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Science In Public

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

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Teaching stem cells to forget the past

Ryan Lister has discovered how adult stem cells retain a memory of what they once were.

He believes he can make them forget their past lives, as for example skin cells, so their history doesn’t limit their new potential to become brain, heart, liver, blood and other cells.

In recognition of his leadership in stem cell research, Professor Ryan Lister of the University of Western Australia has received one of two $50,000 Metcalf Prizes from the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia. [Read more…] about Teaching stem cells to forget the past

Stem cell encyclopedia leads to new stem cells

An online encyclopedia created by Christine Wells has led to the discovery of a new kind of stem cell. And that’s just the beginning. Christine’s small Brisbane team has created a resource that the global stem cell research community is using to rapidly share knowledge and fast track stem cell discoveries.

In recognition of her leadership in stem cell research, Associate Professor Christine Wells of the University of Queensland and the University of Glasgow has received one of two $50,000 Metcalf Prizes from the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia. [Read more…] about Stem cell encyclopedia leads to new stem cells

A $1.4 million state-wide initiative to inspire South Australians to enjoy, engage, do, and be inspired by SA science

Launch today, 11 am, 17 April 2015, South Australian Museum with State and Federal Ministers and children’s activities on the lawns.

  • From the ancient rocks of the Flinders Ranges to the mysteries of the Southern Ocean;
  • From the chemistry of wine to the engineers who keep our submarines hidden;
  • From life-creating research into fertility to life-saving stem cells;
  • From growing wheat with less water to farming tuna;

Science is central to South Australia’s cultural and economic future. South Australia needs a science-aware community ready to make informed decisions in a rapidly changing world, and ready to grab science-driven jobs.

The State Government, Federal government, all three SA Universities and the South Australian Museum have joined forces to create a statewide science-engagement program as part of the national Inspiring Australia program.

The three year initiative will:

  • Boost National Science Week activities in South Australia
  • Catalyse arts, civic, community and science groups to join together in holding regional and suburban science events – from putting telescopes on streets to citizen science projects tracking plants and animals as they adapt to a changing climate.
  • Build science event networks in regional and suburban centres
  • Support the creation of science clubs.

The program will build on the success of the first three years of Inspiring Australia which included:

  • See the Earth’s oldest animal fossils – training Flinders Ranges locals to be science communicators, working with them to develop the tourism potential of the region’s Ediacara fossils – national ‘Hidden Treasures’.
  • Putting a portable planetarium on the road in the Eyre Peninsula.
  • Creating 3D virtual tours of the 30,000 years old art and mining areas of Koonalda Cave on the Nullarbor.
  • Putting young researchers’ discoveries in the national media spotlight through Fresh Science.

Media contacts

Andrea Murphy, Manager Communications and Marketing, South Australian Museum, 08 8207 7385; +61 475 834 072, andrea.murphy@samuseum.sa.gov.au

Lydia Hales (Science in Public), 03 9398 1416, lydia@scienceinpublic.com.au    

From the bionic ear to the ‘audiologist in your pocket

The Aussie hearing system you can set up yourself or for your gran: online and on your phone

From the bionic ear to the ‘audiologist in your pocket’ – high performance, low cost hearing for the four million of us who don’t want to admit our hearing loss

Images and background information below.

An Australian company has completed a trifecta of tools to help Australians take care of their own hearing without the stress and expense of audiology visits. It’s the product of decades of government-backed research. [Read more…] about From the bionic ear to the ‘audiologist in your pocket

Twice the coral trout in Great Barrier Reef protected zones

Media resources:

Coral trout in protected ‘green zones’ are not only bigger and more abundant than those in fished ‘blue zones’ of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, but they are also better able to cope with cyclone damage, according to a long-term study published today in Current Biology.

Coral trout biomass has more than doubled since the 1980s in the green zones with most of the growth occurring since the 2004 rezoning. These and other changes identified by the study show that the green zones are contributing to the health of the Great Barrier Reef and that similar approaches may be beneficial for coral reefs around the world. [Read more…] about Twice the coral trout in Great Barrier Reef protected zones

The world’s first printed jet engine

Made in Melbourne and on display at the Avalon International Airshow

Opening new manufacturing opportunities for Australia in aerospace, medicine and light industry

Media call 11 am Thursday 26 February at the Victorian Government Stand, Hall 2, Avalon International Airshow. HD overlay of the printers at work also available.

Monash University researchers along with collaborators from CSIRO and Deakin University have printed a jet engine. In fact Monash and their spin-out company Amaero, have printed two engines. One is on display this week at the International Air Show in Avalon, while the second is displayed in Toulouse at the French aerospace company Microturbo (Safran).

[Read more…] about The world’s first printed jet engine

Video footage and photos of Monash 3D printing in metal

Videos


Photos

Click on images for hi-res versions.

The biggest powder bed 3D printed metal aerospace component is on display at the Melbourne International Airshow at Avalon (2017)

IMG_6726
Barrie Finnin, CEO of Amaero, with a hand on the 3D printed door hinge from a Chinese jet airliner. A 3D printed air intake component is in the foreground.
Barrie Finnin, CEO of Amaero, in front of the original 3D printed jet engine.
A cut away view of a new rocket motor design.
A cut away view of a new rocket motor design.
IMG_6728
The rear view of the 3D printed door hinge from a Chinese jet airliner.
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The new rocket motor design and Barrie Finnin, CEO of Amaero.

Monash 3D printed Jet Engine (2015)

 

Monash Jet Engine (click for hi-res)
Monash Jet Engine
Professor Xinhua Wu with the printed engine. Credit: Monash University
Professor Xinhua Wu. Credit: Monash University

 

Monash Jet Engine on display at the Avalon Airshow
Monash’s printed Jet Engine (low res)
The engine on display
Monash’s printed Jet Engine
SONY DSC
Monash Jet Engine on display at the Avalon Airshow. Credit: Science in Public
SONY DSC
Monash Jet Engine on display at the Avalon Airshow. Credit: Science in Public
SONY DSC
Monash Jet Engine on display at the Avalon Airshow (David Lyster, Manager of Research Partnership at Monash University in background). Credit: Science in Public

 

Printing in metal. One of the metal laser printers at the Monash Centre for Additive Manufacturing. (Credit: MCAM)
Printing in metal. One of the metal laser printers at the Monash Centre for Additive Manufacturing. (Credit: MCAM)
Printed jet engine. Credit: Science in Public
Printed jet engine. Credit: Science in Public
3D metal structures printed at MCAM. Credit: Science in Public
Demonstrating the intricacy possible with metallic 3D printing. Credit: Science in Public

The world’s first 3D printed jet engine – backgrounder 

Background information

This is a summary of resources supporting the ‘World’s first 3D printed jet engine’ and ‘Melbourne’s 3D jet engine technology flies into production in France’. Media releases, online copy and live links at www.scienceinpublic.com.au/monash-uni

HD footage of the printing machines and the engine

Monash University: Monash Centre for Additive Manufacturing

Shows: 3D printed metal parts, Professor Xinhua Wu with printed jet engine, Concept Laser X-Line 1000R machine (powder bed 3D printing machine – the largest selective laser melting (SLM) machine currently available), laser over base plate in blown powder machine, large shot of the blown powder printing machine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7NNCv3lX3U&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6at2zGE9m1Y&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u56-KrOCcAU&feature=youtu.be

For HD images visit: www.scienceinpublic.com.au/monash-uni/photos-jet-engine

Web links

Amaero: www.amaero.com.au

Monash Centre for Additive Manufacturing: https://platforms.monash.edu/mcam

Safran: www.safran-group.com

ARC Centre of Excellence for Design in Light Metals: www.arclightmetals.org.au/index.html

Additive manufacturing (3D printing)

3D printing has been used since the 1980s by the aerospace industry, usually to produce prototypes. With more complex, expensive printing machines being built in recent years (such as those with lasers to melt metal powders – used by MCAM), more opportunities for different materials and therefore different applications are opening up. Printing in metals has its challenges, including the high temperatures required and safety issues that accompany them.

[Read more…] about The world’s first 3D printed jet engine – backgrounder 

Carnivorous mushrooms reveal human immune trick

ImagingCoE logo

How we punch our way into cancer cells

Full media release, media contacts, photos, videos and background information below.  

Full paper here

The pore-forming pleurotolysin proteins
The pore-forming pleurotolysin proteins

Edible oyster mushrooms have an intriguing secret: they eat spiders and roundworms. And they do so using proteins which can punch their way into cells, leaving tidy but deadly holes. It’s a trick that our immune cells also use to protect us; destroying infected cells, cancerous cells, and bacteria.

Research published today in PLOS Biology by an international team, led by the ARC Imaging Centre at Monash University and Birkbeck College, in London, reveals the molecular process behind the punch. [Read more…] about Carnivorous mushrooms reveal human immune trick