Best of Australian Science: February 2013
FollowFebruary brought many exciting events, visits, conferences, interviews, and a bevy of intriguing articles written by Australian Science writers/authors. It is time to recapitulate that enthusiasm here and share with you highlights from the month in the fields of science, education, internet technologies, space, and among others.
If you are interested in science blogging and contributing to Australian Science – contact us and check out the Editor’s note.
Until next Australian Science month review, stay curious, and geeky, scientifically and artistically passionate. I hope you’ll enjoy these stories.
Women in Space – Valentina Tereshkova by Sharon Harnett
This article is the first in a series of articles in which I will profile every woman astronaut, cosmonaut and taikonaut who has been into space. The last time I checked 58 women have travelled into space, by the end of this year there may be a few more! We’re going to start this series at the beginning – with Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space. Read more>>
Could the next generation of electronics be made with graphene? by Markus Hammonds
One of the biggest potentials for graphene, however, is in electronics. As graphite (a naturally occurring mineral), carbon is semiconductive. Due to the way carbon atoms are arranged in this hexagonal pattern, it leaves some electrons free to move across the material in a way not entirely unlike the way the motion of free electrons allows metals to be conductive. However, pure graphite isn’t really very conductive. Read more>>
Australia’s National Science Agency – Focused on the Future by Kelly Burnes
Wanting to learn more about this group’s work and impact, I reached out toDr Stefan Hajkowicz, the Theme Leader for CSIRO Futures. This is our digital conversation about science, education, energy, and what Australia must do to secure its future.
To our readers, if you have not done so already, check out the CSIRO Futures website for reports and projects to learn more. You’ll find some thought-provoking, fascinating topics guaranteed to make you put your strategic thinking cap on and get lost in a world of ‘what-ifs’. Read more>>
Australian Science travelled to Canberra for the linux.conf.au (Linux Conference Australia) at the beginning of the month that brought plenty of interesting keynote speakers. For Open Source fans and advocates, don’t miss to read and listen to the interviews as well as the wrap up of the conference: Linux.conf.au 2013: ‘Nerdvana’ in Canberra. Interview transcripts are available with each article.
Radia Perlman at LCA 2013 by Jessica Smith
Later in the week, I had the pleasure of heading off to lunch with Radia and a small group of fellow delegates during a break in technical sessions. She is engaging and thoughtful, and concerned as much with solutions for societal issues as solutions for thorny networking challenges. Radia is eternally self-effacing, and repeatedly claimed that she had “never done anything difficult