Solar Advancing Technology
One of the biggest problems with using solar panels as a complete energy source is that you can’t rely on the sun to shine every day. But a breakthrough in May 2022 discovered a way of using them in the night, and during the rain.
New Ways to Save the Great Barrier Reef
Climate change is the biggest threat for the Great Barrier Reef, and reefs worldwide. Other key threats include poor water quality, fishing impacts on protected and threatened species, marine debris and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, says the Australian Government. Another threat is ocean litter, which hurts and even kills marine wildlife. But there are ways we can prevent these problems, like recycling, and using renewable energy. Renewable energy includes wind power, solar power, bioenergy (organic matter burned as a fuel) and hydroelectric, including tidal energy.
Oldest Alphabet has Been Found in Syria
Recently in Syria, archaeologists found a new source of writing from around 2400 BCE. They think that they discovered some of the oldest hints of writing in history, which was shocking to scientists, as they thought the oldest form of text was the cuneiform text.
Meteorites from the Same Families
For a while, scientists have been unclear where the 70% of unknown meteoroids originated. Recently, scientists have discovered that most of Earth’s meteorites come from a few asteroid break ups. These collisions occurred from 5.8 to 40 million years ago, and have travelled through space for ages to join us on Earth.
Thinning Ice Sheet in Greenland
In Greenland, there is a huge ice sheet that is thinning largely over a short span of time, inducing higher sea levels. This could be a step up for climate change and global warming because it could create floods and severe weather conditions like hotter and wetter summers in Australia and colder and wet and snowier winters in Europe.
New Home for Deep-Sea Mineral Spire
A deep-sea mineral spire, known as Bikpela, (Big Bug in Tok Pisin, a creole language spoken throughout PNG) and first discovered in 2000 by both Australian and Papua New Guinea researchers, is going on display for the first time. Taking pride of place at the Australian National Maritime Museum’s exhibition Ultimate Depth: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea, the spire has given valuable information about the undersea world.
New Developments in Agriculture Showcase at AgCatalyst
Agrifood industries are facing challenges on a global scale, but innovative science and technology from CSIRO are making a difference. The new technology, revealed at AgCatalyst 2024, showcased by CSIRO, had many new opportunities for development.
Use of Artificial Intelligence in Animal Welfare
Thousands of cattle pass through the Casino Food Co-op daily. For the northern NSW business, ensuring the well-being of the cattle is not just business, its law. Currently, the cattle are monitored by staff and vets, but the task of monitoring every animal is extremely difficult. But new AI technology is being developed to change that.
Researchers Discover Scuba Diving Lizards
In 2021, assistant research professor Lindsey Swierk from Binghamton University in New York and her team, discovered a new type of semi-aquatic anoles lizard. The lizards can stay underwater for at least twenty minutes by using an air bubble.
Undersea Imaging Helping Build Bonds and Share Knowledge
A joint project by Australian and American marine scientists has found a new way to explore the ocean. Researchers have made an open-source framework, meant to transform how research image datasets can be managed, processed and shared. In 2024, the database set a new standard for collaboration, data accessibility and citizen science.