Pursuit
Cutting-edge research and insightful commentary by world-leading experts
Welcome to Pursuit
More about usHealth & Wellbeing
Mental health in a changing climate
The evidence about the mental health risks linked with climate change is mounting, presenting urgent opportunities to respond both locally and globally
Science Matters
Making cities work for every urban-dweller
It’s the urban age for people – and for other species too – so it’s time to start planning for all the plants and animals that call our cities home
Health & Wellbeing
Everyday, we’re actually seeing into the future
Researchers are helping explain how the human brain can accurately predict where a fast-moving object will end up. And why some are better at it than others
Is this the end for alcohol handwash in hospitals?
Alcohol hand-wash is now less effective against some strains of bacteria, new research from University of Melbourne partner, the Peter Doherty Institute, finds.
Building a national broadband for everyone...even gamers
Are gamers to blame for slow speeds on the NBN? University of Melbourne experts look at whether it's fair to blame eSports players for using up too much data.
Teaching your child to cope
Parents and teachers can help young people learn coping skills to better deal with the stresses of everyday life, says a University of Melbourne expert.
Why mindset matters for junior doctors
Teaching junior doctors how to have a 'growth mindset' can help them cope better with the pressures of the job, says a University of Melbourne researcher.
Mental health in a changing climate
University of Melbourne research confirms a link between climate change and mental health, and calls for more mental health support in a changing climate.
Making the financial industry more like a health service
Financial services need to rediscover their social mission in the wake of the latest misconduct revelations in Australia, argue University of Melbourne experts
Engineering & Technology
Decoding data to predict landslides
A new software tool predicts landslide boundaries two weeks before they happen
Eavesdrop on Experts
Why does radio hold a special place in our hearts?
Amanda Krause is fascinated by the link between music and wellbeing, and now she’s researching why radio is so important to many older people
PodcastScience Matters
The great (climate) depression
New economic modelling shows a US$23 trillion loss in global GDP, with the economies of many countries collapsing, if we allow global temperatures to rise by 4 degrees by 2100
The Policy Shop
How does gender diversity improve science?
Men continue to outnumber women in science, technology, engineering and maths professions; what has been the effect of this predominantly male lens?
Podcast
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Health & Medicine
Health & Wellbeing
Putting cancer cells to sleep
Researchers have uncovered a whole new class of drug compounds with the potential to completely stop the proliferation of specific cancers like leukaemia and liver cancer, and maybe help keep other cancers in remission
Health & Wellbeing
The cells giving our immune system more punch
Infection-fighting T cells tied to specific organs have emerged as potent killers and scientists are racing to understand how to harness them to fight diseases including cancer
Health & Wellbeing
Improving how we manage sepsis
A pathway of care that identifies and treats sepsis more quickly can help reduce health complications
Health & Wellbeing
Is this the end for alcohol handwash in hospitals?
Alcohol handwash is becoming less effective against some strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but it doesn’t mean we stop sanitising our hands
Health & Wellbeing
Why are young girls asking for vaginal cosmetic surgery?
A pilot study has found girls as young as 11 are seeking cosmetic surgery for their genitals. What’s going on?
Arts & Culture
Humanities
Why you should go to MOMA at NGV
Some of the greatest art works of the 20th and 21st centuries have taken up (temporary) residence in Melbourne; here’s your expert guide to ten of the best
Music, Arts & Screen
5 must-see films at MIFF this weekend
Now in its 67th year, the Melbourne International Film Festival is Australia’s leading film festival, and one of the oldest in the world
Humanities
How did a cockatoo reach 13th century Sicily?
Images of a cockatoo in Frederick II of Sicily’s falconry book reveal how trade routes around Australia’s north were flourishing as far back as medieval times
Design
Q&A: The Indigenous design perspective
The Indigenous design perspective has been ignored, replaced or forgotten for too long, says architect Jefa Greenaway - but things are changing
Music, Arts & Screen
Storm in a petri dish
The Storm exhibition and symposium explores the connection between art, nature and science to generate new enquiries into the human condition, health and wellbeing
Eavesdrop on Experts
From “failed musician” to innovative entrepreneur
Susan De Weger is not your typical classical musician. The self-confessed “failed musician” now helps young musicians connect with modern audiences and compete with digital disruption
Podcast
Sciences & Technology
Science Matters
A quiet Sunday night discovering a supermassive black hole
How two University of Melbourne astronomy students played a key role in one of the greatest space discoveries of 2018
Science Matters
The sleepy lizard awakens new tools for climate change research
The way Australia’s sleepy lizard reacts to water shortages gives us an insight into the effects of climate change on animals
Go Figure
What you need to know about nitrogen pollution
Could a new measurement more accurately identify places at risk of damaging levels of nitrogen?
Eavesdrop on Experts
Turning Science into business
Dr Lynn Johnson Langer discusses getting biotech science out of the lab and into market
PodcastScience Matters
All the forests in the world from a single layer of cells
Researchers have discovered the workings of wood-making cells inside trees, settling a century-old debate about how plants make bark and wood
Business & Economics
Inside Business
Making the financial industry more like a health service
The unethical conduct in financial services being exposed by Australia’s Royal Commission is the latest wake up call for the industry to refocus on the well being of its customers
Inside Business
Who is doing what on the homefront?
More progressive attitudes regarding gender roles aren’t translating into reality in Australian households
Inside Business
Small business: Not the jobs engine we think
The number of self-employed entrepreneurs doing well enough to hire staff is shrinking and it’s bigger firms that are behind Australia’s strong employment
Inside Business
Is rent-for-life becoming the new norm for families?
The age group with the highest proportion of renters moving into home-ownership each year is now the 55-64 year-olds
Inside Business
How Australians are faring
Every year, the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey, or HILDA, gives us a snapshot of the economic and social wellbeing of Australians
Inside Business
Who is left behind under the new child care subsidy?
Australian families are increasingly relying on childcare but a change in policy may leave those who need it most locked out
Politics & Society
Legal Affairs
Patients and the data breach notification maze
A new report confirms that Australia’s healthcare sector is susceptible to data breaches, yet the legal requirements around breach notification are inconsistent and about to get more confusing
Public Affairs
Building a national broadband for everyone...even gamers
Recently, the National Broadband Network’s (NBN) CEO blamed ‘gamers’ for slow speeds in parts of the network, saying they’re using up too much data, but is this fair?
Legal Affairs
History repeating: Losing citizenship in India
The Indian National Register of Citizens aims to separate 4 million “illegal” immigrants from “legitimate” residents. So, what does history tell us about the impact of removing citizenship?
Legal Affairs
Blurred lines: Your employer, Twitter and the law
Angela Williamson’s sacking from Cricket Australia, over alleged political opinions shared on social media, demonstrates the need for clearer laws
Engineering & Technology
Holding a black mirror up to artificial intelligence
Biometric Mirror is an interactive application that shows how you may be perceived by others. But it’s flawed and teaches us an important lesson about the ethics of AI
Environment
Animals, Food & You
Fighting the ‘white cancer’ threatening global food security
Researchers have made a ‘game changing’ shift in our understanding of how plants succumb to high levels of salt in agricultural soils.
Public Affairs
Why the plastic bag backflip is a bad idea
Supermarket Coles has backflipped on its vow to dump single-use plastic bags saying customers aren’t coping with the change to reusable bags. Six experts explain why it’s a bad idea
Animals, Food & You
Five ways technology is changing the wine we drink
From drones to machine learning, new technologies are helping winemakers improve both the quantity and quality of their wine
Animals, Food & You
Taking steps to cut your nitrogen footprint
We’ve all heard of our carbon footprint, but it’s important to understand why your daily caffè latte is contributing to your nitrogen footprint
Science Matters
How commuting is transforming our cities
Book extract: Twice a day, every weekday – millions of us spend time in cars, buses, trains and trams commuting. Although many of us hate it, the experiences of our daily journeys are transforming life in our cities
Design
Q&A: The Indigenous design perspective
The Indigenous design perspective has been ignored, replaced or forgotten for too long, says architect Jefa Greenaway - but things are changing
Education
Learning & Teaching
Financial anxiety widespread among university students
A major study of university students finds many are worried about their finances, struggling to combine work and study, and significant numbers are skipping necessities like meals
Learning & Teaching
Teaching your child to cope
Coping skills can be taught, and with depression rates on the rise among young people, learning them is more important than ever
Learning & Teaching
Whatever happened to Gonski 2.0?
Two education experts debate the latest government education review, and consider what it means for teachers and their students
Learning & Teaching
Beating the bullies by thinking differently
Having a resilient mindset makes a big difference to how much damage bullying does - parents and teachers can help kids learn that they have the power to cope with difficulty
Learning & Teaching
Why don’t Australian school kids feel a sense of belonging?
Respectful and valued relationships with teachers and the wider community are key to helping more students feel greater connection to their school, leading to far-reaching positive effects