ScienceAlert - Science Policy

Feature: 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.

Feature: 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.

Opinion: An initial reaction to Garnaut

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

There’s nothing new in Garnaut's draft report that would cause those who take an interest in the debate to sit up and take notice, writes Don Aitkin.

Opinion: Electric cars ARE the future

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:12:07 +0100

The search for alternative ways to fuel vehicles is in full swing now but it appears Australia is slow to get in on the act, writes Klaas Woldring.

Naturopaths want industry regulation

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:08:07 +0100

Research has found that naturopaths are strongly in favour of regulating their industry, as it would improve practitioner quality and patient safety.

Opinion: Who owns your sewage?

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

It is time to rethink how we dispose of our sewage and if it can be put to a profitable use, believes Valerie Yule.

Opinion: Is climate 'the' issue, or is it just one of many?

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:00:00 +0100

A recent debate asked if 'climate change is the only issue'. But is there really a need to determine a winner in a photo-finish, asks Darren Lewin-Hill?

Australians wary of mining sea bed

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:19:40 +0100

Many Australians are uncomfortable with the idea of our ocean floor being mined, despite the fact that our onshore resources may soon run out, a report has found.

Opinion: Experts comment on greenhouse findings

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

The Garnaut Climate Change Review draft may be a work in progress but many believe it is a step towards addressing the reality of global warming and the effect it will have on Australia's economy. This is a collection of Australian experts' opinions on the report.

Opinion: Innovation post budget - a script unchanged

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:38:31 +0100

The Rudd Government's first budget should have set Australia up to meet future challenges with innovative solutions. Instead it sent out a confused message, believes Democrat Senator Natasha Stott Despoja.

Opinion: Nurses willing and able

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:23:59 +0100

The Government should recognise primary healthcare extends beyond the services of a general practitioner, believes Ged Kearney.

Greater emission cuts needed

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:00:00 +0100

Greater emission cuts than previously thought are required to prevent dangerous climate change, according to a new study that suggests a climate policy rethink.

Opinion: A whole new level of crazy

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

Developers and officials in China and India are unlikely to bother themselves too much about the Western obsession with carbon, argues Mark Lawson.

Feature: 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.

Opinion: Close examination of the Health Budget

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

It is disappointing to see lost opportunities in the budget to progress the agenda on prevention and primary healthcare reform, believes Lesley Russell.

Technology ability important for kids

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

A study has found that the ability to use technology and innovate is vital for younger Australians, though it is not a large part of the Australian cirriculum.

Opinion: Dont feed the 'patent trolls'

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:26:38 +0100

Despite its encouragement for long-term policy thinking in the recent 2020 Summit, the new Labor Government has not revealed its law reform priorities regarding intellectual property, writes Matthew Rimmer.

Feature: 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.

Opinion: Collaborations can excel without a centre

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

Collaborative research ventures don’t always need a centre to be excellent, according to Jeff Major.

Opinion: Ignoring the food crisis

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

During the worst international food crisis in half a century, Australia's national science agency, the CSIRO, has decided to cut agricultural research, writes Julian Cribb.

Opinion: Why listen to scientists?

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:26:55 +0100

Observations show disturbing signs that the Earth’s response to our activities is happening faster than expected, writes Geoff Davies.

Opinion: Food summit - some progress but more needs to be done

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:00:00 +0100

The UN food summit closed with a strong statement on agriculture, but failed to adequately address several other key areas, such as implementation of the ideas, argues Joachim von Braun.

Opinion: Is CSIRO pulling the plug on horticulture?

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 12:57:41 +0100

In response to Kevin Rudd's vision of sustainable production, the CSIRO is closing laboratories that could be vital to the future of Australian agriculture, writes Jac Considine.

Cycling saves health costs

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:17:06 +0100

According to a recent report, Australian cyclists help the government save $227 million each year, by avoiding the health costs of not getting enough exercise.

Opinion: Inspired learning

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:00:20 +0100

Many scientists have a similar story about what inspired them to devote their lives to science - a great teacher or a fascinating school experience. But are children today receiving the same opportunities, or will they never know what they're missing out on, questions Lyn Beazley?

Opinion: All in a good cause

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:00:00 +0100

The good cause - one that most of us support - can all too readily corrupt the conduct of science, argues Aynsley Kellow.

Opinion: Transforming our farming systems from the bottom-up

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:13:37 +0100

The International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge has pointed us in the right direction to radically change the way we grow food to better serve the poor and hungry, now we must to take action to carry out its initiatives, writes Professor Stuart Hill.

Opinion: Australia plays the biotechnology cowboy

Thu, 29 May 2008 13:18:11 +0100

If genetically modified crops escape or behave in an unexpected way, they can cause damage to plants and biodiversity, writes Duncan Currie.

Recycled water gains acceptance

Thu, 29 May 2008 08:21:24 +0100

Despite initial concerns, a community using recycled water in South Australia has become happy with the situation, according to a recent survey.

Opinion: Hurdles for free debate charter

Wed, 28 May 2008 18:11:11 +0100

Science Minister Kim Carr wants “charters” that oblige scientists to engage openly in debates on science-based issues, but implementing this worthy aim is not straightforward and protecting it requires funding and formal provisions, writes Dr Joan Leach.