A handheld device that can instantly determine whether a suspicious white substance is an illicit drug – or something innocuous like flour – has been developed by Simon Lewis at Deakin University, Geelong.
Melbourne researcher, Matthew Jeffrey, is developing a new technique that replaces cyanide with a non-toxic chemical to recover gold from ore bodies. The non-toxic chemical, known as thiosulfate, is commonly used as a fixative in photography.
Fossil molecules in rocks obtained from mining operations have unlocked dramatic secrets of immense fluctuations in climate and sea level in prehistoric times. The method charts climate changes through history and paints a new picture of the Earth’s vegetation cover. It is used by the petroleum industry to identify likely drilling sites for oil wells.
A study of atmospheric particles in Australian cities has provided new information on tiny particles that are believed to be most dangerous to human health. The research, carried out by Dr Melita Keywood from CSIRO, has identified for the first time in Australia the chemical make-up of different sized particles in the air. Tiny particles,…
Fresh Science is on hold for 2022. We will be back in 2023.
Let us know if you want to receive updates about the program.
Fresh Science is a national competition and training program helping early-career researchers find and share their stories of discovery.
We take young researchers with no media experience and help them become media spokespeople for their science, and reach stakeholders in government and industry.
Fresh Science gives finalists a taste of life in the limelight, with a day of media training, a day of training in stakeholder engagement, and a public event in their home state.
Alumni of the program include Professor Allan Duffy and Dr Niraj Lal.
Read some of the fresh science we discovered in 2021 here.
