Science Matters

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

5 June 2023 – Disease, Food, Food poisoning , World Health Organization, safety
Everyone has a part to play in food safety
The WHO's World Food Safety Day reminds us we can all help prevent illness from food-borne disease with simple steps, says a University of Melbourne expert
31 May 2023 – Australian Indigenous Education, Higher Education, Indigenous, National Reconciliation Week, Universities
New education pathways for Indigenous Australians
Universities need to recognise and support the diverse ways that Indigenous people develop, produce and translate knowledge, says University of Melbourne expert
29 May 2023 – Earthquake, Geology, Melbourne, Seismology, Victoria
Monitoring Melbourne’s Sunbury earthquake
Melbourne’s latest earthquake in Sunbury highlights the need for more monitoring, particularly in western Victoria, say University of Melbourne experts
26 May 2023 – Climate Change, Extreme weather, Floods, Weather, cyclone
Rainfall is on the rise in northwest Australia
University of Melbourne research finds warming oceans have altered a common weather pattern that brings monsoon rains across northern Australia
25 May 2023 – Food, Gut Bacteria, Microbiome, Postbiotics, Probiotics
Postbiotics: the new kid in the gut health family
In addition to prebiotics and probiotics, the newest factors for gut health are known as ‘postbiotics’; a University of Melbourne expert explains what they are
18 May 2023 – Bacteria, Climate Change, Conservation, Coral, Great Barrier Reef
For coral, teamwork makes the dream work
A University of Melbourne discovery of clusters of two types of bacteria in the tentacles of corals is shedding light on their role in coral reef health
12 May 2023 – Accessibility, Australia, Beaches, Disability, Risk
It’s time to make waves in beach accessibility
University of Melbourne research found Australia could be a world leader in making beaches accessible to people of all abilities, but barriers remain
11 May 2023 – Biology, Healthcare, Malaria, Mathematics, Wounds
Healing wounds with differential equations
University of Melbourne mathematical biologist Professor Jennifer Flegg uses mathematics to solve biological problems like wound healing and infectious diseases
20 April 2023 – Food, Health, Nutrition, Sustainability, Vegetarian
Switching meat and milk for plant-based copies misses vital nutrients
University of Melbourne computer modelling shows that swapping meat and milk for plant-based alternatives isn’t a simple switch when it comes to our health.
13 April 2023 – Australia, Australian Wildlife, Bioscience, Insects, Native Animals
The wingless grasshopper that could cross Bass Strait, but not the Yarra River
New genomic data can track Australia’s wingless matchstick grasshopper from Tasmania to the mainland, say University of Melbourne experts.