Blog

Written by Beth Askham Drones, lasers, planes and liquid nitrogen were all called in to measure the growth of a Tasmanian forest. Sometimes measurement can be a little more exciting than you might think.

Written by Beth Askham On Monday, the Earth survived a close encounter with a very large asteroid. If you think that a massive rock hurtling through space close to Earth is terrifying, be comforted that in this case, close is still 1.2 million kilometres away.

Written by Beth Askham Bacteria living in soil could save our lives – if only we knew they existed. A new way of looking at soil bacteria is helping researchers discover new antibiotics.

Written by Julia Cleghorn 3D laser scans of the extinct dodo have helped scientists better understand these famous, flightless birds.

Written by Julia Cleghorn “Pass the salt, please.” We can direct other people’s behaviour by talking. And to talk, we have to think about what we want to say. But, what if you could skip the talking?

Written by Julia Cleghorn Researchers have found a better way to study penguin behaviour – send in a remote-controlled rover! Compared with researchers collecting data themselves, rovers were found to be less disruptive to the colony, less stressful for the penguins, and sometimes a whole lot cuter to watch!

Written by Sarah Kellett Earlier this week, the Rosetta spacecraft released a lander called Philae (FEE-lay) to land onto a comet’s icy surface. This European Space Agency mission is the first ever to orbit and land on a comet.

Written by Julia Cleghorn As gross as it may sound, doctors are now trialling poo to treat some patients. In a new study, capsules full of fecal matter – otherwise known as poo – have been found to cure infections in the intestines!

Written by Dennis Price In this activity, you’ll draw one long line that spirals and snakes around the page, known as a spirolateral. Start with a simple one, and then go on to invent your own spirolaterals!

Written by Julia Cleghorn Imagine you’re walking on your own through the forest, late at night, and suddenly stumble across a giant, hairy spider. Frightening thought? Best not to dwell on it too much then. It did happen, though, to an entomologist – and what better day to discuss it than Halloween!