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.

How Silicon Valley elites view the world

The 100 richest information technology entrepreneurs see the world in similar meritocratic, self-affirming and self-serving terms, according to an analysis of their own official and unofficial statements.

COVID has increased trust in government and science

New Curtin University research has found a dramatic increase in people’s trust in government in Australia and New Zealand as a result of the COVID pandemic.

4 mysteries of quantum philosophy

The next time you encounter an impossible Sudoku, rest assured you’re in good company. The entire quantum physics community, and perhaps even Zeus himself, knows exactly how you feel.

Top 10 science stories of 2020

It’s been a big, and often worrying year, of scientific research, but amid the gloom around health and the environment, there were some bright spots as this summary compiled by the Australian Science Media Centre records.

Robo-pets!

If having a pet just isn’t practical for your accommodation or lifestyle, could a robotic companion be the next best thing?

Slavery and society

Society should define tasks best left to humans, as well as what can safely be left to autonomous machines, as once a machine takes over a task it will not be an easy to reclaim it.

Robots and the law

Autonomous machines able to think and act for themselves were once the stuff of science fiction, but now they are becoming reality, we need to delve back into a classic novel series for rules to protect ourselves.

Weird science

2020 was certainly a weird year, so perhaps it’s not surprising that it produced a bumper crop of weird and wonderful science yarns. The Australian Science Media Centre has picked ten of the best.