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.
Partnership to prepare for the next pandemic
25 July, 2013A $20 million research partnership between Australia, Singapore and the US aims to prepare the world for its next pandemic.
Biofuel production from Australian algae
25 July, 2013Native species of algae have been identified as potential candidates for the development of cheap, efficient and commercially viable alternative fuels.
New method for coating microscopic materials
19 July, 2013Researchers at the University of Melbourne have developed a one-step method for coating microscopic materials, such as bacterial cells, with thin films that assemble themselves.
Weeing in space
19 July, 2013When Alan Shepard, the first American to fly in space (5 May 1961) was forced to wee in his spacesuit, his urine short-circuited his electronic biosensors. Eight hours of launch delays had not been factored into his 15-minute spaceflight and there was no provision for him to urinate once kitted out in his spacesuit.
Sperm pass down Dad’s obesity
18 July, 2013University of Adelaide research, published in The FASEB Journal, has shown that the sperm of obese fathers could increase the risk of both their children and their grandchildren inheriting obesity.
Both brains and genes linked to Alzheimer’s disease
15 July, 2013 by Lauren DavisAustralian research, presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference this week, has highlighted the links between a person’s brain chemistry, genes and their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
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.
Milestone achieved in bio-based acrylic acid process
12 July, 2013In August 2012, BASF, Cargill and Novozymes announced their joint agreement to develop a process for the conversion of renewable raw materials into a 100% bio-based acrylic acid. Yesterday, they reached an important milestone.
Eyes in their stars: starfish and eye evolution
09 July, 2013A study has shown for the first time that starfish use primitive eyes at the tip of their arms to visually navigate their environment.
Cheap antifreeze materials may lead to low-cost solar energy
05 July, 2013A process combining some comparatively cheap materials and the same antifreeze that keeps an automobile radiator from freezing in cold weather may be the key to making solar cells that cost less and avoid toxic compounds.
Urine test diagnoses kidney rejection before biopsies
05 July, 2013A study has found that the analysis of biomarkers in the urine samples of kidney transplant recipients can diagnose transplant rejection, even before it occurs.
Making hydrogenation greener
02 July, 2013Instead of relying on heavy metals as catalysts, researchers have discovered a way to use iron which will make the process of hydrogenation both more environmentally friendly and less expensive.
Taste genes linked to male fertility
02 July, 2013Taste and fertility may seem like two completely unrelated areas, but according to scientists at the Monell Chemical Senses Center, two proteins involved in oral taste detection also play an important role in sperm development.
Cane toad ingestion deadly for dwarf crocs
02 July, 2013 by Lauren DavisIt is well known that the toxins of the cane toad are often deadly when ingested by predators. Researchers from Charles Darwin University (CDU) have found that one such predator is the dwarf freshwater crocodile, whose population in northern Australia is diminishing as a result.
