Description
Book SynopsisWhat can a microbial gravesite on a moon teach us? Why are scientists risking their lives to safeguard a seed bank? How does a virus detective story show us why we need to be vigilant about the next disease outbreak? Great science writing compels us to pay attention to parts of the world often unseen, from a dusty gold mine which could help answer one of the biggest questions in astrophysics to a delightful date with the misunderstood blobfish. This acclaimed anthology—now in its twelfth year—selects the most riveting, entertaining, poignant, and fascinating science stories and essays from Australian writers, poets, and scientists. With a foreword by health broadcaster and commentator Dr. Norman Swan, this collection covers another remarkable year, not only filled with seismic moments in science, but also shining a light on important work that would otherwise be overlooked.
Table of ContentsForeword Norman SwanIntroduction Ivy ShihThe hunt for alien life on Phobos, one of Mars’ mystifying moons Jackson RyanSpillover in suburbia Olivia WillisEarth is getting a black box to record our climate change actions, and it’ s already started listening Nick KilvertDeep down and Dark: Stawell’ s genius lair Jacinta BowlerThe curious case of the hidden ancestor Elizabeth Finkel 2029 Headlines Amanda AnastasiApes, robots and men: the life and death of the first space chimp Alice GormanLove and fear Kate Cole-AdamsChecking in on the fugly fish that broke the internet Angus DaltonThe chemical question Bianca NogradyArtificial intelligence is misreading human emotion Kate Crawford A Syrian seed bank’ s fight to survive Helen SullivanProfessor Amnon Neeman doesn’ t really mind whether you read this story or not Tabitha Carvan Rise of the preprint: how rapid data sharing during COVID-19 changed science forever Clare Watson Jenner, sure, but here’ s to the real pioneers of immunisation Jane McCredieWhen cats are not as cute John Pickrell Anticipation of light Alice SometimesTime travel and tipping points Lauren FugeRising in the yeast Kelly WongCOVID-19 rarely spreads through surfaces. So why are we still deep cleaning? Dyani LewisMy Father’ s beautiful brain Suzannah LyonsThe scientific genius that eschewed fame Robyn ArianrhodEel Odyssey Louise Wakeling Why discovering ‘ nothing’ in science can be so incredibly important Michelle StarrSwamp Sentinels Kate EvansCulture shock: how loss of animals’ shared knowledge threatens their survival Zoe Kean Mind machines Christine KenneallyWombat dental gags and monster whale needles Angela HeathcoteCould biobanking offer Australian animals a last hope against extinction? Lydia HalesFish out of mortar Drew Rooke
