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Change in the wind for CRCs

Australia's Co-operative Research Centres should focus more on public good outcomes and the needs of those who use their results, says a new report.

Caffeine use in athletes reignites debate

At the Beijing Olympics, many athletes will be using caffeine to boost their performance, say experts, as scientific debate continues over whether or not it should be banned in sport.

Call to encourage climate-friendly farms

Australian farmers could have a huge impact on greenhouse emissions and the government needs to start seriously encouraging them to sequester carbon in their soils, say some experts.

Debate on radioactive dump flares again

A centralised national dump is needed for Australia's growing stockpiles of radioactive waste, say radiation safety experts, but some critics say that's not the safest option.

Storm brewing over ocean fertilisation

An Australian company says it will continue plans to fertilise the ocean with nitrogen to develop its commercial carbon-sequestration technology, despite a growing chorus of opposition to such activities.

Lack of scientists 'threatens biosecurity'

A lack of scientific expertise is one of the leading threats to Australia's biosecurity, peak research and industry bodies have told a federal government inquiry.

Changes to Antarctic ice suffocating seals

Changes to the Antarctic ice shelf are causing seals to fight for air and penguins to give up on their young.

Researchers pin hopes on 2009 budget

This year's Australian federal budget was predictably light on support for science research and development, according to commentators who are pinning their hopes on next year's budget.

Low tech best in China, Burma disasters

We can send probes to the fringes of the solar system. Swap instant messages with friends on the other side of the world. So surely we have some hi-tech help for the hundreds of thousands of people in Burma and China. Right?

Burma could have had 72h warning

Burmese authorities could have had as much as 72 hours notice of the devastating Cyclone Nargis, say Australian researchers.

Nuclear reactor fuel 'flawed from start'

A design flaw in fuel for Australia's only nuclear reactor is partly responsible for the shutdown of the facility in July last year, just months after it was officially opened.

Nuclear may lose green tag if fuel costs rise

Environmental costs of nuclear power are likely to increase as high-grade uranium becomes harder to find, according to new research that has been challenged by the uranium industry.

Indigenous at risk from taser rollout

The continuing rollout of electric stun-guns to Australian police raises concerns that Indigenous Australians will be over-represented as targets of the controversial technology.

Australia's Antarctic bonanza queried

Australia has become the first country to be granted exclusive property rights in Antarctica, say experts, raising questions about how bioprospecting will be managed in this sensitive and disputed territory.