Quantum dreams and realities

Despite the impressive and undeniable strides quantum computing has made in recent years, it’s important to remain cautious about sweeping claims regarding its transformative potential.

Lost in translation

Even when Australia produces world-class research and breakthrough technologies, we routinely fail to translate those into sovereign capability. It’s not a discovery gap. It’s a deployment one.

Cracking quantum computing

UNSW Sydney quantum engineers, in collaboration with University of Sydney scientists, have developed new technology that effectively reduces the size of the circuits required to run a silicon-based quantum computer.

Innovate or die

Australia’s long-standing “innovation gap” threatens our national safety as well as economic prosperity.

Robots with brains – what could possibly go wrong?

QUT robotics researchers have developed a new robot navigation system that mimics neural processes of the human brain and uses less than 10 per cent of the energy required by traditional systems.

Invasion of the survey bots

The internet and social media are increasingly dominated by bots and AI slop, and researchers relying on online surveys – already a dubious source of useful information – are seeing their results poisoned by automated nonsense.

Women take the lead in science communication

Communicating complex science in a way that the public can understand is crucial and a new study from the University of Adelaide reveals that women shoulder the bulk of this work.

America’s ill wind could blow Australia some good

The Trump administration’s attacks on research funding could see some of the world’s top academic talent head to our shores if Australia boosts its investment in research.

The science of productivity

Robust research and development reforms and investment in science can help Australia achieve sustained growth and gain international influence.

Thanks for the memories

How does your brain create new memories? Neuroscientists are discovering new ‘rules’ to explain how neurons encode new information.

Tackling scientific misconduct

Over 10,000 scientific papers were retracted around the world last year, and the increasing amount of plagiarism and fabrication – now aided by AI – has revived calls for an Australian oversight body.

Another Earth?

The search for alien life in our galaxy – and UFOs in our skies – is a constant source of intrigue and discussion, and while the more lurid tales of visitation may be dismissed, the chances of finding life out there appear to be increasing.