Archived News for Research Sector Professionals - October, 2012
The Federal Government has announced a $68.2 million funding injection for medical research into anxiety, easting disorders, depression and other mental health conditions.
Universities worried by research funding freeze
Australian universities are becoming increasingly concerned over the impacts of Federal Government’s freeze on its grant programs, with many institutions saying the freeze undermines their ability to plan and invest in critical research and teaching programs.
Childhood cancer survival rates hit all time high
Survival rates for Victorian children diagnosed with cancer have hit an all time high, according to new research released by Cancer Council Victoria.
CSG Scientific Committee to form
The Federal Government has passed legislation that will establish the Independent Expert Scientific Committee that will provide advice on coal seam gas and large coal mining to the Government.
Nation's top science students lauded
A student who’s novel approach to developing a vaccine that could render chlamydia a harmless bacteria is just one of the country’s recently named top science students at the 2012 AusBiotech/GSK Student Excellence Awards.
New beef research alliance for Queensland
The Queensland Government, University of Queensland the CSIRO have announced the launch of the new Northern Beef Research Alliance (NBRA).
World first MS trial to roll out
The Menzies Research Institute has announced the start of a world first clinical trial that will aim to find whether Vitamin D can prevent the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS). The research will be based in Tasmania, who’s population suffers the highest rate of MS in the country.
CSIRO cracks ball lightning mystery
Researchers from the CSIRO have published a new mathematical theory which seeks to explain how and why ball lightening occurs.
Quinn named top WA scientist
The Western Australian Government has named Professor Peter Quinn as the state’s scientist of the year for his groundbreaking work in radio astronomy research.
New grains research facility for WA
The Western Australian Government has officially opened the New Genes for New Environments grain research facility, which will complement an existing operation at Merredin.
Vaxxas wins research collaboration
Biotechnology start-up Vaxxas has signed a research collaboration with major US pharmaceutical company Merck to further develop its Nanopatch platform for a future vaccine candidate.
New Chief Scientist position for DEEWR
The Federal Government has announced that a new Chief Scientist position will be created within the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to increase the role of social science and evidence in future policy development.
Researchers find DNA's use by date
A team of researchers from Murdoch University have published a study which categorically proves that DNA could not survive any longer than 6.8 million years in an optimal environment.
Universities Australia welcomes Senate ruling on research
Universities Australia has expressed its ‘strong appreciation’ to the members of the Senate Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Legislation Committee for their efforts ensuring that Australian researchers will not face tougher obligations than their international counterparts as a result of proposed new legislation to control trade in defence technology and services.
Quantum researchers take out Nobel Prize
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences have announced Serge Haroche and David Wineland have received the Nobel Prize in Physics for their groundbreaking work in quantum physics.
Mathematics to help manage pandemics
In conjunction with collegues in the UK, a University of Adelaide mathematician has developed a model that will help public health authorities better manage future outbreaks of influenza and other new disease outbreaks.
Southern hemisphere drying up warns CSIRO
New research findings published by the CSIRO warns that serious declines in the April-May period will occur following the expansion of the subtropical dry-zone.
Stem cell research breakthrough earns Nobel Prize
This year’s Nobel Prize for Medicine has been jointly awarded to two scientists who discovered that mature, specialised cells can be reprogrammed to become immature stem cells, capable of developing into all tissues of the host body.
WA to test carbon farming to combat salinity
The Western Australian Government has announced salt-affected agricultural land will be the target of a new $330,000 pilot project to test carbon farming as a solution to salinity.
ASKAP begins work
The Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), the world’s fastest radio telescope and one the most powerful radio-astronomy instruments on the planet, has been officially opened in Western Australia’s remote Murchinson area.
Research breakthrough on causes of male infertility
A team of researchers have discovered a how a specific protein that determines the length of a sperm’s tail significantly effects male fertility.