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Science Matters

Variety is the spice of life... and key to saving wildlife

Conservation genetics can boost a species’ ability to adapt and decrease its extinction risk by understanding how varied a species’ DNA is across its entire genome

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Science Matters

Life, the Universe and almost everything in between. This is Science at Melbourne.

  1. Podcast23 June 2021 – Bees, Environment, Genetics, Insecticides, Insects

    How can we prevent Insect Armageddon?

    University of Melbourne geneticist Phil Batterham discusses his work on insecticides and how to develop more effective and sustainable pest control strategies

  2. 9 June 2021 – Echidna, Evolution, Monotremes, Reproduction, Zoology

    Solving the mystery of the four-headed echidna penis

    The first highly detailed anatomical study of the short-beaked echidna penis has demonstrated its innovative evolution, say experts from University of Melbourne

  3. 29 April 2021 – Australia, Climate Change, Extinction, Fertility, Global Warming

    Male fertility ‘precariously close’ to climate change extinction limits

    University of Melbourne research finds the drop in climate change-related male fertility, mainly in the tropics, may better predict vulnerability to extinction.

  4. 21 April 2021 – Animal Behaviour, Animal Welfare, Aquaculture, Fish, Fish Farms

    The secret lives of farmed fish

    Monitoring farmed fish using tags can provide important information, but it can also create welfare issues, finds a study including the University of Melbourne.

  5. 16 April 2021 – Ancient History, Archaeology, Asia, Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation, UNESCO

    Laos jars are slowly revealing their secrets

    New dating techniques find Laos’ stone jars may be over 3000 years old, but the sites remained in ritualistic use longer, says University of Melbourne research.

  6. 9 April 2021 – Australia, Climate, Climate Change, Climate Conversations, Joe Biden

    Watch Episode 2: Climate Conversations: Opposing views or rising tides

    University of Melbourne's Climate Conversations addresses how Australia's climate policies fit alongside the Biden Administration’s strong climate leadership.

  7. 8 April 2021 – Artificial Intelligence, Convolutional Neural Networks, Ecology, Feral Cats, Native Animals

    When one feral cat just isn’t another feral cat

    A University of Melbourne ecologist has been counting feral cats using camera traps to help better control them but Artificial Intelligence may speed the work

  8. 8 April 2021 – Art, Astronomy, Indigenous, Indigenous Astronomy, Stars

    Sky fireballs and a shark in the stars: Indigenous art and astronomy

    Meriam elder Uncle Segar Passi shares his knowledge of weather, wildlife, sea, land and sky and how they influence his artwork with University of Melbourne

  9. 30 March 2021 – Australia, Climate Change, Ecosystems, Snow Gums, Trees

    The complexities of predicting climate change effects

    Australia’s iconic ecosystems are being impacted by climate change. A University of Melbourne experts says that to protect our ecosystems, we need more data.