's Kalgoorlie are drawing up gold particles from the earth via their root system and depositing it in their leaves and branches. Their findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications.
Climate scientists report strong evidence for human global warming
23 September, 2013International climate scientists, led by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in the United States, have reported strong evidence of the human influence on climate change.
Sea simulator to solve the ocean’s mysteries
02 August, 2013Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Senator Kim Carr and Senator for Queensland Jan McLucas yesterday opened the National Sea Simulator (SeaSim) at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in Townsville.
A new form of liquid - when water isn’t water
12 July, 2013It seems that water, when chilled to a very low temperature, transforms into a new form of liquid.
Microfluidic chip can help identify unwanted particles in water and food
24 June, 2013A new process for making a three-dimensional microstructure that can be used in the analysis of cells could prove useful in counterterrorism measures and in water and food safety concerns.
Why water quality tests don’t always accurately capture health risks
17 June, 2013A toxin dangerous to humans may help E. coli fend off aquatic predators, enabling strains of E. coli that produce the toxin to survive longer in lake water than benign counterparts, a new study has found.
DNA brings materials to life
14 June, 2013Scientists have discovered a technique to control and direct the self-assembly of two different colloids.
Old voyage provides new insight into global warming
27 May, 2013 by Lauren DavisOver a century ago, the HMS Challenger set out on the world’s first global scientific survey of life beneath the ocean surface. Now, researchers at the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) have used this data to attribute the ocean’s rising temperature to human-produced global warming.
Invisibility cloak for thermal flow
13 May, 2013Researchers have demonstrated that metamaterials can be used to specifically influence the propagation of heat.
Past 100 years reverses 1400 years of global cooling
26 April, 2013The first continental-scale reconstruction of temperatures over the past 2000 years by 78 scientists from 24 countries has highlighted the unusual nature of the 20th-century warming.
Plant scientist off to study US corn as Fulbright scholar
25 March, 2013A young plant biologist who developed a passion for the environment when he took up surfing in primary school has been awarded a 2013 Fulbright Western Australia Scholarship to undertake research in the US.
Under the CO2: sea urchin reproduction during ocean acidification
11 February, 2013 by Lauren DavisJust like with humans, there is variation among marine species at an individual level. And if there are individuals who cope with the effects of climate change better than others, they may hold the key to the survival of their species.