News: School of Biological Sciences

Science awards celebrate 2021 academic, student and staff success

Three staff members were recognised for exceptional performance in 2021. Kiralee Vincent – the faculty's Senior Academic Support Officer based at Roseworthy campus. Dr Maïlys Stirling, the faculty’s Research Technical Services Manager. Lisa Laws, the Business Manager of the School of Physical Sciences and School of Biological Sciences.

Posted on Dec 22 2021 by admin

The recent Faculty of Sciences’ awards showcase celebrated research, teaching, leadership, professional staff and student success.

New inexpensive method to detect lime in soil

PhD student Ruby Hume’s research is also investigating in-field spectral assessment of soils using infrared spectroscopy technology.

Posted on Dec 13 2021 by admin

University of Adelaide scientists have developed a new simple, inexpensive and fast method to detect and measure very low concentrations of agricultural lime in soils, which is generally a time consuming and difficult exercise.

A secret life at Secret Rocks - Unexpected regeneration after fire

Alana McClelland’s fieldwork uncovered three species of lerps and more than 10 species of wasps and flies during her visit in September 2021. Image: Alana McClelland.

Posted on Dec 8 2021 by admin

Tiny insects that live on Eucalyptus leaves have been forced to travel vast distances or change what they eat to survive, after bushfires destroyed their habitat.

Top citizen science projects feature in SA Science Awards

Echidna CSI team members: Dr Tahlia Perry (left), Prof Frank Grutzner (middle) and Ms Isabella Wilson (right).

Posted on Dec 3 2021 by admin

EchidnaCSI has received the Citizen Science Award for Outstanding Science at the inaugural awards for Citizen Science Projects in South Australia.

Outstanding alumni receive top awards

Dr Brian Croser AO, distinguished alumni

Posted on Dec 1 2021 by admin

Five outstanding University of Adelaide graduates have been recognised for their significant contributions to their professions and communities with Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Celebrating success in the SA Science Awards

Posted on Nov 23 2021 by admin

Congratulations to Dr Richard Lilly and Dr Tahlia Perry who are finalists in the 2021 South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation awards!

Alien organisms – hitchhikers of the galaxy?

People wearing protective suits as part of biosecurity. iStock image by D Keine.

Posted on Nov 18 2021 by admin

Scientists warn, without good biosecurity measures ‘alien organisms’ on Earth may become a reality stranger than fiction.

Fishing for solutions to the plastic problem

Lead researcher of the study, Nina Wootton, with some jars of microplastics found in fish

Posted on Nov 17 2021 by admin

More than 35 percent of fish caught in the waters off southern Australia contain microplastics, and the problem is worse in SA - but many people in the fishing industry aren’t aware that we even have an ocean plastic problem.

Ironing out the cause of Alzheimer’s disease

Posted on Nov 12 2021 by admin

University of Adelaide researchers have found important evidence supporting their theory that a deficiency of active iron in the brain is an important factor in Alzheimer’s disease.

How humans catalysed the extinction of the woolly mammoth

Woolly mammoths persisted in Siberia until the mid-Holocene. Credit Mauricio Anton - https://mauricioanton.wordpress.com/

Posted on Nov 11 2021 by admin

New research shows that humans had a significant role in the extinction of woolly mammoths in Eurasia, occurring thousands of years later than previously thought.