Science & Nature

Making Papua New Guinea’s community-managed tree plantations sustainable

Volume 10 Number 10 October 13 - November 9 2014

 

Research from Melbourne’s Department of Forest and Ecosystems Science aims to improve wood processing in Papua New Guinea and increase profitability to local communities. By Stuart Winthrope.

Isaac Newton: the last magician

Volume 10 Number 9 September 8 - October 13 2014

 

Sir Isaac Newton – regarded as one of the greatest minds of modern science – was also an avid practitioner of alchemy – the ancient ‘science’ of channelling higher powers to turn base metals to gold and silver, and finding the Elixir of Life. Following is an edited extract of a lecture on the History and Philosophy of Science about Newton’s alchemical practice, delivered recently by William R Newman, Distinguished Professor in the History and Philosophy of Science at Indiana University, Bloomington, US.

Squawks, cheeps, chirps and twitters: what does it all mean?

Volume 10 Number 9 September 8 - October 13 2014

 

Andi Horvath asks the experts to translate the sweet sounds and raucous cacophony of birds. 

Beautiful and useful: understanding diamonds

Volume 10 Number 8 August 11 - September 7 2014

 

Head of the University’s School of Earth Sciences Professor David Phillips explains the science of diamonds – their shape, colour and how they find their way into Earth’s surface from deep inside the planet’s mantle. By Andi Horvath.

The science of meat production

Volume 10 Number 8 August 11 - September 7 2014

 

Andi Horvath speaks with the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Science’s Professor Robyn Warner about her career in the science of meat production.

Finding majesty in the earth’s dynamics

Volume 10 Number 7 July 14 - August 10 2014

 

Andi Horvath speaks to earth scientist Professor Mike Sandiford about his career researching, learning and teaching about the ground beneath our feet.

Why aren’t koalas suitable as pets?

Volume 10 Number 7 July 14 - August 10 2014

 

Andi Horvath finds out why koalas are better off left alone, protected from habitat loss and other harmful human interventions.

Inspiration from Al Gore to tackle climate change

Volume 10 Number 7 July 14 - August 10 2014

 

Claire Denby from the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute reflects on her participation in the recent Climate Reality Leadership Corps training with former US Vice-President Al Gore.

How environmental issues are springing from the page

Volume 10 Number 6 June 9 - July 13 2014

 

Laura Soderlind explores the emerging field of literary criticism known as Ecocriticism.

Explainer: The GM ‘revolution’

Volume 10 Number 6 June 9 - July 13 2014

 

Daryl Holland cuts through the spin to give some key facts about genetically modified food.

The great food debate

Volume 10 Number 6 June 9 - July 13 2014

 

As debate about the comparative merits of organic produce, conventional farming and genetically modified (GM) crops continues here and overseas, Zoe Nikakis asks, what are the food issues we face now, and how will we eat in the future?

From the Editor

Volume 10 Number 6 June 9 - July 13 2014

 

High-impact research: science in the dairy