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Human nature
Alan Stevenson | January 14, 2022Patent law should encourage innovation by protecting inventors but is all too often abused by large corporations at the expense of the common good.
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Unpicking the waratah
Diane Nazaroff | January 13, 2022A UNSW PhD candidate has led the genetic mapping of the floral emblem of New South Wales, the iconic waratah.
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What sparked scientists’ interest in science?
Michael Hopkin | January 12, 2022As we embark on a new year, hopefully with more progress on the COVID-19 front, we asked six authors of The Conversation to reflect on what first sparked their interest in science.
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Politicians should stop meddling in ARC research
Toby Walsh | January 12, 2022If Australia wants to tackle the many wicked problems we face, including climate change and relations with China, we must ensure basic research is not subject to political interference.
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The evolution of communication
Alan Stevenson | January 2, 2022Scientific progress has allowed mankind to adopt ever more sophisticated modes of communication, and this process is set to continue, perhaps allowing us to contact lifeforms beyond our own world.
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Governments v big tech
David Tuffley | December 28, 2021This year’s headlines delivered news of an array of concerning data and privacy violations from the world’s biggest tech players, but it also seemed to be the year governments around the world addressed the problem head on.
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Realising Australia’s quantum potential
Jennifer Jackett | December 15, 2021Quantum technology represents a major opportunity for Australian research and strategic interests.
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Enter the xenobots
Simon Coghlan | December 13, 2021Will a new generation of self-replicating ‘xenobots’ cure diseases, produce terrifying new bioweapons, or turn the whole world into grey goo?
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Benchmarking critical technologies
Samantha Hoffman | December 7, 2021Technology policy formulation has gained a renewed importance for governments in the era of strategic competition, but contextual understanding and expertise in deciding where to focus efforts are lacking.
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The UN’s open science framework could supercharge progress
Cathy Foley | December 5, 2021All Australian research should be open to access, both domestically and internationally, and research conducted overseas should be freely available to read in Australia.
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The new face of Australian science
Open Forum | November 25, 2021Nanotechnology pioneer Distinguished Professor Chennupati Jagadish will become the next president of Australia’s premier science organisation, the Australian Academy of Science.
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The human brain project
Christelle Langley | November 24, 2021Europe’s Human Brain Project aims to unravel the brain’s mysteries and, after a difficult start, has made substantial progress in mapping how thoughts and decision making are generated.