What's Making News? - Series 20 - Episode 18

Join Henry and his long-time co-host Russell Hanby for 'What's Making News?' of 2021. Join Henry and Russell as they talk about what made news this week in Melbourne, Australia.

THE AGE: (24/06/21): AstraZeneca jab to be phased out 

Australia will not need the AstraZeneca vaccine after October except by request, as most Australians over the age of 60 are expected to be vaccinated by then.

THE HERALD SUN: (24/06/21): State super-charged 

New car charging stations that provide 100km of power in 10 minutes would be built across the state to provide electric vehicle motorists reliable journeys.

THE HERALD SUN: (24/06/21): Top public schools equal to private

Children get an academic boost from attending ‘good” schools in Melbourne, regardless of their family background, research shows.

THE AGE: (24/06/21): Co-ed demand surges in school choice

Girls-only schools are losing ground to coeducational ones in Victoria, with experts saying parents regard the latter as better at teaching young people about life.

THE AGE: (24/06/21): ODD SPOT

Upcycling plastic has long had a feel-good factor, but what about a taste-good factor? Researchers at the University of Edinburgh are using genetically engineered bacteria to convert plastic bottles into vanilla flavouring. Mutant enzymes are used already to breakdown the polyethylene terephthalate polymer used for drink bottles into its basic unit, terephthalic acid (TA). Now modified E.coli bacteria are converting TA into vanillin. Synthetic vanillin is used widely in the food and cosmetics industries.

This conversation was originally broadcast on 3SER's 97.7FM Casey Radio in June 2021. It was produced by Rob Kelly.