Research finds current models underestimate the impact of hurricanes and typhoons on coral reef communities
The same area of Scott Reef photographed in 2010, and again in 2012 after Cyclone Lua. Credit: James Gilmour/AIMS
Big and strong cyclones can harm coral reefs as far as 1000 kilometres away from their paths, new research shows.
A study led by Dr Marji Puotinen from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) sounds a warning about the way strong cyclone winds build extreme seas that affect coral reefs in Australia and around the world.
Conventional modelling used to predict how a cyclone, hurricane or typhoon might impact corals assumes that wave damage occurs primarily within 100 kilometres of its track.
Unusual galaxy set to prompt rethink on how structures in the Universe form
Astronomers have captured an image of a super-rare type of galaxy – described as a “cosmic ring of fire” – as it existed 11 billion years ago.
The galaxy, which has roughly the mass of the Milky Way, is circular with a hole in the middle, rather like a titanic doughnut. Its discovery, announced in the journalNature Astronomy, is set to shake up theories about the earliest formation of galactic structures and how they evolve.
Australian scientists flag dramatic improvement to next-gen perovskite R&D
A detail from the new 16-channel parallel characterisation system. Credit: Adam Surmiak, Xiongfeng Lin
Tests on new designs for next-gen solar cells can now be done in hours instead of days thanks to a new system built by scientists at Australia’s Monash University, incorporating 3D-printed key components.
The machine can analyse 16 sample perovskite-based solar cells simultaneously, in parallel, dramatically speeding up the process.
The invention means that the performance and commercial potential of new compounds can be very rapidly evaluated, significantly speeding up the development process.
Great Barrier Reef research finds the destructive starfish is eaten more often than thought.
Dr Frederieke Kroon looking at a crown-of-thorns starfish on the Great Barrier Reef. Credit: D.Westcott/CSIRO
Crown-of-thorns starfish are on the menu for many more fish species than previously suspected, an investigation using fish poo and gut goo reveals.
The finding suggests that some fish, including popular eating and aquarium species, might have a role to play in keeping the destructive pest population under control.
Modelling shows big galaxies get bigger by merging with smaller ones
Distribution of dark matter density overlayed with the gas density. This image cleanly shows the gas channels connecting the central galaxy with its neighbours. Credit: Gupta et al/ASTRO 3D/ IllustrisTNG collaboration.
Galaxies
grow large by eating their smaller neighbours, new research reveals.
Exactly
how massive galaxies attain their size is poorly understood, not least because
they swell over billions of years. But now a combination of observation and
modelling from researchers led by Dr Anshu Gupta from Australia’s ARC Centre of
Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions (ASTRO 3D) has provided a
vital clue.
Two square metres of solar window will do the same job as a standard rooftop solar panel, Australian researchers say.
A semi-transparent perovskite solar cell with contrasting levels of light transparency. Credits: Dr Jae Choul Yu
Semi-transparent solar cells that can be incorporated into window glass are a “game-changer” that could transform architecture, urban planning and electricity generation, Australian scientists say in a paper in Nano Energy.
The researchers – led by Professor Jacek Jasieniak from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science (Exciton Science) and Monash University – have succeeded in producing next-gen perovskite solar cells that generate electricity while allowing light to pass through. They are now investigating how the new technology could be built into commercial products with Viridian Glass, Australia’s largest glass manufacturer.
A proof-of-concept published today in Nature promises warmer, cheaper and more robust quantum computing. And it can be manufactured using conventional silicon chip foundries.
Dr Henry Yang and Professor Andrew Dzurak: “hot qubits” are a game-changer for quantum computing development. Credit: Paul Henderson-Kelly
Most quantum computers being developed around the world will
only work at fractions of a degree above absolute zero. That requires
multi-million-dollar refrigeration and as soon as you plug them into
conventional electronic circuits they’ll instantly overheat.
But now researchers led by Professor Andrew Dzurak at UNSW
Sydney have addressed this problem.
The radioactive legacy of the arms race solves a mystery about the world’s largest fish.
AIMS researcher Mark Meekan swimming with a whale shark. (Horizontal) Credit: Wayne Osborn
Atomic bomb tests conducted during the
Cold War have helped scientists for the first time correctly determine the age
of whale sharks.
The
discovery, published
in the journalFrontiers
in Marine Science, will help ensure the survival of the species – the
largest fish in the world – which is classified as endangered.
After 90 years, scientists reveal the structure of benzene.
Professor Timothy Schmidt, unravelling the mystery of benzene. Credit Exciton Science
One of the fundamental
mysteries of chemistry has been solved by Australian scientists – and the
result may have implications for future designs of solar cells, organic
light-emitting diodes and other next gen technologies.
Ever since the 1930s debate has raged inside chemistry
circles concerning the fundamental structure of benzene. It is a debate that in
recent years has taken on added urgency, because benzene – which comprises six
carbon atoms matched with six hydrogen atoms – is the smallest molecule that
can be used in the production of opto-electronic materials, which are
revolutionising renewable energy and telecommunications tech.
