UNSW Science

By hitching a ride on plastic or organic debris in the ocean, marine species from all Southern Hemisphere continents can reach Antarctica, according to new research involving UNSW scientists.

The invasion of non-native species could threaten Antarctica’s unique ecosystems.

“We knew that kelp could raft to Antarctica from sub-Antarctic islands ... but our study suggests that floating objects can reach Antarctica from much further north, including South America, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa,” says lead author Dr Hannah Dawson, who completed the study as part of her PhD at UNSW, and is now based at the University of Tasmania.

“If the recent decline in Antarctic sea ice continues, then living things floating at the surface, or attached to floating objects, could have an easier time colonising the continent.”

Antarctica vulnerable to invasive species hitching rides on plastic and organic debris A new study reveals how ocean biology and marine pollution can end up on Antarctica’s shoreline.

Face the future head-on with ‘Preppers’ a new podcast from the UNSW Centre for Ideas 🎙️

In the popular imagination, ‘preppers’ are eccentric, hoarder types. But with increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters, isn’t it about time we all started to prepare?

Investigative humorist and climate action enthusiast Dan Ilic interviews experts, including UNSW Science researchers Professor Richard Kingsford and Professor Ben Newell, who are preparing for a future shaped by climate change and working to implement practical solutions.

🎧 Listen to all the episodes, here:

Preppers As heat records break and the weather becomes wilder, are we preparing hard and fast enough for the climate changes that are coming?

Congratulations to UNSW Professor David Keith, who has been recognised for his contribution to botany, ecology and conservation biology research at the prestigious 2024 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.

Prof. Keith led a major international collaboration to develop the world’s first framework for classifying and describing all ecosystems on earth, and last night was awarded with the Australian Institute of Botanical Science Eureka Prize for Excellence in Botanical Science!

“Healthy ecosystems of plants of all kinds at their foundation are the linchpins of life on earth, human wellbeing and national and cultural identity as well,” Prof. Keith said at the ceremony in Sydney. “We need more good science and lots of good will to secure their future.”

Find out more about the recognition of UNSW researchers at the Australian ‘science Oscars’: https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2024/09/unsw-researchers-win-at-australia-s--science-oscars-?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

📢 Calling all high school teachers! Enrich your teaching toolkit and discover our range of school outreach programs at the 2024 UNSW High School Teacher’s Day.

The Day’s events will include a keynote presentation on the science of memory, engaging workshops with academics across STEAM fields, and opportunities to network and collaborate with your community of professional teachers.

📅 Friday, 20 September, 9:00AM – 4:00PM
📍 UNSW Kensington campus

Register for free, here:

2024 UNSW High School Teacher's Day Connect with our academics and discover innovative programs to inspire your students across STEM, Arts, and Humanities.

UNSW Open Day is on this Saturday, 7 September!

Get ready for this day of discovery as you explore our campus and learn about the amazing opportunities that await you with a UNSW Science degree.

Don’t miss ...

🗣 The Science Advisory Zone – where you can chat with academics, current students and staff and get all your study questions answered.

📍 Science Tours – where you will be guided through our world-class teaching and research facilities.

💡 Science Lectures – where you can learn about each of our Schools and our wide range of degrees and majors.

Register now:

Open Day | UNSW Sydney Discover your path to UNSW at Open Day. Join us on campus to get help finding the right degree, connect with experts and current students, explore UNSW's student experience and discover the progress you could make at UNSW.

What does it take to develop the resilience of an Olympian?

According to Associate Professor Justine Gatt, there are six key factors influencing resilience that you can learn to harness – just like this year’s Olympic medallists.

“Resilience isn’t a trait or a behaviour,’ says A/Prof. Gatt, who is Director of the Centre for Wellbeing, Resilience and Recovery, and Head of the Gatt Resilience Group at NeuRA - Neuroscience Research Australia and UNSW’s School of Psychology.

“It involves drawing on internal resources, such as coping strategies, as well as external resources like social support and a healthy lifestyle.”

Can anyone achieve the resilience of an Olympian? Post-race interviews at the recent Olympics revealed just how key mindset is to performance under pressure. The good news is anyone can build up this kind of resilience.

Like atoms are the building blocks of chemistry, the Dalton Building has been a key building block for our Kensington campus 🧪

Named after the pioneer in atomic theory John Dalton, the Dalton Building was among the first buildings opened and this month it turned 66 🎉

Today, the Dalton Building takes pride of place along Main Walkway and is home to the School of Chemistry and the Teaching Commons, continuing to build the learning and research at UNSW.

📸 UNSW Archive (1962 & 1963)

📸 UNSW (NOW)

Australia’s south and east have seen some wild weather this winter, and its likely linked to an extraordinary event unfolding in the stratosphere above Antarctica.

Antarctica’s stratospheric polar vortex – a loop of cold, fast winds – has warmed up and slowed down, and this could continue to affect weather in the southern hemisphere for months to come.

UNSW Senior Lecturer in Atmospheric Science Dr Martin Jucker explains the influence of the polar vortex and what weather we should expect for the rest of the year:

Antarctic heat, wild Australian winter: what’s happening to the weather and what it means for the rest of the year Something extraordinary is happening above Antarctica, and it might bring unusual weather to the southern hemisphere for months to come.

We’re still riding the wave of SciFest 2024’s smashing success!

This 4-hour celebration of STEAM last Friday rounded out a tremendous National Science Week on campus.

Engaging local community members and science lovers, SciFest drew a crowd of thousands!

The festival’s immersive activities and shows were presented by staff from across the Faculties of Science, UNSW Medicine & Health, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture and UNSW Engineering.

Thank you to everyone who attended and a special thanks to all the UNSW staff who gave their time, energy and expertise to create this inaugural .

📸 Maja Baska

UPCOMING EVENT: No shame to educate, let’s yarn!

📆 Thursday, 5 September, 6:00PM – 7:00PM

💻 Online

For all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples wanting to study at UNSW, this free webinar will cover the opportunities and programs available to help you reach your goals 🎓

Hosted by Nura Gili, this event will present pathway, scholarship and accommodation options and will include a live Q&A so you can have your questions answered.

If you're ready to start your studies next year, or are just curious about university life, register now to attend this webinar:

No shame to educate, let's yarn! | Nura Gili Learn how you can study at UNSW in 2025! We'll cover the pathways into undergraduate courses, scholarships and more.

Say ‘Chemistry’! 📸

The UNSW School of Chemistry team behind the SciFest show ‘Matilda’s Marvelous Molecular Meanderings’ are featured in today’s Daily Telegraph.

‘Matilda’s Marvelous Molecular Meanderings’ is a spell-binding scientific fairytale, combining performance with live chemistry experiments.

Don’t miss this show when it takes to the SciFest stage at 5:30PM this afternoon!

To share your SciFest highlights tag us at UNSW Science or use the hashtag

The gloomy weather didn't dampen spirits this week at Coogee Beach, where UNSW Science researcher, Prof. Adriana Verges teamed up with elite athletes from different sporting codes around Sydney for a reforestation planting project as part of National Science Week.

Operation Crayweed aims to reintroduce a type of seaweed that has disappeared locally due to pollution in the Sydney area. This seaweed forms highly productive underwater forests that fosters unique biodiversity, crucially supporting Australia's rock lobster and abalone fisheries.

Using underwater transplant methods, the team are working to re-establish new and self-sustaining crayweed populations around Sydney. 🐠

Like a supernova, our first National Science Week event blew us away!

UNSW alumna and renowned astrophysicist Professor Tamara Davis took her audience deep into the vacuum of space with her 2024 Einstein Lecture on Dark Energy.

Using the light of supernovae to measure far across the cosmos, Professor Davis’ work is helping to unravel the mystery of dark energy, which is causing the expansion of the universe to accelerate.

In conversation with Event Chair and Dean of Science Professor Sven Rogge, Professor Davis highlighted the importance of fundamental science and exploration in driving innovations, and how precious Earth is amongst the emptiness of space.

📸 Photo Credit: Maria Boyadgis

Why does Australia need Rex Airlines?

After entering voluntary administration, Rex has grounded its jet flights between Australia’s major cities. But its regional flight services remain crucial in connecting Australia and they should help the company survive, according to Dr Ian Douglas from the UNSW School of Aviation.

“There are many areas where Rex is the only airline operator. Without them, access is cut to health and education services, as well as tourism and industry,” says Dr Douglas.

“If Rex’s regional business doesn’t survive, there won’t just be a knock-on effect with higher ticket prices for consumers.”

Read the full story, here:

Why does Australia need Rex? A UNSW academic says the embattled carrier Rex Airlines is crucial in connecting essential services to regional Australia—and that this should help the company survive administration.

🎉 Celebrate National Science Week with us at 'Chem Class in a Glass'! 🍸🔬

Get ready for a unique and unforgettable experience that combines the art of cocktail making with the excitement of science experimentation. Whether you're planning a team-building activity, a fun night out with friends, or a nostalgic trip back to the science lab (with a twist), Chem Class in a Glass is perfect for you!

Join us on Fri 16 Aug at the Roundhouse, as our expert presenters explores simple scientific principles and concepts while you learn to make (and sip) 3 delicious cocktails. Don't miss out on this exciting blend of science and mixology. Grab your spot now and let’s make some science magic happen! ✨

Tickets available here:

Chem Class in a Glass Head back to School and learn the art (and science) of mixing cocktails

UNSW geneticists have made some surprising discoveries about the processes that regulate s*x chromosomes – by investigating the unique s*x chromosome systems of the platypus and the chicken.

Scientists have long known that animals have genetic solutions to balance out the chromosomal differences between the s*xes and achieve ‘normal’ function.

But what the research team observed in this ‘balancing out’ among monotremes and birds “is something we thought was impossible” says Associate Professor Paul Waters, the study’s research lead.

The team’s findings will help build a better understanding of how s*x chromosome systems evolved, how the human body functions – and could be used to develop innovative medical therapeutics.

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🎨 Illustration Credit: Dr Shafagh Waters and Lisa Melisa

In May, Matt and Laura ran the Noosa marathon to raise money for genetic research, after their daughter Ella was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy.

The money they raised will be donated to Dr Emily Oates’ Medical Genomics Team at UNSW – a team who study and explore treatments for rare genetic conditions.

Together, Matt and Laura raised an incredible $60,000 for research and we are extremely grateful 💛

📷 Scientia Professor Sven Rogge, Dr Emily Oates, and Ella with her parents, Laura and Matt McKenzie.

Congratulations to Professor David Keith who has been named as a finalist for the Australian Institute of Botanical Science Eureka Prize for Excellence in Botanical Science 👏

Prof. Keith is an international authority in botany, ecology and conservation biology, who led the development of the world’s first Global Ecosystem Typology.

“The Global Ecosystem Typology helps us understand which ecosystems share similar responses to environmental change and management. This understanding is vital to conserving and restoring Earth's life support systems,” says Prof. Keith.

Prof. Keith is among four UNSW researchers to be named as finalists for the 2024 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.

UNSW finalists for 2024 Eureka Prizes Four UNSW Sydney researchers are finalists in the prestigious science awards.

UNSW researchers are the first in the world to use magnetic fields to reveal how particles of light can split. This understanding brings scientists closer to producing a new generation of more efficient and powerful solar cells.

The splitting process is known as singlet fission and has been studied by lead researcher Professor Timothy Schmidt for over a decade. The process could allow solar cells to use more energy from high energy light particles, where excess energy gets lost as heat, limiting current solar cell efficiency.

With their findings, the research team are heading for another world first: creating a prototype that can operate above the theoretical efficiency limit of today’s solar panels.

“We’re confident we can get silicon solar cells to an efficiency above 30 per cent,” says Professor Schmidt.

Read the full story, here:

Fresh light on the path to net zero UNSW researchers are the first in the world to use magnetic fields to reveal the mystery of how light particles split – which could transform the future of renewable energy.

Using specially designed sensors that can attach to fishing gear, UNSW Professor Moninya Roughan and a network of Australian fishing industry collaborators are working to collect ocean temperature data from across Australia’s coastal waters.

Ocean temperature data is crucial for understanding the ocean dynamics, marine heatwaves and ocean warming, but there are currently major gaps in our knowledge of Australia’s ocean environment with limited data on deep waters and areas away from our larger cities.

The Australian FishSOOP project (Fisheries Ships of Opportunity) has been established - based on the hugely successful Moana Project led by Professor Roughan in Aotearoa New Zealand - to gather the necessary data with the assistance of commercial fishing vessels.

“We’re essentially turning fishing boats into oceanographic research vessels,” says Professor Roughan and since its inception, the FishSOOP project, has collected more than 2.8 million data points below the ocean’s surface.

“The impact of this newly gathered data is huge, from improving fishing capabilities, to better understanding the impact of marine heatwaves and improvements to ocean models.”

Fishing for data: partnering with commercial vessels to measure ocean temperatures A scientist from UNSW Sydney is spearheading a program to crowdsource ocean data from understudied areas.

🎉 This month UNSW turns 75! 🎉

While Taylor is touring her Eras, we’re rediscovering ours!

From the vault, here are some snapshots from the last seven and a half decades.

What’s been your favourite UNSW Era?

📸 UNSW Archives (1949, 1967, 1986, 1979 & 1988)

📸 UNSW (Now)

In March 2002, the Larsen B Ice Shelf in Antarctica catastrophically collapsed, causing substantial ice loss for the glaciers that it had previously prevented from flowing into the ocean. The glaciers have since been thoroughly monitored – but there were few observations of them before 2002.

To estimate just how much glacier ice was lost after the shelf collapsed, UNSW Associate Professor Tim Barrows and University of Wollongong colleague Ryan North have found a way to rewind the clock and visualise five glaciers once held up by the Larsen B Ice shelf, as they would have been prior to 2002.

Assembling nearly 1,000 film photographs from 1968 to 2001, the researchers explain how they were able to create an accurate, real-world-scale model of the five glaciers and what is reveals about global sea-level rise: https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2024/07/we-used-1000-historical-photos-to-reconstruct-antarctic-glaciers-before-a-dramatic-collapse?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

Head back to School and learn the art (and science) of mixing cocktails with Chem Class in a Glass, as part of SciFest 2024.

🍹 Whether you’re looking for an engaging team building activity, a fun experience with friends and colleagues, or a nostalgic trip back to the science lab (with a little twist), this unique experience is for you!

🎟️ By purchasing a ticket to this event, you will directly contribute to covering the fees for students who would otherwise be unable to afford registration for the UNSW SciX program. Your support will enable passionate young scientists to attend a one-week intensive summer school, where they will develop their own research projects, hone their scientific skills, and experience the thrill of discovery firsthand.

📆 Friday 16 August, Roundhouse, UNSW Sydney (Club Bar), $85pp.

Book your spot, here:

Chem Class in a Glass Head back to School and learn the art (and science) of mixing cocktails

📢 Announcing the National Science Week 2024 program! Celebrate science at our upcoming events with UNSW Centre for Ideas.

🌌 Tamara Davis: Dark Energy
📆 Tuesday, 13 August, 6:30 – 7:30PM
Acclaimed astrophysicist and UNSW alumni Tamara Davis will share her research into what is driving the universe’s expansion, and how it may be evolving.

⚠️ Athena Aktipis: A Field Guide to the Apocalypse
📆 Wednesday, 14 August, 6:30 – 7:30PM
Evolutionary biologist Athena Aktipis will guide you through how to survive and even thrive in the face of an apocalypse.

⚕️ Jennifer Gunter: Menstruation, Menopause, & Medical Mythology
📆 Thursday, 15 August, 6:30 – 7:30PM
The internet’s resident gynaecologist Jennifer Gunter will unpack medical history, menstrual mysteries and why doctors still know so little about female anatomy.

Register to attend: https://www.events.unsw.edu.au/event/unsw-x-national-science-week-2024-0