Fresh Science

The golden wattle, Australia’s floral emblem, is an ideal candidate for rehabilitating mine sites, according to new research from the University of South Australia. Most planted trees and herbs remove heavy metals from the soil. But these heavy metals accumulate in the plant, spreading to the worms, birds, and other wildlife that feed off the…

Complex problems such as climate change, terrorism, and poverty do not respond to simple solutions. Now, a researcher from the University of South Australia has created a tool to help communities and governments better address some of the world’s toughest challenges. “Wicked problems don’t have clean cause and effect solutions,” says Sharon Zivkovic, the researcher…

An Adelaide researcher has created the most detailed, most accurate map of the surface of Mars ever produced, providing an accurate geographical assessment of Martian surface dust, sand, pebbles, bedrock, and ice. The map is an important development for ensuring the safety of future robotic and human landings on the Red Planet. It could also…

Pain relief during childbirth may soon be delivered via a self-administered nasal spray, thanks to research from University of South Australia midwifery researcher, Dr Julie Fleet. Well known for its use in delivering pain relief to children and in managing pain in patients being transferred by ambulance, the nasal spray analgesic drug, fentanyl, has now…