News: Environmental Science
More than just a sparkling gem: what you didn’t know about diamonds
![Diamond image](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-diamond.jpg?h=45a19b1a&itok=OtTOPkHQ)
They’re made of carbon – but there’s something almost supernatural about diamonds.
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Why we're watching the giant Australian cuttlefish
![Juvenile giant Australian cuttlefish developing under rocks in the waters of South Australia. Fred Bavendam, Author provided](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-cuttlefish.jpg?h=8869a3dd&itok=rmrP6lLq)
We're spying on hundreds, even thousands of tentacled organisms with their unusual distinctive W-shaped eye pupils, and pulsating colours.
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Plant fossils show the Snowy Mountains were once a lush rainforest
![Lilly Pilly or Syzygium smithii growing in forest at Nymboida National Park](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-lilly-pilly-fruit.jpg?h=fc5862a8&itok=mLrnpH2N)
Lilly Pilly fossils found in old gold mines of the Snowy Mountains, prove the region was once a lush rainforest without snow.
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Researchers discover some fish species might actually benefit from climate change
![A damselfish at the volcanic seep in New Zealand.](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-damselfish.jpg?h=d4dcf2e0&itok=xD2CUkuk)
Research on damselfish living in high CO2 conditions shows that some populations of fish species might actually benefit from climate change.
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Scientists dive deep to save sinking oyster population
![Image - Scientists dive deep to save sinking oyster population](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-oyster.jpg?h=d4dcf2e0&itok=smk-wiIY)
School of Biological Sciences and Environment Institute researchers are involved in Australia’s largest ever oyster reef restoration project.
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Scientists find new alien-like wasp that eats victims from the inside out
![Dolichogenidea xenomorph wasp](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-wasp-dolichogenidea-xenomorph2.jpg?h=a4faaffc&itok=YGVye6dp)
Just like the terrifying creatures from the Alien movies, scientists have discovered a new species of parasitic wasp that eats victims from the inside out.
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Platypus venom inspires potential new diabetes treatments
![Platypus image - Image courtesy of Matt Chan](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-platypus.jpg?h=d4dcf2e0&itok=CK-lcN9J)
The discovery of a key metabolic hormone found in platypus venom will now be investigated for its potential to treat type 2 diabetes.
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Building bungalows for bandicoots
![Southern Brown Bandicoot, courtesy Bertram Lobert, Wiki Commons](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-southern-brown-bandicoot.jpg?h=a69470ff&itok=YhuZaBk7)
Scientists are providing new homes for Adelaide Hills bandicoot populations in an effort to protect this endangered species.
Explaining the history of Australia’s vegetation
![Explaining the history of Australia’s vegetation](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-native-vegetation-7-main.jpg?h=d4dcf2e0&itok=inCXSUZn)
Our scientists have uncovered the history of when and why the native vegetation that today dominates much of Australia first expanded across the continent.
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Science savvy thespians take their research to the stage
![Erinn Fagan-Jeffries](/sites/default/files/styles/ua_landscape/public/2018-11/news-perform-your-science-erinn.jpg?h=dd182ceb&itok=mjoz1j0w)
Snake tails and hungry wasps - researchers will share their discoveries through the medium of performing arts at National Science Week’s ‘Perform Your Science’ showcase.
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