Science Alliance Newsletter
April 2023
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A message from Science Alliance, Faculty of Science
Welcome to the April edition of Science Alliance, where we share with you the latest information regarding our public events, programming for high school students and research updates from the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Science.
In this edition, we bring you STEM stories on topics ranging from the grass on the earth to the stars in the sky. Dr Karl Kruszelnicki shares his findings on foods for a healthy planet as well as a healthy mind and body. For adventurers who want to look beyond the Earth, you can join us for a metaphorical night under the stars at the free astronomy Stibbs Lecture with Professor Emily Levesque.
Looking for activities for the kids during the school holidays? Entries are now open for the University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize, which is awarded for a short (2-minute) film that communicates a scientific concept in an accessible and engaging way. This year’s theme is ‘green’, with entries invited from both primary and secondary students. Be sure to act quick, as entries close 14 April!
Best wishes,
The Science Alliance Team
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| | Future food, ethics and sustainability via hamburgers
Dr Karl talks why food is complex and not particularly sustainable. What is not in strawberry yoghurt - cow's hooves, seaweed, or strawberry?
by Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
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Blinded by the light: gamma ray burst brighter than any seen beforeDiscover how Professor Tara Murphy, Head of the School of Physics, and PhD student James Leung provided important evidence in the study of the brightest-ever detected gamma ray burst.
by Marcus Storm
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Industry research to tackle oat rustLearn more about the research that world-renowned crop disease expert Professor Robert Park will focus on this year, and how to reduce the impact of damaging crown rust, a fungal pathogen affecting Australian oat production.
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Meet Alyssa, a PhD student in scienceWe are excited to introduce Alyssa Martino, who is doing amazing research with Professor Robert Park in plant genetics for rust resistance. We asked Alyssa about her research project and the challenges that she faces.
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 | 2023 Stibbs Lecture - The Last Stargazers: True Stories and Adventures of Astronomy
Tuesday 2 May, 6pm - 8pm
Would you brave blizzards, gunfire, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions to study the stars?
From a breathtaking flight through the Antarctic stratosphere to wild bears loose in the observatory, this evening of storytelling and science will take you on a sweeping behind-the-scenes tour of today's most exciting astronomical discoveries and the people who make them.
Join Professor Emily Levesque from the University of Washington for a special night of astronomy.
| |  | Sydney Science Forum - Dr Karl's Great Moments in Science - Rolling Thunder
Tuesday 16 May, 6pm - 7pm
What's the Bulldust Asymmetry Factor? How do you cheaply make wood three times harder than steel and as transparent as glass? What happens to the rubber that wears off your tyres? How much weight do you lose when you 'fart'? How can you tell a James Webb Space Telescope pic from a Hubble pic? Why did all the Gods of Metal Work have a limp? What changes did social media bring to our society? Just what is noise, and how is it realated to Black Box Thinking?
Come nerd out, laugh and learn; don't miss an evening with the one and only Dr Karl!
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| Resources for high school students and teachers
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 | International Science School 2023 - it's back, live and in-person!
For science-mad students in years 11 and 12 in 2023
Sunday 2 July - Saturday 15 July
Join top science students from across Australia and around the world for two weeks of inspiring talks by world-renowned scientists, amazing visits to cutting-edge research facilities, loads of hands-on experiments and activities, and a packed program of social events.
It’s going to be fantastic, you don’t want to miss this one. Applications close at 11:59pm on Thursday 6 April (Sydney time).
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 | Entries close 14 April for the 2023 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes
Established in 1990, the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are the nation’s most comprehensive science awards.
This year, there are 18 prizes on offer across the areas of research & innovation, leadership, science engagement, and school science.
The prize is open, but not limited to, those who work in research institutes, government departments, corporations, and universities.
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 | Kickstart 2023 - HSC Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Bookable by schools only, $29.70 incl GST per student
On-campus in our University laboratories and/or virtual online workshops designs to give HSC students a chance to learn key ideas, see demonstrations and perform their own analysis. Hosted by our senior science communicators and science teams. All resources, including pre- and post-work, are included.
| |  | Unearthing Science 2023
For Year 9 - 10 classes in rural and regional NSW only, free
Flexible timing throughout the year
Energise the budding scientist in your Year 9 and 10 students with this all-materials-included teaching package that introduces students to the concept of independent scientific investigation, focusing on ecological and environmental science.
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 | Facebook
A new study suggests culturally diverse people might resist frontotemporal dementia symptoms for longer.
| |  | Instagram
University of Sydney scientists have discovered a protein in the lung that blocks COVID-19 infection and forms a natural protective barrier in the human body.
| |  | LinkedIn
Professor Michael Kassiou from the Drug Discovery Initiative at the University of Sydney, will lead the establishment of the NSW Organoid Innovation Centre.
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Scientists from @SydneyUniGeo have created the most detailed geological model that reveals the Earth's past 100 million years, which can help predict the planet's future. | |
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In case you missed it...
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