The science behind infrastructure decisions
13 August, 2013Infrastructure is critical to Australia’s growing cities and our way of life - what role do scientists play in making sure we get our infrastructure priorities right? This article is a Q&A with one of Parsons Brinckerhoff’s scientists, Barbara Pedersen, as a contribution to National Science Week.
Environmental risk - a banking industry perspective
04 August, 2013 by Grant Scott*The Environmental Bankers Association of Australia (EBAA) provides information on risk management, sustainable product finance, community responsibility and due diligence to its members. CEO of EBAA Grant Scott provides us with an insight into managing environmental risk from a banking perspective.
New South Wales CSG report welcomed by scientists, resources minister
02 August, 2013The initial report on coal seam gas (CSG) activities across NSW, by the state’s Chief Scientist and Engineer, Professor Mary O’Kane, has been welcomed by federal Resources Minister Gary Gray as well as biogeochemistry researchers at Southern Cross University (SCU).
Food additive for sustainably farmed prawns
31 July, 2013Following 10 years of research and development, CSIRO scientists have perfected the prawn feed additive Novacq, giving prawn lovers access to more sustainably farmed prawns that still taste great.
Sustainable chemical manufacturing centre launched
31 July, 2013The $24.9 million Victorian Centre for Sustainable Chemical Manufacturing (VCSCM) was launched last week by the Victorian Minister for Manufacturing, David Hodgett.
Study reveals the seasonal influence of aerosols on Australia’s tropical climate
29 July, 2013The first long-term study of fine smoke particles generated by burning of the savannah - open woodland and grassland - has been completed. This means the seasonal influence of aerosols on Australia’s tropical climate can now be included in climate models.
Milestone achieved in bio-based acrylic acid process
12 July, 2013In August 2012, BASF, Cargill and Novozymes announced their joint agreement to develop a process for the conversion of renewable raw materials into a 100% bio-based acrylic acid. Yesterday, they reached an important milestone.
If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the city
09 July, 2013Research conducted by the University of NSW and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science has found that an expansion of concrete and asphalt on the fringes of our cities could see urban temperatures rise by as much as 3.7°C by the year 2050.
Rising CO2 levels are making deserts greener
03 July, 2013 by Lauren DavisSatellite observations from the past three decades have revealed that Earth’s deserts are getting greener. A collaboration between CSIRO and the Australian National University (ANU) has found that this increase in desert foliage is linked to an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) through a process called CO2 fertilisation.
Seabed survey marks next step in wave-energy project
25 June, 2013Wave-energy technology company Ocean Power Technologies Australasia (OPTA) and its subsidiary, Victorian Wave Partners (VWP), have engaged Victorian company Professional Diving Services (PDS) to conduct a detailed seabed survey for the location of VWP’s proposed wave power station off the coast of Portland, Victoria.
Koala knows best when it comes to landscape restoration
24 June, 2013 by Lauren DavisNew research suggests that in some parts of Australia, koalas and other native animals may be best placed to adjudicate whether or not rehabilitation has been successful.
How can broadband help farmers?
24 June, 2013Farming and the digital world may seem like strange bedfellows, but a new CSIRO report has shown that Australian farmers can increase their productivity by taking advantage of smart farming technologies enabled by next-generation broadband networks.
Europe’s environment now healthier - but new risks emerging
12 June, 2013Europeans live longer and healthier lives than in the past, partly due to successful environmental policies that have reduced the exposure to harmful environmental contaminants in air, water and food, according to a new report. However, these contaminants are still a problem, and several new health risks are emerging, for example, from new chemicals, new products and changing lifestyle patterns.
New technique to measure carbon in soil
12 June, 2013Researchers at the University of Sydney’s Soil Security Laboratory have developed the soil carbon bench (SCB) - an instrument which is claimed to determine carbon levels from much larger samples, with greater accuracy and lower cost, than any existing technology.
CSIRO CEO extends her term
03 June, 2013CSIRO Chairman Simon McKeon has announced (2 June) that Chief Executive Dr Megan Clark has agreed to extend her term with CSIRO to the end of 2014.
