http://www.triples.org.au Science for School Students Thu, 27 Sep 2007 23:29:27 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Why do fridge magnets ‘ripple’ when you rub them together? Hint: Try taking another magnet and moving it slowly over the fridge magnet. Is it all magnetic? What pattern do the ‘magnetic bits’ form? Solution: The magnetic sections are arranged in strips, with non-magnetic sections in between. When you ... http://www.triples.org.au/magnet-ripple/ Butterflies on a south pacific island are teaching scientists new things about evolution. The Blue Moon butterfly population on the island had been devastated by a bacterial parasite - in 2001, males of the species made up just 1% of the specimens studied. A gene protecting against the bacteria was developed naturally by ... http://www.triples.org.au/butterfly-evolution-surprises-scientists/ A baby woolly mammoth, found perfectly preserved in icy ground in Russia, will provide scientists their best chance yet at studying the genetic makeup of the extinct species. Uncovered in May after nearly 40,000 years, the female mammoth weighs 50kg and is the size of a large dog. It is believed the ... http://www.triples.org.au/baby-mammoth-find-excites-scientists/ Scientists are puzzled over the discovery of a rare giant squid specimen found washed up on a beach in Tasmania's west coast. When alive, the squid would have been over seven metres long, weighing around 200 kilograms. The squid will be taken to Hobart for more investigation. Scientists ponder giant ... http://www.triples.org.au/giant-squid-washes-up-in-tasmania/ Solar powered public rubbish bins are being trialled by the Brisbane City council. The smart bins compact the rubbish in them using solar power, and will send an email or text message to the council when they are full. Solar 'smart' bins given email link to garbos - ABC News http://www.triples.org.au/smart-bins-trialled-in-brisbane/ An island off the coast of Japan is literally crumbling into the sea, thanks to the burrowing of millions of tiny crustaceans. The creatures - a type of crustacean known as an isopod - are burrowing into the soft soil and volcanic rock of the island to lay their eggs. The ... http://www.triples.org.au/japanese-crustaceans-flatten-island/ A genetic study published in Science magazine has used DNA testing to determine that the modern domestic cat had ancestors in the middle east. It is thought that early farming communities were responsible for domesticating the cat, some 100,000 years ago. DNA traces origin of domestic cat - BBC News http://www.triples.org.au/origin-of-the-domestic-moggy/ A study published recently in Science magazine has reignited hope that in the future, a cure for the HIV virus could be developed. In the study, researchers developed an enzyme which was able to attack the virus and remove it from infected cells. The scientists warned that while the breakthrough is significant, ... http://www.triples.org.au/hiv-breakthrough/ Researchers in Queensland are working hard to produce the perfect mango. As well as great-tasting fruit, the The Mango Genomics Initiative wants to develop mango plants that produce more fruit on a regular basis, from a smaller plant. Research under way to grow the 'perfect' mango - ABC News http://www.triples.org.au/the-search-for-the-perfect-mango/ Swansea, on Tasmania's east coast, has opened a new jetty made of recycled plastic. Shifting sand was causing problems with the old jetty, which was hurting the local economy. 90,000 plastic milk containers, as well as other recycled materials, went into the new jetty. Swansea unveils recycled jetty- ABC News http://www.triples.org.au/new-jetty-made-of-milk-containers/