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Last updated: Friday, 4 July 2008Explore Latest

News analysis Call to encourage climate-friendly farms

Australian farmers could have a huge impact on greenhouse emissions and the government needs to start seriously encouraging them to sequester carbon in their soils, say some experts. read more 'Call to encourage climate-friendly farms'

tractor ploughing farm

News in Science

Last updated 04/07/2008Latest News In Science

tractor ploughing farm

Farmers have the potential to make a significant impact on Australia's carbon emissions (Source: iStockphoto)

Farmers have the potential to make a significant impact on Australia's carbon emissions Call to encourage climate-friendly farms

News analysis Australian farmers could have a huge impact on greenhouse emissions and the government needs to start seriously encouraging them to sequester carbon in their soils, say some experts.more'Call to encourage climate-friendly farms'
Friday, 04 July 2008Tags: climate-change, agribusiness, agricultural-crops, crop-harvesting, fertilisers, greenhouse-gas, pasture, sustainable-and-alternative-farming, australia, sydney-2000, brisbane-4000, brazil, united-states

Life may have formed on Earth 4.2 billion years ago, only to be blasted hundreds of millions years later Carbon specks push back origins of life

Tiny traces of carbon trapped inside the oldest diamonds ever found, suggest life started on Earth 700 million years earlier than previously thought, say Australian researchers.more'Carbon specks push back origins of life'
Friday, 04 July 2008Tags: microbiology, earth-sciences, evolution, geology, bentley-6102, carnarvon-6701

While the researchers say it is unlikely the molecular mechanism is the same in humans, they believe their findings may one day help identify babies at greatest risk Chance discovery sheds light on SIDS

An imbalance of a key brain chemical could be the cause of cot death, after a chance discovery by researchers in Italy.more'Chance discovery sheds light on SIDS'
Friday, 04 July 2008Tags: infant-health, neuroscience, sids, italy

The number of factors influencing endangered species needs to be expanded Extinction risks 'underestimated'

Some endangered species may face an extinction risk that is up to a hundred times greater than previously thought, according to a new study.more'Extinction risks 'underestimated''
Thursday, 03 July 2008Tags: animals, ecology, evolution, united-states

Female adolescents suffer a higher rate of neck and shoulder pain than males Teen years officially a pain in the neck

Australian researchers have proven what high school students have long suspected, being a teenager can be a real pain in the neck. more'Teen years officially a pain in the neck'
Thursday, 03 July 2008Tags: adolescent-health, environmental-health, pain, back-pain, bentley-6102

Cave paintings such as this one from Lascaux, may have been deliberately placed at acoustically resonant locations Music and art mixed in the Stone Age

The most popular musical events of 12,000 years ago might have taken place in torch-lit caves next to walls covered in art, according to new archaeological research in France.more'Music and art mixed in the Stone Age'
Thursday, 03 July 2008Tags: arts-and-entertainment, art-history, music, archaeology, france, united-states

Astronomers may have identified the link between sunspot activity and the Jovian planetsPlanetary line-up excites the sun

Australian astronomers may have found a solution to how far-away Jupiter and Saturn drive the sun's solar cycle.more'Planetary line-up excites the sun'
Wednesday, 02 July 2008Tags: astronomy-space, planets-and-asteroids, the-universe, toowoomba-4350

A year after receiving a controlled dose of psilocybin, more than half of the participants said the experience increased their sense of well-being Spiritual effects of 'mushies' linger

The effects of psilocybin from so-called magic mushrooms last for more than a year, and may offer a way to help patients with fatal diseases or addictions, according to US researchers.more'Spiritual effects of 'mushies' linger'
Wednesday, 02 July 2008Tags: drug-use, neuroscience, psychology, brain-and-nervous-system, united-states

Future prospects ... climate change modelling shows solo male tuataras may be the norm by 2085 at North Brother Island Male tuataras face dateless future

The male tuatara will be increasingly desperate and dateless as global warming leads to less female hatchlings being born by 2085, Australian researchers are predicting.more'Male tuataras face dateless future'
Wednesday, 02 July 2008Tags: climate-change, biology, ecology, evolution, reptiles, university-of-melbourne-3010, crawley-6009, new-zealand

The good oil: some cholesterol may be good for your memory Good cholesterol may prevent memory loss

High levels of so-called good cholesterol during middle age may reduce the risk of memory loss and dementia, European researchers say.more'Good cholesterol may prevent memory loss'
Tuesday, 01 July 2008Tags: alzheimers-and-dementia, biology, neuroscience, brain-and-nervous-system, randwick-2031, france, england

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In Depth

Last updated 03/07/2008Latest In Depth

Which cups???

Green Guru Styrofoam cups are out - what's a tea lady to do?more'Which cups???'
Thursday, 03 July 2008Tags: recycling-and-waste-management, greenguru

Could Lake Cheko be an impact crater created by fallout from the explosion that rocked Tunguska 100 years ago?Tunguska: 100 years of wondering

Indepth Feature One hundred years ago, an explosion bigger than an atomic bomb blasted Tunguska, Siberia. We still don't know what caused it, but there are plenty of theories!more'Tunguska: 100 years of wondering'
Thursday, 03 July 2008Tags: astronomy-space, earth-sciences, physics, russian-federation

Flipper fondness down to PR pranks

Great Moments in Science Dolphins are very cute and seemingly cuddly. But, according to Dr Karl, ya'd bettter watch your back when you're out in the water with 'em.more'Flipper fondness down to PR pranks'
Tuesday, 01 July 2008Tags: animal-attacks, animals, marine-biology, mammals, greatmomentsinscience

Old X-rays are a goldmine ... almost

Green Guru One man's old X-ray is another's silver jewellery.more'Old X-rays are a goldmine ... almost'
Friday, 27 June 2008Tags: recycling-and-waste-management, doctors-and-medical-professionals, greenguru

If you blow it, throw it

Green Guru Some bits of paper weren't meant for recycling ...more'If you blow it, throw it'
Friday, 27 June 2008Tags: recycling-and-waste-management, forestry, greenguru

Would you approach the vent of an active volcano?Why don't we throw rubbish into volcanoes?

Ask an Expert Is there a reason why we don't throw our garbage into the volcanoes around the world? Read the answer and have your say.more'Why don't we throw rubbish into volcanoes?'
Thursday, 26 June 2008Tags: pollution, recycling-and-waste-management, earth-sciences, geology, askanexpert

'Healthy' hookah claims go up in smoke

Great Moments in Science Smoking tobacco is not good for you. But some smokers try an exotic form of smoking in the belief that it will reduce the harmful effects. Dr Karl says it's a pipe dream.more''Healthy' hookah claims go up in smoke'
Tuesday, 24 June 2008Tags: health, smoking, greatmomentsinscience

Some archaeologists argue that physical remnants such as this chert knife found in Djadjiling in WA give a more accurate view of life in ancient Australia than re-interpreting post-European contact history.Ancient Australia not written in stone

Indepth Feature Has the life of Australia's Aborigines remained unchanged for 45,000 years? A new approach to archaeology challenges us to rethink prehistory.more'Ancient Australia not written in stone'
Thursday, 19 June 2008Tags: history, indigenous-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander, anthropology-and-sociology, archaeology, palaeontology

Peacock displaying his feather train Peacock's plumage for a fan of one

Great Moments in Science Does the peacock's magnificent array of rear-end plumage mean it's flash in the mating stakes? Dr Karl's been ruffling feathers in the pursuit of truth. more'Peacock's plumage for a fan of one'
Tuesday, 17 June 2008Tags: animals, animal-behaviour, greatmomentsinscience

Carpobrotus glaucescens, commonly known as pigface, has salty tasting fruit.Is there a salty fresh fruit?

Ask an Expert All of us have tasted fresh fruits: sweet oranges, bitter gourds, sour plums. But is there a salty fresh fruit?more'Is there a salty fresh fruit?'
Wednesday, 11 June 2008Tags: food-and-cooking, botany, askanexpert

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Video Audio Photos

Games

Backyard Birdwatch

Australia's second National Bird Survey is currently being conducted by Birds Australia. The aim is to make an inventory of all bird species across Australia.

Power Plant

The beauty and symmetry of plants has attracted the attention of mathematicians for centuries. Some of the factors that organise plant structures, and therefore contribute to their beauty, are the consequences of relatively simple algorithms - mathematical rules which describe plant development.

Quizzes

PodcastGreat Moments in Science

Celebrating all sides of science, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki investigates sublime moments of deep thought to the most arcane and bizarre research imaginable:

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Saturday, 5 July
More science on ABC1
6:30pm Gardening Australia
Practical and realistic horticultural and gardening advice, inspiring and entertaining, presented by Australia's leading horticultural experts and hosted by Peter Cundall.
Saturday, 5 July
More science on ABC2
6:05pm
(rpt)		 The New Inventors
Hosted by the ebullient James O'Loghlin, The New Inventors highlights the brightest new inventions in Australia. New Inventors video (mp4) podcast
6:35pm Scrapheap Challenge - Bridging Machines
This Emmy-nominated hit entertainment program features two opposing teams who have just one day to build incredible machines using only the materials they find on a scrap heap.
7:30pm
(rpt)		 The Einstein Factor
Offbeat quiz show hosted by Peter Berner.
Saturday, 5 July
More ABC Radio science
ABC Radio National
12.05pm The Science Show with Robyn Williams
Music to the brain
It has become known as the universal language - but why is it that music - from Chopin to heavy metal - beguiles us so much? Brain scientist Oliver Sacks explores the origins of our love of music through cases he's written about in his latest book called Musicophilia. We also hear from brain biologist from Perth Alan Harvey who has also written about what connects our passion for music with our biology. Science Show audio podcast
1.00pm All In the Mind with Natasha Mitchell
Apes, legal personhood and the plight of Nim Chimpsky
In Austria, animal activists have taken the case of a chimp called Matthew as far as the European Court of Human Rights. Controversially, they’re fighting for his right to legal personhood. And, the incredible saga of Nim Chimpsky. A landmark effort to teach a chimp sign language and raise him like a human child. Project Nim, became a scientific soap opera of epic proportions. All In the Mind audio podcast
1:35pm The Philosopher's Zone with Alan Saunders
Utopia and the second coming
In the second part of a conversation recorded at this year's Sydney Writers' Festival, the celebrated British philosopher and political theorist John Gray discusses the ways in which the Utopian aspirations of the secular left and right reflect the Christian heritage of Western political thought. From Stalinist Russia to contemporary Iraq, he argues, the road to perfection is built over the bodies of the innocent. The Philosopher's Zone audio podcast
ABC NewsRadio
8.30am BBC Science In Action
5.30pm BBC One Planet

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Latest on the ABC”s greenover

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