Clever cockatoos learn through social interaction

60 years after blue tits in England learned to peck at silver milk bottle tops on doorsteps, Australian researchers have realised that cockatoos also learn how to open rubbish bins from each other.

Restoring the world’s dry lands

Although environmental concern often focuses on the loss of tropical forests, restoring the world’s dry lands to health should also be an urgent priority.

Is the cure worse than the disease?

Lockdowns are tough on our health, but a COVID-19 outbreak would be worse, according to Aussie and international researchers who reviewed pandemic response in countries with and without lockdowns.

Australian COVID-19 research review reveals gaps in collaboration

Researchers are calling for improved national coordination of Australian COVID-19 trials, after analysis of efforts in 2020 found a lack of data sharing and collaboration left crucial research gaps.

Offering patients informed choices could reduce low-value care

Patients often demand treatments that are inappropriate or of little value, but walking them through the risks and benefits of each approach can help them understand why some options are not worth the risk or cost.

Changing the chatter on body image

The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating impacts on people struggling with body image issues and eating disorders. A world-first chatbot has been launched in collaboration with the Butterfly Foundation to provide much-needed support to those who are struggling.

Robot farms – delight or disaster?

As agriculture heads down the path of increased automation, an international researcher argues robots on farms could create both an ideal, eco-friendly farming culture or an environmentally disastrous scenario where big machines push humans and wildlife alike off agricultural land.

Doing good, feeling bad, getting better

Social entrepreneurs are driven by a tenacity that goes beyond revenue and profit, but the difficult problems they face means their own mental health and wellbeing can be threatened.

Time for ‘stage 4’ in Sydney?

New modelling developed by the Burnet Institute suggests that stricter Stage 4 restrictions, similar to those introduced in Victoria’s second wave in 2020, will be needed to control Sydney’s current outbreak.

Every spot of green counts

Even the humble roadside verge plays an important role in the environment and for our health, according to an Australian and international study of parks and gardens.

Health v the economy is a false dichotomy

While the health of the economy and the population are often pitted against each other, most economists agree that lockdowns are the best option when tackling a serious COVID outbreak.

CSIRO opens satellite offering for Australian Earth observation

Australian researchers in industries like agriculture and natural disaster management can now apply to direct the Earth observation satellite NovaSAR-1 by accessing Australia’s share of the satellite through CSIRO. This will mark the first time Australia has managed its own source of Earth observation data.