ARTICLES
Stimulus Material for depth studies, courtesy of Macquarie University (continued)
Invading cane toads travel light
Understanding the dynamics of cane toad dispersal is vital information for scientists helping native animals survive
the spread of the poisonous invasive species. Previous work into the reproduction of cane toads in northern
Australia has documented low reproductive frequencies among females at the invasion front. Now we know, at
least in part, why. Read more here.
Syllabus Links: Stages 4 and 5 Science. The Living world, Stage 6 Biology Module 3 Biodiversity
Exiled Moons may explain astronomical mysteries
Moons ejected from orbits around gas giant exoplanets could explain several astronomical mysteries, an
international team of astronomers suggests. Researchers led by Mario Sucerquia, from the Universidad de
Antioquia, Colombia, and Jaime Alvarado-Montes from Macquarie University, modelled the likely behaviour of
giant exomoons predicted to form around massive planets – and discovered that they would be expelled and sent
packing.
Roughly 50% of these ejected moons would survive both the immediate expulsion and avoid any subsequent
collision with the planet or the star, ending up as quasi-planets travelling around the host star, but in eccentric
“Pluto-like” orbits - hence their new name, ploonets. Read more here.
Syllabus Links: Stage 4 Earth and Space
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
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SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL NEWS VOL 68 NO 4