CSIROPod

Science in support of Rio+20

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:04:00 +1000

In March 2012, the Planet Under Pressure conference brought together 3000 leading experts– including CSIRO scientists– to provide scientific leadership for the upcoming UN Conference on Sustainable Development - Rio+20. (10:01)

Plasma flashlight fights wound infections

Tue, 08 May 2012 20:48:00 +1000

A group of Chinese and Australian scientists, including CSIRO, have developed a handheld, battery-powered plasma-producing device that can rid skin of bacteria in an instant.

Study to leave bad taste in the mouths of insects

Tue, 01 May 2012 12:42:01 +1000

New research into how insect taste receptors work could help us to understand why insect pests eat what they do.

Safflower power and the business of biomaterial

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:07:00 +1000

Plants capable of producing oils for industrial chemicals and human health are a step closer thanks to breakthrough research by CSIRO researchers who have supercharged safflower to produce increased amounts of desirable fatty acids. (7:07)

Oceans of deep influence

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:02:00 +1000

Changes in deep ocean conditions affect global climate, with deep warming contributing to sea level rise and the deep ocean absorbing atmospheric CO₂. (5:14)

Ship to shore: scientists return from Southern Ocean

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:17:00 +1000

A team of Australian and international scientists returned from the latest voyage to the Southern Ocean with new evidence that the oceans are changing. (7:25)

You're getting warmer: State of the Climate 2012

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:49:00 +1100

Australia's land and oceans have continued to warm in response to rising CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. (11:10)

Pass the genes for the Yellow Box please

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:05:00 +1100

CSIRO in collaboration with Greening Australia are working in a project to assess the genetic diversity of the iconic eucalyptus Yellow Box across the country in order to improve its restoration. (6:22)

Giant water wall discovered riding the ocean currents

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:30:00 +1100

Deep-diving ocean 'gliders' have revealed a 200-metre tall, 40 kilometre wide wall of undiluted Bass Strait water travelling hundreds of kilometres to the Indian Ocean.

The planet's under pressure

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +1100

In the lead up to the 2012 United Nations (UN) Conference on Sustainable Development - Rio+20, a contingent of CSIRO scientists will join international colleagues at the London Planet Under Pressure conference to discuss the risks humanity is facing from global change. (10:54)

Fingerprints of climate change found on ocean currents

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:37:27 +1100

Oceanographers have identified a series of ocean hotspots around the world generated by strengthening wind systems that have driven oceanic currents, including the East Australian Current, polewards beyond their known boundaries. (8:56)

A sheep in sheep's clothing

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:40:00 +1100

An international research team has provided an unprecedented in-depth view of the genetic history of sheep, one of the world's most important livestock species. (6:32)

Food fight: Scientists vs. Climate change

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1100

A major transformation in the food system is required if we are to address future threats to food security says CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Megan Clark. (9:41)

The buzz around the fly named after Beyoncé

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1100

A previously un-named species of horse fly whose appearance is dominated by its glamorous golden lower abdomen has been named in honour of American pop diva, Beyoncé. (5:15)

Scientists set sail south in search of climate evidence

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +1100

A team of CSIRO scientists are embarking on a month-long research voyage to the Antarctic to investigate the impact of climate change on the Southern Ocean. (8:36)

Fewer cyclones but they'll hit harder

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +1100

In the future fewer tropical cyclones may form off Western Australia but they may become more intense, shows new research from a Western Australian climate research collaboration.

Climate change is hot on the tail of fish

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +1100

Marine life may need to relocate faster than land species as a result of climate warming, according to new research published in 'Science'. (7:49)

Global Carbon Project: warning to the world

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +1100

Global carbon dioxide emissions increased by a record 5.9 per cent in 2010 following the dampening effect of the 2008–2009 Global Financial Crisis (GFC), according to scientists working with the Global Carbon Project. (9:00)

Helping the food industry shake the salt habit

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +1100

Reformulating processed foods to reduce salt, sugar and saturated fat or to increase fruit, vegetable and fibre content offers the food industry many opportunities. (6:38)

Finance industry counts on CSIRO

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1100

In an unpredictable global financial system, CSIRO's skills are increasingly sought after as leading financial institutions look to surpass the performance of their peers. (7:55)

Making new food chain friends

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1100

Techniques developed to study human social relationships can be used to analyse feeding relationships in nature, Australian and US researchers have shown. (6:39)

CSIRO counts down to Mars Tweetup

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1100

From launch to landing and beyond, CSIRO's Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex will be a vital link in the communications gateway for NASA's latest mission to Mars, and for followers on Twitter. (10:38)

Going viral: CSIRO vs Contagion

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +1100

A reference to research undertaken by CSIRO's 'bat pack' team in Hollywood's latest disaster flick Contagion highlights the role CSIRO's Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) would play in a real-world version of the pandemic. (11:12)

Global photosynthesis faster than earlier thought

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +1100

Scientists have re-assessed the speed at which photosynthesis occurs in a study that will assist them measure the efficiency of the world's plant life and more accurately assess future climate change. (6:17)

Fuelling the rise and rise of the Asia Pacific

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +1100

To prosper over the remainder of the 21st Century, the countries of the Asia Pacific need a new 'green' industrial revolution to drive dramatic improvements in resource efficiency. (10:39)

Climate change blowin' in the wind

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +1000

With billions of energy investment dollars being exposed to the vagaries of climate, including those committed to or planned for renewable energy generation in this country, a new branch of science is moving to maximise the energy that will drive the wind or ocean turbines, light up the solar farms or improve weather-exposed oil and gas generation.

A forest of problems

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +1000

New research shows the yearly amount of carbon being absorbed from the atmosphere by the world's established forests is equivalent to one third of current annual fossil fuel emissions.

Running on empty: universe short on gas

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +1000

The Universe forms fewer stars than it used to, and a CSIRO study has now shown why - the galaxies are running out of gas.

Turning the tide on reef water quality

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +1000

Evidence of coastal ecosystem degradation in the Great Barrier Reef has been linked with increased land-based runoff of suspended solids, nutrients and pesticides resulting from clearing and agricultural land use.

New wheat winning war against weeds

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +1000

In seeking to improve water productivity in wheat, a CSIRO Plant Industry team has developed wheat lines that are proving surprisingly good at suppressing weeds.

The burning issue of wood heater pollution

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +1000

Emissions from domestic wood-fired heaters in southern Tasmania's Huon Valley dwarf emissions from forest regeneration burns, according to a new CSIRO study. (7:35)

Solving Australia’s energy puzzle

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +1000

CSIRO is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help develop technologies, change behaviours and map the pathway to a clean, viable and secure energy future.

Climate change forcing 'move it or lose it' decisions

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +1000

Relocating species threatened by climate change is a radical and hotly debated strategy for maintaining biodiversity.

Getting to know you: CSIRO’s social media monitoring tool

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +1000

CSIRO's social media monitoring tool is transforming the way Centrelink listens, understands and responds to customer feedback from social media.

Cutting steelmakers GHG

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +1000

In response to climate change, CSIRO is working with Australian steel manufacturers BlueScope and OneSteel on two significant projects aimed at delivering deep cuts in net greenhouse gas emissions associated with the steel making process. (8:17)

Venice to flood less under climate change

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +1000

A team of scientists studying climate impacts have found that the frequency of extreme storm surge events generated by Adriatic Sea tempests could fall by about 30 per cent by 2100.

Scientists eradicate deadly cattle disease

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +1000

Elimination of the deadly cattle plague virus rinderpest makes it the first animal disease in history to have been wiped out by humans.

CSIRO's vaccine protects from deadly Hendra virus

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +1000

CSIRO scientists have shown that a new experimental vaccine helps to protect horses against the deadly Hendra virus.

In science we trust: 78 per cent believe in climate change

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +1000

Scientific research shows that most Australians are sure about climate change and that those who have a preference for inaction are in the minority.

Solar power tower: getting plugged into the next big thing

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +1000

In a first of its kind for Australia, CSIRO has designed and built the most adaptable, dynamic solar research facility in the world. The large-scale demonstration site will be an international hub for researching and commercialising concentrated solar energy technologies.

Beneath the waves of an interactive ocean

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +1000

CSIRO has developed a science-meets-game-engine website that allows users to interact with lifelike, three-dimensional animations of fish in their underwater environment. The site offers stories of the animals and illustrates aspects of CSIRO's tagging research.

Motherboard earth: modelling catastrophic fluid flows

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +1000

CSIRO mathematicians are creating computational models of events like floods, dam breaks and tsunamis to aid understanding and planning for these phenomena.

Climate change is putting fish in hot water

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +1000

Australian scientists have reported the first known detrimental impact of southern hemisphere ocean warming on a fish species.

Aviation biofuel nears the runway

Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 +1000

A study conducted for Australia and New Zealand’s main aviation players by the CSIRO has found that a sustainable aviation biofuels industry is viable for the region and could have major economic benefits.

Changing manufacturing layer by layer

Fri, 20 May 2011 00:00:00 +1000

CSIRO’s John Barnes is leading a group of research teams focused on revolutionary additive manufacturing technologies which are expanding Australia's titanium processing industry

CSIRO’s definitive guide to controlling diabetes

Tue, 10 May 2011 00:00:00 +1000

The same CSIRO team that produced the revolutionary CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet books has partnered with the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute to produce an evidence-based resource covering every aspect of type 2 diabetes prevention and control.

Web of life: Australian biodiversity goes online

Fri, 06 May 2011 00:00:00 +1000

An enterprising scientific partnership is bringing together vast amounts of information on Australian plants, animals and microorganisms for easy access to research scientists, policy makers, naturalists and others.

Climate by nature impacts biology

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +1000

Biologists have been advised not to over-commit time and effort establishing broader climate change links to local ecological impacts.

Build your own ant farm for better crop yields

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +1000

New research on ants and termites shows they can perform the same ecosystem service functions in dryland agriculture that earthworms perform in cooler and wetter areas, but the potential for ants and termites to provide these benefits is yet to be realised by farmers.

Australia's pathway to a low carbon economy

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +1000

A new initiative called the Integrated Carbon Pathways project is being spearheaded by CSIRO to help create – rather than close – options in a carbon constrained world says CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Megan Clark.