• Space

    A new generation of private space stations


    Alice Gorman |  December 6, 2021


    Commercial launch vehicles have begun to dominate operations to take payloads into orbit, and now private space stations are set to take to the skies.


  • Environment

    Are there plenty more fish in the sea?


    Open Forum |  December 6, 2021


    An international team of scientists including researchers from The University of Western Australia and Institute of Zoology in London has pioneered a ground-breaking new ‘non-lethal’ way to count fish in the open ocean, which it’s hoped will be used for conservation and ecosystem restoration.


  • Health

    Exercise in a pill for at-risk people?


    Open Forum |  December 6, 2021


    Researchers from The Australian National University have identified unique molecular signals in the body that could hold the key to developing a supplement capable of administering the health benefits of exercise to patients incapable of physical activity.


Latest Story

  • The UN’s open science framework could supercharge progress

    Cathy Foley     |      December 5, 2021

    All Australian research should be open to access, both domestically and internationally, and research conducted overseas should be freely available to read in Australia.

  • Updating vaccines for omicron

    Open Forum     |      December 5, 2021

    How can scientists update coronavirus vaccines for the new omicron variant? A microbiologist answers 5 questions about how Moderna and Pfizer could rapidly adjust their mRNA vaccines.

  • How many likes is your life worth?

    Emi Berry     |      December 4, 2021

    Thrill seeking selfie-hunters are risking drowning, attacks from wild animals, electrocution, lightning strikes and traffic accidents in pursuit of the perfect shot.

  • A strategic investment fund for advanced technology

    Craig Mudge     |      December 4, 2021

    Australia is up with the best in the science of quantum computing, but new approaches are needed to address deficiencies in our defence and intelligence technology.

  • Shut down the critics by putting them in charge

    Peter Fritz     |      December 3, 2021

    The best way to agree and implement solutions to the problems we face is to work together in new frameworks towards common goals, rather than defend vested interests or an outdated status quo.

  • Freedom to discriminate?

    Dawn Lo     |      December 3, 2021

    Plans by the Federal government protect people against discrimination based on their religious belief may do more harm than good.

  • Cleared hot

    William Stoltz     |      December 3, 2021

    Businesses looking to work on sensitive government projects often have to obtain standardised security clearances for their staff, but the need for security vetting now arguably extends well beyond government contracts.

  • Deep thought

    Open Forum     |      December 2, 2021

    Sydney researcher Geordie Williamson is working with Google’s “DeepMind” brand of artificial intelligence to develop new problem-solving techniques in mathematics.

  • To bat or not to bat? That is the question

    Neil Martin     |      December 2, 2021

    Many things which traditionalists loved about the game of cricket have been lost in recent years, and the age-old toss of a coin before the match might be next on the chopping list.

  • Big stick or feather duster?

    Geoffrey Barker     |      December 2, 2021

    Strong alliances, like the new AUKUS agreement, are more likely to deter war with China than appeasement based on faith in Chinese benevolence once its demands are met.

  • The world within

    Alan Stevenson     |      November 30, 2021

    The pandemic allowed many of us to catch up on some reading, but with more people using their phones or e-readers rather than traditional books, does the very different experience of reading on a screen compared to a printed page affect our comprehension?

  • Diet, exercise…and telehealth

    Open Forum     |      November 30, 2021

    New research investigating the benefits of telehealth-delivered exercise and diet programs has found 80 per cent of participants experienced improvement in knee pain and lost significant body weight.