Science and Engineering News

This Week in Science

By Fletcher Wessling (Year 11 Science Ambassador)

Hello everyone! As we enter Week 5 and the Year 11s gear up for their exam block, the UQ Science Ambassadors Team sends our best wishes for your studies. Here's a roundup of some fascinating scientific discoveries from the past week.

Water Ice Found Around Distant Star

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has detected crystalline water ice surrounding a young star system named HD 181327. This is the first confirmed observation of frozen water outside our solar system, offering valuable insights into planet formation and the potential for life beyond Earth.

Breakthrough in Cellular Communication

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru have uncovered how a fat molecule called PIP2 influences the release of chemical messengers from cells. This discovery could pave the way for new treatments for diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes.

ISRO's Aditya-L1 Observes Solar Activity

India's Aditya-L1 mission has captured a significant solar event, an X-class solar flare and a massive plasma ejection from the Sun. These observations are crucial for understanding solar behaviour and improving space weather predictions that impact Earth.

CERN Transforms Lead into Gold

Physicists at CERN's Large Hadron Collider have achieved the alchemist's dream by transmuting lead into gold. Through near-miss collisions of lead nuclei at high speeds, they briefly created gold nuclei. While the amount produced was minuscule and short-lived, this experiment showcases the incredible capabilities of particle physics.

New Poisonous Frog Species Discovered

Scientists have identified two new poisonous frog species, Ranitomeya aquamarina and Ranitomeya aetherea, in the remote Brazilian Amazon. These discoveries highlight the rich biodiversity of the rainforest and underscore the importance of conservation efforts to protect the many unique species.

Churchie Physics Lecture

By George Pollard (Year 12 Physics student)

On Tuesday 12th May, myself and seven other students were accompanied by three staff to the 2025 Churchie Physics Lecture. Over 200 students from a variety of schools were also in attendance to see the keynote speaker, Professor Jennifer Macleod, who gave a riveting presentation on using quantum mechanics to "see" particles. This talk focused on the use of atomic needles to "feel" the surface of a material at an atomic level, similar to how turntable needles interpret a vinyl record. After she spoke, a panel was conducted which consisted of Professor Jennifer Macleod, Dr Saskia Bollmann, Professor Tim Mcintyre, Ms Lucy Sim, and Dr Belinda Nicholson. The panel fielded questions on the topics of photonic propulsion, the magnetism of haemoglobins, and the measurement of exoplanets and exomoons. Overall, it was a very informative experience that I highly recommend to any future science enthusiasts.

Science and Engineering News

Ms Wendy Macdonald - Curriculum Leader – Science and Engineering

Opportunities for students:

• Queensland Biology Winter School Year 12: 7th – 8th July 2025, registrations are open. Learn more about 12QBWS
• Queensland Biology Winter School Year 11:  30th June – 1st July 2025, registrations are open. Learn more about 11QBWS
• Future Experiences in Agriculture, Science and Technology (FEAST)

29 June - 02 July 2025, Expressions of Interest (EOI's) open now.

FEAST is a 4-day residential program for Year 11 and 12 students where they explore the fascinating fields of agriculture, animal science, and plant science at our Gatton campus. Students experience what it’s like to be a UQ student by participating in hands-on workshops led by our passionate students and staff!  Find out more about FEAST. Note – registrations close this Friday 23rd May.

• Year 11 Queensland Chemistry Winter School Year 12: 3rd – 4th July 2025, registrations are open. Find out more about QCWS.