Issue 210

Living on air: uncovering bacterial mysteries for agriculture and climate

Scientists have solved one of the mysteries of certain soil bacteria that allows them to persist without an apparent source of sustenance. It might lead to solutions for improving agricultural production while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Diving for treasure to help protect the world’s great reefs

Amid growing demand for seafood, gas and other resources drawn from the world’s oceans, and growing stresses from climate change, we examine some of the challenges and solutions for developing “the blue economy” in smarter, more sustainable ways. For example, could the diving industry, long criticised as contributing to declines in coral reef health around the world, better contribute to reef conservation?

2015-16 is shaping up to deliver a rollercoaster from strong El Niño to La Niña

The anticipation is growing that this year’s newly formed El Niño will turn out to be very big. All climate models surveyed by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology are currently predicting a strong event later this year.

Protecting Australia’s Lake Eyre basin means getting our priorities right

Taking into account the rivers that drain into it and where they come from, the Lake Eyre Basin is one of largest inland draining systems in the world, the size of Germany, France and Italy combined.

Nanopesticides: a promising new pesticide solution?

Nanopesticides are being hailed as an emerging technology that will minimise the adverse effects of pesticides on people and the environment, but is there sufficient evidence to convince the regulators?