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The scale of the experiment matches the scale of the intellectual leap achieved. A huge apparatus, 27 kilometres in circumference, buried 100 metres below the French-Swiss border near Geneva, accelerated particles in a near-perfect vacuum to speeds just below that of light and measured the effect of their collisions. Minute variations in energy released prove the existence of the Higgs boson, which had been postulated in theory by Peter Higgs in 1964 to explain the mass of elementary particles. Wednesday's discovery, published by two separate groups of researchers working in isolation from each other, can be compared with the discovery of DNA, or Einstein's theory of relativity, or the splitting of the atom. Achievements such as those are like peaks in a mountain range. They draw the world's attention, but really it is the great mass of the range itself that holds the peaks up which has more significance. Without the massive bulk below, the peaks would not reach so high. For science that great mass is a huge amount of lead-up work. The standard model of particle physics is the work of many hundreds of researchers, only one of whom was Professor Higgs. That achievement sits within the millions of achievements of the wider research effort of the whole science community. And that is enclosed, too, within the wider community which understands and supports what science has achieved and can achieve. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/editorial/science-gets-a-chance-to-show-the-way-20120706-21mf2.html#ixzz21rjUGfs0

The Nitrous Oxide Research Program is providing world class data  on N2O emissions from different soils under different management  practices, farming systems and climates. It is identifying N2O emission reduction strategies that may benefit farmers.

Current research into the Bionic Eye at UNSW

How can faulty genes lead to cancer?

The Cambridge IGCSE Physical Science syllabus helps learners to understand the technological world in which they live, and take an informed interest in science and scientific developments. They learn about the basic principles of Physical Science through a mix of theoretical and practical studies. Learners also develop an understanding of the scientific skills essential for further study at Cambridge International AS and A Level, skills which are useful in everyday life. As they progress, learners gain an understanding of how science is studied and practised, and become aware that the results of scientific research can have both good and bad effects on individuals, communities and the environment.

"http://yt.cl.nr/XxKIa6Zr1NQ" Senior Research Associate at Harvard Project Zero, Ron Ritchhart shares his thoughts on the importance of creating a culture of thinking in classrooms and schools

To bridge the gap between the theory and practice of innovative teaching, Microsoft Partners in Learning and ITL Research are building a new type of educator professional development program called LEAP21.

Experience WorldWide Telescope Immerse yourself in a seamless beautiful environment. From web to desktop to full dome planetarium, WorldWide Telescope (WWT) enables you to explore the universe, bringing together imagery from the best ground and space-based telescopes in the world and combining it with 3D navigation. Experience narrated guided tours from astronomers and educators featuring interesting places in the sky. You can research and import your own data and visualize it, then create a tour to share with others. A web-based version of WorldWide Telescope is also available. This version enables seamless, guided explorations of the universe from within a web browser on PC and Intel Mac OS X by using the power of Microsoft Silverlight 4.0.

Fun, interactive, research-based simulations of physical phenomena from the PhET project