LATEST ARTICLES

The war on rust, a cereal killer

The war on rust, a cereal killer

The rust lab at the University of Sydney saves Australian agriculturalists many millions of dollars every year. Led by Robert Park, director of the Australian Cereal Rust Research Control Program at the university, a team of scientists uses pathology, genetics and pre-breeding to develop breeds of wheat, oats and barley that are resistant to the …read more

Using spider venom to treat heart attack and stroke

Using spider venom to treat heart attack and stroke

A molecule discovered in funnel-web spider venom can prevent the cascading cell death that often follows a heart attack or stroke, according to research by Glenn King and a team of his colleagues at the University of Queensland. More than 55,000 Australians have a heart attack each year and 68,000 have a stroke – physical …read more

We found the ‘silver bullet’: Instant cancer detection on a glass slide

We found the ‘silver bullet': Instant cancer detection on a glass slide

A smart microscope slide developed by researchers at Melbourne’s La Trobe University could make early- stage cancer detection significantly quicker and easier, which could be key to increased rates of survival. The scientists harnessed nanotechnology to develop the NanoMslide, the world’s first smart microscope slide. La Trobe physicist and professor of optics Brian Abbey and …read more

‘Safe’ risks reward boys at the Hutchins School

'Safe' risks reward boys at the Hutchins School

When Hutchins School boys climb the steep face of a cliff or spend time entirely alone in a self-built wilderness shelter, or cook their own food over a campfire, they are building essential qualities of maturity: resilience, independence, self-reliance and flexibility. “The boys love anything outdoors and hands-on, and certainly having challenge-based activities, especially when we …read more

Hydro power brings reliability to renewables

Hydro power brings reliability to renewables

Massive problems have beset the Snowy 2.0 pumped storage hydro program, an ambitious renewable energy project intended to become a vast reservoir of stored energy. One of the 2000-tonne tunnel-boring machines, known as Florence or Flo, recently got stuck in very hard rock and high-pressure water jets were deployed to set the machine free. Last year, …read more

Biofuels offer hope for hard-to-decarbonise sectors

Biofuels offer hope for hard-to-decarbonise sectors

Australian biotechnology company Licella invented and developed the world’s leading hydrothermal liquefaction technology: using hot pressurised water to transform waste biomass into biocrude which can then be upgraded to sustainable aviation fuel and renewable biodiesel. “Our technology unlocks the vast potential of the resources we have in Australia,” says Andrea Polson, Licella general manager stakeholder …read more

Net zero unlocks the nation’s critical minerals potential

Net zero unlocks the nation’s critical minerals potential

With government support and an abundance of the mineral resources vital for many renewable energy technologies, Australia has the potential to become a critical minerals powerhouse as the world shifts to net zero. Yet experts warn there are headwinds that require careful navigation. Certain critical minerals are essential for aspects of renewable energy generation, storage …read more

Important lessons on game-changing chatbot

Important lessons on game-changing chatbot

When ChatGPT burst on to computer screens around the world in late November 2022, Michelle Dennis knew the artificial intelligence chatbot was a game-changer. “It very quickly became apparent it would have an impact on classes,” says Dennis, head of digital at Haileybury independent school. “We knew we needed to have a policy before school year started.”

Shared networks explore AI resources

Shared networks explore AI resources

Independent schools across Australia are collaborating and forming networks to share the ways generative AI can be used for teaching and learning, say leaders in the sector. Widely considered the most significant educational technology development since the launch of the internet, the 2022 introduction of OpenAI’s generative artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT sent shockwaves around the world …read more

Demand for ‘more enriched’ education puts pressure on state system

Demand for ‘more enriched’ education puts pressure on state system

Increasing numbers of Australian families are choosing to have their children educated in independent schools, potentially indicating a loss of confidence in the chronically under-resourced state school system. Demand for places at Reddam House independent school in Sydney is the highest since the school was established in 2001, says principal Dave Pitcairn. “We have never seen a …read more