The Australian Academy of Science invites everybody with an interest in women and chemistry to join science broadcaster Robyn Williams for an afternoon discussion with senior women in international science, to celebrate the International Year of Chemistry.
To be held at Parliament House in Canberra, participants at the free event will hear about the scientists’ lives, work and passions, and have the opportunity to ask questions in an interactive forum-style session.
Senior scientists and other experts from across the nation are coming together this week to consider what a realistic vision might be for a sustainable Australia in 2050 and beyond.
Science by Doing launched the sale of its junior secondary science resources this week after 18 months of development and testing. They are available on the Australian Academy of Science website*.
Science by Doing is a national initiative for the improvement of secondary science education. It actively engages students in learning science, and assists teachers to enhance their inquiry-based teaching through innovative curriculum and professional learning resources.
The recent eradication of the cow disease Rinderpest demonstrates that it would also be possible to see the end of the measles virus, Nobel Laureate and Australian Academy of Science Fellow Peter Doherty will explain in a public lecture next week.
“The measles virus is closely related to Rinderpest,” he said.
“If we had the will and could persuade everyone to vaccinate their children, measles could be eradicated.”
Australian Professor of ecology and mathematics Hugh Possingham will this week embark on a tour of Asia to share with international scientists and decision-makers some practical tools to solve global conservation conundrums.
Professor Possingham, whose University of Queensland laboratory invented the most widely-used reserve system design software in the world, is travelling to China, Japan, Indonesia and Singapore as part of the Australian Academy of Science’s international speaker series.
A feast of food chemistry delights is on offer at this year’s Shine Dome open day, celebrating the International Year of Chemistry.
The Australian Academy of Science event is free, fun and family-focused, with presentations on the science of taste, food allergies and anaphylaxis, the glycaemic index, and a special cartoon-filled presentation of The monster that ate Canberra by children’s author Michael Salmon.
Exhibits will demonstrate molecular gastronomy, food chemistry, food safety and allergies, as well as the chemistry of wine production with wine tasting.
The prevalence of obesity and diabetes has tripled in Australia over the past 30 years despite a reduction in fat intake, according to Professor Jennie Brand-Miller AM, one of the presenters at the Australian Academy of Science’s Shine Dome open day.
‘’Processed carbohydrates that have replaced the energy from our fat intake may be increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes,’’ she says.
‘’Carbohydrates that are slowly digested lead to long-term health, while those that are absorbed quickly can produce adverse effects on blood sugar levels.’’
Renowned children’s author and presenter Michael Salmon, will visit the icon that his famous monster ‘Alexander Bunyip’ ate back in 1972, when he appears at the Australian Academy of Science’s Shine Dome open day.
Michael Salmon will delight adults and children alike with quick cartoons of his characters including Bunyip, and a ‘show and tell’ of his books at 1.00 pm on 13 August.
Michael has been involved in graphics, children’s literature, TV and Theatre since 1967, writing and illustrating 162 books for young readers.
Meet three exceptional women in science, as science broadcaster Robyn Williams explores their lives, work and passions, as part of Australia’s celebrations for the International Year of Chemistry.
The Australian Academy of Science is hosting the free event Women in Chemistry @ Parliament House tomorrow at the Theatre in Parliament House in Canberra.
These three women have succeeded in their chosen fields despite challenging odds and become natural role models for other women who want to pursue the many careers that science can offer:
In March this year, two landmark new drugs were approved for treatment of melanoma and systemic lupus.
These new treatments are the rewards of the long scientific march to understand how the immune system tells friend from foe, according to Professor Chris Goodnow who will be speaking at the Australian Academy of Science’s free public lecture tonight.
“They are the start of a new age of vaccination against cancer and autoimmune diseases,” he says.
“They are a small step for most patients but a giant leap for mankind.”
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