Battling the super-bugs

The over-use of antibiotics has reduced their effectiveness against many strains of bacteria, but the medical employment of phages – natural predators of bacteria – could help contain the growth of ‘super bugs’.

Multiverse madness

Fans of Michael Moorcock are well acquainted with the concept of a ‘multiverse’, but a quantum mechanics interpretation can help the less literary inclined comprehend the hypothetical existence of many worlds.

Curiouser and curiouser!

Modern science tends to ignore outsiders but reductionist science is not the only way of knowing things and more attention should be paid to ancient knowledge, new ideas and ‘thinking outside the box’.

Future-proofing Australia’s research

Scientific and medical research research remain the key to solving some of the world’s biggest problems, but efforts must be fostered to maximise their practical outcomes.

Bladerunner 2022

In 1982, Blade Runner floored audiences with its technodystopian depiction of the future. Almost 40 years on, some of these projections seem eerily and depressingly accurate today, particularly in the development of humanoid robots.

Exploring alternatives to plastic food packaging

Research into new biodegradable biopolymer materials could reduce the world’s reliance on plastic food packaging.

Commercialising research – again

There have been calls for better commercialisation of Australian research for decades but the Federal Government’s latest plan may help shape academic expectations and incentives in a more effective manner.

Australia needs an office for research integrity

Sweden is just the most recent of more than 20 European nations that have national offices for research integrity. So do the UK, US, Canada, Japan and China. Australia, which still lacks an Office for Research Integrity, is being left behind.

A welcome boost for commercialising research

Although Scott Morrison’s appearance at the National Press Club drew headlines for more controversial reasons, his announcement of more support for commercialising research has drawn the backing of stakeholders.

Rogue rocket to the moon

A discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will crash into the dark side of the moon in a few weeks time, adding to the handful of man-made machines on its surface.

New virtual reality experience reveals secrets of WWII submarine

A new virtual reality experience developed by maritime archaeologists offers unprecedented access to a WW2 submarine sunk while on a secret mission in northern Australian waters.

Indigenous science cooperation

Many scientists rely on Indigenous people to guide their work – by helping them to find wildlife, navigate rugged terrain or understand changing weather trends – but we must also acknowledge the troubling attitudes that have long plagued research projects in Indigenous communities.