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...
Is Trump’s assault on Canada bringing Québec and the rest of the country closer together?
By Yulia Bosworth
As Canadians rally around national unity in response to American tariffs and threats of annexation, kindling a renewed sense of Canadian nationalism, Québec stands in solidarity with the rest of Canada. A February...
Australia’s major sports codes are considered not-for-profits – is it time for them to pay up?
By Matt Nichol Et Al
Not-for-profit organisations support a range of needs and activities, such as financial disadvantage, health and education. Governments support these entities through various measures, notably exemption from income tax and...
Elon Musk thinks the US should leave the UN – what if Trump does it?
By Chris Ogden
When Donald Trumps benefactor and cost-cutter-in-chief Elon Musk recently supported a call for the United States to quit NATO and the United Nations, it should perhaps have been more surprising. But the first months of the...
Investors value green labels — but not always for the right reasons
By Vasundhara Saravade
Imagine you are choosing between two similar investment options. One has a green label, promising to fund climate-friendly projects and assets. The other offers a slightly higher return, but has no green label. Which do...
The US energy market has its troubles, though it may not be a ‘national emergency’
By Seth Blumsack
President Donald Trumps declaration of a national energy emergency on his first day in office and which he reiterated during his address to Congress on March 4, 2025 might have seemed to echo other national emergencies,...
Are our thoughts ‘real’? Here’s what philosophy says
By Sam Baron
You can doubt just about anything. But theres one thing you can know for sure: you are having thoughts right now. This idea came to characterise the philosophical thinking of 17th century philosopher René Descartes....
Consumer resistance is rising in the age of Trump. History shows how boycotts can be effective
By Garritt C. Van Dyk
Boycotts are back. With people worried about everything from labour practices and human rights to tariffs and equal opportunity initiatives, collective consumer resistance has been rising globally. Right now, there are...
What are the chances an asteroid will impact Earth in 2032?
By Gordon Osinski
For a few days in mid-February, headlines around the world buzzed about the potential for an asteroid to hit the Earth in 2032 specifically, asteroid 2024 YR4. The chance of this impact rose to a high of 3.1 per cent on...
Shuttered car factories in Australia could be repurposed to make houses faster and cheaper
By Ehsan Noroozinejad
Australia is in the grip of a severe housing shortage. Many people are finding it extremely difficult to find a place to live in the face of rising rents and property price surges. Homelessness is rising sharply. Tent...
Oscars 2025: who will likely win, who should win, and who barely deserves to be there
By Ari Mattes
Weve probably all had a moment when we stopped taking the Oscars too seriously. For me, it was when Denzel Washington won best actor for Training Day (2001), a crime film in which he displays virtually none of his acting...
Eating disorders don’t just affect teen girls. The risk may go up around pregnancy and menopause too
By Gemma Sharp Et Al
Eating disorders impact more than 1.1 million people in Australia, representing 4.5% of the population. These disorders include binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia nervosa. Meanwhile, more than 4.1 million...
A robot nearly headbutted a festival spectator in China – here are four urgent steps to make the tech safer
By Carl Strathearn Et Al
Humanoid robots are supposed to be our loyal assistants, but we saw another side to them the other day. Chinese robot manufacturer Unitree was demonstrating its latest H1 robots at a lantern festival in the city of...
Colombia wants to ban Pablo Escobar and other narco-themed merchandise – here’s why
By Ross Bennett-Cook
When you think of Colombia, what images come to mind? For some, it may be coffee or perhaps the countrys diverse landscapes and cultures. For many others, it will be cartels, crime and cocaine. Colombias history as a drug...
How the UK’s rollback of banking regulations could risk another financial crisis
By Alper Kara
After the global financial crisis of 2007-08, the UKs banking sector was placed under a much stricter regime. Bonuses were limited, regulations were beefed up and the whole industry scrutinised like never before. The idea...
A new study reveals the structure of violent winds 1,300 light years away
By Vivien Parmentier Et Al
The planet WASP-121b is extreme. Its a gas giant almost twice as big as Jupiter orbiting extremely close to its star50 times closer than the Earth does around the Sun. WASP-121b is so close to its star that tidal forces...
Can making the NHS cleaner slow the spread of disease?
By Jonathan R. Goodman
Several weeks ago, I visited a local NHS urgent care centre with my toddler on what might be called a semi-annual pilgrimage related to having a child in nursery. Owing to what is now a typical three- or four-hour wait,...
Why incest porn is more common and harmful than you think
By Clare McGlynn
Incest porn is finally facing long overdue scrutiny. The governments porn review recommends strengthening the extreme porn law to include incest porn and mandate its removal. The review also calls for much more proactive...
Is a united European voice possible in the age of Trump, Putin and far-right politics? Germany’s new leader intends to find out
By Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager
Who do I call if I want to speak to Europe? The question was famously attributed to former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and refers to the historical inability of the political entity of Europe to coordinate on a...
