Science Matters

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

7 March 2023 – Agriculture, Biodiversity, Food Security, Genetics, Viruses
Wheat’s ancient roots of viral resistance
University of Melbourne research has found that a gene that protects wheat from destructive Wheat Yellow Mosaic Virus originated in an ancient wild relative
20 February 2023 – Asia Institute, India, Languages, South Asia, Universities
It’s time to build South Asia literacy in Australia
A University of Melbourne expert says Universities are key to boosting a generation of Indian literate Australian graduates as our centre of gravity moves East.
26 July 2022 – Agriculture, Australia, Cows, Foot-and-mouth disease, Viruses
Protecting Australia from foot-and-mouth disease
Australia's been free of foot-and-mouth disease since 1872, but outbreaks in neighbouring countries are a cause for concern, says University of Melbourne expert
19 December 2022 – Biometrics, Chocolate, Food, Food Sciences, Marketing
Why we judge chocolate by its cover
Chocolate is the most popular confectionary worldwide, but new research from the University of Melbourne shows packaging is just as important as what's inside
10 February 2023 – Bacteria, Mathematics, Microbiology, Modelling, Oceans
The smallest marine microbes share nutrients – briefly
Fleeting interactions between the smallest phytoplankton and bacteria help to shape global ocean productivity, finds new University of Melbourne led research
5 February 2023 – Australia, Australian Wildlife, Biodiversity, Bushfires, Environment
The burning of Australia’s nature
A new book examines the biodiversity loss from Australia’s Black Summer wildfires and what lessons our country must learn, say University of Melbourne experts.
25 January 2023 – Art, Cells, DNA, Microscopy, Proteins
From art restorer to DNA explorer
University of Melbourne Associate Professor Elizabeth Hinde found her dream role studying the nuclear architecture of living cells
19 January 2023 – Australian History, Ecology, Insects, Museums, Native Species
Lockdown ‘field trip’ reveals whereabouts of Australian grasshoppers
Ecologists from the University of Melbourne used historical survey notes to map the location of hundreds of species of Australian grasshopper
12 January 2023 – Allergies, Melbourne Pollen Count, Microscopy, Pollen, Pollution
Exploring the air we breathe
University of Melbourne researchers are probing the microscopic particles in Melbourne's air to understand how allergens in our environment affect our health.