Scitech on ABC Saturday

Science wrap-up

Scitech's resident sciencepert, Alan Gill, chats with ABC 720's Saturday host, James Lush about the topical science issues of the month. This week they talked about salt-tolerant wheat, chimps as cops and the CSIRO and BoM's latest climate data.

New variety of wheat could help feed the world

Scientists from the University of Adelaide have created a new variety of wheat that can grow on salt-affected land with a greater yield. Using non-genetically modified cross-breeding techniques, researchers developed a species of durum wheat that prevented sodium build-up in the leaves. Previously, the sodium in salt prevented photosynthesis, the process through which plants get energy to grow.

By using selective breeding to create this variety of wheat, it can be grown in any region and has shown the same crop yield as other variety on normal soil and a 25% increase in yield in salt-affected land.

Australia is the second largest exporter of wheat and with over 20% of the world’s agricultural area affected by salinity, the development of new crop varieties is not only crucial for long-term food security, it is also a way of protecting our economy.

Chimpanzees have police officers, too

New research has confirmed that chimpanzees have 'police officers' who act as an impartial third-party to sort out conflicts, suggesting moral behaviour isn’t unique to humans.

Researchers at the University of Zurich have studied a group of captive chimpanzees to determine if policing behaviour existed, the factors determining their involvement, and the possible motivations behind it. It turns out chimps will step in as a mediator for the betterment of the group, evening if it means they could come to personal harm. Studies such as this provide clues as to the evolution morality and emergence of behaviours.

Australia’s scientists on track with climate predictions

CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology have released a new version of their 'State of the Climate' report which details changes to Australia’s land and ocean climate over a multi-decadal period. Numerous Australia’s climate scientists have helped compile this document which analyses climate trends and climate projections for the future.

They pointed out that current CO₂ concentrations are the highest they have been in 800,000 years. They also noted that the rate of CO₂ emissions is climbing again after a decrease during the global financial crisis. The report also predicted less rainfall in southern Australia, increased rainfall in northern Australia, rising sea levels and an increase in temperatures.

While many of these findings have been reported in the past, it is important that CSIRO and BoM continue to publish their data in these reports as they not only lend support to climate predictions, they keep climate change and the sound science behind them in the headlines.

Click here to listen to the audio from this segment

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