China overhauls the USA in technology research

China has overtaken the United States as the overwhelming leader in technological research over the last two decades, according to ASPI’s Critical Technology Tracker.

The tipping point

New research is helping scientists understand the phenomenon of ‘tipping points’ in nature and complex human systems.

Beware the gadget

Our obsession with social media and non-stop immersion in our mobile phones are isolating us off from real human interaction, prompting calls for young people to be protected.

Exponential

Modern technologies such as computer chips, renewable energy, artificial intelligence (AI) and gene editing are getting cheaper, more powerful, and being adopted at ever faster rates, transforming society, business and politics, though not always for the better.

Getting to grips with robots

QUT researchers, who recognised that grasping objects is difficult for robots, have built a smart object that can measure a robot’s squeezing force.

Experts react to Australia’s national science statement

The Federal Government has released a “National Science Statement” underpinned by five National Science and Research Priorities. What do the experts have to say?

The streets have eyes

Automated facial recognition technology is a powerful form of surveillance that raises significant questions around privacy and liberty.

Unlocking the potential of RNA

Scientists at The Australian National University (ANU) are teaming up with other researchers to unlock the full potential of ribonucleic acid (RNA).

The day the Earth stood still

The world is getting used to repeated infrastructure attacks by Chinese spies, Russian state hackers and cyber-criminals but the world has just suffered its largest outage at the hands of a bungled software update.

Science in the age of credulity

In an increasingly complex world, scientific literacy and the pursuit of scientific discovery remain essential for progress, sustainability, and the betterment of society.

It’s life, Jim, but not as we know it

It’s not every day that you find out you’ve been sharing your desk with an ancient life form which may be half as old as Earth itself.

Flat Earth society

Although every piece of evidence says the Earth is a sphere orbiting the Sun, there are still some people who think our planet is flat, and they all have YouTube channels.