We are delighted to once again bring together the National Science Week program for Victoria in 2019, and warmly invite everyone interested in being a part of our state-wide celebration of all things Science to come along to our information and networking session at the Royal Society of Victoria.
As editor in chief of a science magazine for six years, I’m not sure how I missed the gene therapy revolution. Yes, we did the odd news report on gene therapy, but mostly we were blinded by the deluge of CRISPR publications – a cheap, precise new technique of gene editing that was transforming the ability to genetically modify plants, insects, animals and maybe one day humans. As it turns out this happened in China last November .But it wasn’t just me who missed the gene therapy revolution. It seems most people I speak to about it – including many medical people – hadn’t noticed. The most dramatic example has biblical dimensions. In 2017, the New England Journal of Medicine published the results of a gene therapy trial for children born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). These kids normally develop paralysis and die by the age of two. Instead most were sitting and rolling; some were walking and talking. Is this just a fringe thing? Big Pharma doesn’t think so. Novartis recently paid $US 8.7 billion to purchase – AveXis, the start-up company behind the SMA trial. In this talk, allow me to guide you through the gene therapy revolution and how it is set to disrupt the way medicine is delivered.
Consciousness remains one of the biggest mysteries of the human brain. Our perception of what exists as well as our thoughts, feelings, imaginings and dreams has attempted to be understood by philosophers through conceptual analysis and thought experiments. Neuroscientists have sought to describe it as a biological process of neuronal activity captured by measurable tests of brain activity. Increasingly, philosophers and neuroscientists are joining forces, but consensus is elusive. Do we experience consciousness only while we are awake? Do other animals experience consciousness? Does it fade after brain damage? Are intelligent computers conscious? Is consciousness a process? What is it for? We have invited a neuroscientist and philosopher to share their research and perspectives on consciousness and to provide some guidance on these questions.
The Yarra Ranges community is invited to an afternoon focused on skills, employment and technology as part of Education Week at the Box Hill Institute and Yarra Ranges Tech School.This event will showcase Yarra Ranges Tech School's facilities, technology and programs through workshops and an open house. The learning spaces and technology labs will be accessible for direct interaction by attendees during the tour.Ahead of the tour there will be a panel of key industry representatives who will provide an outline of their industry, the skills being sought and share experiences of their own journeys in the area of STEM, robots and automation.
The Radio Amateurs of the Tablelands Radio & Electronics Club, in Far North Queensland are commemorating the 50th year since the Lunar Landing, by operating a special event call sign on the Radio Amateur bands. The callsign for this station is Vi50ML. All licenced Radio Amateurs are invited to join in by establishing radio contact…
Come and take part in a range of hands on science experiments and explore the world of STEM. For children ages 5-12.
Bring a jar of soil from home and learn how to manage the soil pH levels in your organic garden. You will have the opportunity to test your soil and optimise the health of your garden.
Young inventors The young inventors is a project based learning program that provides a hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math opportunity to budding young inventors. They will be using LittleBits and Micro:BBC boards to invent objects such as a self driving art machine or a cardboard inch worm. This is a 6 week program…
Phones and iPads can be really easy to use, but lots of their useful features are easy to miss. Bring your iPhone or iPad along for tips, tricks and hidden features that can help you get the most out of your device. Bookings essential.
Saturday 20 July, 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the first time humans walked on the Moon.
This remarkable event was a watershed in human history and a technological achievement of astounding proportions: the mission went to the Moon and back with less computing power than a modern smart phone.
Celebrate this feat of human ambition and ingenuity with our special event featuring expert talks, Planetarium shows, VR experiences of the ISS, an Apollo 11 photography exhibition, telescope viewing (weather permitting) and more.
Bioelectronics is the concept of interfacing directly with the body's own nervous system to monitor physiological signals and, as needed, modulate the electrical activity within the nervous system to alleviate symptoms of diseases. The first generation of bioelectronic systems are now treating a number of disorders, with perhaps the most familiar being cardiac pacemakers that aim to maintain a healthy heart rhythm. Pacing systems are deployed in hundreds of thousands of patients today, and reinforce the potential for bioelectronic medicine to restore health.
Expanding bioelectronics to neurological disorders like epilepsy, chronic pain and dementia is an exciting but challenging opportunity. Despite the clinical success in treating symptoms of diseases like Parkinson's, existing bioelectronic systems have several attributes that currently limit their adoption. For example, currently a skilled neurosurgeon is required to place the implant, and the device's output is relatively inflexible in contrast to the rapidly changing and reactive activity of the nervous system. Resolving these issues requires the complementary pursuit of technological innovation and scientific discovery.
Join us for the July 2019 meeting of the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Citizen Science Association. This meeting will focus on citizen science and education. The meeting will commence with three presentations, which will be followed by break-out group discussions. There will also be plenty of time for sharing your project stories, networking and developing our community of practice. Speakers include Sandra McCullogh from Earthwatch Australia, Julian O Shea from Unbound, and Edmond Lascaris from the City of Whittlesea.
