Research Impact
Breakthrough research for a better world.
Agriculture, food & wine Creativity & culture Defence, cyber & space Energy, mining & resources Environment, sustainability & climate change Health & biotech Societal Wellbeing
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Introducing The Discovery Pod
Why has COVID-19 been so devastating? Why does music make us feel things? How do we secure the future of food and water for all? We're seeking answers to these questions (and more) in our newest University podcast series - The Discovery Pod.
Read more about Introducing The Discovery PodAbuse of Powers of Attorney under the spotlight
In the face of increasing concerns about the abuse of Powers of Attorney, legal experts are asking for submissions as part of their review of existing South Australian law.
Read more about Abuse of Powers of Attorney under the spotlightReading the history of indigenous South American peoples in ancient DNA
Ancient human DNA dating back almost 9,000 years has provided significant genetic insights for an international large-scale study in South America.
Read more about Reading the history of indigenous South American peoples in ancient DNAA return to the wild for better immune health
Revegetating green spaces within cities can improve soil quality and has been linked to human health benefits.
Read more about A return to the wild for better immune healthUnderstanding congenital heart disease
Each year in Australia, it is estimated 2,400 babies are affected with congenital heart disease. People with complex and severe congenital heart disease require specialist treatment throughout their life.
Read more about Understanding congenital heart diseaseAgriculture, food and wine
Stories
Farmer to pharma? Creating new products from agricultural waste
Our researchers are supporting South Australia’s primary producers by turning their waste into high-value products, potentially worth over $100m per annum.
Read more about Farmer to pharma? Creating new products from agricultural wasteA little water can go a long way when battling heatwaves
It appears that how you use water is more important than how much you use when trying to protect vines from the impact of heatwaves.
Read more about A little water can go a long way when battling heatwavesWild yeasts may hold key to better wines from warmer climates
Our researchers have found yeasts that naturally occur on wine grapes may improve wines produced in warmer climates.
Read more about Wild yeasts may hold key to better wines from warmer climatesCover crops – get it right, and reap the benefits
The correct type of cover crop does not adversely affect vine yield and performance, a current research project has found.
Read more about Cover crops – get it right, and reap the benefitsCrying over plant-based milk: neither science nor history favours a dairy monopoly
Plant-based liquids have been called milk for centuries.
Read more about neither science nor history favours a dairy monopolyProtecting crops by preserving their pollinators
A worrying global decline threatening food security.
Read more about Protecting crops by preserving their pollinatorsCreativity and culture
Stories
Reading the history of indigenous South American peoples in ancient DNA
Ancient human DNA dating back almost 9,000 years has provided significant genetic insights for an international large-scale study in South America.
Read more about Reading the history of indigenous South American peoples in ancient DNAThe people behind the cars
History will not forget the people and places that made Holden cars an icon of Australia.
Read more about The people behind the carsCity nightlife takes on a new dimension
The growth of small venues has changed the face of Adelaide’s social scene, adding life and livelihood.
Read more about City nightlife takes on a new dimensionMacau shown in three dimensions
An immersive multimedia experience has brought to life the diverse cultural history of a former colonial enclave.
Read more about Macau shown in three dimensionsCurious Kids: why do we cry?
Most people cry when they’re feeling sad, or when they are having big feelings.
Read more about why do we cry?From Star Wars to Apocalypse Now, director’s cuts are all the rage. But do they make the films any better?
Is this self-indulgence or part of the artistic process?
Read more about From Star Wars to Apocalypse Now, director’s cuts are all the rage. But do they make the films any better?Defence, cyber and space
Stories
Youth online safety and cybercrime prevention
Knowing how young people operate in the digital world is the key to keeping them safe.
Read more about Youth online safety and cybercrime preventionMany countries join The US, Russia and China in creating space agencies
Civilian and Military use of space has been dramatically increasing in recent years thus leading many States, including Australia, to create National Space Agencies.
Read more about Many countries join The US, Russia and China in creating space agenciesTackling traffic congestion on the final frontier
To prevent damage and loss of valuable space assets it is critical that we develop space situational awareness.
Read more about Tackling traffic congestion on the final frontierAvoiding technology meltdown
Can we prevent cyber-attacks that result in the leak of secret information?
Read more about Avoiding technology meltdownProtecting people in the front-line
Developing technology to support people in high stress situations boosts their effectiveness and reduces potential harm.
Read more about Protecting people in the front-lineDragonfly technology provides pinpoint accuracy and super speed
Imagine a world powered by predictive artificial vision and machine learning.
Read more about Dragonfly technology provides pinpoint accuracy and super speedEnergy, mining and resources
Stories
Harnessing low cost, sustainable, activated carbon from waste
In what is believed to be a world-first, an Adelaide-based start-up has developed a new, low cost, sustainable method of producing activated carbon.
Read more about Harnessing low cost, sustainable, activated carbon from wasteWhat's really going on during fracking
How do fluids such as water, gas and petroleum move in the earth?
Read more about What's really going on during frackingSolar thermal for mineral processing
It is a fact that in a country like Australia, dominated by the primary production of commodities such as iron ore, copper and alumina, the industrial processes that produce these for export account for around half of our energy consumption.
Read more about Solar thermal for mineral processingSolar for hydrogen production
Imagine 10 years from today, an underground mine, where waste water is continuously pumped out to keep it dry. University of Adelaide researchers are looking into ways to build a better world, and turn this nuisance into a fuel source through hydrogen fuelled vehicles!
Read more about Solar for hydrogen productionTaking charge
New energy sources and a growing demand for electric vehicles are driving demand for energy storage.
Read more about Taking chargeExtracting more value from mining
Smart integration of technology across the industry to increase value and sustainability.
Read more about Extracting more value from miningEnvironment, sustainability and climate change
Stories
Bushfire and the challenge to respond to new levels of environmental risk
There have been terrible bushfires this summer across southern Australia – and they are still going. Part of the reason for this disaster is the unprecedented climatic conditions that the country has been facing, including record hot and dry conditions.
Read more about Bushfire and the challenge to respond to new levels of environmental riskBuzz off honey industry, our national parks shouldn’t be milked for money
Among the vast number of native species damaged by the recent bushfire crisis, we must not forget native pollinators. These animals, mainly insects such as native bees, help sustain ecosystems by pollinating native plants.
Read more about Buzz off honey industry, our national parks shouldn’t be milked for moneyI made bushfire maps from satellite data, and found a glaring gap in Australia’s preparedness
On the night of January 9 2020, my wife and I secured our Kangaroo Island home and anxiously monitored the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) website for bushfire advice.
Read more about I made bushfire maps from satellite data, and found a glaring gap in Australia’s preparednessAustralian sea lions are declining. Using drones to check their health can help us understand why
Australian sea lions are in trouble. Their population has never recovered from the impact of the commercial sealing that occurred mainly in the 19th century.
Read more about Australian sea lions are declining. Using drones to check their health can help us understand whyWe forget the lessons of past disasters at our own peril
In the context of the terrible fires facing the nation, the telling reflection that “Those who do not remember the past are doomed to repeat it” has salience.
Read more about We forget the lessons of past disasters at our own perilUnderstanding the true impact of bushfires on our Koala population
The recent bushfires have been, and continue to be, devastating for affected communities.
Read more about Understanding the true impact of bushfires on our Koala populationHealth and biotech
Stories
Understanding congenital heart disease
Each year in Australia, it is estimated 2,400 babies are affected with congenital heart disease. People with complex and severe congenital heart disease require specialist treatment throughout their life.
Read more about Understanding congenital heart diseaseWhere people burnout most during COVID-19
Research is identifying the regions where working adults are more likely to burnout during the COVID-19 crisis: The key is the distance to the epicentre – but not how you might imagine.
Read more about Where people burnout most during COVID-19Let’s ‘declare war on type 2 diabetes’ – Australian of the year James Muecke on why we need to cut back on sugar
Humans are physiologically hardwired to love and seek out sweet things. It’s an ancient survival mechanism that evolved to prepare our bodies for periods of fasting when food supplies were scarce.
Read more about Let’s ‘declare war on type 2 diabetes’ – Australian of the year James Muecke on why we need to cut back on sugarDebunking the myths and moving mens health forward
Our research is informing new approaches to preventative health strategies, delivery of health services and management of common health conditions in men.
Read more about Debunking the myths and moving mens health forwardPractise makes perfect: 3D-printed brains could revolutionise neurosurgery
An Adelaide-based company, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Adelaide, is hoping to revolutionise neurosurgery techniques, following their ‘world-first operation’ in November.
Read more about 3D-printed brains could revolutionise neurosurgeryPregnant women should take extra care to minimise their exposure to bushfire smoke
Smoke haze from Australia’s catastrophic bushfires is continuing to affect many parts of the country.
Read more about Pregnant women should take extra care to minimise their exposure to bushfire smokeSocietal wellbeing
Stories
Abuse of Powers of Attorney under the spotlight
In the face of increasing concerns about the abuse of Powers of Attorney, legal experts are asking for submissions as part of their review of existing South Australian law.
Read more about Abuse of Powers of Attorney under the spotlightA return to the wild for better immune health
Revegetating green spaces within cities can improve soil quality and has been linked to human health benefits.
Read more about A return to the wild for better immune healthThe many faces of social housing in Australia
Social housing has been home to many Australians over its 80+ year history.
Read more about The many faces of social housing in AustraliaHow to flatten the curve of coronavirus, a mathematician explains
Slowing the spread of the coronavirus is of utmost importance for Australians, with the Federal government continuing to provide new updates about hygiene and social distancing requirements to ease the stress on hospital beds.
Read more about How to flatten the curve of coronavirus, a mathematician explainsNewstart debate must focus on people, not politics
Economics researchers at the University of Adelaide are urging politicians to address the issue of the Newstart Allowance with maturity and consider increasing it by as much as $120 per week.
Read more about Newstart debate must focus on people, not politicsEmergency communication in a digital world
Enhancing information flows and strengthening communication systems for use during emergencies can save lives, according to researchers at the University of Adelaide.
Read more about Emergency communication in a digital world