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The network watching the world’s oceans is under pressure – just when it’s needed most

The network watching the world’s oceans is under pressure – just when it’s needed most

The Global Ocean Observing System informs weather forecasts and climate projections. But funding pressures could create data gaps leaving the world...

latest 2

The Conversation

Kevin Trenberth

Tony Abbott to be new federal president of the Liberal Party

Tony Abbott to be new federal president of the Liberal Party

The former prime minister has been nominated unopposed.

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Why does motor neurone disease take so long to diagnose? And can it be treated?

Why does motor neurone disease take so long to diagnose? And can it be treated?

Motor neurone disease can strike people who are young and fit. And there’s no cure.

yesterday 4

The Conversation

Peter j. crack

A meteor exploded in the sky above New South Wales. An astronomer explains where it might have come from

Astronomers will investigate this fireball to help disentangle the heritage and history of the Solar System’s formation.

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Jonti Horner

Do Australians really ‘work half the week’ just to pay their income tax? See for yourself

Do Australians really ‘work half the week’ just to pay their income tax? See for yourself

Do some people work ‘Monday, Tuesday, and half of Wednesday for yourself, and then Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for the government’? No, they...

yesterday 2

The Conversation

Helen Hodgson

What do the Commonwealth Writers Prize AI allegations mean for prizes – and short stories?

What do the Commonwealth Writers Prize AI allegations mean for prizes – and short stories?

Advances in AI platforms have been oddly benchmarked through their engagements with the short story form. What does the latest literary AI scandal...

yesterday 9

The Conversation

Julian Novitz

New documentary traces Kylie Minogue’s career, from harsh early critics to pop stardom

New documentary traces Kylie Minogue’s career, from harsh early critics to pop stardom

Netflix’s three-part documentary about Kylie Minogue covers her nearly 40 year career, as Minogue sits in her archive room going through slides and...

yesterday 6

The Conversation

Liz Giuffre

Some technologies use accelerated natural processes to capture carbon – but can they store it durably?

Some technologies use accelerated natural processes to capture carbon – but can they store it durably?

Investment in carbon removal technologies is rising rapidly, but some models overestimate how much carbon is captured because they don’t cover all...

yesterday 3

The Conversation

Terry isson

New documentary traces Kylie Minogue’s career, from harsh early critics to global pop stardom

New documentary traces Kylie Minogue’s career, from harsh early critics to global pop stardom

Netflix’s three-part documentary about Kylie Minogue covers her nearly 40 year career, as Minogue sits in her archive room going through slides and...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Liz Giuffre

Why Australia’s cuts to news services in the Indo‑Pacific are a failure of soft diplomacy

Why Australia’s cuts to news services in the Indo‑Pacific are a failure of soft diplomacy

As authoritarian influence and disinformation grow across the Indo-Pacific, Australia is still failing to back one of its strongest assets: trusted...

yesterday 2

The Conversation

Alexandra Wake

The far right is surging in France, Germany and parts of Europe. What will this mean for Ukraine?

The far right is surging in France, Germany and parts of Europe. What will this mean for Ukraine?

There are long-term questions regarding support for Ukraine if far-right populists win more power in the EU’s most powerful states.

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Adam Simpson

Rising rents and ‘death taxes’: why wild claims after the budget don’t actually make sense

Rising rents and ‘death taxes’: why wild claims after the budget don’t actually make sense

Some budget commentators have missed the mark entirely. Let’s bust some myths and set the record straight.

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Matthew Bowes

4 reasons the ‘largest energy crisis’ on record has been held at bay – and why there’s pain to come

4 reasons the ‘largest energy crisis’ on record has been held at bay – and why there’s pain to come

Rich countries have been burning through oil stockpiles and seeking other suppliers to avoid the global energy crunch. But these measures have limits

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Kevin morrison

How the Great Pyramid of Giza has survived 4,500 years of Egyptian earthquakes

How the Great Pyramid of Giza has survived 4,500 years of Egyptian earthquakes

Key features of the famous monument defend it from earthquakes – but we can’t know if that’s what the builders had in mind.

yesterday 2

The Conversation

Colin Caprani

Would you trust AI to help you find ‘the one’? Dating apps are betting it can

Would you trust AI to help you find ‘the one’? Dating apps are betting it can

Before the end of the year, dating app Bumble will be getting rid of the swipe and introducing an AI powered dating assistant.

yesterday 4

The Conversation

Maddison sideris

What should ‘foundational supports’ look like for people ineligible for the NDIS?

What should ‘foundational supports’ look like for people ineligible for the NDIS?

A lot has to go right for the $37.8 billion in NDIS savings to be delivered without leaving disabled people to fall through the cracks.

yesterday 9

The Conversation

Sam Bennett

Friday essay: I modelled myself on my sister – but why are storytellers obsessed with sisterhood?

Friday essay: I modelled myself on my sister – but why are storytellers obsessed with sisterhood?

Some of our most loved stories centre on sisters, from fairytales like Snow White and Rose Red to Little Women. Edwina Preston reflects on why sisters...

yesterday 2

The Conversation

Edwina Preston

Was Auckland the cradle of the Kiwi accent? An old theory gets a new hearing

Was Auckland the cradle of the Kiwi accent? An old theory gets a new hearing

A rediscovered academic paper from 1921 suggests New Zealand’s classic ‘fush and chups’ vowel sounds may have emerged fastest in Auckland’s...

yesterday 4

The Conversation

Brooke ross

Game changers: how soccer’s mega‑money era was sparked by a little‑known Belgian athlete

Game changers: how soccer’s mega‑money era was sparked by a little‑known Belgian athlete

An obscure Belgian soccer player arguably made a bigger mark on the world game than stars such as Diego Maradona and Cristiano Ronaldo.

yesterday 10

The Conversation

David Rowe

Mowing the lawn: the colonial ghosts haunting our suburban ritual

Mowing the lawn: the colonial ghosts haunting our suburban ritual

In this extract from his newly published essay collection, the author traces the imperial British origins of a quintessential Kiwi chore.

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Richard Shaw

Grattan on Friday: As Labor struggles with budget backwash, One Nation surfs a wave

Grattan on Friday: As Labor struggles with budget backwash, One Nation surfs a wave

The Albanese government has found itself on the thorny end of a social media campaign post-budget as it watches One Nation ride a wave.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Taunting and degrading civilians in armed conflict is a clear violation of international law

Israeli treatment of the detained flotilla activists has outraged the world. This is why international law matters in conflicts.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Shannon Bosch

Why diphtheria, whooping cough and measles have come back in Australia

Why diphtheria, whooping cough and measles have come back in Australia

Diseases once thought confined to history are making a comeback in Australia. And vaccination is only part of the story.

previous day 7

The Conversation

Adrian Esterman

Why has the US indicted former Cuban president Raúl Castro?

Why has the US indicted former Cuban president Raúl Castro?

Castro’s alleged crimes happened 30 years ago. Here’s why the charges have been levelled now.

previous day 2

The Conversation

James Trapani

Yáng Shuāng‑zǐ, winner of the International Booker Prize, reveals a Taiwan many Australians have never seen

Yáng Shuāng‑zǐ, winner of the International Booker Prize, reveals a Taiwan many Australians have never seen

Taiwan is usually discussed in Australia through geopolitics, but Taiwan Travelogue makes it visible as a lived society.

previous day 3

The Conversation

Mei-Fen Kuo

This little‑known scheme can help first home buyers save thousands more for a deposit, with less tax

This little‑known scheme can help first home buyers save thousands more for a deposit, with less tax

Young people saving through shares and ETFs are worried about capital gains tax changes. But first-home buyers may already have a better option: their...

previous day 10

The Conversation

Natalie Peng

Australia is battling its worst diphtheria outbreak in decades. But vaccines could curb it

Australia is battling its worst diphtheria outbreak in decades. But vaccines could curb it

Since January, Australia has recorded more than 220 diphtheria cases. Experts say waning vaccination rates are contributing to this historic outbreak.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Archana Koirala

CSIRO is cutting climate science jobs. This is what’s at stake for Australia

CSIRO is cutting climate science jobs. This is what’s at stake for Australia

CSIRO has been the custodian of Australia’s climate modelling through decades of shrinking budgets. Sacking scientists will change this.

previous day 9

The Conversation

Christian Jakob

New film Birthright is a biting, relatable satire on Australia’s housing affordability crisis

New film Birthright is a biting, relatable satire on Australia’s housing affordability crisis

The film is a portrait of a highly dysfunctional family fighting over generational wealth – a familiar story for many.

previous day 2

The Conversation

Gemma Blackwood

Playing host to Putin and Trump, China sends a message – it’s now in the driver’s seat

Playing host to Putin and Trump, China sends a message – it’s now in the driver’s seat

Xi Jinping had his moment on the global stage – and he didn’t waste it.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Alexander Korolev

How do I know if my electric blanket or heated throw is safe?

How do I know if my electric blanket or heated throw is safe?

The first thing to check – ideally before you buy – is whether the blanket complies with Australian safety requirements.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Niusha Shafiabady

Foreign Minister Wong orders ambassador called in over Israeli minister’s ‘shocking’ video

Foreign Minister Wong orders ambassador called in over Israeli minister’s ‘shocking’ video

The foreign minister has condemned the actions of Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir towards detainees.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

One company dominates NZ’s live music scene – how do we encourage competition?

One company dominates NZ’s live music scene – how do we encourage competition?

A finding of anti-competitive behaviour by US industry giant Live Nation raises questions about New Zealand’s heavily consolidated music market.

previous day 9

The Conversation

Dave Carter

If CSIRO cuts climate science jobs, this is what’s at stake for Australia

If CSIRO cuts climate science jobs, this is what’s at stake for Australia

CSIRO has been the custodian of Australia’s climate modelling through decades of shrinking budgets. Sacking scientists would change that.

previous day 9

The Conversation

Christian Jakob

Health authorities are racing to contain Ebola in the DRC and Uganda. Here’s what’s making it so challenging

Health authorities are racing to contain Ebola in the DRC and Uganda. Here’s what’s making it so challenging

Case numbers have steadily increased since the outbreak was confirmed on May 15.

previous day 9

The Conversation

C Raina Macintyre

We analysed the TikTok history of 142 men. Here’s what it taught us about the manosphere

We analysed the TikTok history of 142 men. Here’s what it taught us about the manosphere

Three videos, three very different messages about masculinity and health. New research shows this is how the manosphere finds young men.

previous day 9

The Conversation

Krista Fisher

Nearly everything we use online is owned by big tech. There’s a better way forward

Nearly everything we use online is owned by big tech. There’s a better way forward

Having digital autonomy is more important than ever, and the European Union is showing how it can be done.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Ashwin nagappa

‘Forever renting’ is common in New York, California and Europe. What lessons can we learn?

‘Forever renting’ is common in New York, California and Europe. What lessons can we learn?

The first step is rethinking the way we view housing – as home and shelter rather than an investment or commodity.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Dorina Pojani

Blood biomarkers could detect earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease – and slow its progression

Blood biomarkers could detect earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease – and slow its progression

Studying middle-aged populations is important to understanding what Alzheimer’s disease looks like in the earliest stages, to make preventive...

previous day 9

The Conversation

Ashleigh Barrett-Young

Rare 567‑million‑year‑old fossils refine our understanding of early animal evolution

Rare 567‑million‑year‑old fossils refine our understanding of early animal evolution

When it comes to evolution, a few million years can really matter.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Chris Kirkland

Women experience extreme heat differently to men. And they’re adapting to it in creative ways

Women experience extreme heat differently to men. And they’re adapting to it in creative ways

As temperatures soar past 46°C in India, an extreme heatwave is filling hospitals. But harm to women occurs in ways health statistics don’t show.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Febe de geest

Poet, playwright, spy: Stephen Greenblatt conjures the brilliant life of Christopher Marlowe

Poet, playwright, spy: Stephen Greenblatt conjures the brilliant life of Christopher Marlowe

Marlowe’s artistic brilliance was arguably more concentrated, his imagination more original and his ideas more daring than Shakespeare’s.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Kate Flaherty

The Michelin Guide is coming to South Australia. The rest of the country will be watching

The Michelin Guide is coming to South Australia. The rest of the country will be watching

Michelin’s international expansion has increasingly involved public tourism funding and destination partnerships.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Anita Manfreda

When AI giants go public, will ordinary investors know if they are along for the ride?

When AI giants go public, will ordinary investors know if they are along for the ride?

Large index-tracking funds could soon gain automatic exposure to AI giants as companies such as OpenAI edge toward public markets.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Sara ali

Tiny fossils found in 1.7 billion‑year‑old mud yield clues to the evolution of complex life

Tiny fossils found in 1.7 billion‑year‑old mud yield clues to the evolution of complex life

The companies that drilled these cores decades ago couldn’t have known the scientific treasures inside.

previous day 10

The Conversation

Maxwell lechte

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Margaret Thornton on the landmark Tickle v Giggle transgender case

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Margaret Thornton on the landmark Tickle v Giggle transgender case

The anti-discrimination expert explains what the case was about, why it’s set for an appeal – and the broader implications if the decision stands.

wednesday 10

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

New ‘AI scientists’ are improving – but reveal their fundamental limits

New ‘AI scientists’ are improving – but reveal their fundamental limits

More ‘natural’ collaboration between scientists and computers won’t necessarily be more effective.

wednesday 1

The Conversation

Karin Verspoor

For decades, Australian institutions have displayed stolen human remains. But there’s a way forward

For decades, Australian institutions have displayed stolen human remains. But there’s a way forward

The Tasmanian government has apologised for body parts being collected and displayed without consent. This is not the first time this has happened in...

wednesday 3

The Conversation

Isabella crebert

15 Australian companies switched to a four‑day work week. It went surprisingly well

15 Australian companies switched to a four‑day work week. It went surprisingly well

All but one of the companies researchers studied decided to continue with a four-day work week. And none reported a loss of productivity.

wednesday 2

The Conversation

John L. Hopkins

Is it safe to use cake decorating dusts and dyes? 2 experts explain

Is it safe to use cake decorating dusts and dyes? 2 experts explain

Authorities have recalled a cake decorating powder, after an Australian child inhaled it and ended up in hospital.

wednesday 10

The Conversation

William Alexander Donald