Australian researchers have developed gene expression biomarkers that can accurately detect pre-cancerous and cancerous colorectal growths from non-cancerous controls. This breakthrough is a result of a collaborative study involving CSIRO, Flinders University, and Clinical Genomics Pty Ltd.
The new children's book, Polar Eyes, explores Antarctica's diverse science program through Tanya Patrick's journey. The book features hands-on activities, quizzes, and odd facts to engage young minds, including the penguins' dance destination.
A real-time risk management system will be available globally after a Queensland company was awarded a license to commercialise the CSIRO technology. Nexsys allows underground coal mines to interrogate vast amounts of digital information from various sensors and systems, providing real-time risk management and decision support.
A three-year research partnership aims to improve the characterization of Victoria's sedimentary basins, attracting investment and increasing resource estimates. The project will also enhance understanding of geological carbon dioxide storage and geothermal resources.
The collaboration aims to better understand the industry's needs and ensure expertise and capabilities are used effectively. BHP Billiton plans to relocate 15 researchers to the Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies from July 2009.
A network of 120 sensors is monitoring Lake Wivenhoe's environmental conditions in real-time, enabling early detection of contaminants and high rainfall events. The system uses CSIRO's FLECK smart wireless sensor technology to collect detailed data on water quality, event flows, and weather patterns.
Patients with cardiac health problems are trialing a new, home-based rehabilitation system that uses mobile phone and web technology to promote healthy lifestyles. The program aims to improve access and completion rates for cardiac rehabilitation, with personalized goals and support via text messages and video conferencing.
Scientists have discovered that the bovine genome contains over 2,800 billion DNA building blocks and around 22,000 genes. The study found that cows share about 80% of their genes with humans, providing valuable insights into human biology.
New research reveals that methane clathrate stores beneath the ocean and in permafrost are more stable than previously thought, reducing concerns over climate change. A 10% release of methane would have an equivalent impact on global warming as a ten-fold increase in carbon dioxide concentration.
The Compact Array Broadband Backend (CABB) project has upgraded CSIRO's radio telescope near Narrabri in NSW, increasing its bandwidth from 128 MHz to 2 GHz. This upgrade enables astronomers to capture more data from the sky faster and detect cosmic objects more quickly.
The Australian ocean glider, launched in February, successfully completed a two-month, 1,500 kilometre voyage to measure changes in the East Australian and Leeuwin Currents. The glider's sensors measured temperature, salinity, oxygen, and turbidity, providing valuable insights into Australia's $94 million marine observing network.
A groundbreaking CSIRO study has defined the period when horses are most likely to shed Hendra virus, enabling early diagnosis and prevention of transmission. This breakthrough aims to reduce the risk of spread to both humans and susceptible horses.
Two new greenhouse gases, nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) and sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2), are accumulating in the atmosphere at a rapid rate. These potent gases have significant global-warming potential and are used in industrial processes as alternatives to other harmful gases.
Scientists warn that natural carbon sinks like forests and oceans are struggling to keep pace with increasing greenhouse gas emissions. This shift could lead to drastic consequences for climate change predictions.
The Australia-China Research Centre aims to reduce the number of base stations required in wireless networks, thereby lowering their environmental impact. The centre will focus on advanced antenna technologies and signal processing algorithms for next-generation broadband wireless communications networks.
The production of algae-based biodiesel has been shown to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding the use of fossil resources. Additionally, establishing an algal biodiesel plant could create up to 45 jobs in rural areas and provide opportunities for diversifying agricultural sectors.
Researchers at CSIRO Australia have discovered a key to overcoming three major cereal diseases, providing long-lasting protection against multiple pathogens. The Lr34 gene sequence offers broad-spectrum control of leaf rust, stripe rust, and powdery mildew, with tests showing constant protection for over 80 years.
The three-year project aims to develop cost-effective, reel-to-reel printable plastic solar cells that can be printed like money. The technology has enormous potential for the solar industry in Australia and could lead to a world-leading Australian industry in printable electronics.
Researchers identify aerosols as a crucial factor in shaping Australian rainfall patterns, with potential impacts on future climate change. Aerosol pollution from Asia may be responsible for changes in rainfall patterns in northern Australia.
A new enzyme developed by CSIRO Australia successfully removes over 90% of atrazine from contaminated water in a trial, providing a promising solution to reduce off-farm water contamination. The enzyme works against various triazine herbicides and is expected to benefit farmers worldwide.
CSIRO's DAC microscopy method measures proteins in solution, allowing accurate dimensions of membrane receptors to be taken. This will help drug companies design more effective pharmaceuticals by understanding the complex structures of these molecules.
CSIRO's Snorocket software enhances electronic health record accuracy, enabling faster data processing and improved collaboration among healthcare professionals worldwide. The innovation is part of the IHTSDO Workbench, a platform for standardizing clinical terminology and promoting global health data consistency.
A four-week expedition to explore the deep ocean south-west of Tasmania has revealed new species of animals, including a bizarre carnivorous sea squirt and giant sponges. The survey also found vast fields of fossil corals dated to over 10,000 years old, providing ancient climate data for models of regional and global climate change.
Researchers at CSIRO Australia have developed smart fridges that can negotiate the most energy-efficient way to keep food cold, reducing electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The fridges work as a network, sharing energy provided by renewable sources like solar panels or wind turbines.
New study reveals that despite increased wind speeds, Southern Ocean currents and upwelling patterns remain unchanged, contradicting previous concerns about the ocean's capacity to combat climate change. The research suggests that small-scale ocean eddies balance stronger winds, preventing a significant impact on carbon dioxide storage.
A team of CSIRO scientists has developed a rapid screening system to identify inhibitors of toxic multimers formed during Alzheimer's disease progression. Folate is shown to be beneficial in the screening system, and could lead to the discovery of new agents that may prevent or delay the onset of the disease.
Despite pollinator decline, global crop yields have consistently grown at 1.5% per year since 1961 due to agricultural improvements. However, research detected warning signs of growing demand for pollinators and declining yield growth in highly dependent crops.
CSIRO's Biotech Imaging team has created software to objectively test hair removal products' effectiveness. The technology uses images captured by a small scanner and algorithms to detect hair length and number, providing insights into growth and removal.
After eight years of near-zero growth, global methane concentrations have resumed their increase, potentially offsetting the slowing growth rate of carbon dioxide. Methane is a key greenhouse gas, accounting for nearly 20% of global warming since the industrial revolution.
The Australian Imaging, Biomarker and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing (AIBL) has secured a three-year collaboration with Pfizer Australia, valued at over $1.1 million. The partnership aims to identify blood-based biomarkers for early diagnosis and test new disease-modifying therapies.
CSIRO research scientist Dr John Bunton is to receive a NASA Space Act Board Award for his work on a novel 'beamformer' capable of providing a live video link from Mars. His design involves dividing video signal data into narrow channels and summing the data from all 400 antennas to reconstruct a broadband signal.
A four-fold increase in global carbon dioxide emissions has been reported since 2000, with growth rates outpacing natural carbon sinks. Australian fossil-fuel emissions have grown by two per cent per year, making the country's reduction target increasingly challenging.
The CSIRO-invented UltraBattery combines an enhanced-power negative electrode and a lead acid battery, with applications for low emissions transport and renewable energy storage. The technology has been licensed to East Penn and Furukawa Battery Company for global distribution.
CSIRO scientists have developed two new Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies to improve navigation in remote areas. The systems will support personnel safety, traffic management, collision avoidance, and haul truck operation efficiency.
Scientists have developed a novel method to study the Southern Ocean using elephant seals equipped with oceanographic sensors, providing a 30-fold increase in data recorded under sea ice. This technology complements traditional sampling methods, allowing for better understanding of climate change and its effects on global oceans.
Researchers at CSIRO and the University of Sydney are working to develop new wheat varieties resistant to Ug99, a highly destructive fungus threatening global food security. By identifying multiple resistance gene combinations, they aim to protect wheat from this bio-security threat and ensure food availability for the future.
Researchers are using biofumigation with mustard and other Brassica species to manage soil-borne pests and weeds. This technique can provide economic and social benefits by reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides and promoting environmental health.
The CSIRO report 'Fuel for thought' explores the challenges and opportunities in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector. It suggests that Australia's fuel mix will include expanded use of diesel, gaseous fuels and hybrid electric vehicles to address economic risks associated with rising oil prices and climate change.
The CSIRO report highlights the importance of building adaptive capacity among farm managers and agri-businesses. It suggests that incremental changes may be sufficient for some regions, while others will need more transformative adaptations.
Researchers have identified natural gold nanoparticles in Western Australia's groundwater, providing new insights into geological processes and potential gold deposits. The discovery could aid explorers in finding new gold deposits due to the unique properties of these nanoparticles.
New Australian research found ocean warming rates are 50% faster than previously reported, providing greater credibility to climate models. The study also improves estimates of sea-level rise and its contributions from glaciers, ice caps, and thermal expansion in the deep ocean.
A new theory on nitrogen fixation in ecosystems may help scientists better predict the effects of climate change. The researchers found that temperature constraints and phosphorus acquisition abilities play a crucial role in shaping the distribution of nitrogen-fixing plants across global ecosystems.
Marine ecosystems face significant threats from climate change, including warming temperatures, nutrient supply disruptions, and ocean acidification. The paper calls for increased research funding to better assess these impacts and develop adaptation options.
Researchers at CSIRO have identified a new class of alpha-hydroxy polyacetylenic fatty acids with self-assembling and anti-microbial properties. These discoveries could lead to innovative applications in industries such as agriculture, chemistry, and biotechnology.
Australian researchers have achieved a major advance by accumulating 30% of an unusual fatty acid (UFA) in the model plant Arabidopsis. This breakthrough could lead to the production of biofactories capable of producing oils for replacing petrochemicals used in plastics, paints, and cosmetics.
The CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility will use a high-speed link to collaborate with international researchers on e-VLBI experiments. The technique enables telescopes hundreds of kilometers apart to observe the same region of sky simultaneously, generating high-resolution images of cosmic objects.
Scientists from CSIRO tracked and mapped the habitats of 50 gulper sharks, swellsharks, and green eye dogfish near Port Lincoln, South Australia. The research aimed to evaluate the conservation value of closed areas designed to protect vulnerable shark species.
A new study by CSIRO scientists warns that climate change will force environmental scientists to rethink their approach to conservation. Temperatures over Australia are projected to rise by about 1 ºC by 2030, and 1.8 ºC by 2070, relative to 1990 levels.
A new 300km diameter giant ocean eddy has emerged off the NSW coast, with scientists tracing its birth to last August. The cold water at the new eddy's centre has welled up about 500m from the ocean depths, providing valuable insights into ocean forecasting systems.
The joint venture aims to develop a new scanner incorporating CSIRO's neutron technology and Nuctech's x-ray systems to detect a wide range of threat items in air freight containers. The scanning technology is designed to be non-intrusive, taking less than one minute to scan an air freight container.