Archived Science media releases : Faculty of Science : The University of Melbourne

Archived Science media releases

Climate change impact underestimated : 31/03/2009
Scientists have severely underestimated the impact of climate change and politicians can no longer afford to delay action, University of Melbourne climate change expert Professor David Karoly has warned.
Study reveals plant gene responsible for production of beta glucan, a cereal carbohydrate with potential health benefits : 25/03/2009
Researchers have identified a gene from barley which is required for the production of the complex carbohydrate beta glucan.
Hot or not? New model allows predictions of the potential for animals to buffer climate change with behaviour : 18/02/2009
A new model has revealed that global warming will potentially overheat most 'cold-blooded' animals. Many will be able to respond by using behaviour to regulate their temperature, but only as long as their habitat allows it.
$100 million supercomputing program boosts Victorian medical research capacity : 18/06/2008
Under a new Victorian Life Sciences Computation Initiative, The University of Melbourne will host a $100 million supercomputing program and facility, with $50 million provided by the State Government, as announced by the Premier John Brumby at Bio2008 in San Diego overnight.
Are you a mouse or a Tasi Tiger? World first discovery - genes from extinct Tasmanian tiger work in a mouse : 20/05/2008
In a world first, researchers from the University of Melbourne, Australia, and the University of Texas, USA, have extracted genes from the extinct Tasmanian tiger (thylacine), inserted it into a mouse and observed a biological function.
$6m to fund unique Physical Biosciences program : 14/04/2008
A $6m cross-disciplinary program in the Physical Biosciences - unique to Australia - is being developed by the University of Melbourne.
Decoding malaria's 'post code' system provides a potential drug target : 18/03/2008
Research from the University of Melbourne has revealed the code used by the malaria parasite to move essential proteins around inside its structure.
"You Looking at Me?" Fighting Aussie yabbies don't forget a face : 28/02/2008
The fighting Australian yabby does not forget the face of its foes says new research from University of Melbourne zoologists.
Single particles of light - now for sale : 27/02/2008
The world's first commercial product delivering individual photons of light has been developed by researchers from Quantum Communication Victoria (QCV) within the School of Physics at the University of Melbourne.
Chameleons' remarkable ability to change colour reveals they are show-offs rather than shrinking violets : 07/02/2008
The image of the chameleon as a shy creature, using camouflage to conceal themselves has been challenged by new research showing that colour change evolved to attract the attention of other chameleons.
Insects show it is possible to adapt to climate change, but not if you're fussy : 03/12/2007
The extent to which species a can survive climate change may ultimately depend on their ability to evolve and cope with drier and hotter conditions.
The worm has turned - cutting the US$5 billion damage bill for an agricultural pest : 03/12/2007
With help from University of Melbourne scientists, research groups in India are starting to turn the tide in the war against the cotton bollworm - an agricultural pest that causes US$5 billion damage across the world each year. This moth is the world's number one agricultural pest, attacking over 100 different crop plants, including cotton.
DNA fingerprinting midges reveals environmental crimes : 03/12/2007
The urbanization of our environment can lead to detrimental changes such as contamination of our waterways by pollutants. Researchers at the University of Melbourne and Melbourne Water have found that certain species of midges - an insect common to wetlands- can be used to indicate whether contaminants are present, and what impact they are having on aquatic ecosystems.
More of the good drop - productivity in vineyards can be increased with the help of insects : 03/12/2007
Controlling pests is an essential part of food production, and can be done using chemicals and the natural enemies of pests - biological control. Researchers at the University of Melbourne have shown that by minimizing chemical use, populations of the pest's natural enemies can be maintained which increases biodiversity and vineyard productivity.
Resistance is futile - researchers develop 'smart' insecticides : 03/12/2007
Scientists at The University of Melbourne are making steps towards the development of "smart" insecticides - insecticides designed to minimise the potential for resistance and to be more environmentally friendly.
New Labs Study How Insects Adapt to Climate Change : 03/12/2007
Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings today opened cutting-edge laboratories for the Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research (CESAR) in Victoria.
Victorian Rhodes Scholar Announced : 01/11/2007
The University of Melbourne has again been well represented at the finals of the Victorian Rhodes Scholarship, with the winner of one of nine Australian Rhodes places at Oxford just announced.
New study finds endangered mountain pygmy possum threatened by ski resort development : 26/10/2007
The endangered mountain pygmy possum has been found to be threatened by ski resort development at Mt Buller and not necessarily bushfires or climate change as previously suggested.
Climate Change Expertise from University of Melbourne acknowledged in 2007 Nobel Peace Prize : 18/10/2007
The scientific contributions of Professor David Karoly, Federation Fellow in the School of Earth Sciences at the University of Melbourne, and colleagues around the world have been recognised in the awarding of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize jointly to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Al Gore, last week.
Australia's Future Science STARS visit the University of Melbourne : 06/07/2007
A new science outreach program, STARS (Students & Teachers Accessing Research Scientists) Science School.
Pay attention! University of Melbourne brain study puts attention in the spotlight : 15/06/2007
University of Melbourne researchers have shed new light on the activity in the brain which enables us to pay attention to some of the things we see, while barely noticing others.
Climate Change and Nuclear Power: Public Lecture with Dr Ziggy Switkowski : 08/06/2007
Dr Ziggy Switkowski, Chair of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, will discuss the issue of nuclear power as a viable option to combat climate change in Australia, at a public lecture, 6.30pm, Tuesday 12 June at the University of Melbourne.
Solid light discovery excites scientists : 02/05/2007
Researchers from the Universities of Melbourne and Cambridge have unveiled a new theory that shows light can behave like a solid.
Diamond technology, the internet's best kept secret : 19/03/2007
A new diamond device designed to protect against internet hacking developed by researchers at Quantum Communications Victoria (QCV), in the School of Physics at The University of Melbourne has won first prize in the security division of the 2007 Secrets of Australian ICT Competition, awarded by Senator the Hon Helen Coonan at The Arts Centre last week.
New $9.5 million Metabolomics Australia Research Centre to be based at the University of Melbourne : 28/02/2007
Metabolomics Australia is a new $9.5 million National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) Centre which will be headquartered at the University of Melbourne.
Women scientists produce higher quality work, but men produce more early in their careers, new study reveals : 09/01/2007
An international study led by the University of Melbourne reveals that, while female scientists produce better quality science, they are less productive early in their careers, and thus have to play catch-up to their male counterparts.

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