An open letter to Australia’s political leaders

The first duty of government is to protect the people, but on climate-security risks, the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group claim Australia is missing in action.

Walking on water

From the Murray-Darling system to Great Artesian Basin, ‘invisible’ underground groundwater is often the only available water supply but its over-exploitation is threatening the future of this vital resource.

Improving urban wetlands

Today is World Water Day, an appropriate time to note new studies at Flinders University into removing toxins from polluted waterways and improving infiltration at urban wetlands.

Virtual therapy?

Edith Cowan University research shows many people prefer to speak about negative personal experiences with an avatar, rather than a person, and prefer virtual therapy sessions to personal interaction.

Lies, damned lies, and Russian propaganda

Terrified of the truth and his own people, as all dictators, are Vladimir Putin is locked in a vicious struggle not only to subjugate Ukraine, but also to keep the Russian people in line through limiting information about the war to official lies and propaganda.

The mysterious case of the sea scorpion

A fossil ‘cold case’ in Queensland Museum’s geosciences collection has led to the description of a new species of sea scorpion, and the first of its kind in the state.

Breaking the “illusion of consensus”

UNSW psychology researchers have produced guidelines for better communication of key messages and ways to avoid misinformation.

Healthy minds need healthy bodies

As students resume school and summer sport, new research from the University of Sydney shows a positive link between participation in sport and academic performance, with the strongest association when sport is held during school hours.

Fending off foreign meddling in the Federal Election

A new report has urged the Government to act now to protect Australia and the forthcoming Federal Election against online misinformation from hostile foreign states such as Russia and China.

Save the ADF for combat duties

The small, if highly trained, Australian Defence Force has enough on its plate without resorting to its personnel to solve every civilian problem caused by commercial greed or political maladministration.

Watching the river flow back

Even after they have closed mines still leak poisoned water into the environment, but the Wollangambe River in the Blue Mountains is an encouraging example that a clean-up is possible in even the most polluted environments.

Teaching resilience in schools

Clinicians are calling for coping and social skills training and more extra-curricular activities in schools to help prevent increasing mental health problems in children, according to a new study.