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Cutting-edge research and insightful commentary by world-leading experts
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Woody Meadows greening our cities the right way
Public spaces across Australia are being planted with beautiful, practical, native Woody Meadows
Engineering & Technology
Nano inks could change how we use energy
New research uses ‘phase change inks’ to control temperature in everyday environments – reducing our energy consumption for a sustainable climate future
Science Matters
The fly DNA fighting killer bacteria
The genome of an Australian fly has won an evolutionary “arms race” against a killer bacteria by evolving to co-exist with it
Bird flu, human cases and the risk to Australia
Avian flu is continuing to spread throughout the world, infecting some mammals as it goes; University of Melbourne experts explore the virus' risk to Australia.
Why do some people believe the Earth is flat?
Although science says the Earth is round, there are some people around who still think it's flat; two University of Melbourne experts look at why.
Why giraffes have spots
A new study led by the University of Melbourne provides the first anatomical proof of why giraffes have spots – and how they relate to plastic surgery.
Insects have more complex immune systems than we thought
University of Melbourne researchers have found that insects and other invertebrates have complex immune systems which can be used to protect their offspring
The fly DNA fighting killer bacteria
The genome of an Australian fly has won an evolutionary “arms race” against a killer bacteria by evolving to co-exist with it, say University of Melbourne.
Woody Meadows greening our cities the right way
University of Melbourne research helps councils, agencies and developers fill public spaces across Australia with beautiful, practical, native Woody Meadows.
Health & Wellbeing
Putting people before profits for global health
Powerful commercial actors have a disproportionate influence on politics, the economy, our climate and our health. So how can we shift the focus from raising profits to improving health?
Health & Wellbeing
Ending the global tuberculosis epidemic
TB occurs in every part of the world and remains a major public health challenge that we can end through concerted action
Public Affairs
The China divide
What would Australia do if the United States went to war against China? It’s a question that’s been discussed candidly behind closed doors
Health & Medicine
The climate change threat to our mental health
It’s time to address the mental health impacts of climate change to support more people in the face of more extreme weather events
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COVID-19
Health & Medicine
The unexpected drop in intimate partner violence
It should be exciting to say that cases of violence against women dropped during COVID, but we need to understand the big picture
Health & Medicine
The COVID-19 vaccine difference between men and women
New research finds there is a sex difference when it comes to the effectiveness and side effects of COVID-19 vaccines
Health & Wellbeing
The steps we can take to combat COVID-19 in 2023
New computer modelling suggests that ongoing vaccinations and early public health measures are the most effective responses to future COVID-19 variants
Health & Medicine
What we now know about long COVID and our brains
Almost three years into the global pandemic, we may know more about Post-COVID-19 Neurological Syndrome (PCNS), but there’s a critical need for more global collaboration
Inside Business
How Australia’s internal migrants could benefit our regions
For regional Australia to benefit from the latest wave of ‘tree and sea changers’, we need to understand the motivations and skills they’re bringing with them
Politics & Society
Humanities
The older Asian Australians boosting health literacy
COVID-19 exposed the shortcomings of Australia’s public health communication to older culturally and linguistically diverse communities
Humanities
AI, automation and women
As artificial intelligence becomes an increasing part of our lives, what does the expansion of technology mean for the futures of women?
Health & Wellbeing
Giving everyone the right to sport
Sport and physical activity have been designated human rights, so there needs to be equitable access for young people in the justice system, to benefit all of society
Design
Upholding the human rights of Manila’s urban poor
Researchers and grassroots networks in Manila worked to support the health and livelihood of the ‘urban poor’ during the pandemic and now during state-led recovery
Humanities
Truth, understanding and transformation
The Yoorrook Justice Commission chair, Professor Eleanor Bourke AM, discusses the significance of truth telling when it comes to Victoria’s First Peoples’ reform and reconciliation
Legal Affairs
Eradicating modern slavery in Australia
Alongside its review of the ‘Modern Slavery Act’, the Government must also address the risks of forced labour that are inherent in our visa system
Sciences & Technology
Engineering & Technology
The women putting intelligence in artificial intelligence
It’s crucial that women play a role in AI innovation and education to combat gender discrimination and marginalisation globally
Engineering & Technology
Creating digital twins to save our cities
Digital technologies that allow experts to better predict future city environments may be a key tool in sustainable urban design
Science Matters
Sustainability needs women and girls in science
On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, let’s recognise that science has an image problem and fix it
Science Matters
From art restorer to DNA explorer
Torn between fine art and science, Associate Professor Elizabeth Hinde tried both, before finding her dream role in studying the nuclear architecture of living cells
Engineering & Technology
Harvesting big energy from small movement
A new material designed to harvest up to 400 times more energy from movement than currently possible has potential applications in biomedicine and geospatial monitoring
Environment
Science Matters
Wheat’s ancient roots of viral resistance
New research finds that the gene that protects wheat from Wheat Yellow Mosaic Virus originated in an ancient wild relative
Science Matters
The smallest marine microbes share nutrients – briefly
Fleeting interactions between the smallest phytoplankton and bacteria help to shape global ocean productivity
Science Matters
The burning of Australia’s nature
A new book examines the extent of biodiversity loss caused by Australia’s Black Summer wildfires and what lessons our country must learn
Science Matters
Lockdown ‘field trip’ reveals whereabouts of Australian grasshoppers
Using old field notes and new technology, researchers used COVID lockdowns to retrace the steps of pioneering Australian insect surveyors, virtually
Science Matters
Exploring the air we breathe
While hay fever sufferers are well aware of the pollen in Melbourne’s air, ongoing research is investigating exactly what other particles we might be breathing
Science Matters
More fires as our air gets thirstier
Greater water demand in the atmosphere means an increase in forest fire risk – for at least an extra 30 days per year – without urgent and effective climate action, finds new research
Business & Economics
Inside Business
What we can expect from the 2023 economic ‘misery index’
Australia’s high interest rates and low GDP growth are pushing our Economic Misery Index higher, but hopefully not for long
Inside Business
Overcoming gender bias of boardroom gatekeepers
If we remove professional barriers for women, they can compete on equal footing with men. And key to that is tackling the bias of gatekeepers
Inside Business
A light at the end of the inequality tunnel?
This year’s HILDA survey suggests that the Government’s COVID-19 financial support shows us there may be better ways to tackle income inequality in Australia
Inside Business
A COVID-19 state of mind
The latest HILDA Survey shows the pandemic and lockdown accelerated the already declining mental health of younger Australians, but there may be worse to come
Inside Business
The rise and rise of job insecurity
Blue collar workers were the winners in a COVID-19 job market that saw the biggest rise in job insecurity in two decades, finds the annual HILDA survey
Arts & Culture
Humanities
Provocative women in cinema
The cliché of the ‘sensitive’ woman filmmaker ignores the long history of confronting female-directed movies
Music, Arts & Screen
The modern women of Australian ballet
Revisiting ballets created by pioneering Australian women can inspire the next generation of female choreographers
Arts & Culture
Gendered labour in the Australian arts
Researchers are using cultural data to highlight the obscured history of Australian women artists, revealing gender disparities and opportunities for positive change
Humanities
Empowering disabled talent in the Australian screen industry
A new report highlights discrimination and inaccessibility for disabled film and television workers, creating missed opportunities for the industry
Music, Arts & Screen
Building intercultural engagement through music
A new framework aims to celebrate and generate opportunities for cultural exchange and the expression of new cultural identities through shared music
Humanities
Indigenous ceremonial performance opening up intercultural dialogue
Songs, dances and other ceremonial traditions offer a rare insight into Australian history from an Indigenous perspective
Education
Science Matters
It’s time to build South Asia literacy in Australia
Universities are key to boosting a new generation of South Asia literate Australian graduates as the world’s centre of gravity moves East
Learning & Teaching
AI means a rethink of teaching foreign languages
Machines are better than most human foreign language learners at translation, so teaching languages should now focus on global competence
Learning & Teaching
Flying the flag for change?
Australian symbols have meaning for us collectively – highlighting the past and present impacts of settler colonialism, racism and the possibility for a different future
Learning & Teaching
Is EQ more important than ever?
As we ask students to become more globally competent, the need to develop social and emotional skills – or emotional intelligence – is more essential than ever
Humanities
Food for thought
Food, and where it comes from, connects all of us – so using it as a tool to teach students global competency and citizenship makes sense
Health & Medicine
Health & Wellbeing
Why giraffes have spots
A new study provides the first anatomical proof of why giraffes have spots – and how they relate to plastic surgery
Health & Medicine
Bird flu, human cases and the risk to Australia
Avian flu is continuing to spread throughout the world, infecting some mammals as it goes – but what’s the risk to Australia?
Health & Wellbeing
Brain white matter declines for years after a stroke
The loss of brain white matter and associated cognitive decline is faster for at least three years after a stroke
Health & Wellbeing
We can eliminate cervical cancer
Australia is on track to be the first country to eliminate cervical cancer, but inequities persist
Health & Medicine
Sisters are doing it for themselves
Education is central to leadership in social change for Indigenous women’s life outcomes – and women are leveraging its power
Health & Wellbeing
The mental health of young African Australians
Young African Australians facing mental health issues need culturally appropriate support to fulfil their potential