ScienceAlert - Latest Features

New role for sharks - saving lives

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Scientists are pioneering the use of modified shark antibodies to fight disease.

Drugs in your drinking water?

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Consumers should not be drinking water from local wastewater treatment plants, according to Michael Angove.

The holy grail of traffic management

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:00:00 +0100

A La Trobe University graduate has invented a battery-powered device for detecting traffic gridlock.

Statistics: out with the 'p' and in with the 'T'

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Statisticians say that the 'p' value is often misunderstood. A new method tranforms a test statistic onto a calibration scale where it is called evidence T.

Reading between the lines

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Research has shown that children’s reading improves when teachers focus on when children are ready to learn rather than finding out what they cannot do, writes Genevieve Costigan.

Reporting on the GM Debate

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Ultimately, the most critical issue for sustainable farming is whether we can grow enough food to sustain the human population, writes Nerissa Hannink.

In the eye of the dragonfly

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:08:58 +0100

Australian researchers are studying the amazing dragonfly in order to provide new insights into visual control of flight.

Thoughts on a broader national sustainability agenda

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:00:00 +0100

With the dust settled on the national election, and more recently the 2020 summit, Ecos magazine asked five commentators for their top priorities in terms of a national sustainability agenda.

Budgets green side draws a mixed response

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:00:00 +0100

There have been mixed responses to the environmental decisions made in the Australian Government's 2008–09 Budget. Mary-Lou Considine explores both sides of the discussion.

Turning household wastes into energy

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Australian researchers are working hard to turn our biodegradable waste into energy, writes Carmelo Amalfi.

Green gold

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:06:58 +0100

Australian research is helping the gold mining industry in its search to replace cyanide with a safer alternative, reports Tony Malkovic.

Scientists in a bid to help cure affluenza

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Many Australians are spending beyond their means and burning up tonnes of fossil fuels just to impress people they don't like - and it could be a symptom of a bigger problem. Catherine Madden looks into this increasingly common syndrome dubbed affluenza .

Sweetness and light

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:46:13 +0100

Neuroscience is illuminating new ways of tackling the obesity epidemic.

Redefining our agricultural future

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:36:35 +0100

The latest international reports show that global agricultural practices must change if we are to reduce hunger, poverty and environmental degredation, writes Wendy Pyper.

When law meets science

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:00:00 +0100

What kind of science is being used by our political leaders and law makers when they assess things like environmental impact? How could the seemingly disparate worlds of science and the law be better integrated? Judith Jones, a senior lecturer in law from the ANU College of Law surveys the scene.

Service with a 'one-click' smile

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:00:00 +0100

The Internet is revolutionising the way that we shop, and programmers are working hard to make sure online customer service keeps up, reports David Adams.

Importance of ecosystem services for sustainable development

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Ecosystem services are the foundation of sustainable development; without them we’d have no food, shelter or wilderness ‘escapes’. As Drs Anna Straton and Leonie Pearson explain, we need to better understand them, and how they contribute to our well-being, in order to achieve more sustainable progress.

Black hole of climate change research leaves WA scientists in the dark

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:00:00 +0100

The total lack of research on the effects of global warming on Western Australia’s unique animals and plants has dismayed scientists, writes Catherine Madden.

The Second Life of science research

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:42:42 +0100

Australian researchers are using online community Second Life to create 3D worlds in which scientists can collaborate with colleagues and students, reports Tony Malkovic.

Whale of a time at Ningaloo

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:58:41 +0100

Marine biologist Rob McCauley believes the ocean’s largest creatures have much to tell us – but understanding their language is a whale-sized challenge.

Mending broken hearts naturally

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:01:42 +0100

Using a soluble synthetic scaffold, researchers are pioneering a way to build replacement body parts, reports Julian Cribb.

Australia missing out on drug R&D opportunities

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Australia could be missing out on developing life-saving drugs, because scientists are struggling to secure funding, reports Tony Malkovic.

A measure and planner for biodiversity in plantation forests

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Researchers have developed a system for quantifying the potential biodiversity benefits of tree plantations based upon intended management practices and geographic location of the plantation.

Disease arms-race looks to powerful new X-ray tools

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:56:03 +0100

A new X-ray tool could help biologists shed light on the body’s innermost workings, providing details that could have enormous value to chemists designing drugs, such as new antibiotics to defeat drug-resistant bacteria, reports Graeme O'Neill.

Forensic breakthrough could stop major art fraud

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Peter Terry examines the new forensic test that could give antique collectors piece of mind that they're buying the real thing.

Perth firm fuels bid for cleaner truck engines

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:00:00 +0100

A Perth-based R D company is developing a natural gas fuel system to help big trucks reduce emissions, reports Tony Malkovic.

Look into my eyes - is your computer making you nervous?

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 10:00:00 +0100

In the not so distant future, your computer could be able to determine your emotional state and use it to alter your online experience.

Blogging bliss in online oratory

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:00:00 +0100

A Masters project that found blogging to be quite therapeutic has triggered a global upwelling of feel-good feedback. Karin Derkley reports.

Understanding the killer within

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Despite being developed nations, Australia and UK have the highest rate of asbestos-related cancer deaths in the world.

Keeping one step ahead of bacteria

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:22:42 +0100

Researchers are trying to keep one step ahead of infections by developing new drugs for antibiotic resistant bacteria.