Fewer rain storms across southern Australia

Decreasing autumn and winter rainfall over southern Australia has been attributed to a 50-year decrease in the average intensity of storms in the region – a trend which is forecast to continue for another 50 years.

Cattle plague's defeat holds valuable lessons

Lessons learned from the recently successful 50-year campaign to rid the world of cattle plague (rinderpest), could assist in controlling other devastating diseases such as foot and mouth disease, according to world renowned veterinarian, Dr Peter Roeder.

Redefinition of "seawater" to aid climate research

The science behind understanding the movement of heat through the world’s deep oceans is entering a more exact phase with the adoption of a new thermodynamic definition of what constitutes "seawater".

Talk of natural disasters brewing in Melbourne

The recent spate of major natural disasters in Japan, Chile, New Zealand, Australia and other parts of the world will be the talk of the town in Melbourne from tonight until 7 July at one of the world’s largest Earth science conferences.

Ladybirds – wolves in sheep’s clothing

CSIRO research has revealed that the tremendous diversity of ladybird beetle species is linked to their ability to produce larvae which, with impunity, poach members of ‘herds’ of  tiny, soft-bodied scale insects from under the noses of the aggressive ants that tend them.

CSIRO collaboration on ‘world’s top 100’ list

The Maia X-ray Microprobe Element Imaging System developed for use at the Australian Synchrotron by CSIRO and Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York has won a prestigious R&D 100 Award.

Record greenhouse gas levels: see for yourself

For the first time, greenhouse gas data are accessed easily on a new CSIRO website. The site shows the levels of greenhouse gases measured in the Southern Hemisphere atmosphere for the past 35 years.

Venice to suffer fewer storm surges

Venice – the City of Dreams – may have one less nightmare to deal with following a finding that the frequency of extreme storm surge events generated by Adriatic Sea tempests could fall by about 30 per cent by 2100.

CSIRO dam break modelling to help flood planning

CSIRO scientists have developed powerful modelling techniques to help understand the full impact of flooding that occurs when dams collapse.

Extending the life of Australia’s iron ore industry

Adding just one year to the life of Australia's iron ore industry could earn the nation a bonus $56 billion according to an article published today in the June 2011 issue of CSIRO's Process magazine.

Hitomi the bigeye tuna puts CSIRO research on radar

Want to know where Mirella the gold spot trevally or Nero the spangled emperor hang out? Or how about where Hitomi the bigeye tuna, Papa the whale shark, and Galileo the tiger shark patrolled the southern oceans?

United Nations goes crazy over ant management

Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation, Rio-Tinto Alcan Gove and CSIRO are celebrating winning the prestigious Biodiversity category of the United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day Awards tonight.

Aboriginal community names CSIRO telescope

The first six antennas of CSIRO’s Australian SKA Pathfinder telescope in Western Australia will today receive names in the local Wajarri language.

Interactive technology brings biosecurity experts face-to-face

Responding to outbreaks of deadly animal-borne diseases promises to be quicker and easier with new technology allowing disease experts to work in real-time with chief veterinary officers across Australia.

Mineral exploration tool developers win major award

A team of CSIRO Future Manufacturing Flagship scientists has won a major mining industry award for the invention of the highly sensitive magnetic field sensor which sits at the operational heart of the mineral exploration tool, LANDTEM™.

Research sheds new light on methane emissions from the northern beef herd

New CSIRO research indicates that the amount of methane emitted from cattle fed on tropical grasses in northern Australia is up to 30 per cent less than figures currently used to calculate the northern cattle industry’s contribution to Australia’s greenhouse gas accounts.

New sustainable 'bio-derived' jet fuel industry is achievable

Establishing an economically and environmentally beneficial, 'bio-derived' Australian and New Zealand aviation fuels industry is a viable proposition, according to a report compiled by CSIRO in collaboration with the region’s major aviation industry players.

Vaccine protects from deadly Hendra virus

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

ECOS reviews proposed 'Carbon Farming Initiative'

A review of the potential benefits and risks associated with the Australian Government’s proposed Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) features in the April-May edition (160) of CSIRO's ECOS magazine.

'Barcoding blitz' on Australian moths and butterflies

In just 10 weeks a team of Canadian researchers has succeeded in 'barcoding' 28,000 moth and butterfly specimens – or about 65 per cent of Australia’s 10,000 known species – held at CSIRO's Australian National Insect Collection (ANIC) in Canberra.

Geological information available at click of a button

Mining industry explorers, earthquake and climate change scientists and members of the public can now access a 'stack' of information about Australia's geology at the click of a button.

New Director for Minerals Down Under Flagship

Following an intensive international search and selection process, CSIRO has appointed one of its own, Jonathan Law, as the new Director of the organisation Minerals Down Under National Research Flagship.

Ocean warming detrimental to inshore fish species

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

CSIRO helps clinch global car component deal

Access to a portfolio of cost-competitive CSIRO casting technologies was crucial to Nissan Casting Australia’s (NCAP’s) recent successful bid to manufacture components for the Nissan Motor Company’s new LEAF electric car in Dandenong, Victoria.

Tiger-parrots show their true evolutionary stripes

Recently released genetic research from CSIRO and New Mexico State University in the US is helping scientists better understand how Australian birds evolved.