Archived News for Research Sector Professionals - March, 2014
A postgrad student has deciphered a letter dating back 1,800 years, written by an Egyptian soldier serving in a Roman legion in Europe.
Internet integrity questioned as top names turn to Wikipedia
Despite many universities and school condemning the use of Wikipedia as a legitimate source, a new study says thousands of research papers happily cite the open source encyclopaedia.
Maths fear factored in twin studies
Few school subjects illicit the kind of fear and abjection that mathematics can, but researchers say there may be a genetic reason behind it.
Anemone is an enemy of historical classification
Sea anemones are essentially half plant, half animal.
Broad soil study puts carbon future on the map
A new set of maps will establish a clear baseline for Australia’s soil organic carbon stocks.
Knowledge honed on narwhal's bony nose
Studies have revealed new functions for the elusive narwhal’s giant tusk.
One small job for NASA, one giant map for mankind
NASA has released a high resolution recreation of the Moon’s north polar region, allowing intrepid internet users to explore the lunar surface form the comfort of their computer chairs.
Thinking deeper on food trade could spring water-savings
Billions could be saved by better consideration of water resources in relation to the global food trade, research suggests.
Cyborg seedlings grow new field of science
There is no doubt that plants are excellent, but a team of MIT engineers are looking to cutting-edge materials to make them even better.
New crash centre sets course for safety
One of Australia’s chief research groups is setting up a centre to focus on the true causes of serious accidents and injuries.
Universal echoes bring Big Bang physics into a new age
Physicists have discovered evidence from the first few billionths of a second after the universe formed.
Experts push for new weapons as deadly Hep C tide builds
A looming wave of terminal liver disease could be combated by government funding for powerful new drugs, researchers suggest.
Gene treatment yields high rate for particularly tricky cancer
A clinical study for a new leukaemia treatment has shown a remarkable rate of remission.
Science spies rapid radioactive mechanism for genetic resistance
Genetic researchers have caused a bacterium to evolve a resistance to radiation damage, highlighting the mechanisms that make it possible.
Sparks fly from friction to power the future
New developments could see the end of giant coal, gas or nuclear turbines, and the rise of electricity gathered by simple movement and friction.
Handy research points to gestural advantage
Research has shown the power of teaching and learning maths with hand gestures.
Kids quickly notice issues in the places they inherit
As many lament the decline of respect and values among today’s youth, a recent study has shown the effects that older generations’ habits can have on young people’s perspective.
Metadata study infers severe invasion possible
An experiment has shown just how much can be gleaned from metadata, and why it should not be released too freely.
Academic minds turn to matters of mining
A new centre has been funded to study the effects of one of the world’s most dangerous professions.
Big effort focused on tiny tinker frog's future
A Queensland team has embarked on an academic quest to save a tiny frog from extinction.
Digital centre brings new dawn of living data
Days are numbered for the poorly timed still-frame slideshows that dominate business meetings worldwide, with researchers working on the next generation of data presentation.