Brian Greene yes but string theory no
Mar 11, 2016 08:49 am UTC| Science
Saturday 19th March will see me standing on stage at Melbourne Park chatting to one of the most famous figures in physics and string theory, Professor Brian Greene, as part of his Think Inc tour of Australia. While I...
New plastic-munching bacteria could fuel a recycling revolution
Mar 10, 2016 23:08 pm UTC| Science
We manufacture over 300m tonnes of plastics each year for use in everything from packaging to clothing. Their resilience is great when you want a product to last. But once discarded, plastics linger in the environment,...

The more we learn about Mercury, the weirder it seems
Mar 10, 2016 14:55 pm UTC| Science
For such a tiny planet, Mercury is a pretty big puzzle for researchers. NASAs MESSENGER probe already has revealed that the planet is surprisingly rich in elements that easily evaporate from the surface, such as sulphur,...

Beyond silicon: the search for new semiconductors
Mar 10, 2016 13:23 pm UTC| Science Technology
Our modern world is based on semiconductors. In addition to your computer, cellphones and digital cameras, semiconductors are a critical component of a growing number of devices. Think of the high-efficiency LED lights you...

Message from aliens or colliding objects? The hunt for engimatic radio bursts is about to get real
Mar 09, 2016 22:31 pm UTC| Science
Astronomers are getting ever closer to understanding the origin of mysterious fast radio bursts very brief but intense pulses of radio waves from outer space after a series of recent contradictory findings. While the...

We should broaden our view of science if it's to help make good public policy
Mar 09, 2016 22:14 pm UTC| Science Health
Actor and science advocate Alan Alda will address the National Press Club today, talking about the importance of communicating science to the public. Alda is in Australia to launch the new facility at ANUs Centre for...
How to make art out of the lightest material known to man
Mar 09, 2016 08:55 am UTC| Science
Imagine a ghostly replica of our world: a planet made only of sand, illuminated by a different star, surrounded by an unknown dreamy atmosphere that is different to anything you have seen before. It is a place where it is...