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A splash, first light for a cicada, a neural dawn

Australian Museum New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science Photography highly commended and finalists announced

Ten stunning images have been selected as highly commended (including three finalists) for the New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science Photography.

The images showcase everything from cicadas to fluid mechanics. They will be published today on the Australian Museum and New Scientist websites, and are also available for publication.

[Read more…] about A splash, first light for a cicada, a neural dawn

Using genes to counter rust

Safeguarding an important food crop—and the world’s beer supply

  • On-site – farmers’ crop of barley infected with leaf rust
  • Lee Hickey, University of Queensland geneticist and John Agnew, Chair of the Northern Region Barley Advisory Committee will be available for comment.

lee-hickey-rust

An international study led by a Queensland scientist has found a way to better safeguard an important food crop—and the world’s beer supply.

The study, led by University of Queensland geneticist Dr Lee Hickey, successfully identified a gene that protects barley against leaf rust – a disease that hit Queensland farmers in 2010 and could destroy almost a third of the national crop.

[Read more…] about Using genes to counter rust

How ‘junk DNA’ can control cell development

Researchers from the Gene and Stem Cell Therapy Program at Sydney’s Centenary Institute have confirmed that, far from being “junk”, the 97 per cent of human DNA that does not encode instructions for making proteins can play a significant role in controlling cell development.

And in doing so, the researchers have unravelled a previously unknown mechanism for regulating the activity of genes, increasing our understanding of the way cells develop and opening the way to new possibilities for therapy.

[Read more…] about How ‘junk DNA’ can control cell development

$37 million Sea Simulator opens in Townsville

Media release from Senator the Hon Kim Carr and Senator the Hon Jan McLucas.

A new, $37 million experimental sea simulator will enable Australian scientists to recreate ocean conditions and study how both human activities and natural events will affect our marine environment in the future.

Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Senator Kim Carr and Senator for Queensland Jan McLucas opened the National Sea Simulator (SeaSim), at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in Townsville today.

[Read more…] about $37 million Sea Simulator opens in Townsville

About SeaSim, the National Sea Simulator

Media background information, 1 August 2013

What is SeaSim?

SeaSim is a research aquarium. It comprises a seawater processing plant, several controlled environment rooms, and open plan spaces for large tanks and long-term experiments.

In short, it brings together a reliable, consistent supply of high quality seawater with the technology to enable precise control over environmental factors, such as temperature, light, acidity, salinity, sedimentation and contaminants. [Read more…] about About SeaSim, the National Sea Simulator