Australasian Science: Australia's authority on science since 1938
Expert Opinion
Experts pick apart the veracity of claims made in research papers and the media.
New plain packaging research - experts respond
By various experts
As New Zealand deliberates over the introduction of 'plain packaging' for cigarettes, a new study confirms that such measures reduce the appeal of tobacco products.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
New Report Card for Australia’s Marine Environment
By Various experts
A massive effort involving 80 Australian scientists from 34 institutions has produced a report card for Australia’s marine environment.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
State of the Climate 2011 Report – Experts Respond
By Various experts
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released a large global report on the state of the climate in July. The report involved 11 Australian scientists, and focused on extreme weather events and the strong La Niña that brought wet conditions to many parts of the world.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
Higgs Boson Particle Discovered
By Various experts
CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) has announced that the long-sought Higgs boson exists after experiments conducted in the Large Hadron Collider yielded results that are consistent with its existence. The Higgs boson is the final particle in the Standard Model of physics, and has remained hidden from scientists’ reach until a series of experiments confirmed its presence.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
SKA Site Shared
By Various experts
After many months of deliberations, the Square Kilometre Array Organisation has announced that the massive telescope will be shared between Australia/NZ and South Africa.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
National Greenhouse Accounts Released
By various experts
The latest National Greenhouse Accounts, which compare Australia’s emissions to our Kyoto Protocol obligations, show that Australia’s carbon pollution is currently tracking at 104% of 1990 levels. Australia’s Kyoto Protocol target is to limit emissions to 108% of 1990 levels, on average, over the period from 2008–12.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
Australia's Megafauna Extinctions: Cause and Effect
By various experts
Australian research has found new evidence that human hunters were primarily responsible for the disappearance of Australia’s giant vertebrates about 40,000 years ago, and concluded that the extinctions caused changes to the Australian landscape.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
Is Sugar as Toxic as Alcohol?
By Various experts
Experts evaluate a commentary published in Nature* arguing that added sweeteners pose dangers to health that justify controlling them like alcohol.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
Fukushima: one year on
By Various experts
A year since a magnitude 9.0 earthquake hit the coast of Japan, triggering a powerful tsunami and resulting in the most serious nuclear accident since Chernobyl, nuclear and disaster experts examine the current situation and what lessons can be learnt.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
Gas Drilling Affects Animal Health
By AusSMC
US scientists have documented cases of animal health problems they believe have possible links to gas drilling.
The full text of this article can be purchased from Informit.
