Microprocessor designers realize security must be a primary concern

By Mark Hempstead

Computers amazing abilities to entertain people, help them work, and even respond to voice commands are, at their heart, the results of decades of technological development and innovation in microprocessor design. Under...

Red sky at night, shepherd's delight: the science of beautiful sunsets

By Adam Morgan

A red sky at night is a shepherds delight! A red sky in the morning is a shepherds warning. Perhaps this saying came to mind if you caught a spectacular sunrise or sunset recently. Since biblical times and probably...

Think the dual citizenship saga does not affect state parliamentarians? It might be time to think again

By Lorraine Finlay

Over the past year, we have seen 15 federal parliamentarians leave the Australian parliament because of dual citizenship. Under Section 44(i) of the Australian Constitution which has been given a strict interpretation...

The Trump-Putin summit: A stooge at work?

By John Colarusso

There were at least six topics that Donald Trump could have forcefully raised with Russias Vladimir Putin at Mondays so-called summit in Helsinki, Finland. Any other president would have. First was Russian meddling in...

Art and design schools must cultivate creators, not theorists

By Ted Hunter

A sadly common refrain about young people today is that they are coddled, entitled, self-absorbed and tech-addicted. But as recent events have shown us, teenagers and young adults are fiercely engaged, strong, resilient...

Can Elon Musk fix Flint's water?

By Fiona E. McNeill

The Michigan community of Flint has become a byword for lead poisoning. Elon Musk recently entered the fray. He tweeted a promise to pay to fix the water in any house in Flint that had water contamination above acceptable...

The truth about cannabis on Canadian campuses

By Jacqueline Smith

Canadian youth are consuming cannabis at higher rates than in most nations of the world. And now they are talking about it. At the University of Calgary, 52 per cent of students responding to a UCalgary Campus...

CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing scissors are less accurate than we thought, but there are fixes

By Gaetan Burgio

CRISPR gene editing technology is revolutionising medicine and biology. This technique allows scientists to edit DNA with more precision and greater ease than previous gene editing technology. But a new study has called...

Australian jobs aren't becoming less secure

By Robert Sobyra

A common narrative nowadays is that standard, secure full-time work is a thing of the past thanks to increasing casual jobs, labour hire, temping and non-standard work contracts that side-step collective bargaining. The...

Russia's World Cup widely hailed as success, but will the good vibes last for Putin?

By Alexey D Muraviev

Even before the final whistle had been blown at the 2018 World Cup, the world media were already proclaiming it a huge success. The New York Times asked whether Russia 2018 was the greatest of all World Cups, while The...

A brief history of briefs – and how technology is transforming underpants

By Alana Clifton-Cunningham

Underpants. We tend not to talk about them but they are a fact of life (unless you go commando). Briefs have a fascinating history and are now being transformed by technology, with high-performance undies that claim to do...

How an alien seaweed invasion spawned an Antarctic mystery

By Adele Morrison Et Al

Two small pieces of seaweed found by a Chilean scientist on an Antarctic beach set in train research that may transform our understanding of ocean drift and reveal what the future holds for Antarctic ecosystems affected by...

Skill vs luck: who really deserves the rewards from success?

By Lionel Page Et Al

Which is more important when it comes to rewarding success: that the achievement was earned through skill, or that it came courtesy of a lucky break? Take football (soccer), for example, where the aim (like most games)...

The new national housing agreement won't achieve its goals without enough funding

By Vivienne Milligan

This month, yet another policy agreement on housing between the Commonwealth and state and territory governments came into effect. The National Housing and Homelessness Agreement is the latest version of a 73-year-long...

In Trump's America, immigrants are modern-day 'savage Indians'

By Jerome Viala-Gaudefroy

One of the reasons we lead the free world today is that we are a nation of immigrants. These words were delivered by Harry Truman to the US Congress in 1952 when he addressed the problem of aid for refugees who were...

Understanding the emoji of solidarity

By Sashank Santhanam Et Al

When disaster or tragedy strikes, people far away are touched and want to help but really cant do much. Often the first thing distant observers do is take to social media to send their thoughts, prayers, support and good...

Russia's World Cup was a success – now normal service resumes

By David White

That was a great World Cup, wasnt it? It had memorable matches played in magnificent stadia, great goals and plenty of shocks. In Russia, the success of the much-derided national team was an unexpected treat for the host...

Secret ingredient that made Netflix a world beater could lead to its demise

By Martin Friesl

Investors are anxiously waiting for Netflixs half-year results, and for good reason. The share price of the TV-streaming giant has skyrocketed from US$158 to US$396 within the last 12 months, light years ahead of the SP...

Croatia's World Cup consolation: Google searches soar as world seeks information on finalists

By Wasim Ahmed

Croatia may have lost to France in the World Cup final, but the small Eastern European nation may just have won something altogether more precious worldwide recognition on a whole new level. Social media users are...

Can Zimbabwe finally ditch a history of violence and media repression?

By Brooks Marmon

Zimbabwes governing ZANU-PF is earnestly courting international legitimacy as the country approaches its first post-independence elections without Robert Mugabe. The party frequently uses clichés like fresh...

Why Kenyan students are cheating in their exams and what can be done

By Callen Nyamwange

In an attempt to curb cheating during national examinations, Kenyas Ministry of Education has banned parents, and others, from visiting students at boarding school. The Conversation Africas Moina Spooner asked Callen...

Can't focus? Addicted to your online world? There's an app for that

By Craig Blewett

\We live in a distracted world. Our ability to focus on a single task or activity is dwindling, even though many people insist theyre good multi-taskers. Neuroscientist Earl Miller says these people are deluding...

Blame politicians, not Mandela, for South Africa's unfinished business

By Matthew Graham

July 2018 marks Nelson Mandelas centenary year. Why is he still so revered across the world? The answer simply is that he is widely regarded as the personification of values which he spent much of his life fighting for....

Can democracy vote itself out of existence?

By Manjeet Ramgotra

Look at the state of the worlds democratic nations, and it is easy to see why so many are concerned for the future of democracy. Leaders such as Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Vladimir Putin and Hungarys Viktor Orbán have...

As Putin-Trump summit nears, 3 charts explain how Russians see the US

By Erik C. Nisbet Et Al

Donald Trump sits down with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 16 in Helsinki for their first one-on-one summit. In anticipation of this event, Russian pollster VCIOM asked the Russian public this week about how...

Sacha Baron Cohen's new show is just what we need in an era of fake news

By Leshu Torchin

British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen (aka Ali G, Borat, and Brno), is back just in time with his new show: Who is America? Filmed secretly over the past year, this satirical comedy series explores the diverse...

Trump's visit has thrown the special relationship into unprecedented turmoil

By Martin Farr

One of the few conventions Donald Trump has observed as president has been to venerate Winston Churchill. The intention was obvious therefore when on the evening of his arrival in the UK he was feted at Churchills...

Loneliness is contagious – and here's how to beat it

By Olivia Remes

Loneliness is a common condition affecting around one in three adults. It damages your brain, immune system, and can lead to depression and suicide. Loneliness can also increase your risk of dying prematurely as much as...

Trade wars will boost digital manufacturing – at consumers' own homes with personal 3D printers

By Joshua M. Pearce

The U.S. is in multiple international trade wars. After President Trump ordered higher taxes on some Chinese imports, the Chinese retaliated. The trade dispute now involves as much as US$200 billion worth of Chinese-made...

Rupiah's rough ride – when will it stop?

By Tommy Soesmanto

The Indonesian rupiah has gone through a rough ride this year as the currency continues to weaken against the US dollar. In early May, it breached its psychological barrier of Rp14,000 per US dollar, making it the...

Policy overload: why the ACCC says household solar subsidies should be abolished

By Lucy Percival

The keenly awaited report on retail electricity prices, released this week by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), has made some controversial recommendations not least the call to wind up the scheme...

Breastmilk alone is best for the first six months – here's what to do next

By Clare Collins Et Al

The Trump administration angered health experts around the world this week with its attempt to weaken a UN resolution encouraging breastfeeding. Thankfully the US bid to promote the use of formula was unsuccessful and...

VIDEO: Michelle Grattan on Latham's liaison with One Nation in Longman, live sheep exports and the ACCC's criticism on energy

By Michelle Grattan

Michelle Grattan speaks with University of Canberra Deputy Vice-Chancellor Nicholas Klomp about the week in politics. They discuss including Mark Latham teaming up with Pauline Hansons One Nation to make robocalls...

Officers 'sanctioned' for 'human error' in filing cabinet affair

By Michelle Grattan

A culmination of human errors caused the prime ministers department to throw out filing cabinets containing classified documents that eventually reached the ABC, according to the Australian Federal Police investigation...

It's a busy night sky this July, so make sure you look up

By Tanya Hill

The next fortnight will be a real treat for stargazers - there are five planets to see in the evening sky, Mars is looking the best weve seen in 15 years, and on the morning of July 28 there will be a total lunar...

How we can protect the women who make most high-quality footballs

By Farah Naz Et Al

Over 80% of the worlds high-quality hand-stitched footballs begin with the home-based work of female villagers in Pakistans Sialkot region. These women belong to one of the most vulnerable groups in the global economy....

Why the ABC, and the public that trusts it, must stand firm against threats to its editorial independence

By Denis Muller

The people who are turning up at Save the ABC rallies around the country are defending a cultural institution they value because they trust it. In particular, they trust its news service. Public opinion polls going back...

What can other cities learn about water shortages from 'Day Zero'?

By Lucy Rodina Et Al

Cape Town was set to run dry on April 12, 2018, leaving its 3.7 million residents without tap water. Day Zero was narrowly averted through drastic cuts in municipal water consumption and last-minute transfers from the...

Taxpayers will back a carbon tax if they get a cheque in the mail

By Sumeet Gulati Et Al

Ontarios new premier, Doug Ford, is scrapping the provinces cap-and-trade program, designed to reward businesses that reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, as part of his promise to make gasoline more affordable. Where...

Haida manga: An artist embraces tragedy, beautifully

By Marie Mauzé

Of all the arts of which traces remain, that of the First Nations of the Northwest coast is certainly one of the greatest. These are the words spoken by French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss in 1974, at an...

A silent career killer – here's what workplaces can do about menopause

By Ruth McPhail

More and more Australian women are facing a silent career killer. It can increase their dissatisfaction with work, their absenteeism and their intention to quit their jobs. Menopause is one of the last great taboo subjects...

Friday essay: from convicts to contemporary convictions – 200 years of Australian crime fiction

By Stephen Knight

Most countries produce crime fiction, but the versions vary according to national self-concepts. America admires the assertive private eye, both Dashiell Hammetts late 1920s Sam Spade and the nearly as tough modern...

How to break up with plastics (using behavioural science)

By Kim Borg

Australia is responsible for over 13 thousand tonnes of plastic litter per year. At the end of June 2018, the Australian government released an inquiry report on the waste and recycling industry in Australia. One of the...

Whether teams win or lose, sporting events lead to spikes in violence against women and children

By Melanie Pescud

With the FIFA World Cup coming to a conclusion in Russia, not to mention the final match in the State of Origin rugby series in Australia and Wimbledon in the UK, its been a big week for sports. While sports can bring...

Carbon monoxide exposure in homes is a risk – here's how to protect yourself

By Christine Cowie

Winter is a good time to remind ourselves of the potential risk of carbon monoxide exposure from faulty or unflued gas heaters or other gas devices. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odourless, colourless and tasteless gas...

When to trust (and not to trust) peer reviewed science

By Merlin Crossley

The article is part of our occasional long read series Zoom Out, where authors explore key ideas in science and technology in the broader context of society. The words published in a peer reviewed journal are sometimes...

Peer review has some problems – but the science community is working on it

By Dr Jessica Borger

Peer review is the central foundation of science. Its a process where scientific results are vetted by academic peers, with publication in a reputable journal qualifying the merits of the work and informing readers of the...

PhD completion: an evidence-based guide for students, supervisors and universities

By Timothy Colin Bednall

Many students enrol in a Master or PhD postgraduate research degree, but few complete them. From 2010-2016, 437,030 domestic and international students enrolled in postgraduate research programs in Australian public...

Rethinking _Homo sapiens_? The story of our origins gets dizzyingly complicated

By Darren Curnoe

You might say its the ultimate prize of science, to discover when, where and why humans evolved. For a long time, the evidence has been overwhelming that Homo sapiens evolved in Africa and later spilled out of the...

Audit found Vikki Campion was owed travel money

By Michelle Grattan

An audit of the travel and travel-related expenses of Vikki Campion, former staffer and now partner of Barnaby Joyce, has found the government owed her money. The audit, by the Independent Parliamentary Expenses...