Archived News for Research Sector Professionals

CSIRO’s Dr Neal Wai Poi will lead the development of a major new international mining and mineral processing research centre based in Santiago, Chile.

Developed by CSIRO in collaboration with the University of Chile and leading industry and research partners, the Chile International Centre of Excellence in Mining and Mineral Processing will tackle key challenges that both the Australian and Chilean mining industries face.

"Australia and Chile have many common current and future challenges that their mining industries need to address. These include processing lower-grade ores, improving water and energy efficiency in remote operations, and deeper open-cut and underground operations," Dr Wai Poi said.

CSIRO deploys deep-ocean sentinels

The CSIRO have deployed three deep-ocean moorings that will be used to observe and measure change in currents linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans through the Indonesia Archipelago, which is considered a key factor in influencing Australia’s climate.

Australia-China research relations strengthened

Federal Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr and China’s Minister of Science and Technology Dr Wan Gang have formalised a new Australia-China Science and Research Fund in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Shanghai.

Funding for Hendra virus research boosted

New funding for plastic solar cells

The Australian Federal and Victorian State Governments are jointly providing funding of $3.5 million to further develop plastic solar cells currently being produced in Victoria.

NSW Committee appointed to develop Health and Medical Research Strategy

The NSW Government has appointed a Health and Medical Research Strategic Review Committee to develop a 10-year plan for medical research in the state.

Report examines innovation strengths and weaknesses

The second annual report on innovation in Australia has shown that our performance in the area of research and skills has been above OECD average and our performance in entrepreneurship is one of the best in the world.

Chief Defence Scientist to quit position

The Chief Defence Scientist of the Department of Defence, and the head of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), Professor Robert Clark, will be leaving the position in October at the completion of his three-year tenure.

Tequila plant to help reduce emissions

Large scale farms of the agave plant used to make the drink tequila could be established in Australia's arid inland as a solution to transport fuel problems, a University of Sydney academic has found.

R&D Tax Credit to help small to medium firms

An independent economic analysis of the Federal Government’s Research and Development Tax Credit has verified that the scheme is set to assist small and medium sized firms grow their businesses.

Opinion: Our future in space

By Dr Steven Tsitas and Professor Andrew Dempster of the Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research at UNSW.

$66.5 million for solar research

The Federal Government has announced a $66.5 million grant under the Education Investment Fund (EIF) to fund ‘world-leading’ research that will assist in the construction of one of the largest solar power plants in the world.

Researcher receives leading NSW cancer research award

Achieving significant advances in the study of cancer cells and their ability to reproduce has seen University of Sydney researcher, Professor Roger Reddel awarded the Outstanding Cancer Researcher of the Year at the Cancer Institute NSW Premier's Awards for Outstanding Cancer Research.

New Centre for Nanomedicine launched

A new nanomedicine centre at the University of New South Wales, the first of its kind in Australia, will research new treatments for difficult-to-treat diseases including aggressive childhood cancer and lung cancer.

The Australian Centre for Nanomedicine (ACN), was launched by Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb. The centre brings together medical and clinical researchers with specialists in nanotechnology, engineering and chemistry to create new treatments for disease.

Professor Chubb said work like the ACN's was central to the purpose of Australia's universities.

"The purpose of universities is to use our talents to make the world a better place," Professor Chubb said.

"Nanomedicine will enable better delivery of drugs and vital therapies to individuals who would not prosper without that treatment."

The ACN, in partnership with the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia (CCIA) and UNSW’s Lowy Cancer Research Centre, is targeting neuroblastoma among its initial projects. Neuroblastoma is a difficult-to-treat cancer – the most common tumour in children under five years of age and one which has one of the lowest survival rates – 40 to 50 per cent.

University of Queensland to install Australia's most powerful MRI

The University of Queensland (UQ) has entered into a landmark agreement with technology specialist Siemens, to install a powerful MRI system that is more than twice as strong as any other MRI system currently available in the Southern Hemisphere.

Victoria boosts funding for Medical Research Commercialisation Fund

The Victorian Government is providing funding of $1.6 million to support the operation of the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund over the next four years.

New BOM wind profiler opens

A vertical wind profiler, which replaces upper air wind observations using weather balloons, has been installed as part of a new, purpose-built meteorological office at Ceduna on South Australia’s west coast.

$6.2 million for greener, lighter cars

The Federal Government has announced $6.2 million in grants through the Green Car Innovation Fund for the production of lighter cars that will reduce carbon emissions. The grants have been awarded to component manufacturers CFusion, Toyoda Gosei Australia, Composite Materials Engineering and Hirotec.