Archived News for Research Sector Professionals

James Cook University has opened its Australian Tropic Sciences and Innovation Precinct in Townsville, which will conduct research into sustainable natural resource use in Australia’s tropics.

The centre, which is a joint venture between the CSIRO and James Cook University, will be conducting research into the following

sustainable water management
sustainable livestock systems for northern Australia
intensive production systems in tropical landscapes
understanding the genetics and breeding of sugarcane and development of new varieties
marine and coastal processes and production systems
integrated approaches to managing change in tropical regional communities.

The mission statement of the centre includes:

position Australia as a pre-eminent provider of knowledge in the world’s tropical regions
act as a centre of excellence in tropical science
develop the northern Australian economy with knowledge, ideas and innovations
provide information for sustainably managing Australia’s northern terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

SKA potential revealed

The CSIRO, in conjunction with the Auckland University of Technology and the University of Tasmania, have commissioned a working optical fibre link between their separate radio telescopes, emulating the discovery potential of the planned Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

CSIRO releases climate change scenarios

The CSIRO have published a joint research paper showing the results of research conducted into the effects of a +4ºC rise in global temperatures, finding that such an increase would lead to major reductions in annual rainfall in southern Australia, significant increases in evaporation across the country and reduced snow cover in alpine regions.

CSIRO urges research into future of fires

The CSIRO has urged closer scientific studies into how the frequency and intensity of wildfires in the face of climate.

ANU and Ernst & Young to collaborate on consultancies

The Australian National University and Ernst & Young Canberra have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly contribute to advisory services in response to consulting requests.

Call for comment on R&D Tax Credit

The Federal Government has called for comment on the administration of the new R&D Tax Credit.

Energy innovation initiatives announced in carbon price policy

Three major energy innovation initiatives have been announced as part of the Federal Government’s carbon price package.

Review of human cloning and embryo research legislation released

The Minister for Mental Health and Ageing Mark Butler has released the Report of the Independent Review of the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002 and the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002.

Mr Butler said the independent Review Committee, chaired by the Hon Peter Heerey QC, had indicated its view that the basic structure of the legislation should remain, while making recommendations about the framework for human embryo research.

“The 33 recommendations that were produced relate largely to updating and clarifying the legislation, or keeping existing requirements. The recommendations reflect the Committee’s careful consideration of more than 260 submissions, as well as information provided in appearances before the Committee," Mr Butler said.

“The legislative framework will need to continue to balance the needs of health and medical researchers, who aim to improve human health, with the social and ethical challenges in human embryo research."

The Report of the Independent Review of the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002 and the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 can be found at www.legislationreview.nhmrc.gov.au.

Australia and New Zealand to implement single patent application process

Inventors in Australia and New Zealand can look forward to a faster, cheaper and more streamlined trans-Tasman patent process, following an agreement between the two countries to an implementation plan that will deliver a single application process for both countries by early 2013, and a single patent examination by June 2014.