Beyond Infinity

A run through of some of the Australian Museum's Eureka Prizes, including a glue to close wounds in place of stitches, a super-sensitive test for detecting leukaemia and an outdoor gaming app to encourage citizen scientists.

Researchers at Auckland University of Technology's Knowledge Engineering and Discovery Research Institute have come up with an AI model which predicts choices made by the sub-conscious mind before you are even aware you've made a decision. The breakthrough has huge implications for marketing and advertising.

After recent ABC News revelations about adulterated imported honey from China, activist Simon Mulvany reflects on his protracted legal battle with Australia's biggest honey company ASX-listed Capilano and the personal toll it has taken on him and his family. While legal proceedings are yet to be resolved, he is already tempted to feel that the worst might be over and that his arguments about truth in advertising, about tainted imported honey and protecting the local bee-keeping industry are finally being vindicated.

Part 2 of a 2 part interview.

Independent analysis using nuclear magnetic resonance at the Quality Services International lab shows that about half of honey on sale at big supermarket chains is adulterated with sweet-tasting syrups. Following revelations on the ABC's '730 Report', much of this has now been withdrawn from sale. But fundamental questions have been raised about food fraud, truth in advertising, about consumer naivety about the quality of imported ingredients and the vulnerability of the Australian honey industry.

Part 1 of a 2 part in-depth interview with honey activist Simon Mulvany of Save The Bees Australia.

Tougher screening laws at airports in Australia mean you can be required to unlock electronic devices for inspection or face heavy fines and up to 10 years behind bars. Nathan Hague, a British-Australian IT developer, had his devices taken out of sight and his laptop's password cracked at Sydney airport. He reckons his files may have been copied and software installed on his equipment.

After a perfect course-refining engine burn on August 20, NASA's first dedicated mission to the Sun is on course for a gravity assist from Venus on October 3 before its first perihelion on November 5. The fastest spacecraft ever will travel at speeds up to 690,000 kmh, endure temperatures of 1400 C and send back vital information about space weather, the solar wind and our nearest star's enigmatic atmosphere.

The widespread use of weak or common passwords among the general public is well known, but a recent check by the auditor general on agencies of the state government of Western Australia showed that 60,000 out of 234,000 accounts used insecure passwords. And these very agencies are supposed to be trusted with the safe handling of the public's data.

Graeme Hanigan, Secretary of White Cliffs Solar Thermal Power Station Friends Inc, explains how he became involved in efforts to preserve the disused site of the world's first commercial solar power station. From 1981 to 1997, 14 parabolic dishes covered in thousands of mirrors harnessed the sun, generating power for the small outback town of White Cliffs in Western NSW. Graeme gives us the history of the project and how various technical and logistical hurdles were overcome. The conservation project recently received a government grant of almost $60,000 to fund repair and restoration works to ensure this important part of our engineering heritage is preserved for future generations.

Hydrogen derived from ammonia could soon be powering cars in Japan, Korea and Singapore. This follows ten years of research at Australia's CSIRO into a special membrane to convert hydrogen to ammonia, meaning it can be shipped safely and then easily converted back to hydrogen anywhere in the world.

John takes us through some smart moves with home sharing that can save you big time on popular internet services.