Fresh Science

Safeguarding an important food crop—and the world’s beer supply On-site – farmers’ crop of barley infected with leaf rust Lee Hickey, University of Queensland geneticist and John Agnew, Chair of the Northern Region Barley Advisory Committee will be available for comment. An international study led by a Queensland scientist has found a way to better…

Despite the claims of some, commercially viable fuels from algae have not yet been developed. But newly trialled native algae species provide real hope, a Queensland scientist has found. Dr Evan Stephens and the team at the University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, in collaboration with Germany’s Bielefeld University and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology,…

Black carrots have revealed how fruit and vegetables help maintain gut health and reduce the risk of developing cancer. The antioxidant compounds they contain combine with fibre to play an important role in protecting the colon from cancer, Dr Anneline Padayachee from the University of Queensland has  discovered.

Genetics can be used to shape plants underground so they absorb water better Recent discoveries by a University of Queensland agricultural scientist provide the basis for custom designing plant roots. Her discovery is already being used by plant breeders to develop drought-resistant sorghum crops.