New analysis of asteroid dust reveals evidence of salty water in the early Solar System
A view of eight sample trays containing the final sample material from asteroid Bennu. Erika Blumenfeld Joseph Aebers/JSC In October 2020, a van-sized robotic spacecraft briefly touched down on the surface of Bennu, a...
‘I was shocked’: a scientist tracking koalas films startling behaviour between young males
\ Darcy Watchorn Its a cold, drizzly night in a forest west of Melbourne. Im sitting on a damp log, clutching a thermos of lukewarm tea and watching a koala snooze on a branch above me. Suddenly, it lifts its head. I sit...
Gene pools are getting dangerously shallow for many species. We found 5 ways to help
A golden bandicoot (_Isoodon auratus_) Colleen Sims/Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, CC BY-SA Before species go extinct, their populations often shrink and become isolated. Healthy populations tend...
How can you tell if your child is ready for a smartphone? What are the alternatives?
Don Pablo/ Shutterstock The start of the school year means some parents will asking a big question: is it time for a childs first phone? Safety concerns, particularly around travel to and from school, or being home after...
SolStock/Getty Images Have you ever wondered how Australias many Indigenous languages relate to one another and how far back the connections go? The Australian continent has been settled by Indigenous people for at least...

Australian democracy is not dead, but needs help to ensure its survival
Democracies worldwide are suffering from legitimacy problems. This is reflected in low levels of public trust in key political institutions, the polarisation of politics, and the erosion of public confidence in the...