Unlocking the secret to changing our minds

New research tracks the neural patterns that allow us to change our minds in the hope that understanding this process could help make people make better decisions in life, business and government.

Uncovering the first life on Earth

UNSW scientists have found that Western Australia’s famous 3.5-billion-year-old stromatolites contain microbial remains of some of the earliest life on Earth.

How reliable are roadside drug tests?

Thousands of people are prosecuted every year in Australia for cannabis use while driving, however research at the University of Sydney suggests the test isn’t as accurate as thought.

The perils of facial recognition technology

Activists, politicians, academics and even police forces are expressing serious concerns over the impact facial recognition could have on a political culture based on rights and democracy.

Taking back our online privacy

An entire industry exists to profile your life from your online data – everything from your shopping habits to your political views and medical conditions – and the results can cause genuine harm.

Becoming a STEM-inist

When PhD candidate Amy Shepherd began her career in science, she didn’t dream that within a few years she’d be rubbing shoulders with Nobel Prize winners but still wondering where all the women are.

What’s the next big thing in science?

As National Science Week celebrates scientific discovery across Australia, we ask what’s likely to be the ‘next big thing’ in some of the most exciting fields of science research.

5G isn’t going to harm our health

Should we be concerned about the health effects of 5G? The short answer is no – there’s no substantiated evidence that the electromagnetic energy used by mobile telecommunications causes harm.

Nature inspires visionary research

Insects are inspiring University of South Australia researchers to create new technology based on their extraordinary vision.

New database highlights women in STEM

Australian women in STEM will be more visible thanks to a new resource showcasing the depth of talent of those working in the field.

Young people’s love-hate relationship with technology

Researchers have examined how young people on three continents think about digital technology and discovered their reaction after living without their phones for a week.

Schools should help students navigate the rise of ‘smart’ technologies

A UNSW Sydney academic is calling for changes to the education system so that the workers of the future can thrive in a new age of artificial intelligence technology.