CSIROPod

Marking the markers of Alzheimer's disease

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:46:37 +1000

Australian scientists are much closer to developing a screening test for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

Printing solar power like money

Thu, 16 May 2013 06:57:04 +1000

Scientists have produced the largest flexible, plastic solar cells in Australia – 10 times the size of what they were previously able to – thanks to a new solar cell printer that has been installed at CSIRO.

Mapping the future in 3D

Thu, 02 May 2013 08:26:00 +1000

CSIRO has developed an easy to use handheld 3D laser mapping device called Zebedee, which enables a user to generate a 3D map simply by walking through a desired location.

Acid test: monitoring ocean CO2 uptake

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 06:33:46 +1000

A key facility in an international observing network to detect increasing ocean acidification is monitoring carbon cycling in the Tasman Sea from a site near Maria Island.

Game on: the future of sport

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:01:28 +1000

New research from CSIRO and Australian Sports Commission has identified a number of significant sports trends and megatrends likely to occur over the next three decades.

Deep water: health of the Great Artesian Basin

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 07:03:57 +1100

CSIRO, in collaboration with Geoscience Australia, has completed a two and a half-year A$6.25 million project to assess water resources in the Great Artesian Basin (GAB).

Pests in paradise: saving Lord Howe Island from the ants

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:28:47 +1100

CSIRO and the Lord Howe Island Board are winning the battle to save the world heritage area from the invasive African Big-headed ant, which is capable of forming enormous colonies and wiping out many native creatures.

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish: CSIRO knows them all

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:57:06 +1100

From identifying what's on the end of your fishing line, to finding out which fishes occur in your local waters, FishMap has the answers.

Space: the mining frontier

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:12:00 +1100

CSIRO is developing fully autonomous large scale surface and underground mining equipment that has the potential to eventually be used for off Earth mining.

Dial "D" for Diagnosis

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:57:55 +1100

Researchers are developing an inexpensive mobile-phone-based sensor that will allow users in developing countries to rapidly diagnose infectious disease such as malaria or tuberculosis. (7:05)

Uploading the economy

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 13:27:46 +1100

A new CSIRO Flagship aims to boost Australia’s productivity by developing and delivering digital solutions to improve people’s wellbeing and prosperity in a digital economy. (10:44)

2°C climate target a hot topic

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:57:29 +1100

Carbon dioxide emission reductions required to limit global warming to 2°C are becoming a receding goal based on new figures reported in the latest Global Carbon Project (GCP) calculations published in Nature Climate Change.

Every scribble tells a story

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 06:50:00 +1100

In a remarkable piece of detective work, a team of 'retired' CSIRO scientists have revealed the group of artists responsible for the iconic scribbles found on smooth-barked Eucalyptus trees in southeastern Australia.

Bombs away: CSIRO finds explosives on seafloor

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +1100

Over 10 million acres of coastal waters are said to be contaminated by undetonated explosives and our sensor could be the answer to help locate them. (7:40)

Climate change: what do you think others think?

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 13:03:16 +1100

Humans generally find it difficult to judge how widespread their own and others’ opinions are, and when it comes to climate change, grossly overestimate the numbers of people who reject its existence. (8:15)

Taking steps towards sustainability

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 12:00:00 +1100

Sustainable development is vital for the future of humanity and our planet, and at the forefront of both the scientific and political debate is the concept of Sustainable Development Goals. (9:10)

Vaccine for killer Hendra virus launched

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 06:19:00 +1100

Australian horse owners and the equine industry have received an important boost in their fight against the deadly Hendra virus with the introduction of Equivac® HeV vaccine. (9:02)

UAV finds (and nearly saves) Outback Joe

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:44:00 +1100

In what is believed to be a world-first for a non-military drone, an Unmanned Airborne Vehicle (UAV) was able to locate a dummy of a missing bushwalker without human intervention during the A$50,000 Outback Challenge in Kingaroy, Queensland. (9:11)

Blue-green algae: look before your dog leaps

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:40:22 +1100

CSIRO water scientists have a long-standing active program building up an understanding of the complex chain of events that leads to a blue-green algal bloom, and the aftermath of toxins released into the water. (9:08)

Some things are not welcome in Australia

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 18:22:00 +1000

An outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Australia would devastate our livestock industries, costing anywhere between A$7-16 billion. (07:36)

Unnatural disaster for Australia’s ecosystems

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 09:39:00 +1000

A landmark study by CSIRO has found that climate change will lead to major ecological impacts across Australia, and recommends a review of the management of national biodiversity conservation and protected areas. (09:45)

Come rain or shine: south-east climate changing

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 14:10:39 +1000

Over the past six years, the South Eastern Australian Climate Initiative (SEACI) has improved our understanding of climate variability and change in south-eastern Australia.

A layer of life under your feet

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:21:00 +1000

The Biomes of Australian Soil Environments (BASE) project will provide the first comprehensive continent wide inventory of soil biodiversity.

New bat virus unlocking deadly secrets of Hendra

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 17:12:00 +1000

Australian scientists have discovered a new virus in bats that could help shed light on how Hendra and Nipah viruses cause disease and death in animals and humans.

Going blue: The future of ocean energy

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 06:30:10 +1000

Ocean waves, tidal and ocean flows, collectively known as Ocean Renewable Energy (ORE), are attracting increasing interest in Australia as a potentially viable source of renewable energy. (8:52)

Robots fly to the rescue

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:09:00 +1000

The development of potentially lifesaving unmanned aircraft capable of flying in conditions considered too dangerous for manned aircraft, is being fast-tracked under the joint research venture Project ResQu. (8:24)

Stopping avian influenza invading chickens

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 17:04:00 +1000

Protecting poultry and humans from dangerous strains of avian-influenza (bird flu) may one day be possible through CSIRO research that aims to 'switch on' natural immunity processes and produce flu-resistant chickens. (7:05)

There's always the sun?

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 11:46:57 +1000

Australia has abundant solar energy resources, but until now there has been very little publicly available research on how the variable nature of sunshine affects electricity networks.

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)