November 2010 - Issue #11
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How a trail of darkness leads to a planet born
By carving ‘gaps’ in the disks of dust that create and enshroud them, newborn planets are giving astronomers the clue to locating possible new worlds.
Innovation shaped by answers to the unknown
Below the surface of every fascinating application of research, there is a story of endeavour undertaken without direct knowledge of how its outcomes might eventually be used.
Weight loss for healthier cars
Researchers are overcoming obstacles to the wider use of the ultra-lightweight metal magnesium in the automotive industry.
Life’s recipe book calls for a pinch of antimatter
The exotic chemistry made possible by antimatter and its spectacular explosiveness is being applied to solve a problem that has taunted molecular biologists for decades.
Tragedy fires entrepreneurship lesson
While only being half way through their degrees, two entrepreneurship students are just months away from a new business delivering its first product – a product with the added reward of potentially saving lives.
Consortium marries behaviour and materials in bushfire shelter design
Swinburne researchers are applying their skills and experience to the development of modular above-ground bushfire shelters designed to be both affordable and effective.
Game on: pixel power adds muscle to galactic science
Australian astronomy is set to edge ahead with a new supercomputer that boasts extraordinary data-crunching capacity.
Signals from afar herald a new space odyssey
The powerful pathways of a billion-dollar radio telescope being built at Murchison, 700km north of Perth, and the gSTAR supercomputer at Hawthorn, Victoria, are destined to meet … in the furthest reaches of outer space.
New insights into the autistic brain
Studies of the brain have identified a physiological basis for autism’s impact on human perception, but new technology is making it possible to develop a biologically based diagnostic tool
Centre to lead social dialogue
In politics, workplaces and in life generally, a need is emerging for people trained to give structure and function to shared hopes and opportunities.
Virtual class shares real lessons
Students of the digital age now make up the majority of tertiary learners, so it would seem logical to use the web-based social networks these students are already familiar with as learning tools.
PBs to raise the achievement bar
A trial of a 'personal best' approach to education may provide a new way of lifting the motivation of students.
Scheme builds TAFE–university bridge
Undergraduate places are being automatically offered to all higher-level TAFE students at Swinburne University of Technology following introduction of its Guaranteed Entry Scheme (GES).
Simulated trouble to keep airlines calm and aloft
A new simulator will help instruct airline operations controllers to make better decisions under pressure and get more planes and passengers to their destinations on time.
Blink by blink, driving skill eroded by distractions
The way we see the world around us – as a whole or as components of the whole – is emerging as an important new field of research into driver distraction and responsiveness.
Capital idea for sustainable charity
Swinburne University alumnus Leigh Wallace OAM considers his Master's Degree a contributing factor to the success of his innovative approaches to philanthropy at the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation.
Social make-over for the corporate bottom line
As more companies and individuals explore the possibilities of corporate philanthropy and social investment, they are also keen to learn the skills to make their contributions more effective, says Michael Liffman, director of the Asia–Pacific Centre for Social Investment and Philanthropy (APCSIP) at Swinburne University.
Monstrous idea spawns industry giant
The Swinburne graduate who brought dinosaurs back to life regards himself as more pragmatist than artist. And the commercial results are dazzling.
