Living on the edge

Lovers of extreme sports are often dismissed as adrenalin junkies, thrillseekers and reckless risktakers, but Southern Cross University psychologist Dr Eric Brymer wants people to cast aside those negative perceptions.

Back to the future

Virtual reality is usually seen as an interest of young people, but a toolkit to help aged care facilities integrate virtual reality into the lives of residents was recently been released by an Australian university.

Locust and chips

Recent reports suggest that a shift from domesticated animals to insects as a source for animal protein could significantly reduce carbon emissions from agriculture, but whether anyone in the Western world wants to make that switch is another matter.

Freedom and responsibility

Free will – our capacity to independently choose between different action – is crucial to our understanding of moral responsibility and criminal culpability, but new insights in neuroscience may undermine our faith in our own decision making.

It’s a dog’s life

ABC TV’s new series A Dog’s World explores the evolutionary journey of dogs, their amazing senses and how science can help keep them happy and healthy.

Always look on the bright side of life

While our mental performance does decline as we age, psychologists have found that older people are better at keeping a positive attitude in stressful conditions.

No regrets, coyote

Australian cricket lost two of its greats last Friday, swashbuckling wicket-keeper Rod Marsh and peerless leg-spinner Shane Warne. Neither were saints on or off the field, but both embodied the winning mentality and larrakin personality which Australians seek in the sporting heroes.

What’s your pleasure?

A nationwide survey investigating the nature and extent of Australians’ pleasures has been launched this week by Southern Cross University Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Dr Desirée Kozlowski.

Cutting the toll of migrant beach drownings

Beach safety education needs to be better targeted at multi-cultural Australian migrant communities if drownings at the nation’s beaches are to be reduced.

Assessing a life well lived

Performing meaningful activities, engaging in absorbing tasks and pursuing goals which generate a sense of achievement all contributed to a life well lived.

Squid game theory

Pop culture, such as the popular Korean TV series Squid Game, can be used to illustrate abstract ideas such as game theory in practical situations.

Knocking on heaven’s door

Ethics and health law experts discuss whether euthanasia is the ultimate form of individual choice or a sign that we need to reconsider how we care for the most vulnerable.