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

Featured stories

Close up photo of a person in a suit signing a document

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.

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.

A 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.

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.

Where 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.

Agriculture, 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.

A 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.

Wild 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.

Cover 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.

Crying over plant-based milk: neither science nor history favours a dairy monopoly

Plant-based liquids have been called milk for centuries.

Protecting crops by preserving their pollinators

A worrying global decline threatening food security.

Creativity 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.

The people behind the cars

History will not forget the people and places that made Holden cars an icon of Australia.

City nightlife takes on a new dimension

The growth of small venues has changed the face of Adelaide’s social scene, adding life and livelihood.

Macau shown in three dimensions

An immersive multimedia experience has brought to life the diverse cultural history of a former colonial enclave.

Curious Kids: why do we cry?

Most people cry when they’re feeling sad, or when they are having big feelings.

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?

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.

Many 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.

Tackling traffic congestion on the final frontier

To prevent damage and loss of valuable space assets it is critical that we develop space situational awareness.

Avoiding technology meltdown

Can we prevent cyber-attacks that result in the leak of secret information?

Protecting people in the front-line

Developing technology to support people in high stress situations boosts their effectiveness and reduces potential harm.

Dragonfly technology provides pinpoint accuracy and super speed

Imagine a world powered by predictive artificial vision and machine learning.

Energy, 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.

$What's really going on during fracking$

What's really going on during fracking

How do fluids such as water, gas and petroleum move in the earth?

Solar 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.

Solar 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!

Taking charge

New energy sources and a growing demand for electric vehicles are driving demand for energy storage.

Extracting more value from mining

Smart integration of technology across the industry to increase value and sustainability.

Environment, 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.

Buzz 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.

I 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.

Australian sea lions (Neophoca cinerea) are one of the rarest pinnipeds in the world and they are declining

Australian 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.

We 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.

Understanding the true impact of bushfires on our Koala population

The recent bushfires have been, and continue to be, devastating for affected communities.

Health and biotech

Stories

Understanding congenital heart disease

Where 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.

Let’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.

Debunking 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.

Dr Adam Wells undertaking history-making 'surgery', using the new technology.

Practise 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.