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Last updated: Wednesday, 15 October 2008Explore Latest

News in Science

Last updated 15/10/2008Latest News In Science

lab mouse

Female mice have different genetics to male mice, the researchers say (Source: iStockphoto)

Female mice have different genetics to male mice, the researchers say Sex matters for anxious lab mice

Female lab mice can respond quite differently to male mice when it comes to anxiety, a new study has found, which could have important implications for scientific research.more'Sex matters for anxious lab mice'
Wednesday, 15 October 2008Tags: research, genetics, mammals, melbourne-3000

Knowing how bonobos behave has implications for understanding human evolution, says one researcher 'Hippie' apes make love and war

Despite their reputation as the lovers of the primate world, German researchers have found that bonobos actually hunt and eat other great apes.more''Hippie' apes make love and war'
Wednesday, 15 October 2008Tags: animal-behaviour, mammals, congo-the-democratic-republic-of-the, germany

The study found that searching the internet can stimulate the brain more than reading Searching the web a workout for the brain

Searching the internet may help middle-aged and older adults keep their memories sharp, say US researchers.more'Searching the web a workout for the brain'
Wednesday, 15 October 2008Tags: older-people, computers-and-technology, internet, neuroscience, brain-and-nervous-system, united-states

Researchers say Adélie penguins have been surviving extreme climate change in Antarctica for hundreds and thousands of years Antarctic DNA gives climate coping clues

DNA in the bones of Adelie penguins that survived the last ice age are helping to shed light on how other animals will cope with climate change, say researchers.more'Antarctic DNA gives climate coping clues'
Tuesday, 14 October 2008Tags: climate-change, animals, evolution, genetics, antarctica, brisbane-4000

Mind over matter: The US Army is funding research into a thought-based communication system May the thought be with you

A new US Army grant aims to create email or voice mail and send it by thought alone. No need to type an email, dial a phone or even speak a word.more'May the thought be with you'
Tuesday, 14 October 2008Tags: defence-industry, lifestyle-and-leisure, engineering, information-technology, weird-and-wonderful, united-states

For crying out loud: Regular listening at high volumes on MP3 players can permanently damage your hearing, European scientists say Personal music players hard on hearing

Up to 10% of users of personal MP3 or CD players may suffer permanent hearing loss because their music is too loud, a European study says.more'Personal music players hard on hearing'
Tuesday, 14 October 2008Tags: consumer-protection, music, youth, ear-nose-and-throat-disorders, environmental-health, occupational-health-and-safety, research, hearing, belgium, united-kingdom

New research reveals that you're just as likely to inherit male-pattern baldness from either parentGenes reveal the bald facts

An international team of researchers believe they have identified two genetic variants that, together, boost the risk of male baldness sevenfold.more'Genes reveal the bald facts'
Monday, 13 October 2008Tags: genetics, genetic-disorders, hair, brisbane-4000, united-kingdom

Small fry need not apply: astronomers believe the Kuiper belt may be devoid of mini plutoids Kuiper belt free of Pluto pups

An astronomical survey searching for small, icy bodies circling in the far reaches of the solar system has come up empty-handed.more'Kuiper belt free of Pluto pups'
Monday, 13 October 2008Tags: astronomy-space, planets-and-asteroids, telescopes, taiwan-province-of-china, united-states

Female fiddler crabs build more chimneys than male fiddler crabs, the study found Fiddler crab chimneys keep intruders out

Australian researchers have found that fiddler crabs build chimneys around their burrows to keep intruders out.more'Fiddler crab chimneys keep intruders out'
Monday, 13 October 2008Tags: animals, ecology, invertebrates, canberra-2600, darwin-0800

Herbal preparations based on aloe vera are used for skin problems, the researchers found Aloe vera and garlic top herbal charts

Aloe vera, garlic and green tea are the most popular herbal medicines used by Australians, according to new study.more'Aloe vera and garlic top herbal charts'
Friday, 10 October 2008Tags: herbalist, diseases-and-disorders, safety, melbourne-3000

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In Depth

Last updated 15/10/2008Latest In Depth

Our fingerprint help us judge the texture and shape of objects we touch.Why are fingerprints only found on some types of skin?

Ask an Expert Why are fingerprints only found on some types of skin and not all over the body?more'Why are fingerprints only found on some types of skin?'
Wednesday, 15 October 2008Tags: genetics, anatomy, askanexpert

emails pile up if every one is printed outBeware the serial email printer

Green Guru How do you tell someone off for being a green vandal? Etiquette expert June Dally-Watkins has the answer.more'Beware the serial email printer'
Wednesday, 15 October 2008Tags: environmental-management, recycling-and-waste-management, greenguru

Microbes look beautiful up close but be careful which ones you keep company with.Modern bug battlegrounds

InDepth Feature We've made enormous advances in our battle against bacteria, but it seems that the bugs are starting to fight back, and it's only going to get scarier.more'Modern bug battlegrounds'
Thursday, 09 October 2008Tags: epidemiology, infectious-diseases-other, microbiology

Batteries can be recycledRecycling small batteries

Green Guru Once it was almost impossible to recycle batteries. But things have changed.more'Recycling small batteries'
Wednesday, 08 October 2008Tags: recycling-and-waste-management, computers-and-technology, information-technology, greenguru

Prostate ignorance no wee problem

Great Moments in Science The prostate gland is little understood by most men. Why this is so is a matter Dr Karl can't quite put his finger on.more'Prostate ignorance no wee problem'
Tuesday, 07 October 2008Tags: cancer, lung-cancer, mens-health, sexual-health, smoking, prostate-cancer, diseases-and-disorders, greatmomentsinscience

Where there's steam there's power: the Nestaveni geothermal power station in Iceland. What is geothermal energy?

Ask an Expert What is geothermal energy? It is being installed as our new school is built. I've had heaps of questions about it.more'What is geothermal energy?'
Thursday, 02 October 2008Tags: energy, geology, geothermal-energy, askanexpert

Drugs get juiced-up with grapefruit

Great Moments in Science We are regularly encouraged to include a decent portion of fruit in our daily diet. But Dr Karl warns those on certain medications to choose their fruit...carefully.more'Drugs get juiced-up with grapefruit'
Wednesday, 01 October 2008Tags: health, agricultural-crops, fruit, blood, greatmomentsinscience

In the office, unwanted CDs and DVDs can really pile up Recycling CDs and DVDs

Green Guru Large companies chuck out thousands of CDs and DVDs each year, and why not? they're so cheap! But is there a better way to deal with unwanted disks?more'Recycling CDs and DVDs'
Wednesday, 01 October 2008Tags: recycling-and-waste-management, computers-and-technology, information-technology, greenguru

Tantalising teaser: Orchids, like this Fringed Mantis variety, employ some clever tricks to get insects to visit.Orchids: nature's sexy sirens

Scribbly Gum It's spring and many of Australia's native orchids are unfurling their astonishing array of insect lures. Here's how to find them, and why you should join their fan club.more'Orchids: nature's sexy sirens'
Thursday, 25 September 2008Tags: conservation, flowers, botany, broome-6725, scribblygum

Royal jelly buzz un-bee-lievable

Great Moments in Science On the shelf next to the snake oil, you may have spotted something that is said to do wonders for your wellbeing. But, Dr Karl thinks it's all some kind of sting.more'Royal jelly buzz un-bee-lievable'
Thursday, 25 September 2008Tags: alternative-medicine, beekeeping, greatmomentsinscience

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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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ABC1

Thursday, 16 October
More science on ABC1
8:00pm Catalyst
Australia's premier science investigation series. Catalyst video (mp4) podcast
8:30pm Pharaoh's Revenge: Egypt's Lost Treasure
Looks at the debate going on in the great museums of the world about returning smuggled and stolen ancient Egyptian artefacts.
9:25pm The Intervention
The Intervention, an ABC TV and online special project, is a one-year record of the impact of the Emergency Intervention by the Federal Government in the Northern Territory region of Katherine and the surrounding communities of Beswick, Barunga, Eva Valley and Binjari.

ABC2

Thursday, 16 October
More science on ABC2
4:30pm
rpt		 The Einstein Factor
Offbeat quiz show hosted by Peter Berner.
6:35pm Scrapheap Challenge
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.

ABC Radio

Thursday 16 October
More ABC Radio science
Triple J
9.00am Science on Mornings with Zan Rowe
Science Talkback, featuring Dr Karl LIVE!
An hour devoted to the collective exploration of some of the great mysteries of life, such as 'why does the water in the shower slow down just when it gets hot?' Science on Mornings audio podcast
ABC Radio National
7:35pm In Conversation with Robyn Williams
Blast off
He's one of the most individualistic rocket scientists to hit the Americans - and one of the most successful. Ken McCracken learned his astronomy in Tasmania over 50 years ago. He learned to be self-reliant both in Australia and Papua New Guinea and then joined NASA in the United States. It was a surprisingly productive relationship. Dr McCracken looks back on a wonderful career in space research and gives advice on how to deal with tricky bureaucrats with Robyn Williams. In Conversation audio podcast

Self-Service Science

Australia's most popular science forum, from the sublime to the arcane and bizarre.

Scribbly Gum

Dedicated to people who find joy in observing events in the natural world.

Tech Talk

The place for everyone with an interest in (or a problem with) digital technology.

Natasha MitchellAll in the Mind

Life through the mind's eye

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Bernie HobbsThe Green Room

Latest on the ABC”s greenover

  • Could you survive 40 hours on 40 litres?
    The challenge is on in the ABC's second annual 40 Hour Drought to see if anyone can go for this period of time and use just 40 litres of water.
    Posted Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:37:39 +1100
  • ABC Walks to Work
    Brendon Maher from ABC 702 and Rebecca Anderson from ABC Drama were the hands down winners of the ABC's Walk to Work Day held on Friday 3 October.
    Posted Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:25:45 +1100
  • The ABC's results are in for 2007/08!
    Figures have just been released which mark the ABC's progress towards reducing its energy use and its water and waste production since 2005.
    Posted Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:25:52 +1000
  • Win a timer switch for your office equipment!
    Wouldn't it be great if your photocopier and printer automatically switched off at the end the day, and back on again the next morning?
    Posted Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:16:11 +1000
  • Co-mingling is not a dirty word
    Learned incompetence has finally paid off for Sydney ABC staff who never got the hang of sorting their recyclables.
    Posted Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:45:20 +1000
  • Recycling: not quite as easy as ABC...
    After years of stashing flat batteries, dead phones and spare CDs in our drawers, ABC's Sydney staff have now got recycling bins for all three.
    Posted Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:40:53 +1000
  • Waterless urinal springs a leak
    The 10 waterless urinals being trialled by the ABC are saving water all right.
    Posted Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:24:12 +1000
  • The Little Broadcaster That Could
    The ABC just scored a prize that didn't involve The Chaser, Chris Lilley or Denton - we got a Silver Star for Corporate Strategy in the 2007 Corporate Responsibility Index!
    Posted Wed, 21 May 2008 21:14:12 +1000
  • Recycling for beginners: printer cartridges
    When NSW State Director Mike McCluskey looked into getting printer cartridges recycled at Ultimo, he got a bit of a surprise.
    Posted Wed, 07 May 2008 16:48:36 +1000
  • Nice Loo, Shame about the Studio
    Hooking up the rainwater tank to the office loo got a mixed reception at ABC Longreach.
    Posted Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:00:55 +1000
  • Is paying extra for mugs for mugs?
    The most burning environmental issue for ABC Sydney staff isn't how to reduce flights or where to cut waste - it's why they have to pay more for coffee if they bring their own mug.
    Posted Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:32:23 +1000
  • Executive Hot Tub goes Solar
    At least that's what we thought was going on - why else would a bunch of blokes be installing solar hot water systems on top of the library roof?
    Posted Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:30:22 +1100
  • I've got Prius Envy ...
    666 ABC Canberra just took hold of their swanky new hybrid work car, and they're being obscenely smug about it - splashing this pic all over the place.
    Posted Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:46:16 +1100
  • Let there be light switches
    It was a dark day in our office yesterday.
    Posted Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:11:40 +1100

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