01 Customers

What's on the table for foods of the future?

Eating ready-made meals designed for your specific personal needs, snacking on insects and taking scientifically-validated supplements for stress and anxiety are just some of the future food and diet trends that could soon be reality. Our Food and Agribusiness Roadmap predicts three areas of opportunity for businesses in the sector to grow - which could result in massive changes in what we consume and how we consume it. Everything from superfoods to lab-grown meat - and even the packaging it comes in - is potentially on the menu. Are you ready to take a bite?

02 Research

Stopping a mozzie stealing our sizzle

Drunk uncles, sudden storms and empty gas bottles aren't the only things that can ruin a good Aussie BBQ: meet the Asian tiger mozzie. Originally from Southeast Asia, this mosquito species has hitched rides around the world over the past 30 years, and it can carry some seriously nasty diseases, including Zika, dengue fever and chikungunya. The mozzie is currently in the Torres Strait, and if it makes it to mainland Australia, it could have a huge impact on our lifestyle – not only on our barbies and alfresco dining, but on our health, tourism and more. So what can be done to stop it?

Ironing out Alzheimer's

Our researchers, in partnership with the Florey Institute of Neuroscience, have discovered that rapid deterioration of cognitive function (basically, how well your brain works) is linked to iron levels in the brain. Higher levels of iron make it easier for Alzheimer's disease to develop. Alzheimer’s disease can be devastating: it accounts for more than half of all cases of dementia, which is the second leading cause of death in Australia. We hope this new discovery will make the early detection and treatment of Alzheimer's more effective.

03 Discoveries

04 People

Community-led science in Arnhem Land

Just as western science has developed a system for describing the natural world (mostly in very long Latin names), the traditional knowledge systems of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have described and shared ecological knowledge for many thousands of years. This knowledge, along with deep connection to country, culture and people, offers critical insights into how we understand and manage the Australian environment.

JOBS

Lead the data charge

CSIRO is home to the largest data innovation group in Australia. As the Deputy Director of Data61 group you will play a leading role in providing scientific vision, leadership and direction to ensure the research is scientifically relevant and competitive. You will develop a strategic capability plan for people and scientific infrastructure. There are about 600 research staff and 300 PhD students working in digital technologies at CSIRO. Sydney base preferred but open to suggestions.

Explore a new career

As the Senior Scientist in exploration geochemistry you will join a Perth-based research team involved in field and laboratory based projects relating to mineral exploration research across a range of commodities and geological environments. We are looking to appoint an innovative thinker with industry experience to undertake research in the science of exploration targeting and vectoring in covered terrains, via mapping of distal system footprints and low level detection of mineral system signatures.

05 Participate

Why do we like different foods?

Being able to taste helps you choose foods that provide the energy or nutrients your body needs, but 'good taste' is a very subjective term. Your DNA, past food experiences and surrounding environment all help decide which dishes you find delectable and which you find detestable. But can science help us determine whether or not you will like blue cheese? Well, we'll have to determine that on a queso by queso basis.

The cold and flu mythbuster

Does getting a flu shot make you sick? Can exercise help you get over your cold faster? Do hot toddies really work? We've put together a fun quiz that will test your knowledge on all things cold and flu related. The list of 'home remedies' for these everyday illnesses is as long as the line at the doctors on a cold August morning, but which of them are fact and which are fiction? Take the quiz to find out.

Watch Meet our new 'Cambassador': Olympic swimmer Cameron McEvoy