Listen to: Gold, Galahs and the Milky Way: unlocking the universe, on ABC Big Ideas

Additional menu

Science In Public

Science writers, communicators, media, training, and public relations

Operations

NSW: Science Week in NSW goes online

Media release from the office of the New South Wales Chief Scientist & Engineer and the NSW National Science Week coordinating committee

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, National Science Week takes an innovative twist this year, delivering a wide range of online events from 15-23 August 2020.

NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte said the state’s science community had risen to the challenges of lockdown: “Among hundreds of imaginative events and programs developed for the community to enjoy online are citizen science experiences, podcasts, innovation challenges, virtual tours, live-streamed panel discussions and science-themed, educational video games.”

“Scientists across NSW are taking the opportunity in Science Week to share their research, discuss why they became scientists and explain how their work helps to make our world a better place,” said Professor Durrant-Whyte.

[Read more…] about NSW: Science Week in NSW goes online

WA: How will you science in National Science Week 2020?

Media release for the Western Australian National Science Week coordinating committee

Drive a simulated remotely operated vehicle, go on a virtual Scouts camp, investigate how to bring animals back from extinction and explore the world beneath Earth’s blue surface without leaving your living room – it’s all part of National Science Week 2020.

Due to COVID-19, National Science Week 2020 has gone digital, exploring the inspiring world of science and technology from the Inspiring Australia WA website across the month of August. Some in-person events have been re-introduced due to COVID-19 restrictions lifting in Western Australia.

Watch WA’s Chief Scientist, Peter Klinken, introduce National Science Week 2020 here.

Dr Keal Byrne, Chair of the WA NSWk Coordinating Committee, said “Online and socially distanced, this year’s National Science Week is an amazing smorgasbord of innovative technologies and ideas that help make the world a better place.

“Anyone who is curious about the world around them should dive in to find out about environmental sustainability and entrepreneurship and the impact STEM has on our lives and our planet.”

[Read more…] about WA: How will you science in National Science Week 2020?

The lure of koalas, sea-dragons, cuttlefish and cute little critters

Great wildlife stories up for grabs now around Australia.

Are dropbears just koalas making mischief? Are there really dragons living near Adelaide? And just what curious creatures live in your garden?

These are just a few of the questions set to answered during this year’s National Science Week (August 15 to 23).

If you’re after more great ideas for highly visual stories, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at www.scienceinpublic.com.au/science-week, and on Twitter at @SciWKMedia.

Scientists, experts and event organisers are available for interview throughout National Science Week.

[Read more…] about The lure of koalas, sea-dragons, cuttlefish and cute little critters

Deep fake videos, imploding watermelons, and sautéed spiders: a taste of National Science Week

2020 program goes virtual, DIY and well-spaced, accessible across the country

15 to 23 August – start scheduling stories now!

Workshops on conserving endangered honeyeaters, lessons in making sourdough bread, insights into Indigenous astronomy – the range of events in this year’s National Science Week is vast.

And because most of them are online, anyone can take part, no matter where they live. Broome residents can see the sea-dragons of the Great Southern Reef, Territorian students can join the Sydney-based challenge to eradicate malaria, and science fans in Penrith can test their ability to spot deep fake videos with a neuropsychologist in Melbourne.

There are stories here not just for science rounds, but also health, environment, kids, sport, tourism and the arts.

[Read more…] about Deep fake videos, imploding watermelons, and sautéed spiders: a taste of National Science Week

VIC: Possible Impossibles

Media release from Victoria’s National Science Week coordinating committee

The boundary between the probable and improbable blurs when National Science Week Victoria 2020 unleashes Possible Impossibles from August 15-23 – an online series of events and activities exploring the frontiers of possibility, and asking ‘What’s next for the human species?’.

Humans are a species of creative thinkers, problem solvers and ambitious dreamers. Together we have achieved the seemingly impossible, from curing diseases, extending the average lifespan, inventing air flight, harnessing the power of the Earth’s resources to connect people all over the world, to sending people into space. What does the future hold? Will we resurrect extinct species, figure out the hard problem of consciousness, and thrive on lab grown meat? Are time travel, invisibility, telepathy and suspended animation ultimately possible? Will climate change, ageing, waste, and food insecurity be oh-so 21st century?

[Read more…] about VIC: Possible Impossibles

Can you see the stars?

Who has the darkest skies?

Tell us what you can see on the longest night, help us map Australia’s light pollution, and set a world record

Stunning video overlay and photos, spokespeople in all States and Territories

Stargazing at Siding Spring Observatory, near Coonabarabran, NSW.
Credit: Angel Lopez-Sanchez

Scientists are asking all Australians to step outside on the longest night of the year to help them measure light pollution around the country.

“We’re expecting thousands of people to join us on Australia’s longest night, Sunday 21 June, to help researchers create a map of Australia’s darkest skies, and learn about light pollution and its effect on people, animals, and astronomy,” says Marnie Ogg, CEO and founder of the Australasian Dark Sky Alliance.

[Read more…] about Can you see the stars?

Cyclones can damage even distant reefs

Research finds current models underestimate the impact of hurricanes and typhoons on coral reef communities

Full paper and images available. Details below.

The same area of Scott Reef photographed in 2010, and again in 2012 after Cyclone Lua. Credit: James Gilmour/AIMS

Big and strong cyclones can harm coral reefs as far as 1000 kilometres away from their paths, new research shows.

A study led by Dr Marji Puotinen from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) sounds a warning about the way strong cyclone winds build extreme seas that affect coral reefs in Australia and around the world.

Conventional modelling used to predict how a cyclone, hurricane or typhoon might impact corals assumes that wave damage occurs primarily within 100 kilometres of its track.

[Read more…] about Cyclones can damage even distant reefs

Astronomers see ‘cosmic ring of fire’, 11 billion years ago

Unusual galaxy set to prompt rethink on how structures in the Universe form

Full paper, Full video, and images available. Details below.

Astronomers have captured an image of a super-rare type of galaxy – described as a “cosmic ring of fire” – as it existed 11 billion years ago.

The galaxy, which has roughly the mass of the Milky Way, is circular with a hole in the middle, rather like a titanic doughnut. Its discovery, announced in the journal Nature Astronomy, is set to shake up theories about the earliest formation of galactic structures and how they evolve.

[Read more…] about Astronomers see ‘cosmic ring of fire’, 11 billion years ago

For knee injuries, surgery may not be the best option

Research finds rehab-only treatment yields better long-term results

Image credit: Jack Moreh / Stockvault.net

Knee reconstructions may lead to more problems later in life than non-surgical rehabilitation, researchers have found.

A team led by Dr Adam Culvenor from La Trobe University looked at health outcomes for athletes with damaged anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) – a devastating injury, particularly common among footballers.

ACL injuries require lengthy rehabilitation and up to 12 months on the sidelines. However, many athletes also opt for surgery to reconstruct the torn ligament in the hope that this will get them back to sport sooner and prevent the development of knee arthritis.

[Read more…] about For knee injuries, surgery may not be the best option

3D-printed system speeds up solar cell testing from hours to minutes

Australian scientists flag dramatic improvement to next-gen perovskite R&D

Full paper and images available. Details below.

A detail from the new 16-channel parallel characterisation system.
Credit: Adam Surmiak, Xiongfeng Lin

Tests on new designs for next-gen solar cells can now be done in hours instead of days thanks to a new system built by scientists at Australia’s Monash University, incorporating 3D-printed key components.

The machine can analyse 16 sample perovskite-based solar cells simultaneously, in parallel, dramatically speeding up the process.

The invention means that the performance and commercial potential of new compounds can be very rapidly evaluated, significantly speeding up the development process.

[Read more…] about 3D-printed system speeds up solar cell testing from hours to minutes