New species of fly named in honour of performer Beyoncé

A previously un-named species of horse fly whose appearance is dominated by its glamorous golden lower abdomen has been named in honour of American pop diva, Beyoncé – a member of the former group Destiny’s Child, that recorded the 2001 hit single, Bootylicious.

CSIRO and Chile join forces in mining research

CSIRO is joining forces with Chile to tackle key challenges facing the Australian and Chilean mining industries.

Global Carbon Project annual emissions summary

Global carbon dioxide emissions increased by a record 5.9 per cent in 2010 following the dampening effect of the 2008-2009 Global Financial Crisis (GFC), according to scientists working with the Global Carbon Project.

New insight into climate change in the Pacific

A new report presents the most comprehensive scientific analysis to date of climate change in the Pacific region.

CSIRO a-Twitter over rocket launch to Mars

CSIRO is hosting a 'tweetup' at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex to mark the launch of NASA's next Mars mission.

Australian science joins global effort to transform food system

A major transformation in the food system is needed to address future threats to food security according to experts from some of the world’s leading science organisations.

Check your stars are aligned

CSIRO opens new, state-of-the-art national test facility capable of rating conventional and solar-powered air con systems.

Windows opens the door to speedy science

CSIRO's graphics processing unit (GPU) supercomputer maintains a strong position on this year’s Top500 list announced this week at the SC11 conference in Seattle, USA.

Securing energy supply in a changing and variable climate

A conference to advance our understanding of how weather and climate events will impact global energy systems is underway on the Gold Coast.

Auditing the Earths sea-level and energy budgets

An international research team has balanced the sea-level rise budget by showing that the total amount of contributions to sea level rise explains the measured rise over recent decades.

CSIRO astronomer wins top Tall Poppy prize

CSIRO astronomer Dr George Hobbs has become the 2011 Young Tall Poppy of the Year for NSW.

No plain sailing for marine life as climate warms

Direct effects of climate warming on biodiversity pose a serious conservation challenge for marine life, according to new research published today in Science.

New research supersite will tell woodlands climate story

An exciting new research Supersite will use a climate station to monitor Western Australia's 16 million hectare Great Western Woodland.

CSIRO launches new water book

A new book designed to inform business, government and the community about the importance of one of Australia's invaluable natural resources – water – will be launched in Canberra today by CSIRO's Chief Executive, Dr Megan Clark.

Closing the phosphorus-efficiency gap

Ways to reduce the costs of phosphorus fertiliser use on farms – critical for sustaining high agricultural production in many Australian farming systems – have been identified in a new suite of journal papers.

CSIRO bat pack helps unravel Hollywood Contagion

A reference to research undertaken by CSIRO’s “bat pack” team highlights the role CSIRO’s Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Geelong, Victoria, would play in a real-world version of Hollywood’s latest disaster flick - Contagion.

QCATs Experience Days inspire school students

Brisbane high school students are this week experiencing the range of science and engineering careers open to university graduates.

Cotton researchers win CSIROs top award

The team of researchers responsible for developing a new variety of cotton which now constitutes 80 per cent of Australia's total annual cotton crop was today presented with CSIRO's highest award for excellence – the Chairman’s Medal for Research Achievement.

Pollen research not be sniffed at

Pollen may annoy allergy sufferers in springtime but, viewed under the microscope, a pollen grain is a thing of beauty.

Parkes 50th anniversary open days

CSIRO's Parkes radio telescope - 'The Dish' - turns 50 on 31 October and will celebrate with public open days on 8 and 9 October.

Churning galaxy is a snake pit

The violent swirling of the gas between the stars has been captured for the first time with a CSIRO telescope.

X-ray vision to characterise mineral ores

A new state of the art x-ray imaging detector smaller than a postage stamp is the key to a powerful new method of characterising mineral ores, according to an article published today in the October issue of CSIRO’s Process magazine.

A new leaf turns in carbon science

A new insight into global photosynthesis, the chemical process governing how ocean and land plants absorb and release carbon dioxide, has been revealed in research that will assist scientists to more accurately assess future climate change.

New energy in search for future wind

Scientists are taking the first steps to improve estimates of long-term wind speed changes for the fast-growing wind energy sector, intended to reduce the risks for generators in a changing climate.

Boost for high rainfall zone wheat research

Research into developing more productive wheat varieties in Australia has been given a major boost following an equity investment in HRZ Wheats Pty Ltd by one of the nation's leading agricultural disease and pest control companies, Dow AgroSciences Australia Ltd.