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University of Melbourne | RMIT | Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre | Bureau of Meteorology | Melbourne Brain Centre Melbourne is a city full of science. It is home to world class universities and research centres that are at the forefront of science. On this page you can learn more about some of the amazing places where science is studied in Melbourne. **University of Melbourne:** Founded in 1853, the University of Melbourne was the city's first university. It has become better and more advanced since then, and is now ranked No. 1 in Australia and No. 37 in the world according to The Times Higher Education World University Rankings. It is also ranked the best in Australia in two of three other major international university rankings. Many Nobel Prize winners studied at the University of Melbourne.

The research performed at the University of Melbourne has produced many amazing things, including the bionic ear. It's been home to some of the world's best medical researchers and has the largest number of researchers and research facilities in the southern hemisphere.

In 2005, the Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute was opened. It was designed to work with industry in improving health and innovation and the improvement of the University of Melbourne's biomedical standards. It is one of the largest biotechnology research centres in Australia, with more than 500 researchers. The institute mainly researches Structural Biology (studying the structures and molecular processes of various biological systems), Chemical Biology (looking at the molecules that impact biological systems or that can be used to change these systems) and Nanobiotechnology (bringing biology together with technology at a sub-nano scale).

**RMIT:** The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology focuses on solving major problems such as global warming, cardiovascular diseases, and increased urbanization. They use a transdisciplinary approach to try and find the best solutions. RMIT also undertakes research to do with integrated optics, sensors and other functional electronic devices. RMIT makes their studies on sustainability and climate change their top priority, because they are critical issues facing society. RMIT develops technology to analyze the effects of greenhouse gases, so they can find out what they are affecting. Studies at RMIT use technology to develop innovative approaches to managing and preventing diseases, particularly, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, arthritis and mental illnesses.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre:
The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre is a hospital solely dedicated to cancer research and treatment. They were the 2010 Metropolitan Health Service of the Year and are at the cutting edge of cancer research.

The main research programs at Peter MacCallum study aspects of cancer such as metastasis, growth and how the micro-environments of the body affect it. It is hoped that the information produced by these programs can be used to the benefit of future cancer patients.

Peter MacCallum is in the process of developing better treatments for cancer patients. They have recently made a breakthrough in prolonging the lives of patients with serious cases of melanoma. Their new treatment aids the immune system in fighting cancer cells, slowing the growth of tumors. It isn't a cure for melanoma, but is a major improvement, as Australia has the most incidences of the cancer in the world. Most treatments for serious cancer involve radiation (radiotherapy) or large doses of drugs (chemotherapy). The main problem with these treatments is that they kill off many of the body's own cells along with the cancer cells and are very ineffective.

Bureau of Meteorology:[[image:Science_s_003.jpg width="240" height="155" align="right" caption="The Bureau of Meteorology's Melbourne Weather Station"]]
The Bureau of Meteorology provides one of Australia's most accurate weather forecasts. It uses more than 40 automated weather stations across the country to gather information about the weather and climate. The main weather station for Melbourne is at the corner of La Trobe St and Victoria St. This information is used to predict changes in the weather.

The weather stations used by the Bureau are mainly located around populated areas where they will be the most useful. They measure temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind, solar radiation and cloud cover. This information is then sent to a super computer in the Bureau, where it is used to create complex computer models that are used to predict changes in the weather, these models can predict the weather up to ten days in the future. With these pieces of information the Bureau can also find out if a natural disaster is coming such as a cyclone or an earthquake.

The Bureau also uses radiosondes and satellites to gather information about the weather. One type of satellite the Bureau uses is a geostationary satellite. These types of satellites appear to stay in exactly the same spot, since they circle the Earth at exactly the same speed that the Earth turns. Geostationary satellites are used to record data from a specific area of the Earth. Radiosondes hang from hot air balloons and are used to measure wind, temperature and humidity.

The Bureau of Meteorology (along with the CSIRO) conducts 80-90% of meteorological research in Australia. They are also in association with the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research (CAWCR).

Melbourne Brain Centre:
The Melbourne Brain Centre consists of an area for translational research at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and to new buildings at the University of Melbourne. The Mental Health Research Institute has co-located to the centre with researchers from the University of Melbourne and the Florey Neuroscience Institute. They focus on treating and curing mental diseases, such as Alzheimer's Disease, Schizophrenia and Parkinson's Disease.

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