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Vale Ray Lawler: the playwright who changed the sound of Australian theatre

Ray Lawler, who died this week at 103, was one of the artists responsible for establishing the first non-commercial repertory theatre in Australia...

latest 8

The Conversation

Julian Meyrick

Magnificent and humbling: the Paris opening ceremony was a tribute to witnessing superhuman feats of the extraordinary

There has never been an opening ceremony quite like it. For the first time in Olympic Games history, the ceremony took place outside a stadium...

latest 8

The Conversation

Sarah Austin

Twice as good for half the respect: Kamala Harris’ battle for the White House

Mainstream media are surprisingly muted at the prospect of the world’s most powerful nation being led for the first time by a woman – specifically...

yesterday 20

The Conversation

Clare Corbould

Politics with Michelle Grattan: ‘Teal’ Zoe Daniel on political donations, representing Jewish voters and Kamala Harris’ prospects

The 2022 election brought the “teal wave” into parliament. The next election will test whether teals, who occupy what were Liberal seats, and...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Can Israel and Hezbollah be pulled back from the brink of war?

The Middle East is on the brink of a possibly devastating regional war, with hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah reaching an extremely...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Amin Saikal

Federal Court finds insufficient evidence Roundup weedkiller causes cancer. What does the science say?

A major Federal Court class action has been dismissed this week after Justice Michael Lee ruled there was not enough evidence to prove the...

yesterday 30

The Conversation

Ian Musgrave

Gang crackdown: why anti-patch policies backfire – and what would actually work

Despite the connection between institutional harm and gang membership made clear in this week’s mammoth royal commission abuse-in care report,...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Antje Deckert

Our research shows 4 in 10 Australians in aged care are malnourished. What can we do about it?

In the next 40 years in Australia, it’s predicted the number of Australians aged 65 and over will more than double, while the number of people aged...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Jonathan Foo

Health star labels move closer to being mandatory. But food companies could still (legally) game the system

On Thursday, Australian and New Zealand food ministers at state, federal and national levels met to thrash out what’s next for health star ratings...

yesterday 9

The Conversation

Alexandra Jones

Drone food delivery is spreading across Australia. Research suggests we will eat more junk food as a result

Last week, a drone delivery company called Wing (owned by Google’s parent company, Alphabet) started operating in Melbourne. Some 250,000 residents...

yesterday 9

The Conversation

Rebecca Bennett

Before there was diving and relays, there was the Poetry Olympics

Ever wondered whether you’d have a better chance at winning an Olympic gold if you could fling words rather than a javelin? Or maybe you could...

yesterday 8

The Conversation

Katrina Grant

Lupus is more common and severe in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Learning why is crucial

Lupus is an inflammatory autoimmune illness, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks itself. Lupus can affect virtually any part of the...

yesterday 8

The Conversation

Laura Elizabeth Eades

China: still the world’s biggest emitter, but also an emerging force in climate diplomacy

Seven years seems a lifetime in politics. In 2017, President Donald Trump announced the United States would withdraw from the Paris Agreement. It...

yesterday 6

The Conversation

Xu Yi-Chong

Australian stories are part of the Holocaust. A granddaughter writes: he ‘knew he was lucky’ to escape, but paid a high price

Two years ago, a small group gathered in the centre of Berlin to remember Max and Edith Pollnow, Jewish victims of Nazi persecution who “gave...

yesterday 9

The Conversation

Jan Lanicek

Not one, but two meteor showers are about to peak – here’s how to catch the stellar show

On any clear night, if you gaze skywards long enough, chances are you’ll see a meteor streaking through the sky. Some nights, however, are better...

yesterday 9

The Conversation

Jonti Horner

Politics, security and the Seine: where the Paris Olympics’ flashpoints will be

Two high-profile assaults on Australians in Paris have raised concerns about security ahead of the Olympic Games. On Saturday evening, a young...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Keith Rathbone

The chaotic history of the Olympics in Paris, where one games nearly ended the movement – and the other helped save it

Paris is about to host its third summer Olympics. While we don’t yet know what the legacy of this year’s games will be, let’s take the...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Vaughan Cruickshank

Timber venues, river swimming and re-use : how the Paris Olympics is going green – and what it’s missing

As Paris prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the sustainability of the event is coming under scrutiny. The organisers have promoted...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Tony Heynen

Landmark new research shows how global warming is messing with our rainfall

The past century of human-induced warming has increased rainfall variability over 75% of the Earth’s land area – particularly over Australia,...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Steven Sherwood

‘Bloodbath’, ‘bullseye’, ‘America’s Hitler’: why has our political rhetoric gotten so violent and incendiary?

In the wake of the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump, there were calls from both sides of US politics, as well as...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Hugh Breakey

Migrant workers have long been too scared to report employer misconduct. A new visa could change this

Migrant worker exploitation is entrenched in workplaces across Australia. Tragically, a deep fear of immigration consequences means most unlawful...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Laurie Berg

Chicken wire, AI and mobile phones on sticks: how the drone war in Ukraine is driving a fierce battle of innovation

Drones are the signature technology of the Ukraine war. A few miniature aircraft designs were used in the war’s early days, but an incredible array...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Peter Layton

Declining PhD student numbers are a warning sign for NZ’s future knowledge economy

The decline in the number of doctoral candidates at New Zealand universities is a worrying sign for the country’s effort to build a...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Ian Wright

What happens in my brain when I get a migraine? And what medications can I use to treat it?

Migraine is many things, but one thing it’s not is “just a headache”. “Migraine” comes from the Greek word “hemicrania”, referring to...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Mark Slee

How old, inefficient housing and time-of -use electricity rates are leaving some households worse off

Australia was slow to introduce minimum building standards for energy efficiency. The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) only came...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Lee White

Friday essay: ‘You can do graffiti … by breathing’ – I visited Adnyamathanha rock art as old as the Lascaux cave paintings

One sun-bright morning in the last weeks of winter, I found myself in the passenger seat of an ancient Toyota Troopie, rattling down a dirt track...

yesterday 10

The Conversation

Lauren Fuge

Almost 1 in 6 of the world’s banknotes feature wildlife – and they’re not always the creatures you’d expect

Banknotes and coins help shape our national identity. The images they display emphasise historical events, prominent personalities, or scientific,...

previous day 20

The Conversation

Guy Castley

A major multiculturalism review has recommended bold reforms. How far is the government prepared to go?

A year ago, the government instigated an independent review of the national multicultural framework. As more than half of Australia’s population...

previous day 30

The Conversation

Andrew Jakubowicz

Monday was the warmest day recorded on Earth. But how do scientists actually measure that?

In the past week, Earth’s record for the hottest day was broken twice. Sunday July 21 was declared Earth’s hottest day since records began,...

previous day 20

The Conversation

Andrew King

The greater stick-nest rat almost went extinct. Now it’s found an unlikely ally: one of Australia’s worst weeds

Greater stick-nest rats (or “stickies” as they are affectionately named) are one of Australia’s most adorable small native mammals. These...

previous day 10

The Conversation

Annie Grace Kraehe

Is there a ‘right way’ to teach? Recent debates suggest yes, but students and schools are much more complex

New South Wales has just announced a curriculum “shake-up” for primary schools to start in 2027. As well as new content about the human body,...

previous day 20

The Conversation

Jane Louise Hunter

A drug that can extend your life by 25%? Don’t hold your breath

Every few weeks or months, the media reports on a new study that tantalisingly dangles the possibility of a new drug to give us longer, healthier...

previous day 10

The Conversation

Hassan Vally

Why are we finding so many Australian shipwrecks lately? There’s one research vessel helping uncover the past

On August 23 1969, the coastal freighter MV Noongah departed Newcastle bound for Townsville with a cargo of steel and 26 crew. The 71-metre ship...

previous day 20

The Conversation

Toni Moate

Yes, blue light from your phone can harm your skin. A dermatologist explains

Social media is full of claims that everyday habits can harm your skin. It’s also full of recommendations or advertisements for products that can...

previous day 9

The Conversation

Michael Freeman

The struggle to unplug: why Kiwis find it so hard to disconnect from the internet

In an age when connectivity is constant, many New Zealanders find it hard to unplug from the internet. Despite a desire to switch off, the reality...

previous day 10

The Conversation

Alex Beattie

Kamala Harris refers to herself as a ‘woman of colour’. Is it okay if everyone else does too?

President Joe Biden’s recent decision to step down from the 2024 presidential elections in the United States and support Vice President Kamala...

previous day 2

The Conversation

Fethi Mansouri

Surviving the Olympiczzzzz: how fans can best cope with sleep deprivation during major overseas events

Although the Olympics are an exciting time for sport enthusiasts worldwide, you may be faced with the gruelling test of lining up your viewing...

previous day 10

The Conversation

Shona Halson

Older people’s risk of abuse is rising. Can an ad campaign protect them?

Elder abuse is an emerging public health and safety issue for communities of high-income countries. The most recent data from Australia’s...

previous day 10

The Conversation

Joseph Ibrahim

A reader’s guide to the US election: an expert recommends the best books, journals, podcasts and commentators

Donald Trump apparently prefers to watch television over reading anything at all. As president, some reports claimed, he spent up to seven hours a...

previous day 10

The Conversation

Brendon O&39Connor

AI tutors could be coming to the classroom – but who taught the tutor, and should you trust them?

The government recently announced ambitions to expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in New Zealand’s classrooms. But as the technology...

previous day 10

The Conversation

Kathryn Maccallum

Ghosts of species past: shedding new light on the demise of NZ’s moa can help other flightless birds

New Zealand was once home to giant flightless birds called moa. They had grown accustomed to life without predators. So the arrival of humans in...

previous day 10

The Conversation

Damien Fordham

Sustainability, cultural significance, and high fashion: the top five uniforms to look out for at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Fashion is many things. It is practical, it is communicative, it is commercial, and it is competitive. Looking towards the fashion of Paris 2024,...

previous day 10

The Conversation

Treena Clark

Your world is different from a pigeon’s – but a new theory explains how we can still live in the same reality

The human eye registers three colours of light: red, green and blue. But pigeons (and many other animal species) can also see a fourth colour,...

previous day 1

The Conversation

Catherine Legg

ANZ is embroiled in allegations it manipulated government bond sales – what exactly does that mean?

ANZ is being investigated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) amid serious allegations the bank manipulated markets when...

wednesday 30

The Conversation

Mark Humphery-Jenner

When it comes to political advertising, is AI ever OK?

The Liberal National Party Queensland (LNP) has recently taken a bold step in its political strategy by employing artificial intelligence (AI) to...

wednesday 2

The Conversation

Susan Grantham

Yes, Australia’s environment is on a depressing path – but $7 billion a year would transform it

The condition of Australia’s environment continues to decline. Many Australians wonder if it’s possible to reverse this depressing trajectory –...

wednesday 10

The Conversation

Jamie Pittock

Russia’s war in Ukraine has been devastating for animals – but they’ve also given the nation reason for hope

Russia’s war in Ukraine has caused immense suffering to the civilian population. Tens of thousands are believed to have been killed, though an...

wednesday 10

The Conversation

Iryna Skubii

What’s the difference between ‘strep throat’ and a sore throat? We’re developing a vaccine for one of them

What’s the difference? is a new editorial product that explains the similarities and differences between commonly confused health and medical...

wednesday 10

The Conversation

Kim Davis

TikTok users are now using grassroots fundraising to help people in Gaza

As Israel’s military assault and siege of Gaza continues, Palestinians face increasingly hostile and inhumane conditions. Israel continues to...

wednesday 10

The Conversation

Kelly Lewis

Cranberry juice really can help with UTIs – and reduce reliance on antibiotics

Cranberry juice has been used medicinally for centuries. Our new research indicates it should be a normal aspect of urinary tract infection (UTI)...

wednesday 20

The Conversation

Christian Moro

‘Kamala IS brat’: how the power of pop music has influenced 60 years of US elections

Hours after United States President Joe Biden announced he was dropping out as the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee, British musician Charli...

wednesday 10

The Conversation

Prudence Flowers

FraudGPT and other malicious AIs are the new frontier of online threats. What can we do?

The internet, a vast and indispensable resource for modern society, has a darker side where malicious activities thrive. From identity theft to...

wednesday 10

The Conversation

Bayu Anggorojati

The twist in Twisters: for a film that doesn’t mention climate change, the latest disaster flick is both nuanced and effective

For decades, the “disaster” film genre has been critically overlooked yet perennially popular. These movies, which usually depict some kind of...

wednesday 10

The Conversation

Simon Troon

Who will win Olympic rugby sevens gold? Our algorithm uses 10,000 simulations to rank the teams

The speed, skill and flair on display in rugby sevens makes it an ideal Olympic sport. The Paris games should be no exception, especially given...

wednesday 2

The Conversation

Niven Winchester

Nude athletes and fights to the death: what really happened at the ancient Olympics

The first recorded victor at the Olympics was Coroebus of Elis. A cook by profession, Coroebus won the event called the “stadion” – a footrace...

wednesday 1

The Conversation

Konstantine Panegyres

Small modular reactors have promise. But we found they’re unlikely to help Australia hit net zero by 2050

Australia’s clean energy transition is already underway, driven by solar, wind, batteries and new transmission lines. But what about nuclear?...

wednesday 2

The Conversation

Ian Lowe

People with disability know bodies can be funny – so it’s OK that you’re laughing at the Paralympics TikTok account

Our bodies are delightfully ridiculous. When God created humanity, they knew our short lives would be full of pain, hardship and horror. So they...

wednesday 10

The Conversation

Shane Clifton

Is your child’s photo on their school Facebook page? What does this mean for their privacy?

If you search most primary or high school websites, you will likely find a images of happy, smiling children. Students images are also used...

wednesday 10

The Conversation

Karley Beckman

Social robot or digital avatar, users interact with this AI technology as if it’s real

Humans are interacting more than ever with artificial intelligence (AI) – from the development of the first “social robots” (a robot with a...

wednesday 2

The Conversation

Brigitte Viljoen

Tragedy and hope: what the abuse-in -care report will say and what has to happen now

The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care – to be tabled in parliament tomorrow – is a monumental achievement. It is...

23.07.2024 30

The Conversation

Stephen Winter

Politics with Michelle Grattan: Lester Munson on Kamala Harris’s style and a changed Trump

The 2024 US election took another dramatic turn when President Joe Biden withdrew his re-election bid, endorsing his Vice President, Kamala Harris,...

23.07.2024 1

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan

Is Tantra about sex or divine liberation? Why followers are split over the ancient yogic tradition

In a world of alternative therapies and new-age spiritual practices, Tantra holds a special place. This concept is largely associated with...

23.07.2024 10

The Conversation

Neil Durrant

Despite what you’ve read, Jim Chalmers’ wellbeing framework hasn’t been shelved – if anything, it’s been strengthened

Reports in The Australian suggesting Treasurer Jim Chalmers has shelved his budget wellbeing framework, known as Measuring What Matters, are...

23.07.2024 4

The Conversation

Warwick Smith

Do hosts win more medals? Are athletes getting older? 128 years of Olympic history in 5 charts

The modern Olympic Games offer a window into almost 130 years of social and cultural change. They reflect the fall of nations, war, the shifting...

23.07.2024 2

The Conversation

Matt Garrow

LB.1, or D-FLiRT , is the newest COVID subvariant. What do we know about it? Where has it come from?

Headlines are again warning of a new COVID variant in Australia. This time it’s LB.1, or as some experts have dubbed it, “D-FLiRT”. Emerging...

23.07.2024 10

The Conversation

Adrian Esterman

Lethal bird flu could decimate Oceania’s birds. From vigilance to vaccines, here’s what we’re doing to prepare

Avian influenza viruses have infected the world’s birds for millennia. We first became aware of them in the 19th century, when mass deaths of...

23.07.2024 4

The Conversation

Tiggy Grillo

Hillbilly Elegy: JD Vance’s ‘remarkable, if maudlin’ memoir doesn’t mirror his current politics, but offers clues

When JD Vance stood to accept the vice-presidential nomination for the Republican Party, what struck me was his physical resemblance to Donald...

23.07.2024 4

The Conversation

Dennis Altman

CrowdStrike crash showed us how invasive cyber security software is. Is there a better way?

On Friday, the world suffered what many have described as the largest IT outage in history, when 8.5 million Windows computers crashed and...

23.07.2024 20

The Conversation

Toby Murray

Non-diabetics are buying continuous glucose monitors – but are there actually any health benefits?

Many people living with diabetes use continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to track their blood sugar levels. These small devices, often attached to...

23.07.2024 2

The Conversation

Amy-Lee Bowler

Naming and shaming domestic violence perpetrators doesn’t work to keep women safe. Here’s why

Recent survey results show 25% of Australians agree that women who do not leave abusive relationships are partly responsible for the abuse...

23.07.2024 2

The Conversation

Hayley Boxall

An academic publisher has struck an AI data deal with Microsoft – without their authors’ knowledge

In May, a multibillion-dollar UK-based multinational called Informa announced in a trading update that it had signed a deal with Microsoft involving...

23.07.2024 10

The Conversation

Wellett Potter

The CrowdStrike outage caused chaos for business – could we see a class action?

Until last Friday, many businesses hadn’t really dealt with anything quite like the speed and severity of the CrowdStrike IT outage. Being forced...

23.07.2024 10

The Conversation

Michael Adams

Would you pay to quit TikTok and Instagram? You’d be surprised how many would

Social media is a problem for economists. They don’t know how to value it. It has long been argued that it ought to be in the national accounts...

23.07.2024 7

The Conversation

Peter Martin

6 in 10 Americans support abortion rights. This could be the advantage Kamala Harris needs against Donald Trump

Vice President Kamala Harris had only just been endorsed by Joe Biden to take his spot as the Democratic nominee for president when she forcefully...

23.07.2024 3

The Conversation

Prudence Flowers

As an Aussie makes baseball history, the sport’s dark past is a clue to why it never took off here

Earlier this month, Travis Bazzana made history as the first Australian selected number one in the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. Bazzana will...

23.07.2024 4

The Conversation

Ray Nickson

Estuaries and coastlines capture most plastic before it gets out to sea, giving us a chance to stop ocean pollution

If you ask someone where plastic ends up, they will usually say the ocean. It’s not a surprising answer because we have known since the 1970s...

23.07.2024 8

The Conversation

Melissa Bowen

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