The tobacco lobby claims vaping is displacing youth smoking – a close look at the evidence tells another story
By Sam Egger Et Al
E-cigarette companies, including giants such as British American Tobacco, have actively lobbied governments in New Zealand and Australia to weaken existing vape regulations while preventing the introduction of stricter...
We combed through old botanical surveys to track how plants on Australia’s islands are changing
By David Coleman Et Al
More than 8,000 continental islands sit just off the coast of Australia, many of them uninhabited and unspoiled. For thousands of species, these patches of habitat offer refuge from the threats they face on the mainland....
What’s the difference between baking powder and baking soda? It’s subtle, but significant
By Nathan Kilah
There is something special about sharing baked goods with family, friends and colleagues. But Ill never forget the disappointment of serving my colleagues rhubarb muffins that had failed to rise. They were dense, rubbery...
Every generation thinks they had it the toughest, but for Gen Z, they’re probably right
By Intifar Chowdhury
Every generation thinks they had it tough, but evidence suggests young Australians today might have a case for saying theyve drawn the short straw. Compared with young adults two or three decades ago, todays 1835-year-olds...
The history of ‘common sense’ matters when caring for our common home
By Barbara Leckie
In recent years, the idea of common sense has again catapulted to prominence in the conservative political landscape. From United States President Donald Trumps call for a revolution of common sense and his references to...
Has Donald Trump been outfoxed by Putin and Zelensky?
By Jonathan Este
Donald Trump likes to use the phone. In his (ghostwritten) bestseller, The Art of the Deal, he talks of making between 50 and 100 calls during the average working day and then going home and picking up where he left off....
Canada’s economic vulnerabilites show why it must invest in the wealth of local communities
By Audrey Jamal Et Al
Five years after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, Canada now faces a new challenge unprecedented economic pressure from its closest trading partner, the United States....
Britain has almost 1 million young people not in work or education – here’s what evidence shows can change that
By Peter Urwin
Keir Starmer says the current benefits system is unsustainable, unfair and needs changing to avoid a wasted generation of young people who are not in education, employment or training (Neet). The government is concerned...
Turkey: a favourable international climate is spurring Erdoğan’s crackdown on democracy
By Massimo D'Angelo
The Turkish judiciary has finally succeeded in sidelining Istanbuls mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, at the fourth attempt. On the morning of March 19, the 53-year-old posted a video on social media announcing that police had...
A brief guide to vitamin and mineral supplements – when too much of a good thing can become toxic
By Dipa Kamdar
Around half of UK adults currently take a food supplement but vitamins and minerals are usually only needed in small amounts and too much of a good thing can be bad for you. Heres what you need to know about the benefits...
Glastonbury is as popular than ever, but complaints about the lineup reveal its generational challenge
By Adrian York
Unless youve been hiding under a rock since 1970 you will be aware of the five-day Glastonbury festival held every June (apart from fallow years to rest the land and the organisers), near Pilton in Somerset. Glastonbury is...
Thousands of satellites are due to burn up in the atmosphere every year – damaging the ozone layer and changing the climate
By Ian Williams Et Al
The worlds first artificial satellite, the Soviet Unions Sputnik 1, was launched in October 1957. Just three months later, it fell out of orbit. As Sputnik hit the upper atmosphere at incredible speed, the friction would...
Nigeria’s oil-rich Rivers State under emergency: sending in the army isn’t the answer
By Al Chukwuma Okoli
President Bola Tinubu recently declared a state of emergency in Nigerias oil-rich Rivers State, in the countrys south-south region. Prior to this decision, governance in Rivers State was practically paralysed as a result...
UK businesses face a big tax hike. So what does it mean for workers and the economy?
By Phil Tomlinson Et Al
Employers in the UK are about to be hit with a hefty tax rise. From April 1 2025, their national insurance contributions are rising to 15% on salaries above 5,000, instead of 13.8% on salaries above 9,100. Unsurprisingly,...
Debate over H-1B visas shines spotlight on US tech worker shortages
By Moshe Y. Vardi
A heated debate has recently erupted between two groups of supporters of President Donald Trump. The dispute concerns the H-1B visa system, the program that allows U.S. employers to hire skilled foreign workers in...
Ukraine war: how Zelensky rebuilt his relationship with Trump to turn the tables on Putin
By Natasha Lindstaedt
After Donald Trumps very good and productive phone call with Vladimir Putin earlier this week, all eyes were on his subsequent call with Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelensky. Would it, when they last met in the flesh on...
Insomnia can lead to heart issues − a psychologist recommends changes that can improve sleep
By Julio Fernandez-Mendoza
About 10% of Americans say they have chronic insomnia, and millions of others report poor sleep quality. Ongoing research has found that bad sleep could lead to numerous health problems, including heart disease. Dr. Julio...
Will the US trade war push up the price of medicines in Australia? Will there be drug shortages?
By Anthony Scott1 Et Al
Talks of a trade dispute between the United States and Australia over the cost of medicines have no doubt left many Australians scratching their heads. With all this talk of attacks on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme...
Cells lining your skin and organs can generate electricity when injured − potentially opening new doors to treating wounds
By Sun-Min Yu Et Al
Your cells constantly generate and conduct electricity that runs through your body to perform various functions. One such example of this bioelectricity is the nerve signals that power thoughts in your brain. Others...
Streaming, surveillance and the power of suggestion: the hidden cost of 10 years of Netflix
By Marc C-Scott
This month marks a decade since Netflix the worlds most influential and widely subscribed streaming service launched in Australia. Since then the media landscape has undergone significant transformation, particularly in...
Less than 1% of the world’s biggest radio telescope is complete – but its first image reveals a sky dotted with ancient galaxies
By Randall Wayth
Part of the worlds biggest mega-science facility the SKA Observatory is being built in outback Western Australia. After decades of planning, countless hours of work, and more than a few setbacks, an early working version...
Local newspapers are a lifeline in Ukraine, but USAID cuts may force many to close or become biased mouthpieces
By Galyna Piskorska
Three years into Russias full-scale war in Ukraine, Ukrainian journalists are facing enormously difficult challenges to continue their work. Since Russias invasion in 2022, 40% of Ukrainian media outlets have been forced...
Why we are so scared of space – and how this fear can drive conspiracy theories
By Tony Milligan
There are many home-grown problems on Earth, but theres still time to worry about bad things arriving from above. The most recent is the asteroid 2024 YR4, which could be a city killer if it hits a heavily populated area...
Stop waiting for a foreign hero: NZ’s supermarket sector needs competition from within
By Lisa M. Katerina Asher Et Al
New Zealands concentrated supermarket sector is back in the spotlight after Finance Minister Nicola Willis said she was open to offering VIP treatment to a third international player willing to create competition. However,...
Canada’s local food system faces major roadblocks without urgent policy changes
By Charles Z. Levkoe Et Al
As Canadas trade conflict with the United States escalates, governments are encouraging Canadians to buy local to support the countrys economic, social and environmental stability and independence. But while enthusiasm in...
Youth are charting new freshwater futures by learning from the water on the water
By Andrea Reid Et Al
The future of freshwater is increasingly in jeopardy across Canada and around the world. Lakes, rivers and wetlands face numerous threats, from climate change to a range of harmful pollutants. Today, one-quarter of...
Changes to speech and language can help detect Alzheimer’s early – here are five things to look out for
By Sarah Curtis
Ten million people are diagnosed with dementia worldwide each year thats more than ever. According to the Alzheimers Society approximately one million people in the UK are currently living with the disease. Studies...
Bug drugs: bacteria-based cancer therapies are finally overcoming barriers
By Justin Stebbing
Imagine a world where bacteria, typically feared for causing disease, are turned into powerful weapons against cancer. Thats exactly what some scientists are working on. And they are beginning to unravel the mechanisms for...
Fungi are among the planet’s most important organisms — yet they continue to be overlooked in conservation strategies
By Jonathan Cazabonne Et Al
Fungi are among the most important organisms on Earth. Even though most of the worlds described 157,000 fungal species are only visible with a microscope, these organisms are essential to our ecosystems, our societies and...
Parents abused by their children often suffer in silence – specialist therapy is helping them find a voice
By Gemma Morgan Et Al
Home is not always a place of safety for everyone. This is an unspoken reality for some parents who endure abuse at the hands of their children. From physical violence to emotional manipulation, this largely hidden issue...
Software is increasingly being built by AI – so it’s vital to know if it can be trusted
By Iván Alfonso Et Al
Software is ubiquitous, powering almost every aspect of our lives. The computerised systems in your car alone incorporate tens of millions of lines of code. The increasing digital transformation of our society means that...
The Mona Lisa is a vampire
By Frankie Dytor
When Bernard Berenson learned that Leonardo da Vincis Mona Lisa had been stolen from the Louvre Gallery in Paris, the art critic heaved an enormous sigh of relief. Finally, he reflected, he could remove himself once and...
Thirty years ago Ukraine got rid of its nuclear arsenal – now the people regret that decision
By Jennifer Mathers
Around 73% of Ukrainians now want their country to restore its nuclear weapons, according to a recent opinion poll. A majority of Ukrainians (58%) were in favour of Ukraine owning nuclear weapons, even if this meant losing...
Global crises have hit education hard: 24 years of research offers a way forward for southern Africa
By Emmanuel Ojo
Global crises have shaped our world over the past two decades, affecting education systems everywhere. Higher education researcher Emmanuel Ojo has studied the impact of these disruptions on educational opportunities,...
Lost fynbos seeds from underground ‘time capsules’ in South Africa can grow again – new study
By Alanna Rebelo Et Al
Underground seed banks in South Africa that date back over 130 years have been found to contain fynbos seeds that are alive. These seed banks are natural storage areas in the soil where certain plants preserve their seeds....
Rescuing Nigeria: how to break the cycle of decline and bring progress
By Omano Edigheji
Nigeria has abundant human and natural resources but remains mired in underdevelopment. There are high levels of poverty, corruption, unemployment and inequality. The country is currently witnessing a rise in ethnic...
Washington Post’s turnaround on its opinion pages is returning journalism to its partisan roots − but without the principles
By Joseph Jones
Jeff Bezos, the worlds third-richest person and owner of The Washington Post, announced in February 2025 significant changes to the editorial pages of his Pulitzer-Prize winning newspaper. The editorial section, also...
What was the first thing scientists discovered? A historian makes the case for Babylonian astronomy
By James Byrne
All societies have had ways of understanding nature based on their experiences of it. For example, farmers need to understand the seasons and weather to know when to plant and harvest their crops. Hunters need to...
Museums have tons of data, and AI could make it more accessible − but standardizing and organizing it across fields won’t be easy
By Bradley Wade Bishop
Ice cores in freezers, dinosaurs on display, fish in jars, birds in boxes, human remains and ancient artifacts from long gone civilizations that few people ever see museum collections are filled with all this and more....
‘Pandemic babies’ turn 5: Here’s what research tells us about their development and remarkable resilience
By Gerald Giesbrecht Et Al
Early brain development lays the foundation for lifelong health and success. But disruptions to a childs early environment can leave a long-lasting imprint on their development and success. For example, research shows that...
Quantum technologies are changing our world – what does NZ need to be part of the next revolution?
By David Hutchinson
As part of a major reform of the science sector, the government plans to set up a research organisation focused on emerging technologies, including quantum technologies. The first quantum revolution based on understanding...
What can you do if your child is being bullied?
By Barbara Spears Et Al
Bullying is one of the top concerns Australian parents have about their childrens health. Unfortunately about one in four Australian students between Year 4 and Year 9 report being bullied at least every few weeks. The...
Replacing stamp duty with a land tax could save home buyers big money. Here’s how
By Jason Nassios Et Al
Infrastructure Victoria has released a draft 30-year plan outlining how the state can grow sustainably. It focuses on key areas like transport, housing, energy, and public services to support a growing population and...
5 years since COVID was declared a pandemic, we’re still poorly prepared for the next one
By Sharon Lewin Et Al
On March 11, 2020, as COVID continued to spread rapidly around the globe, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared a pandemic. More than 7 million people have since died from COVID. The virus, and the public...
Five years after the pandemic, the world is poorly prepared for another one
By Anthony Staines
In Europe ten people died from measles in 2024, and the US has had several major outbreaks. Bird flu has affected dairy herds in 17 US states from North Carolina to California and has just been reported in cats. So far, it...
How the US has tried to annex Canada before – and why some Canadians wanted to become American
By Kristofer Allerfeldt
Canada never, ever will be part of America in any way, shape or form, said Canadas new prime minister-in-waiting, Mark Carney, after winning the race to lead the countrys Liberal party. Carneys message was a response to...
What does Egypt’s plan to rebuild Gaza involve and what challenges does it face?
By Rafik Omar
Arab leaders endorsed a US$53 billion (41 billion) plan to rebuild war-torn Gaza at an emergency summit in Cairo on March 4. The proposal, which was drawn up by Egypt and has been backed by France, Germany, Italy and...
How the pandemic’s narratives are still unfolding, five years on
By Erica Charters
Do you clearly remember the choices you made a few years ago during the early days of the COVID pandemic? Did you painstakingly wipe down your groceries before putting them away, quarantine your mail three days before...
Parasites are ecological dark matter – and they need protecting
By Timothy Brown Et Al
The two species of African rhinoceros are conservation icons. Large, charismatic, and vitally important for their ecosystems, to lose either species would be a devastating blow. But what of their parasites? If the black...
What’s so special about Ukraine’s minerals? A geologist explains
By Munira Raji
Ukraines minerals have become central to global geopolitics, with the US president, Donald Trump, seeking a deal with Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky to access them. But what are these minerals exactly and why are...
