Assessing Ecological Risks from Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM)
The National Sea Simulator (SeaSim), supported through NCRIS, enabled Australia’s first experimental assessment of ecological risks associated with naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) and co‑occurring contaminants such as mercury linked to offshore oil and gas infrastructure. Researchers from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), working with AIMS scientists, recreated realistic decommissioning scenarios by […]
Australia races forwards with high precision positioning tech
AuScope’s investment in geodesy has enabled a step-change in Australia’s national positioning capability, forming the backbone of Geoscience Australia’s National Positioning Infrastructure (NPI) and supporting the rollout of Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) services. By delivering a continent-wide network of GNSS stations and data systems, AuScope has underpinned a transition from metre-level to centimetre-level positioning accuracy—transforming […]
SeaSim Accelerates Large‑Scale, Climate‑Ready Reef Restoration
The National Sea Simulator (SeaSim), funded through NCRIS, is Australia’s most advanced marine experimental facility and a cornerstone of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP). SeaSim’s industrial‑grade automation, precise environmental control, and bespoke experimental systems enable complex, long‑term studies. Within SeaSim’s controlled environments, RRAP partners developed and validated next‑generation restoration interventions, including selective breeding […]
Forecasting ocean currents reduce environmental impact and cost of global shipping
Each day more than 50,000 cargo ships travel the world’s oceans, carrying about 90% of all goods traded worldwide. Global shipping is an enormous industry and responsible for 3% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. If the shipping industry were a country, it would rank as the sixth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases.CSIRO research vessel (RV) […]
Bioplatforms Australia drives cancer cures across the nation
Australia is a global leader in cancer genomics research and translation, driving improved survival rates in children and adults. Bioplatforms Australia provides national genomics and bioinformatics infrastructure supporting collaborative programs that convert genomic data into actionable clinical insights across melanoma, paediatric and adult cancers, including the following national initiatives: The Australian Melanoma Genome Project, co-led […]
Advancing Defence Materials Through Marine Testing and Advanced Manufacturing
The National Sea Simulator (SeaSim), supported through NCRIS, supported through NCRIS, is enabling a new Defence innovation partnership between Charles Darwin University, James Cook University, SPEE3D and the Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA). Through QDSA’s Collaborative Research Grants program, the team is advancing Australia’s sovereign capability to manufacture and validate high‑performance materials for naval and […]
Making history at The Plant Accelerator®
The Australian Plant Phenomics Network (APPN) Adelaide Node, The Plant Accelerator® (TPA), passed two significant milestone during 2025 with imaging of the 100,000th plant in their high-throughput conveyor-based imaging system (Smarthouse), and 15 years of national and global leadership in high throughput plant phenotyping (HTPP). TPA® was established to provide researchers with advanced plant phenotyping tools to […]
Australia welcomes its first EMBL ARISE Fellow at Monash University
Australia’s capabilities in research infrastructure (RI) have received a major boost, with Monash University set to host EMBL Fellows as part of the Career Accelerator for Research Infrastructure Scientists (ARISE) – a flagship European initiative designed to train the next generation of RI leaders. ARISE Fellow Dr Richard Jacoby from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) will […]
Australia at the forefront of tracking our universe in real time
Australia is helping track millions of new asteroids, exploding stars, and other real-time changes in the night sky. The NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, a revolutionary new imaging system located in Chile’s Atacama Desert, has issued its first ~800,000 scientific alerts documenting every visible change it captures with the world’s biggest digital camera. Rubin will […]
Us vs Them – DSpark mobility data reveals AFL supporter location vs loyalty
Where Do AFL Fans Live in Melbourne Today? Explore the AURIN Data Tale – Us versus Them – Exploring how mobility data can be used to determine the geographical boundaries between supporters of Melbourne-based AFL teams. Victoria is home to 10 of the 18 AFL teams. Most were founded in the 1800s, long before the […]
Australian technologies on the path to real-world use
The Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF) works with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as they develop new technologies and devices and move them beyond the lab. For many SMEs, this is the stage where ideas become physical, functional and repeatable. Access to the right tools, facilities and hands-on expertise makes the difference between something that […]
Bioplatforms Initiative recognised as an official project supporting Australia’s Animal Plan
We are pleased to share that the Bioplatforms Animal Disease Genomics Initiative is now listed as an official project supporting the ambitions of the DAFF Animalplan 2022–2027, Australia’s first national action plan for production animal health. Led by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Animalplan 2022–2027 provides a coordinated national framework to strengthen […]
The Australians helping uncover the blue universe
Australian researchers and engineers are helping design and deliver a new instrument for one of the world’s most productive telescopes. Australian researchers and engineers are helping design and deliver a new instrument for one of the world’s most productive telescopes. The Blue Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (BlueMUSE) is an integral-field spectrograph destined for the European […]
Same city, different worlds – a tale of two suburbs
If a picture tells a thousand words, a map can tell a million. AURIN is developing a series of interactive story telling maps – AURIN Data Tales – to highlight the data access and analytics capability we offer and provide real-world examples of urban challenges, presented in an engaging way to inspire further research and […]
Improving spatial analysis for disease risk detection: a COVID-19 case study
During COVID-19, public health agencies relied heavily on data to understand where the virus was spreading and who was most at risk. While robust data have long underpinned decision-making, the pandemic reinforced that statistical factors – such as how data are grouped, how geographical boundaries are defined, and how granular the data are – can […]
Urban greening for health
On average, someone is hospitalised for a heart attack every 9 minutes, according to the National Heart Foundation of Australia. And the toll on taxpayers runs into billions each year. Reduced cardiovascular disease Few studies have explored whether health benefits from urban greening translate into reduced healthcare expenditure. Study co-lead Professor Xiaoqi Feng from the University […]
Research Impact: AURIN data and infrastructure shaping a more sustainable urban future
Densifying the great Australian dream Owning a home is the great Australian dream. But as Australia’s population continues to grow, understanding how to plan and deliver housing is more important than ever. Urban planning therefore plays a critical role in government and industry decision-making, shaping where and how people live. Emeritus Professor Peter Newton has […]
EMBL Australia PhD Course celebrates 10 years of training Australia’s future research leaders
More than 60 PhD students from across the country came together in Adelaide for the 10th EMBL Australia PhD Course – a unique, two-week residential program designed to equip emerging researchers with the skills and confidence needed for modern scientific careers. Co-hosted with the South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI), this year’s course focused on future-ready […]
How our seabed mapping is boosting knowledge of Australia’s incredible marine estate
A collaborative effort by CSIRO and Geoscience Australia is delivering high-resolution seabed data to illuminate our ocean estate and make incredible discoveries. Australia has the third largest ocean territory on the planet, measuring 13.8 million square kilometres, including the Australian Antarctic Territory. Australia’s diverse oceans, seas and waterways form an integral part of our lifestyle, […]
Australia’s climate future: new ACCESS model goes global
Australia’s latest climate model, called ACCESS-ESM1.6, is ready to enter the global stage through the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP7), which will inform the next Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. Climate change will shape everything about life in Australia – from the homes we live in and the food we grow to the […]
Research impact: understanding bikeability to shape healthier, more connected cities.
Across Australia, cities are looking for safer, easier ways to support cycling. ‘Bikeability’ describes how well an area supports cycling through its infrastructure, safety, environment and access to everyday destinations. But understanding what actually makes an area ‘bikeable’ is not straightforward. Until now, studies have used different definitions, indicators, and modelling approaches to explore bikeability, […]
LMA Screening: Delivering and improving an essential service to Australian wheat breeders
The Australian Plant Phenomics Network (APPN) has helped develop improved screening protocols for the LMA defect in wheat breeding lines, increasing throughput and streamlining the delivery of improved wheat varieties. Late Maturity α-Amylase (LMA) is a serious defect in milling wheat varieties, and all new breeding lines must be submitted to the national LMA screen […]
Barcodes uncover early blueprints of our cellular origins
A landmark study by WEHI scientists, including the LoxCode mouse, a sophisticated preclinical model developed by MAGEC, a Phenomics Australia node specialising in in vivo genome engineering and disease modelling, has shed new light on one of the most fundamental mysteries of biology: how cells divide and grow into the complex structures that make up […]
New season of turtle tracking helping to understand the sub-surface waters of Northern Australia
IMOS is providing valuable oceanographic measurements in this poorly sampled region whilst simultaneously delivering information about turtle behaviour and movements by attaching satellite tags to turtles. On a recent field trip satellite tags were attached to 20 olive ridley turtles during the nesting season at Imalu Beach on Melville Island, which is in the Tiwi […]
Cutting-edge laser boosts thermochronology research at the University of Melbourne
Researchers from the University of Melbourne’s School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences are transforming the speed and scale of their thermochronology research, enabling more effective and precise analysis of geological samples. The faster research is thanks to a new, state-of-the-art ESL193nm ImageGEO laser system from Elemental Scientific. The laser will accelerate earth science research […]
Ten years on the radar: How Australian infrastructure is supporting space agencies around the world
Over ten years ago, a curious network of triangular aluminium structures was erected across the quiet paddocks of Queensland’s Darling Downs region. Scattered amongst grazing livestock, these radar corner reflectors sit idly, without using power, collecting data or transmitting signals. But despite their seemingly simple design, these metal structures play a critical role in Earth […]
Strengthening international research relations and showcasing Australian capability
Driving global collaboration through the Prato 2025 Health Research Infrastructure Symposium The 2025 Australian & European Health Research Infrastructure Symposium, held from 16-18 September at the Monash University Prato Centre in Italy, united leaders from major Australian and European research infrastructures to strengthen international partnerships and tackle shared challenges in health and life sciences. The three-day […]
AuScope in Antarctica: unlocking climate-response secrets hidden beneath the ice
Antarctica holds clues about how our planet is responding to climate change, and what that means for our future. AuScope is helping Australian researchers uncover critical new knowledge, by building and deploying polar-rated instrument sets that can withstand Antarctic extremes, drilling deep beneath the ice to retrieve ancient sediments, and developing software for modelling how […]
Better connecting people who power Australia’s innovation
A new national platform, ARDC Research Link Australia (RLA), is helping connect researchers, industry and government by making expertise and collaboration information easier to find and use. A recent pilot project with RLA shows how verified, accessible insights into Australian researchers’ capability can drive partnerships, innovation and productivity across the nation. Connecting People, Capability and […]
ACCESS-NRI joins the international Momentum partnership to advance climate and weather prediction
Australia’s climate simulator, ACCESS-NRI is thrilled to announce its participation in the Momentum Partnership, joining an international collaboration that develops world-leading modelling frameworks for weather and climate science. The Momentum Partnership includes access to the UK Met Office’s Unified Model (UM Model), which is the atmosphere component of the ACCESS framework. ACCESS-NRI’s partner collaborators, CSIRO and the […]
Cost-effective imaging technology to revolutionise spatial transcriptomics
EMBL Australia group leader Dr William Roman & his team have launched a new imaging-based spatial transcriptomics platform that dramatically reduces experimental costs from more than $35,000 to approximately $30 per experiment, making spatial biology more accessible to researchers across Australia. While modern sequencing technology has made it relatively easy to tell which genes are […]
Safer and more accurate scans for pregnant women and children
The NIF-supported Australian National Total Body PET Facility creates benefits for both research translation and patient care. Challenge Exposure to ionising radiation is a significant concern for vulnerable patients – particularly pregnant women and children – who may require PET/CT scans for diagnosing or staging cancer, infection, or inflammatory diseases. Traditional methods of reducing radiation […]
NIF helped provide the evidence that led to the approval of Australia’s first dementia treatment
MRI and PET imaging provided essential evidence that supported the approval of donanemab. Challenge Dementia is a major health challenge in Australia, currently affecting nearly half a million people and ranking as the nation’s second-leading cause of death. This number is expected to double by 2058. Donanemab is a new disease-modifying therapy that uses monoclonal […]
NCRIS supports breakthrough ovarian cancer agent from early-stage design to first in-human studies
Australian capabilities shepherded new agent through entire innovation pipeline. Challenge Professor John Hooper has worked for decades to develop antibody 10D7, a beacon of hope for patients with advanced ovarian, prostate and bladder cancers. Very few novel drugs are developed entirely in Australia, from their early stages through to preclinical models and first-in-human trials. Ovarian […]
NIF Node Director leads WHO resolution to improve global imaging access
Increasing imaging capacity will reduce the rising burden of premature deaths from cancer and other diseases. Challenge Each year, about 17 million people die prematurely from cancer and other non-communicable diseases – and this burden is increasing. Imaging plays a critical role in early cancer detection and more effective treatments. Better access to imaging will […]
Seeing the details through the lens of a regional model: enabling researchers to understand weather extremes
In short: Australia’s climate simulator (ACCESS-NRI) has released a fully supported version of a regional model that enables researchers to understand extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods and droughts, which are not captured by the wide-angle lens of global climate models. ACCESS-rAM3 regional model 6-hour simulation of cloud water and cloud ice of a thunderstorm […]
Preparing Australia for lumpy skin disease
Scientists at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) are working with government agencies and industry to prepare Australia for lumpy skin disease. What is lumpy skin disease? Lumpy skin disease is a highly infectious disease of cattle and water buffalo caused by a capripox virus. It does not occur in Australia and it does […]
World’s largest longitudinal muscle MRI study set to benefit children with cerebral palsy
The completed MUGgLE study has produced vital data on muscle growth patterns and muscle under-development in children with cerebral palsy. Challenge Cerebral palsy, the most common physical disability in children, affects ~34,000 Australians. It impacts movement and posture, often leading to muscle weakness and stiffening. Previous studies have typically only examined muscle groups collectively – […]
MAB: advancing bioimaging through collaboration and innovation
EMBL Australia Group Leader Dr Senthil Arumugam, along with Dr Toby Bell and Dr Kate McArthur, recently launched the Monash BDI Advanced Bioimaging (MAB) platform – a researcher-led, global collaboration hub designed to bring innovative microscopy technologies directly to the researchers who need them. From light-sheet imaging to custom-built microscopes and large-scale data visualisation, MAB integrates experimental […]
Corals in a warming ocean
Investigating heat resistance in corals Since 2013, the National Sea Simulator (SeaSim) has been a pivotal resource in advancing our understanding of coral heat resistance and the potential for human-assisted evolution to bolster coral resilience. Assisted evolution involves accelerating naturally occurring evolutionary processes to help corals adapt to predicted future climate ocean scenarios, such as rising […]
Research Impact: School provision, workforce distribution, housing, and the staffing of schools in Sydney
More children and young people are accessing schooling than at any other point in history. This is largely due to the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SGD4), which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” In tandem with the millennial development goals, this has contributed to […]
Supercharging Australian climate science: Australia’s Earth system model gets revamped for a clearer view of our future and past climate.
In short: Australia’s climate simulator (ACCESS-NRI) upgraded the ACCESS Earth system model to make it easier to use, ensuring reliable results and tailoring the code to the researcher needs. This sophisticated model provides a virtual laboratory for exploring Earth’s complex systems and has been widely used by the Australian climate research community, contributing to our understanding […]
Research Impact: Geospatial Factors Applied to Road Accidents
Road accidents are a major source of trauma worldwide. Over 1.3 million people are killed in road accidents annually, and collisions are a leading cause of death and injury across all age groups. Aside from the human cost of road accidents, there is a significant financial toll. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention […]
TRI boosts medical research efficiency with FileSender
The Translational Research Institute’s integration of FileSender enables fast and secure data sharing, streamlining collaboration for vital medical research. The Translational Research Institute (TRI) is at the forefront of medical research, supporting diverse research projects that produce crucial data to further our understanding of complex diseases. The institute plays a key role in studies spanning cancer biology, […]
Research Impact: Assessing “Child-Friendliness” as a Pathway to Reducing Private Car use for Children’s Transport
The journey to school is a vital part of a child’s physical, psychological, and social development. It offers children an opportunity to interact and emotionally engage with the world around them, building self-possession and independence. However, in Australia, the heavy reliance on cars to transport kids to and from school inhibits this, as well as […]
Research Impact: Measuring the Age-Friendliness of Australian Suburbs
Australians are ageing at an unprecedented rate. As people get older, frailty and increased use of health resources pose a significant challenge to already strained health services. It is vital to keep ageing populations healthy to not only reduce this dependence on services but also to promote their wellbeing, independence, and participation in society. This […]
Binar CubeSats pioneer radiation detection technology
CubeSats – small satellites roughly 10cm in size – punch above their weight when it comes to space research. Their low weight and affordable components make space research cheaper and more accessible, and they are especially popular for Australian research institutions. The Binar Space Program, based at Western Australia’s Curtin University, specialises in CubeSats running […]
Powerful software reveals brain superhighway ‘tracts’ for surgery and research
Our brains work a bit like highly advanced supercomputers, with bundles of white matter, known as ‘tracts,’ acting as superhighways that facilitate information flow and enable various brain functions. Injuries and disturbances in these tracts are linked to numerous neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, imaging these white matter tracts is challenging. These tracts are made […]
Research Impact: Mitigating Childhood Asthma Risks from Traffic-Related Air Pollution
Using data available through AURIN, as well as Westgate and EPA (Environment Protection Authority Victoria) monitor data, researchers from the University of Queensland and the University of Melbourne have raised concerns about the impact of emissions from truck traffic on childhood asthma rates in Melbourne’s Inner West. Clare Walter, Peter D Sly, Brian W Head, […]
Streamlining remote sensing data transfers for environmental research
FileSender addresses the challenge of moving large datasets around for researchers participating in the Joint Remote Sensing Research Program. For environmental researchers, the volume of data generated by remote sensing technologies can be massive and challenging to manage. The Joint Remote Sensing Research Program (JRSRP) is a leader in this field, involving experts from academia […]
Making visible the impact of Australia’s national microscopy infrastructure
Through trust and identity, the impact of Australia’s distributed microscopy infrastructure will be revealed. Microscopy Australia is a consortium of university-based microscopy facilities that provides more than 3,500 Australian researchers a year, with access to state-of the-art microscopes. Through access to their facilities, crucial research is enabled in areas such as future energy innovations, improved […]
Enabling research and innovation to address climate change through trust and identity
Understanding the usage of Australia’s critical climate change modelling software through user reporting, will inform the future of this service. ACCESS-NRI, Australia’s Climate Simulator, is the national critical research infrastructure that provides software engineering support for Earth system and climate research. Standing for the Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator – ACCESS – is […]
Unlocking the power of Australia’s Tier 1 supercomputer
Through a national framework for trusted identity, accessing one of Australia’s Tier 1 supercomputers will become easier. The Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre (Pawsey) is one of two Tier-1 high-performance computing facilities in Australia. Its primary function is to accelerate scientific research for the benefit of the nation. Pawsey’s service and expertise in supercomputing, data, cloud […]
Including land ice in the ACCESS Earth System Model: a community-led model selection approach
In short: ACCESS-NRI has adopted the Ice-sheet and Sea-level System Model (ISSM) as its support Ice Sheet model after an open and rigorous community-led selection process. What’s next?ACCESS-NRI will implement ISSM configurations of Antarctica and Greenland, with the ultimate goal to couple ISSM into ACCESS in order to improve decadal- to centennial-scale projections of global […]
Quantifying seabed habitats and associated biota in the Murray Australian Marine Park
Background While detailed habitat mapping coverage has been substantially advanced by State governments in many coastal regions, Commonwealth waters of the continental shelf typically lack detailed habitat maps and, at best, have coarse resolution bathymetric layers. Focusing on the Murray Marine Park, this voyage aimed to fill key information gaps in our knowledge of the […]
Liquid lenses for better satellite monitoring
Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility’s Space Irradiation Beamline (HIAF-SIBL), hosted at the Australian National University, has played a vital role in an exciting first for the Australian space industry: the first time that Australian space radiation testing has been done on an Australian space payload. The occasion? Testing innovative liquid lenses that enable a satellite to […]
New brain imaging set to improve and speed epilepsy diagnosis, treatment
Novel imaging methods combined with cognitive, genetic and medical data will use AI to increase the speed and accuracy of diagnoses and treatment for epilepsy patients, according to researchers working collaboratively with NIF. Advanced MRI imaging methods are helping Australian epilepsy researchers move closer to faster, more accurate, individualised diagnoses and treatment options for patients. […]
ALA’s Indigenous Ecological Knowledge Program
Connecting Traditional and Western science Indigenous Ecological Knowledge The Atlas of Living Australia’s (ALA) Indigenous Ecological Knowledge (IEK) program supports collaboration with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partners, promotes Indigenous ecological knowledge and languages, and links this knowledge to Western science. Indigenous ecological knowledge is based on thousands of years of studying native plants, animals and the […]
Data Without Borders: the role of Globus in international genome research
Genetics technical specialists at the Biomolecular Resource Facility are using the Globus data movement service through AARNet to share huge datasets with national and international collaborators. The Biomolecular Resource Facility (BRF) is located in Canberra within the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University (ANU). As a core laboratory providing research […]
Future-proofing computational proteomics
EMBL Australia and Bioplatforms Australia joined forces to host a pivotal proteomics workshop titled ‘Future-proofing Computational Proteomics’ on 24 April, featuring leading guest speakers, Dr Rolf Apweiler, Prof Marc Wilkins and Dr Richard Lipscombe. The Australian proteomics community discussed advancements in proteomics research and the pivotal role of computational approaches in shaping the future of […]
Australian health research infrastructure underpins world-first brain cancer collaboration
The NCRIS Health Group will support Australian brain cancer research through Brain Cancer Australia’s project to develop an integrated network of research platforms to improve patient outcomes, test new treatments and work toward a cure, with the announcement of a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant worth just under $6M. The project brings together clinicians, […]
Supporting Australia’s food security and agriculture industry
Over 90% of fruit, vegetables, meat, milk, and eggs sold in Australia are domestically produced, and over half of Australia’s agricultural produce is exported. As an important contributor to the Australian economy, the gross value of Australia’s agricultural food production is forecast at $79 billion for 2023-24, and our agricultural exports are forecast at $65 […]
Enhancing Resilience and Flavor in Plant-Based Proteins: The Plant Protein Atlas Initiative
With the world’s population expected to reach unprecedented levels by 2050 and a 73% projected increase in meat consumption, there is an urgent need to double food production. Australia’s plant protein market is poised to reach an estimated value of $18 billion (AUD) by 2032, while the global plant protein food sector is projected to […]
New native mice species
Two new native mice have scurried into the list of Australian mammal species! The words “species” and “Australia” are unfortunately traditionally linked to their disappearance from our continent’s highly biodiverse ecosystem. Following from last year’s discovery of a very much alive mouse species which was previously thought to be extinct in the wild, researchers have […]
Implanting a Revolution
Quantum computing is a revolution in progress, and Dr Shao Qi Lim is excited to be part of it. “I’m lucky to be part of this revolutionary field,” says Dr Lim, a postdoctoral fellow in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology (CQC2T) based within the Experimental Condensed Matter Physics (ECMP) […]
Nanocluster Catalysts Remove Toxic Organic Chemicals from Wastewater
Water contamination from dyes used in food, cosmetics, textiles, and other production processes has become a major ecological problem. Numerous chemical companies, such as those that produce textiles, cosmetics, and dyes, discharge hazardous and non-biodegradable dyes into the environment. Azole dyes, including methyl orange, make up over half of the dyes used in the textile […]
Brain research supercharged by new ‘control panel’ accessible worldwide
The flood of data from brain research worldwide has now been channelled into an easy-to-use, open-access processing tool built to supercharge our understanding of the human brain. Neurodesk – a platform for processing, analysing and sharing massive datasets – has solved critical issues in the search for answers about brain disorders and diseases such as epilepsy, […]
Strengthening our European connections to EMBL and beyond
On a recent visit to EMBL Heidelberg, Ian Smith, Chair of the EMBL Australia Council, spoke about the synergies between EMBL and EMBL Australia, opportunities for collaboration and ideas for exciting future programs. Ian Smith, Chair of the EMBL Australia Council, chatted to EMBL about the synergies between the organisations, opportunities for collaboration, and ideas […]
Record-breaking fast radio burst discovery highlights synergies between ESO and SKA
A global team led by Macquarie University’s Dr Stuart Ryder and Swinburne University of Technology’s Associate Professor Ryan Shannon have discovered the most distant fast radio burst ever detected, and one of the most energetic. The team determined its location and distance from Earth by using a combination of the world’s best optical and radio […]
Breaking the Cycle
Data linkage is helping researchers understand the lifelong impact of child abuse and neglect, and how they entrench intergenerational disadvantage. Every year, 1 in 20 Australian children will be reported to child protection. One in 50 children will be the subject of an investigation by authorities and 1 in 100 will have that report substantiated. […]
Clinical Trial Data Unlocked for Research with New National Platform
Health Data Australia is unlocking clinical trial data for research at a national scale. For the first time in Australia, researchers can find clinical trial data from multiple research institutions and request access to it via a new platform, Health Data Australia. Launching tomorrow at SAHMRI in Adelaide, Health Data Australia allows clinical trialists and data […]
Uncovering history: confirming the resting place of MV Blythe Star
Linking Australians to their heritage CSIRO research vessel (RV) Investigator, part of the Marine National Facility (MNF), offers a highly flexible platform that can accommodate multiple research projects on a single voyage. In providing this unique service, the MNF is helping to uncover our maritime heritage alongside other crucial research, such as mapping the seafloor […]
Shared Vocabularies Create Oceans of Opportunities
Research vocabularies are helping researchers aggregate data from a wide range of sources and disciplines to find evidence-based solutions to big societal challenges such as climate change. In 2021, an analysis of sea temperature data collected from the Southern Ocean over 25 years revealed disturbing evidence that the potential for Antarctic ice-sheet melting has been […]
Making life easier – Prof Joe Shapter’s ORCID story
We recently chatted with Joe Shapter, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure) at the University of Queensland (UQ), to learn more about how his ORCID ID has helped him when applying for grants. Joe shared with AAF how his ORCID record was first registered when he was at Flinders University and it continued to be populated when […]
How data linkage can improve the health of older people
Older people, despite bearing the burden of chronic disease and being more likely to take prescription drugs older people are under-represented in clinical trials. Studying older people When pharmaceutical companies do clinical trials, people over the age of 70 are often excluded. It’s partly ageism, says Professor Leon Flicker, a geriatric medicine specialist at The University of Western Australia. […]
How Australia’s national research infrastructure is responding to COVID-19
Australia’s National Research Infrastructure (NRI) swiftly redeployed to support national and international COVID-19 research. Some examples are listed below. Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), Bioplatforms Australia (BPA), Microscopy Australia and Therapautic Innovation Australia (TIA) were involved in the University of Queensland vaccine program. Australian Plant Phenomics Facility (APPF) is supporting research into plant-based vaccines. Astronomy Australia […]
Nano-thin piezoelectrics advance self-powered electronics
A new type of ultra-efficient, nano-thin material could advance self-powered electronics, wearable technologies and even deliver pacemakers powered by heart beats. The flexible and printable piezoelectric material, which can convert mechanical pressure into electrical energy, has been developed by an Australian research team led by RMIT University. It is 100,000 times thinner than a human […]
The risk of ‘Mr Fluffy’ insulation
When Australian National University epidemiologist Associate Professor Rosemary Korda first started holding public forums for Canberra residents affected by ‘Mr Fluffy’ insulation, people were very distressed. “There was quite a bit of anger in the room, and pretty upset people,” she remembers. “There were definitely people who were very concerned about future health effects of the […]
Global weather prediction: Australia’s contribution to the global Argo array
Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) coordinates Australia’s contribution of approximately 10% of the global Argo array. Used internationally and by the Royal Australian Navy to predict ocean conditions, Argo data is critical to weather prediction globally. Argo data helps scientists understand large-scale ocean temperature and salinity structures, interactions between the ocean and atmosphere, and […]
Accelerating research into our towns, cities and communities
AURIN (Australian Urban Research Infrastructure Network) provides support to Australian researchers, planners, and policy makers to inform evidence-based decision making. The eresearch facility enables critical decision making for Australia’s future growth, sustainability and urban planning. AURIN provides a range of online tools and services to support spatio-statistical analysis and data visualisation. Known as Australia’s single […]
EcoCommons
A world-first collaborative commons for analysing and modelling ecological and environmental challenges. The Challenge Our planet is facing massive biodiversity loss due to overexploitation of species, invasive species, pollution, climate change and the degradation, fragmentation and destruction of habitats. Decision makers concerned with biodiversity need powerful computing and analytical capabilities to help navigate this challenge […]
Developing Personalised Treatment for Kids With Cancer
CAVATICA is a cloud-based platform for collaboratively accessing, sharing, and analysing childhood cancer data. Childhood cancer kills more children than any other disease in Australia and tragically, every week three children and adolescents in Australia currently die because of cancer. Every child is different, every cancer is unique, and so treatment has to be tailored for […]
Liveability For All On Our Urban Fringes
NCRIS-enabled projects AURIN and TERN are delivering data and analysis tools to support research and planning for more sustainable urban environments. Discussions around suburban sprawl have made headlines in recent months as the reality of life at the fringes is revealed for new residents. Many were attracted to new outer suburb developments, or exurbs, by the promise […]
National Network of Trusted Data Repositories
The Trusted Data Repositories for the National Imaging Facility project brought together researchers and informatics specialists from UQ’s Centre for Advanced Imaging (CAI), Monash Biomedical Imaging (MBI), Monash eResearch Centre, the University of Western Australia, RCC (Research Computing Centre, UQ) and the University of NSW to establish best practices for TDRs to store imaging data […]
Reef Spawning in SeaSim
The National Sea Simulator (SeaSim) supports the propagation of a range of marine organisms, including corals, sponges, and Crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS). Utilising advanced infrastructure, SeaSim replicates natural spawning conditions, making it an invaluable resource for studying reproductive processes and early-history of marine invertebrates. SeaSim’s proximity to the Great Barrier Reef ensures easy access to reproductively […]
Linked Data and the Reduction in Cervical Cancer in Australia
Data linkage has had a significant role in the reduction in cervical cancer in Australia. Preventing cervical cancer The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine is a powerful tool for the prevention of cervical cancer. It was developed by industry, based on critical research done at the University of Queensland. Australia was the first country in the world to introduce […]
