Science Show - 2009-08-15

turning off devices on standby, such as television and computers can save around 30% of their power consumption. Remote medical diagnosis uses mobile phone images Cheap digital cameras can be used to measure and track wounds over time. Software takes measurements and using the mobile phone, consultations can be made for people in remote communities with limited health services. Diagnostic processes can be monitored. Chronic ulcers are easily diagnosed, and diabetic foot ulcers are very effectively. Messages to Mars and beyond The public can now post goodwill messages that will be transmitted to the nearest Earth-like planet outside our Solar System likely to support life. Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research entered the first message at the 2009 launch of National Science Week at Questacon in Canberra. Habitat change as climate changes Walter Jetz came to the conclusion that only a global perspective can help in answering the really big questions in ecology, evolution and conservation. His lab is bringing together existing knowledge using overlay techniques to paint a picture of the state of bird and terrestrial vertebrate species. It reveals which species in which regions will be affected by changing climate. Changes in temperature and precipitation are projected to be dramatic at high latitude. But tropical areas may experience greater effects on species due to the sheer number of species in low latitudes. Walter Jetz sites worrying examples in areas where species have nowhere to go, such as high altitudes and islands. He says we may be losing hundreds of terrestrial vertebrate species without knowing what we´re losing. Citizen scientists monitor plants, animals and crops The USA National Phenology Network opened in 2007. The aim is to monitor biology across the US. Plants and animals are indicators of changing climate. 5,000 citizen scientists track migrating animals or flowering times of plants. The information is entered on a website and analysed by ecologists. It is hoped the data will allow mapping of ecological change as climate changes. Bogong moths Bogong moths exist as larvae in much of eastern Australia. When they hatch they fly to the mountains and hide between rocks. They fly vast distance such as across Bass Straight. And they fly in huge numbers, being food for many animals, including some people. They are attracted by lights and can cause damage to machinery and infrastructure. Moths are high in arsenic but its source is uncertain. Junk genes - more than they´re made out to be Genes to which geneticists have been able to ascribe a function have been described as junk genes. And it´s most of them. 90% or more. But are they? New research reveals the junk may be involved in timing and control of gene expression, like a regulatory network. The human genome is 3 billion bases. New machines will be able to output the equivalent of 30 human genomes in one experiment. This will likely expose a whole new area of genetic information. Funding for field biologists - the Grand Start scheme Rob Morrison describes the Grand Start scheme which offers funding for honours year biology students allowing them to travel and conduct their research in the field. Recipients of the grant describe their work.show less...