Turn off your phone and get to bed

Getting teenagers off their phone and into bed is a constant battle, but it’s one worth winning as a lack of sleep affects brain development as well as their mood and school performance.

What is consciousness?

Scientists, naturalists and philosophers have wrestled with the nature of consciousness for thousands of years, and understanding its nature would do much to reveal the mysteries of human decision making.

Staying connected

Social interaction doesn’t just make us happy, it helps to slow down the ageing of the brain according to a new study by the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing at UNSW Sydney.

To lie is human

Everyone, even George Washington, has told a lie or two in their time, whether to sugar coat a social situation or trick a person – or a country – into supporting us.

Junk in, junk out

Australia’s love of junk food makes us overweight and unfit, and more action to warn consumers is required to encourage healthier eating habits.

The quest for the two hour marathon

Like the four minute mile before it, the quest for a two hour marathon has long been a dream of world class athletes, and the remarkable Eliud Kipchoge is creeping ever closer to it.

Weekend warrior workouts

Most of us could benefit from losing some weight and getting fitter. While cutting calories by shunning sugar, empty carbs and junk food is an every day battle, exercising on the weekend alone will still help your heart, strength and flexibility.

Foodies are fantastic for tourism

Regenerative tourism is the next step in sustainable travel and food can play a major role in its development, helping tourist destinations revive in the wake of the COVID pandemic.

Food for thought

More than just a simple response to hunger, our relationship with food is a complex interplay of our emotions, our familiarity with food, our senses and our culture and upbringing.

Mindful or mindless?

Mindfulness and meditation techniques are booming in Australia, but how much of it is authentic and which practices work best?

The pursuit of happiness

We spend billions of dollars each year looking for happiness, hoping it might be bought, consumed, found, or travelled to, but other, more contemplative cultures and traditions assure us that this is a waste of time, and living in the moment is the best way to find true contentment.

The mathematics of human behaviour

Maths as well as psychology can be used to unravel the mysteries of human decision making and how it changes over time.