The Melbourne Newsroom

Researchers at the University of Melbourne and the Bushfire CRC have designed a unique computer program that can predict the direction, speed and intensity of bushfires. The program, Phoenic RapidFire, will be used as a key tool for Victoria’s bushfire response this year.

Expert scientists from across Australia have joined forces to enhance public understanding of climate change science through an innovative question-answer style report, launched yesterday.

Zoologists at the University of Melbourne have called on the public to help track black swan and eastern grey kangaroo populations after the release of a new study that demonstrates the value of public input.

Internationally-renowned conservation biologist Professor Stephen Hopper will present novel ideas on how we can use plants to mitigate climate change, in a public lecture at the University of Melbourne this week.

The following text comes from the 2010 Hamer Oration held at the University of Melbourne on Thursday August 5, 2010.  The speech was given by Professor Ross Garnaut, a Vice Chancellor's Fellow and Professorial Fellow in Economics at the University.

 

Researchers have collected venom from octopuses in Antarctica for the first time, significantly advancing our understanding of the properties of venom as a potential resource for drug-development.

As the Federal Government formulates its climate policy, a new analysis released today, shows that political and social will, rather than technical feasibility and cost, are the key obstacles standing in the way of a 100 per cent renewable, zero emissions electricity supply system being implemented in Australia.

Inspiring the next generation of scientists will be the focus of an innovative education initiative – a science sub school located at the University of Melbourne, with $7million in funding announced today by the Victorian Minister for Education, Ms Bronwyn Pike.

Australia could soon benefit from highly sensitive coloured x-ray imaging and powerful new tools to reveal the structure of materials in unprecedented detail and provide major advances in medicine and technology.

Researchers at the University of Melbourne have teamed up with the Sustainable Agriculture Fund (SAF) to tackle the challenges the Australian farming industry will face in maintaining productivity under a changing climate.