Building greener cities helps people thrive too

A new approach to urban design which treats biodiversity as an opportunity, rather than a constraint, would improve the quality of life of future city dwellers as well as help protect ever more threatened urban habitats and species.

A GFC 2.0 would remake the world in dangerous ways

It may be comforting to listen to talk of temporary market corrections as stock prices fall, but the bigger question being asked by many market analysts and commentators isn’t if we are at risk of another Global Financial Crisis, but actually when the next crisis will happen.

Youth Co:Lab Samoa continues to thrive

The Samoa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the UN Development Program, hosted the first ever Youth Co:Lab Samoa Workshop in the Pacific region.  Twenty young Samoans with a passion for social innovation and entrepreneurship were part of this inaugural program.

Are genes, joules or gut bugs to blame for weight gain?

Some people look to blame their genes or their guts for putting on weight, rather than eating too much, so what does science say about which one of these influences holds the master key to body weight?

Collective action required to save Aussie kids from obesity

Curbing obesity in Australia’s children is achievable and can be realised through a combination of smart governance, community initiatives, the support of individual efforts, and clinical leadership.

Healthy eating can spare your wallet as well as your waistline

While people often use the supposed cost of healthy eating as an excuse to maintain their bad diet, ditching junk food can actually save you money as well as benefit your health and waistline.

How your plastic litter kills sea turtles

Analysis of nearly 1000 turtles found dead and washed up on beaches around Australia showed that the more plastic a turtle consumes the greater the likelihood that it was killed by that plastic.

The love songs of the endangered Grasswren

A new study into the Thick-billed Grasswren, a songbird found in parts of outback South Australia and NSW, reveals differences in song made by males from different populations determine their success with attracting females, and are linked with their ability to defend or gain a territory.

This is not a drill

While we may not know what the next outbreak of global disease may be, in all probability it’s coming as conditions are ripe for its arrival. Here’s five reasons why experts are worried about the next global pandemic.

Your time starts now: how leadership instability and revenge became woven into our political fabric

While Australia is one of the most stable democracies in the world, the churn of leaders in the highest office of the land seems to have become more incessant than ever.

New UNSW-ACOSS study highlights inequality in our society – and how to fix it

Beyond the personal effects on individuals, vast disparities in income can erode social cohesion and undermine economic growth, researchers say.

What can be done about illegal drugs?

Although they regularly hit the headlines, major drug finds and the arrest of significant dealers does little to stem the flow of illegal drugs into Australia. Alternative measures must complement law enforcement to deal with the problem today.