Archived News for Research Sector Professionals

Research into how variations in atmospheric and ocean variations contribute significantly to droughts and floods such as those recently experienced across south-east Australia and Queensland has been presented at a workshop hosted by the South Eastern Australian Climate Initiative (SEACI), a three-year, $9 million research program investigating the causes and impacts of climate variability and change throughout south-eastern Australia.

SEACI Program Director Dr David Post said there is growing evidence from SEACI research that a long-term trend towards a drier climate is taking place.

"“We now also have a better understanding of the drivers behind these variations in rainfall, as measured by things such as: the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), the Southern Annual Mode (SAM) and the sub-tropical ridge (STR). We also have some understanding of how the drivers of rainfall interact to produce extreme climatic events such as the Millennium Drought and 2010/11 floods. The next step is to determine to what extent some of the changes are linked to global warming, and to figure out how these conditions may change into the future in a warmer world."

CSIRO to research climate influences

CSIRO has awarded a five-year research fellowship to Dr Wenju Cai to head up a new research team to conduct work into better understanding the impact of climate change on Australia, with particular focus on the extremes of flooding and droughts around the country.

NSW invests $30 million in cancer research

The New South Wales Minister for Health and Minister for Medical Research, Jillian Skinner, has announced an investment of more than $30 million in cancer research projects across seven major NSW research centres.

Research alliance to support LNG industry

A new research alliance has been formed to support the sustainable development of the coal seam gas (CSG) industry in Queensland.

Tropical research centre opens

James Cook University has opened its Australian Tropic Sciences and Innovation Precinct in Townsville, which will conduct research into sustainable natural resource use in Australia’s tropics.

SKA potential revealed

The CSIRO, in conjunction with the Auckland University of Technology and the University of Tasmania, have commissioned a working optical fibre link between their separate radio telescopes, emulating the discovery potential of the planned Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

CSIRO releases climate change scenarios

The CSIRO have published a joint research paper showing the results of research conducted into the effects of a +4ºC rise in global temperatures, finding that such an increase would lead to major reductions in annual rainfall in southern Australia, significant increases in evaporation across the country and reduced snow cover in alpine regions.

CSIRO urges research into future of fires

The CSIRO has urged closer scientific studies into how the frequency and intensity of wildfires in the face of climate.

ANU and Ernst & Young to collaborate on consultancies

The Australian National University and Ernst & Young Canberra have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly contribute to advisory services in response to consulting requests.

Call for comment on R&D Tax Credit

The Federal Government has called for comment on the administration of the new R&D Tax Credit.

Energy innovation initiatives announced in carbon price policy

Three major energy innovation initiatives have been announced as part of the Federal Government’s carbon price package.

Review of human cloning and embryo research legislation released

The Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler has released the Report of the Independent Review of the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002 and the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002.

Mr Butler said the independent Review Committee, chaired by the Hon Peter Heerey QC, had indicated its view that the basic structure of the legislation should remain, while making recommendations about the framework for human embryo research.

“The 33 recommendations that were produced relate largely to updating and clarifying the legislation, or keeping existing requirements. The recommendations reflect the Committee’s careful consideration of more than 260 submissions, as well as information provided in appearances before the Committee," Mr Butler said.

“The legislative framework will need to continue to balance the needs of health and medical researchers, who aim to improve human health, with the social and ethical challenges in human embryo research."

The Report of the Independent Review of the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002 and the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 can be found at www.legislationreview.nhmrc.gov.au.

Australia and New Zealand to implement single patent application process

Inventors in Australia and New Zealand can look forward to a faster, cheaper and more streamlined trans-Tasman patent process, following an agreement between the two countries to an implementation plan that will deliver a single application process for both countries by early 2013, and a single patent examination by June 2014.