The new face of Australian science

Nanotechnology pioneer Distinguished Professor Chennupati Jagadish will become the next president of Australia’s premier science organisation, the Australian Academy of Science.

Supporting children at school

New technology from the University of South Australia is helping to ensure children are better monitored and supported throughout their school education.

Screen time?

Genomics England has announced a pilot programme of whole genome sequencing to screen for genetic diseases in 200,000 healthy seeming newborns, so should every newborn baby have their whole genome sequenced as a matter of course? 

Alone together

While public trust in government and the police increased during the pandemic, the damage done to our social connections during prolonged lockdowns left us lonelier than ever.

Protect nature to prevent pandemics

COVID-19 has shown the world that human health and environmental health are intricately linked.

Space invaders

Scientists warn that without good biosecurity measures ‘alien organisms’ on Earth may become a reality stranger than fiction.

Australian experts react to COP26

Australian scientists, academics and experts react to the final agreement reached at the COP26 summit and the last minute watering down of wording around fossil fuel subsidies requested by India and China.

International experts on the COP26 agreements

The Conversation asked experts from around the world for their reaction to the outcomes of this year’s UN climate summit, COP26, including the Glasgow Climate Pact agreed by all 197 countries attending the talks. Here’s what they had to say about the deals that were made. 

Building energy self-reliance

Net zero carbon emissions are within reach for Australian cities if more solar panels are integrated with new buildings and existing structures, according to new modelling.

Early intervention is no panacea for young people’s mental health

Two thirds of young people with emerging mental disorders who attended primary care-based early intervention services remained poor or deteriorated over two years of care, according to research published by the Medical Journal of Australia.

Regenerative agriculture should boost wildlife in New Zealand

Regenerative farming practices could increase native biodiversity on New Zealand farms, according to a recently released report, raising hopes it could have similar benefits in Australia.

Lockdowns punished children’s mental health

Hospital data reveals an increased use of children’s mental health services after Sydney’s first lockdown in 2020. The researchers say the study shows we need sustained and targeted mental health services for children and adolescents now – and beyond the pandemic.