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Imagine you have a massive pile of rocks. You think there might be gold in the rocks, not much, but enough to make some money. Now it might be easier to find out how much hidden gold there is.

Security systems are everywhere. Your home probably has locks on the doors. These protect you and your home, preventing people from entering and stealing items or causing damage. Biosecurity works in a similar way, except it involves protecting an area from the damage caused by pests and diseases.

These BHP Foundation Science and Engineering Awards students have done practical research projects, with innovative approaches, using scientific procedures. See what they’ve achieved in the video below. Video transcript available here. Are you up for the challenge? Enter the BHP Science and Engineering Awards!

Last week in Science by Email we looked at the heatwave that has affected much of Australia. In this country, where heatwaves go, bushfires often follow.

In Australia, the year is off to a sizzling start. Much of the continent has been sweltering under a record-breaking heatwave. Let’s look at what’s causing these extreme temperatures.

How would you find out where to strike gold? Turns out termites might have the answer.

As this year draws to a close, let’s have a look at some of the big stories in science for 2012. In July, physicists at the Large Hadron Collider announced they may have found evidence of the existence of the Higgs boson.

Bionic vision technology aims to help people who are blind or vision-impaired regain their sense of sight. Like with the cochlear implant, or bionic ear, Australian researchers are again leading the way, this time to develop a bionic eye.

What do the electromagnetic force, rip currents, humpback whales and lizards have in common? They are just some of the subjects of work that won Eureka Prizes this year.

At school you receive report cards to keep track of how you’re going and to identify strengths and weaknesses. Report cards are good for students – what about our oceans?