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Posts by Pat

Spot the rice Activity

by Pat, 8 July 2014 | 0 comments

a container of rice with a few black grains.

You may have heard a climate scientist talking about ‘parts per million’ or ppm. If you want to get a handle on what that means, and how much CO2 is in our atmosphere, you’ve come to the right place!

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Bacteria spiked by black silicon News

by Pat, 13 December 2013 | 0 comments

Dragonfly.

Recently we explained how some microbes keep us healthy. Unfortunately, not all microorganisms are helpful, and some cause illness. Recent discoveries could help keep nasties at bay.

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The science of sharks News

by Pat, 6 December 2013 | 1 comments

Swimming shark.

Following a fatal attack off New South Wales, sharks are once again in the spotlight. As tragic as these events are, shark attacks are so rare, scientists aren’t sure why humans are bitten at all.

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The friends you may not know you had News

by Pat, 29 November 2013 | 0 comments

Electron microscope image of bacteria.

Coral reefs, rainforests, wetlands – these are just a few examples of ecosystems. But you don’t have to go travelling far and wide to find them. You have your own personal ecosystem that goes wherever you go: your microbiome.

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Super storms News

by Pat, 22 November 2013 | 0 comments

Satellite image of a tropical cyclone.

A massive storm called Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines earlier this month. One of the largest storms ever observed, it has caused widespread destruction in the island nation. Typhoons, cyclones and hurricanes are all different names for the same thing: a particularly violent type of tropical storm. Which name it is given depends on where…

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Scorched earth not so barren News

by Pat, 15 November 2013 | 0 comments

A large goanna

With dry conditions and high temperatures, the risk of bushfires increases over the Australian summer. But while the destructive nature of fire cannot be denied, fire still plays an important role in some ecosystems.

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Aurora origins News

by Pat, 8 November 2013 | 0 comments

Aurora over a winter landscape.

On a dark night, far from the Equator, you might be lucky enough to spot an aurora: a shimmering, colourful glow in the sky. This natural light show has captivated people for thousands of years. While it is mostly associated with cold, dark nights near the poles, auroras have a much brighter, warmer origin: the…

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The need for sleep News

by Pat, 1 November 2013 | 0 comments

Sleeping white tiger.

You’ve been up since early morning, had a long day at school and it’s late in the day. Your eyes are tired, it’s hard to concentrate and you’re trying not to yawn. It sounds like you’re ready to sleep.

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Megafauna Monday: Dromornis stirtoni News

by Pat, 14 October 2013 | 3 comments

Fossil cast of a Dromornis stirtoni skeleton.

Welcome to Megafauna Monday, where we help you chase away the post-weekend blues by showcasing some of the mighty beasts that once roamed the planet. Today it’s about the biggest bird of them all!

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How to make a climate report News

by Pat, 11 October 2013 | 0 comments

Sunset over drought-affected landscape.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released the first part of its latest report. It might not sound like a big deal – most of us have written a report at some point for school or work. Yet we aren’t talking any old paper.

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