AusSMC Hot Topic archive by topic

Hot topic Archive - Full list of AusSMC hot topics

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ABORIGINAL HEALTH
ABORIGINAL HEALTH
ONLINE BRIEFING: Experts discuss two major culprits in the area of aboriginal health - smoking and racism. Thu 13 Mar 08

ABORIGINAL HEALTH BETTER IN UTOPIA
RAPID ROUNDUP: A new study in Medical Journal of Australia shows health outcomes at the NT community of Utopia are significantly better than average - experts comment. Mon 3 Mar 08

APOLOGY TO THE 'STOLEN GENERATION'
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts in Indigenous health and welfare describe the importance of the apology and its potential impacts on Aboriginal health. Tue 12 Feb 08

AGRICULTURE
FARMERS PREPARE TO COUNT CARBON
ONLINE BACKGROUND BRIEFING: Experts discuss the issue of agriculture in a carbon trading scheme. Where is the science up to and where is it heading? Tue 22 July 08

POO - THE ULTIMATE IN RECYCLING
BACKGROUND BRIEFING: Experts attending a biosolids conference discuss the pros and cons of putting human waste into the agricultural cycle. Wed 11 June 08 at 12.30pm AEST

FARMING FOR THE FUTURE
BACKGROUND BRIEFING: Hear from CSIRO scientists who are looking into Australian farms of the future. Wed 28 May 08

EXPANDING AGRICULTURE IN THE NORTH
RAPID ROUNDUP: CSIRO scientist, Leon Rotstayn warns that increased rainfall in north-west Australia might be temporary. Thu 24 April 08

ALCOHOL
NEW BINGE DRINKING POLICY
RAPID ROUNDUP: The Federal Government has announced a new $53 million dollar stratergy to target binge drinking. Experts comment. Wed 12 Mar 08 (Updated 13 Mar)

ASTRONOMY
WATER ON MARS
RAPID ROUNDUP: An Australian expert responds to the news that water has been discovered on Mars
Fri 1 Aug 08

SOLAR SYSTEM SIMILAR TO OUR OWN
RAPID ROUNDUP: Two Australian authors and one other expert discuss a Science paper which describes a newly discovered solar system with two planets similar to Jupiter and Saturn. Fri 15 Feb 08

EARTH-LIKE PLANET
RAPID ROUNDUP: European astronomers have discovered the most Earth-like planet outside our Solar System to date. Thu 26 April 07

RADIO TELESCOPE: AUSTRALIA SHORT LISTED
RAPID ROUNDUP: Scientists respond. Fri 29 Sept 06

AVIAN FLU/BIRD FLU
FATHER PROBABLY CAUGHT BIRD FLU FROM SON - LANCET
RAPID ROUNDUP: UK experts respond to a new Lancet article about bird flu. Tue 8 April 08

BIRD FLU VIRUS SPREADS BEYOND LUNGS - LANCET
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to a new study in The Lancet which shows the H5N1 virus spreads beyond the lungs in humans. Fri 28 Sept 07

BIRD FLU - WHAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW
BACKGROUND BRIEFING: What everyone should know about bird flu. Wed 1 March 06

See also INFLUENZA

BIOSECURITY
NEW DISEASE THREATS TO AUSTRALIA
BACKGROUND BRIEFING: Experts discussed some of the under-reported disease and biosecurity threats facing Australia. Mon 15 Sept 08 in Sydney.

BRIDGES
US BRIDGE COLLAPSE
RAPID ROUNDUP: Australian engineers comment on the bridge collapse in Minneapolis and whether it could happen here.
Fri 3 Aug 07

BUSHFIRES

BUSHFIRES IN GREECE
BLOG: Fire researchers use the Australian experience to suggest ways of avoiding further tragedy in Greece. Thu 30 Aug 07

BUSHFIRES
MEDIA BRIEFING. Wed 18 Oct 06 (Audio files available)

BUSHFIRES IN SE AUSTRALIA - JAN 2006
RAPID ROUNDUP: Bushfire experts respond to the bushfires in south-eastern Australia in Jan 2006. Tue 24 Jan 06

CANCER
MOISTURISERS INCREASE RISK OF SKIN CANCER IN UV-RADIATION TREATED MICE
RAPID ROUNDUP: New research implicates several moisturisers in increasing skin cancer development in mice. Fri 15 Aug 08

BROCCOLI AND PROSTATE CANCER
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts react to research showing men on a broccoli-rich showed genetic changes which could reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer. Wed 2 July 08

CANCER CLUSTERS
ONLINE BRIEFING: Experts discuss the science of cancer clusters.
Tue 10 June 08 at 11.30am AEST

HRT LINKED TO BREAST CANCER
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts react to a study in the Medical Journal of Australia that links a drop in HRT prescriptions to a drop in breast cancer in Australian women. Mon 2 June 08

CANCER STEM CELLS CAUSING CHILDHOOD LEUKAEMIA FOUND
RAPID ROUNDUP: Confirmation of cancer stem cells as a cause of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia published today in Science. Fri 18 Jan 08

QLD FIRE STATION CANCER CLUSTER
RAPID ROUNDUP: An expert comments on a possible cancer cluster at a Qld fire station.
Tues 18 Dec 07

MEAT LINKED TO INCREASED CANCER RISK
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment on a new report that shows high intakes of red and processed meat is linked to an increased risk of some cancers. Tue 11 Dec 07

BREAST CANCER NETWORKS
Experts comment on a breast cancer study that brings personalised treatment one step closer. Tue 16 Oct 07

BREAST CANCER GENETICS RESEARCH
RAPID ROUNDUP: Scientists respond to new research on breast cancer genetics. Mon 28 May 07

NEW BREAST CANCER GENES DISCOVERED
MEDIA BRIEIFING - in Melbourne. Mon 28 May 07 (Audio files available)

CERVICAL CANCER VACCINE
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to issues surrounding the listing of the cervical cancer vaccine Gardasil. Updated Mon 13 Nov 06

ABC CANCER CLUSTER REPORT

RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to results of the investigation. Thu 21 Dec 06

CANCER CLUSTERS

Looking for comment? Experts available. Updated 22 Aug 06

CARBON TRADING
GARNAUT SUPPLEMENTARY DRAFT REPORT
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to the Garnaut Climate Change Review's latest draft report on targets and trajectories. Fri 5 Sept 08

GREEN PAPER ON EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to the governments green paper, on a carbon pollution reduction scheme for Australia. Wed 16 July 08

GARNAUT REVIEW- DRAFT REPORT: EXPERTS RESPOND
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to the draft report of the Garnaut Climate Change Review. Fri 4 July 08

GARNAUT EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME DISCUSSION PAPER
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to the Garnaut Review's proposals for an Emissions Trading Scheme in Australia. Updated Tue 25 Mar 08

PM's TASK GROUP REPORT ON EMISSIONS TRADING
RAPID ROUNDUP: Climate scientists and carbon trading experts react to the Prime Ministerial Task Group Report on Emissions Trading. Fri 1 June 07

CARBON EMISSIONS TRADING
MEDIA BRIEFING: Two climate scientists discuss carbon emissions trading.
AUDIO FILES AND TRANSCRIPTS NOW AVAILABLE. Thu 31 May 07

PM's DISCUSSION PAPER ON EMISSIONS TRADING
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to discussion paper from the joint government-business Task Group.
Updated Thu 8 Feb 07

CHILDREN'S HEALTH
CALL TO BAN JUNK FOOD TV ADS FOR CHILDREN
RAPID ROUNDUP: SA's Health Minister calls on all states to ban junk food TV advertising during children’s television viewing times. Fri 8 Feb 08

ELECTIVE CAESAREAN INCREASES RISK OF BREATHING PROBLEMS
RAPID ROUNDUP: Expert comment on a new report in the BMJ warning of an increased risk of breathing problems in babies born by elective caesarean. Tue 11 Dec 07

OBESITY IN KIDS
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to CSIRO's 10-point plan. Fri 21 Sept 07

KIDS' HEALTH
MEDIA BRIEFING: Our 21st Century health crisis - Unlocking the secrets of childhood obesity and disease. Wed 14 Mar 07 (Audio files available)

CLIMATE CHANGE

GARNAUT SUPPLEMENTARY DRAFT REPORT
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to the Garnaut Climate Change Review's latest draft report on targets and trajectories. Fri 5 Sept 08

WARMING AND RISING OCEANS
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts react to Australian research in the journal Nature that shows rapid warming of the upper oceans helps to explain variations in sea-level rise. Thurs 19 June 08

JOINT STATEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE
A 'call to arms' from some of the country's leading climate scientists. Fri 13 June 08

CLIMATE COOLING CORRECTION
RAPID ROUNDUP: A closer look at the apparent cooling trend in the 1940s indicates that it was an artefact of data collection. Fri 30 May 08

WARMING CHANGING THE WORLD - NATURE
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment on new research that shows a vast array of physical and biological systems are being affected by global warming. Thu 15 May 08

IS A LACK OF SUN SPOTS GOING TO BRING ON AN ICE AGE?
RAPID ROUNDUP: Two scientists comment on reports in The Australian that a lack of sun spot activity is causing global cooling. Wed 23 April 08

S THE EARTH COOLING?
RAPID ROUNDUP: Several Australian experts respond to a statement by the WMO on recent cooling.
Updated Wed 16 April 08

TOP NASA SCIENTIST CALLS ON RUDD TO BAN NEW COAL
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to NASA scientist James Hansen's call for Kevin Rudd to halt building of coal-fired power plants. Fri 28 Mar 08

GARNAUT INTERIM REPORT RELEASED
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to the release of the Garnaut Climate Change Review interim report.
Thu 21 Feb 08

HURRICANES LINKED TO RISING SEA TEMPERATURES
RAPID ROUNDUP: This week's Nature reports that rising sea surface temperatures increase hurricane activity in the North Atlantic. Australian experts describe what this means for the Australian region. Thurs 31 Jan 08

CLIMATE CHANGE A THREAT TO HUMAN HEALTH
RAPID ROUNDUP: Climate change will have a huge impact on human health and bold policy decisions are needed now, according to an article in the British Medical Journal. Fri 25 Jan 08

IPCC FOUNDER BERT BOLIN DIES
RAPID ROUNDUP: Leading Swedish climate scientist and co-founder of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Bert Bolin, has died aged 82. Thu 3 Jan 08

BALI CLIMATE TALKS
RAPID ROUNDUP: Australian experts respond to outcomes of Bali climate talks.
Sun 16 Dec 07 (Updated Mon 17 Dec)

GLOBAL CLIMATE FOR 2007
NATIONAL BRIEFING: A national briefing in Melbourne to coincide with the release of the WMO's global climate statement for 2007. Fri 14 Dec 07 at 10.30am AEDT

BALI CLIMATE DECLARATION BY SCIENTISTS
RAPID ROUNDUP: 200+ climate scientists make a declaration at the Bali Climate Change conference.
Thu 6 Dec 07

AUSTRALIA RATIFIES KYOTO PROTOCOL
RAPID ROUNDUP: Scientists respond to today's announcement that PM Kevin Rudd has ratified the Kyoto Protocol. Mon 3 Dec 07

NEW CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECTIONS FOR AUSTRALIA
MEDIA BRIEFING: Authors from the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology release new climate change projections for Australia. Tue 2 Oct 07 in Sydney.

SYDNEY DECLARATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to APEC's Sydney Declaration. Mon 10 Sept 07

AUSTRALIA'S CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY
CRAPID ROUNDUP: limate scientists respond to the Australian Government's latest report on climate change policy.
Wed 18 July 07

GREAT GLOBAL WARMING SWINDLE DOCUMENTARY
RAPID ROUNDUP: Scientists respond to the ABC's decision to air the British documentary.
Updated Wed 15 Aug 07

TROPICAL FORESTS MORE IMPORTANT FOR CLIMATE THAN FIRST THOUGHT
RAPID ROUNDUP: Climate experts respond to the findings of a new paper in the journal Science.
Fri 22 June 07

CHINA BECOMES BIGGEST CO2 EMITTER
RAPID ROUNDUP: Climate scientists respond to the news that China has overtaken the US as the world's top CO2 emitter. Updated Fri 22 June 07

CO2 EMISSIONS ACCELERATING IN AUSTRALIA AND GLOBALLY
RAPID ROUNDUP: Scientists respond. Tue 22 May 07

MITIGATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE - IPCC WG3 AUTHORS AVAILABLE
MEDIA BRIEFING - Several Australian Lead Authors from the IPCC's Working Group 3 discuss this latest report on climate change mitigation. Mon 7 May 07 (Audio files available)

CLIMATE CHANGE - IPCC WORKING GROUP 3 REPORT ON MITIGATION
RAPID ROUNDUP - Australian Lead Authors and other climate experts respond to the IPCC's latest Report from Working Group 3 on climate change mitigation. Fri 4 May 07 at 4pm

CLIMATE CHANGE - IPCC WORKING GROUP 3 REPORT ON MITIGATION
BACKGROUND information and summaries on the Working Group 3 Report due out on Fri 4 May 07

SCIENTIST CALLS FOR AN END TO CREMATION
MEDIA BRIEFING: A Melbourne scientist calls for an end to cremation to help prevent further global warming. Wed 18 April 07

CLIMATE CHANGE - WHAT TO EXPECT FOR AUSTRALIA
MEDIA BRIEFING: Australian Lead Authors from the IPCC's Working Group 2 discussed regional aspects of the latest Report. Tue 10 April. (Audio files available)

NEW CLIMATE CHANGE REPORT
RAPID ROUNDUP: Australian Lead Authors, Review Editors and other climate experts comment on the IPCC's latest Report from Working Group 2. Fri 6 April 07

CLIMATE CHANGE - IPCC WORKING GROUP 2 REPORT
BACKGROUND RESOURCES: Australian background information and summaries on the Working Group 2 Report. Includes new Media Releases and Fact Sheets. Updated Fri 6 April 07

NEW CLIMATE BOOK
RAPID ROUNDUP: Scientists respond to the new book "Nine Facts about Climate Change." Thu 1 Mar 07

LIGHT BULB BAN
RAPID ROUNDUP: Scientists respond to the Government's decision to phase out inefficient light bulbs. Mon 26 Feb 07

IPCC CLIMATE CHANGE BRIEFINGS
MEDIA BRIEFING. Listen to presentations from Melbourne and Adelaide briefings.
Updated Mon 5 Feb 07 (Audio files available)

IPCC CLIMATE CHANGE REPORT - EXPERTS COMMENT
RAPID ROUNDUP: Climate scientists respond to the IPCC Climate Change Report. Fri 2 Feb 07

EMISSIONS ACCELERATING, SAY SCIENTISTS
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to new analysis showing sharp acceleration in fossil fuel emissions.
Updated Mon 27 Nov 06

STERN REVIEW ON ECONOMICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts react to the landmark UK report by Nick Stern on the Economics of Climate Change. Updated Tue 31 Oct 06

LOW EMISSIONS TECHNOLOGY FUNDING

RAPID ROUNDUP: Scientists react to the Aust. Govt's announcement of funding for low emissions technology projects. Wed 25 Oct 06

METHANE ON THE INCREASE?

RAPID ROUNDUP: Australian scientists comment. Thu 28 Sept 06

BRANSON'S CLIMATE PLEDGE

RAPID ROUNDUP: Scientists react to Richard Branson's climate pledge. Updated Tue 26 Sept 06

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

RAPID ROUNDUP: Members of the scientific community comment on Al Gore's new climate change film. Updated Tues 12 Sept 06

KICKING THE CARBON HABIT
MEDIA BRIEFING: Kicking the Carbon Habit: The climate-carbon nexus. Wed 12 April 06

ASIA-PACIFIC CLIMATE PARTNERSHIP

RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts react to the outcomes announced at this meeting. Thu 12 Jan 06

EXTREME WEATHER
MEDIA BRIEFING: 2005 – The Year from Hell. Fri 16 Dec 05

DEPRESSION
GLOBAL DEPRESSION STUDY
RAPID ROUNDUP: Depression makes sick people even sicker - New Lancet paper. Fri 7 Sept 07

DESALINATION
VICTORIA TO BUILD AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST DESALINATION PLANT
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond. Tue 19 June 07

DIET

NUTRIGENOMICS: DESIGNER DIETS FOR OUR GENES
BACKGROUND BRIEFING: Personally tailored diets dictated by your genetic makeup. In this back-ground briefing we look at how much we truly ‘are what we eat.’ Mon 5 May 08 in Melb

PROBIOTICS: NEW RESEARCH FINDINGS
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to two seperate studies about the effects of probiotics on patients with pancreatitis and athletes. Thu 14 Feb 08

HEALTH BENEFITS OF A MEDITERRANEAN DIET
RAPID ROUNDUP: A Mediterranean diet during pregnancy could help reduce the risks of asthma and allergy in children - new report in Thorax. Tues 15 Jan 08

DIET DEBATE
RAPID ROUNDUP: Dietary fibre and colorectal cancer: A new study fires up the debate. Thu 15 Dec 05

DROUGHT
See also Climate change

IS AUSTRALIA STILL IN DROUGHT? POST SUMMER UPDATE (March 2008)
NATIONAL BRIEFING: To coincide with the release of summer data, key stakeholders come together to discuss the latest conditions. Mon 3 Mar 08 in Canberra. AUDIO FILES AVAILABLE

IS AUSTRALIA STILL IN DROUGHT? POST WINTER UPDATE (Sept 2007)
MEDIA BRIEFING: As winter ends, leading authorities come together for a drought update. Thu 6 Sept 07 in Melbourne AUDIO FILES AVAILABLE

2006 - A YEAR OF DROUGHT
MEDIA BRIEFING: Held in conjunction with the global release of climate data for 2006. Fri 15 Dec 06

DRUGS
CARDIOVASCULAR RISKS OF CANNABIS USE
RAPID ROUNDUP: A study in Molecular Psychiatry claims marijuana users are at significant risk of cardiovascular disorders. Experts respond. Wed 14 May 08

INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE
RAPID ROUNDUP: Drug experts explain how science can help save lives and free communities of drug abuse. Mon 25 Jun 07

DRUGS AND DRIVING

NEW RESEARCH ON DRUGS AND INJURY
RAPID ROUNDUP: Scientists respond to a study that may change the way we look at drug driving.
Fri 13 April 07

DRUGS IN SPORT

DRUGS AT THE OLYMPICS
ONLINE BRIEFING : Join a group of leading Australian experts online to discuss the facts on performance enhancing drugs; the cheats, the risks, the tests and the chances of fair play. Mon 4 Aug 08 at 10.30am AEST

DRUGS IN SPORT
MEDIA BRIEFING: Can science keep up with the cheats? Wed 22 March 06

DRUG TRIALS

FLOYD LANDIS SPORTS DOPING ALLEGATIONS

RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts explain the science behind testosterone doping and testing. Mon 7 Aug 06

DRUG TRIAL TRAGEDY
RAPID ROUNDUP: Australian scientists react to the UK trial of an anti-inflammatory drug that went horribly wrong in March 2006. Fri 17 March 06 (Updated 26 May 06)

EARLY EARTH

HUMANS RESPONSIBLE FOR MEGAFAUNA EXTINCTION
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to new research implicating humans in the extinction of megafauna.
Mon 11 Aug 08

HUMANS RESPONSIBLE FOR MEGAFAUNA EXTINCTION
ONLINE BRIEFING: Join the authors of a new Australian study which implicates humans in prehistoric animal extinctions. Mon 11 Aug 08 at 10.30am

WORLD'S OLDEST MOTHER
RAPID ROUNDUP: A team of Australian scientists have uncovered the world’s oldest vertebrate mother and named it after Sir David Attenborough. Thu 29 May 08

CAVE REVEALS SECRETS OF LONG AGO LIFE
ONLINE NEWS BRIEFING: Two Australian members of the research team discuss.
Thu 18 Oct 07

ANCIENT WA DIAMONDS SHED LIGHT ON EARLY EARTH
RAPID ROUNDUP: A report published in Nature describes the oldest identified fragments of the Earth's crust. Thu 23 Aug 07

NULLARBOR CAVES FOSSIL DISCOVERY

RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment on remarkable new findings. Thu 25 Jan 07

PILBARA STUDY
RAPID ROUNDUP: Evidence for earliest life on Earth. Experts comment. Wed 7 June 06

WORLD HERITAGE LISTING FOR PILBARA?

RAPID ROUNDUP: Critical new fossil evidence of early life must be conserved, say experts. Thu 8 June 06

EARTHQUAKES

EARTHQUAKE IN CHINA
RAPID ROUNDUP: Australian earthquake experts respond. Tue 13 May 08

SOLOMON ISLANDS EARTHQUAKE
RAPID ROUNDUP: Tsunami and earthquake experts respond to the magnitude 8.0 earthquake in the Solomon Islands. Mon 2 April 07

EARTHQUAKES AND TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEMS
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment on the cluster of earthquakes in Indonesia and discuss tsunami early warning systems. Fri 21 July 06

INDONESIAN EARTHQUAKE
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment on the May earthquake in Java. Mon 29 May 06

EMISSIONS TRADING
See CARBON TRADING

ENERGY
THE FUTURE OF PETROL - CSIRO FUTURE FUELS FORUM
MEDIA BRIEFING: Experts discuss possible scenarios facing Australian motorists into the future.
Fri 11 July 08 in Melb

MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE ENERGY DEBATE
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to a new research report on energy coverage in the Australian media. Thu 4 Oct 07

PM's NATIONAL ENERGY TARGETS
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to the Prime Minister's announcement on national energy targets. Mon 24 Sept 07

ESAA ENERGY REPORT
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to Energy Supply Association Report. 31 Jan 07

ENVIRONMENT

PNG RUNNING OUT OF FORESTS TO PROTECT
ONLINE BRIEFING and RAPID ROUNDUP: A new report says Papua New Guinea is running out of forests to protect. Mon 2 June 08

AUSTRALIA'S OECD ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW 2008
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to Australia's report card on environmental policies.
Wed 19 Mar 08

CARBON CRISIS FOR CORAL REEFS
NATIONAL BRIEFING: Scientists announce the results of new research on the future of the planet's reefs. Fri 14 Dec 07 at 9.30am AEDT

TROPICS EXPAND POLEWARD - NATURE
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment on new findings in Nature which show the world's tropical regions are expanding. Mon 3 Dec 07

STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT
RAPID ROUNDUP: Scientists respond to Australia's most comprehensive environmental report card. Wed 6 Dec 06

TASMANIAN PULP MILL DECISION
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to the Australian government's decision to approve the pulp mill in Tasmania. Fri 5 Oct 07

ETHICS

VATICAN LISTS NEW SINS
RAPID ROUNDUP: The Vatican has announced seven contemporary sins, including pollution, experimenting on humans and genetic modification. An expert comments. Tue 11 Mar 08

EXTREME WEATHER

TROPICAL CYCLONE NARGIS: BURMA
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond. Updated Fri 9 May 08

FLU
See INFLUENZA or BIRD FLU

FUEL
See ENERGY

FOOD SECURITY
GLOBAL FOOD REPORT
RAPID ROUNDUP: Australian experts comment on the long awaited international report on the future of agriculture. Updated Fri 18 April 08

WHAT'S BEHIND SOARING FOOD PRICES?
NATIONAL BRIEFING: Amid warnings of an emerging global food shortage, experts will brief journalists on the emerging issues of food costs and food security. Thu 17 Jan 08

FUNDING FOR SCIENCE

REVIEW OF AUSTRALIA'S INNOVATION SYSTEM
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment on the Australian Government's Review of the National Innovation System report. Tue 9 Sept 08

CSIRO AND ANSTO BUDGET CUTS
ROUNDUP: Members of the scientific community comment on recent science funding announcements effecting the CSIRO and ANSTO. Wed 21 May 08

BUDGET 2008
RAPID ROUNDUP: Scientists comment on the Federal Government's Budget 2008. Wed 14 May 08

BUDGET 2007-08
RAPID ROUNDUP: Scientists react to the Federal Budget for 2007-08. Wed 9 May 07

PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION REPORT ON SCIENCE
RAPID ROUNDUP: Scientists respond to the Productivity Commission's report on "Public Support for Science and Innovation." Tue 27 Mar 07

FEDERAL BUDGET
RAPID ROUNDUP: Scientists react to the Federal Budget. Wed 10 May 06

CSIRO FUTURE RESEARCH PRIORITIES
RAPID ROUNDUP: Australian experts react to CSIRO's investment decisions for 2006/07. Tue 31 Jan 06

GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMOs)

GM CANOLA SEED PERSISTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to research in Biology Letters which provides evidence that herbicide tolerant GM canola can persist for 10 years after cultivation. Wed 2 April 08

GM CANOLA: THE RISKS, REWARDS & REGULATION
MEDIA BRIEFING: As the moratoria lifts in two states, the Chair of the Vic review and three GM scientists discuss the risks and benefits of GM canola.
Fri 29 Feb at 10.30am AEDT in Melb. AUDIO FILES AVAILABLE

GM CANOLA: MORATORIA IN VIC & NSW LIFTED
RAPID ROUNDUP: A range of experts comment on the commercial release of GM canola as the moratoria lifts in two states. Thu 28 Feb 08

SA EXTENDS GM MORATORIUM ON FOOD CROPS
RAPID ROUNDUP: SA Premier Mike Rann and Minister for Agriculture Rory McEwen say South Australia has chosen to stay GM free. Fri 8 Feb 08 (Updated Mon 11 Feb)

FOODLAND PRODUCTS TO BE GM FREE
SCIENCE BLOG: A GM expert responds to Foodland's announcement that its products will remain GM free. Fri 25 Jan 08

GENOMES
PLATYPUS GENOME SECRETS REVEALED - NATURE
FULL RESOURCES: An international team of 100+ researchers including 26 from Australia publish their findings. Audio files now avaliable. Updated Sat 10 May 08

WATSON'S GENOME PUBLISHED
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment after the co-discoverer of the double helix, James Watson, had his genome published in the journal Nature. Fri 18 April 08

GEOTHERMAL POWER
GEOTHERMAL DRILLING ANNOUNCEMENT
RAPID ROUNDUP: Energy experts react to the federal government's announcement that it will fund $50 million towards geothermal drilling. Wed 20 Aug 08

GREAT BARRIER REEF

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF IN 2050
ONLINE BRIEFING: Hear reef scientists express their concerns to Canberra politicians about the future of the GBR and discuss potential solutions. Wed 19 Mar 08

CARBON CRISIS FOR CORAL REEFS
NATIONAL BRIEFING: Scientists announce the results of new research on the future of the planet's reefs. Fri 14 Dec 07 at 9.30am AEDT
H

HAZARDOUS WASTE
LEAD CONTAMINATION
RAPID ROUNDUP: Toxicologists comment on two separate lead contamination reports - lead levels in Mt Isa children and lead levels in rainwater tanks. Mon 14 April 08

AUSTRALIA'S HAZARDOUS WASTE LEGACY
MEDIA BRIEFING: Contamination experts discuss our inability to deal with hazardous waste.
AUDIO FILES AND TRANSCRIPTS NOW AVAILABLE. Tue 26 June 07

HEALTH - GENERAL

WHO REPORT ON SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts react to a new report from the World Health Organisation examining how social factors influence health. Thu 28 Aug 08

HEART
POTENTIALLY FATAL HIGH CHOLESTEROL GENES REMAIN UNDETECTED
ONLINE BRIEIFNG: Many Australians are living undiagnosed with an inherited condition that could result in a fatal heart attack - Cholesterol experts discuss online. Wed 27 Aug 08 at 10.30am AEST

CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS LINKED TO HEART ATTACK RISK
RAPID ROUNDUP: Taking calcium supplements may increase the risk of heart attack in post-menopausal women - new report in the British Medical Journal. Wed 16 Jan 08

SCIENTISTS CREATE A BIO-ARTIFICIAL HEART
RAPID ROUNDUP: A technique to create a bio-artificial heart is described in Nature Medicine. Experts comment on the theoretical alternative for transplantation. Mon 14 Jan 08
HEPATITIS
IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR HEPATITIS C
RAPID ROUNDUP: Research published today in Nature Medicine takes a significant step towards a Hepatitis C vaccine. Experts comment. Fri 7 Dec 07
HIV
CAN EFFECTIVE HIV TREATMENT REALLY STOP INFECTION?
ONLINE BRIEFING: New Australian research published in The Lancet questions whether effective HIV treatment stops infection. Fri 25 July 08 at 10am AEST

HIV/AIDS ANNUAL SURVEILLANCE REPORT 2007
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment on the latest trends in HIV/AIDS and other STDs in Australia released by the NCHECR. Wed 10 Oct 07

HRT

HRT IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts react to new research on Australian women showing HRT improves sleep, sexuality and joint pain in older women. Fri 22 Aug 08

HUMAN EVOLUTION

IS THE 'HOBBIT' JUST A HUMAN WITH NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY?
ONLINE BRIEFING: Authors of the new paper suggesting Homo floresiensis was a human with a nutritional deficiency discuss their findings. Wed 5 Mar 08. AUDIO FILES AVAILABLE

IS THE 'HOBBIT' JUST A HUMAN WITH NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY?
RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment on a new paper which suggests Homo floresiensis was actually a human with a nutritional deficiency. Wed 5 Mar 08

DNA RESEARCH CLAIMS ABORIGINES EVOLVED FROM AFRICA
RAPID ROUNDUP: Australian scientists respond to a new paper providing further evidence on the origins of Australian aborigines. Tue 8 May 07

ANCIENT DNA FROM NEANDERTHAL BONES
RAPID ROUNDUP: Scientists respond to the findings of ancient DNA from 38,000 year old Neanderthal Bones. Thu 16 Nov 06

"LUCY'S BABY" FOSSIL DISCOVERY

RAPID ROUNDUP: Australian experts comment on the significance of the find. Updated Thu 21 Sept 06