Picking up the pace

Now more than ever Australia needs to be innovative, and knowing our strengths – and weaknesses – in science and technology base is the key to progress.

Little green numbers

Unidentified flying objects might be many things, but alien spacecraft are most unlikely to be one of them.

They’re here…?

Recent revelations of UFO sightings by American Navy fighter pilots may not be proof of alien visitation, but are certainly worthy of further serious scientific investigation.

Embracing critical technologies and the quantum revolution

Critical and emerging technologies present a myriad of opportunities, challenges and threats, and PM&C is the only department with the whole-of-government perspective to balance them across our economy, society and national security.

Einstein on the birds and bees

Could bees and birds help us understand the principles of physics? Albert Einstein thought so, according to a long-lost letter that reveals he predicted a link between physics and biology seven decades before the evidence emerged.

Passing on passwords

Research from James Cook University shows increasingly complex website password restrictions often leave users frustrated and lead to poor password security.

Funding NEMO

Astrophysicist Paul Lasky makes the case for creating a gravitational wave detection observatory in Australia.

Water, water, everywhere?

Researchers at UniSA have developed a cost-effective technique that could deliver safe drinking water to millions of vulnerable people using cheap, sustainable materials and sunlight.

Scroogled

The current review of the Federal Privacy Act could be the beginning of a process to obtain fairer privacy practices for consumers, but any reforms from this review will be a long time coming.

Turning science fiction electronics into science fact

A new study could pave the way to revolutionary, transparent electronics for potential integration in glass, flexible displays and smart contact lenses—bringing to life futuristic ‘scifi-like’ devices.

Will Google abandon Australia?

The Australian government’s plan to force Google to pay news organisations for content may see the online giant pull its search and advertising from Australian markets.

Cleaner, harder, stronger

Recycled concrete aggregates made with everything from coffee cups to building rubble offer huge environmental benefits, from reducing landfill and CO2 emissions, to saving natural resources and boosting the circular economy.