Pursuit
World-changing research made possible by Melbourne
Welcome to Pursuit, the latest in cutting-edge research and expert commentary by world-leading experts.
More about usHealth & Wellbeing
Genes, numbers and the holy grail of cancer prevention
Genome sequencing and precision therapies are on the way to making cancer a manageable condition rather than a lethal one, and may even make it preventable
Humanities
Why Shakespeare would approve of the Pop-Up Globe
As Melbourne hosts the world’s first full-scale working replica pop-up of one of the greatest theatres in history, the second Globe, we explore what the Bard would make of it
Learning & Teaching
A generation dislodged: Why things are tough for Gen Y
The mental health of many young Australians is suffering, thanks to unaffordable housing, insecure working conditions and a 24/7 working culture
Life’s a drag, unless you live in a bubble
An international team led by the University of Melbourne has shown objects can sink in water with close to zero drag, proving an 18th century physics theory.
A smart phone app for cerebral palsy screening
Researchers at University of Melbourne, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and The Royal Women's Hospital create smart phone app to screen for cerebral palsy
Why doesn’t modern Australia have diverse regional accents?
University of Melbourne experts discuss why the Australian-English accent doesn't have huge the regional variations other countries around the world do.
The students who built Australia’s first satellite
The surprising story of a group of University of Melbourne students who in 1970 built and launched Australia's first satellite, Australis OSCAR 5, into space.
A generation dislodged: Why things are tough for Gen Y
A new report from the University of Melbourne shows a combination of insecure work, long working hours and unaffordable housing makes life tough for Gen Y.
Honey I shrunk the particles!
The University of Melbourne's Matt Faria needed an accessible way to test nanoparticle crystal formation in zero-gravity. So he skydived in the name of science.
Health & Wellbeing
Smoking and poor diet still leading killers worldwide
The news is mixed as a leading global health report, now in its 20th year, finds less babies are dying but some preventable diseases are on the rise
Engineering & Technology
Exploring the birthplace of monster waves
An expedition to the Antarctic explores where rogue waves begin, and what these monsters tell us about the way the ocean behaves and interacts with global climate change
Inside Business
Australia’s housing: Hard crash or soft landing?
After 25 years recession free - could our complacency about Australia’s euphoric house market be coming to an end?
Science Matters
Life’s a drag, unless you live in a bubble
In a breakthrough in our understanding of hydrodynamics, researchers have demonstrated the seemingly impossible: a ball that sinks in water with almost zero drag
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Sciences & Technology
Engineering & Technology
Part human, part robot: The future of medical implantables
Pacemakers and cochlear implants seemed like the stuff of science fiction when they were first introduced, and the newest generation of medical implants are just as mind-boggling
Go Figure
The deadly ingredients in a tropical hurricane
As Hurricane Irma wreaks a path of devastation across the Caribbean, just why do these meteorological monsters form in the first place and are they the result of climate change?
Legal Affairs
RegTech and the future of customer protection
Big business uses artificial intelligence like regulation technology, or RegTech, to go through the fine print of contracts to ensure compliance - but isn’t it time the technology was used to protect customers?
Science Matters
Thunderstorm asthma: Counting pollen to save lives
This year’s dry winter is good news for Melbourne’s hay fever sufferers, but after last year’s thunderstorm asthma event claimed nine lives, there are never any guarantees when it comes to pollen
Animals, Food & You
Mapping Australia’s snakebites for pets
As spring begins to emerge, so too are Australian snakes. Now a first-of-its-kind map is tracking where and when our pets are bitten, but even which breeds are more likely to suffer a snakebite
Arts & Culture
Humanities
Why doesn’t modern Australia have diverse regional accents?
Unlike other countries the modern Australian-English accent doesn’t have huge regional variations. So what are the factors that lead to the evolution of an accent?
Humanities
Footy isn’t life or death - it’s more important
Heading into the AFL finals, footy fanaticism can leave many bemused, but for diehard fans the highs and lows of following a team brings belonging and meaning
Humanities
The arrival of Amazon and the future of Australian publishing
As Amazon sets up shop in Australia, what impact could the massive online retailer and publisher have on the country’s book culture?
Arts & Culture
Confronting the feel, smell and taste of blood
Would you drink from a cup made from blood once infected with HIV? The inaugural exhibition from Science Gallery Melbourne challenges our deeply held beliefs about blood
Music, Arts & Screen
Clearing the fog of dementia with song
Music’s ability to trigger our deepest memories and emotions could help improve quality of life for people with dementia
Eavesdrop on Experts
Five things about ... The Germaine Greer audio archive
What is it like to have one of the greatest feminists of the 20th century in your ear?
Podcast
Education
Learning & Teaching
Getting more women into technology careers. Now.
Statistics continue to show a lack of women working in technology – what’s putting them off and what can be done within the industry to encourage more women?
Eavesdrop on Experts
Discrimination in the classroom
Why every child should go to their local school, regardless of ability
PodcastLearning & Teaching
Realising the promise of STEM education
While there are many promising initiatives in Australia to engage students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, there is a need to support these in a sustained and coordinated way
Learning & Teaching
Australia’s ‘spectacular’ failure in languages
Despite living in an increasingly interconnected world, the proportion of Australia’s Year 12 students taking a language has plummeted to just 10 per cent
Health & Wellbeing
Bullied school kids left behind in learning
The first large scale study into school bullying and academic achievement finds kids targeted by bullying are well behind in their learning, and the impact is worse on girls
Politics & Society
Public Affairs
Four things you need to know about the German election
As the Western world’s longest serving leader, Angela Merkel looks set to win power yet again later this month; but there is less certainty about who she will need to work with in Government
Legal Affairs
Unfit to plead: Imprisoned without conviction
The right to justice is a cornerstone of the modern legal system, but those with cognitive disabilities can be ruled as ‘unfit to plead’. Now a two-year research project finds there may be a pathway to equal access to justice for those who need it most
Legal Affairs
The legal maze of the marriage equality survey
As Australians prepare to have their say on same-sex marriage, the legitimacy of the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey is being challenged in the High Court. Here’s an expert guide to the legal issues facing both the survey and any possible future law on marriage equality
Public Affairs
North Korea: The ‘threat that leaves something to chance’
North Korea’s latest missile test has graphically demonstrated how it’s prepared to play the strategic game against the United States
Humanities
5 modern philosophical dilemmas
A new ABC TV series looks at the role of philosophy in society - its host Dr Daniel Halliday examines how this wisdom can be applied to very modern dilemmas
Public Affairs
Is Australia becoming the ‘lonely’ country?
As global realignments take place threatening to leave Australia out in the cold, new research finds that we’re increasingly out of step with our nearest neighbours. Especially when it comes to China.
Health & Medicine
Health & Wellbeing
A smart phone app for cerebral palsy screening
Early diagnosis appears key for physiotherapy interventions for cerebral palsy, so researchers have developed an app for parents to video their child for remote screening
Up Close
Coming to grips with a ‘silent killer’
Viral hepatitis is a hidden epidemic with significant public health consequences
PodcastHealth & Wellbeing
Stopping the flu before it takes hold
Researchers have discovered a way to prime the immune system to potentially tackle respiratory infections before we get sick, and work is underway on developing a treatment
Health & Wellbeing
It’s a fact: Women get better with age
New research finds that post-menopausal women become happier as they get older
Health & Wellbeing
Mapping how schizophrenia changes brains
MRI scans reveal the cognitive impact of the devastating disease, providing new insight into individual differences
Business & Economics
Inside Business
Why more Australians are supporting gay rights
It is likely the campaign for marriage equality has contributed to Australians becoming more progressive, as shown in this year’s HILDA Survey
Inside Business
Australia’s energy trilemma explained
Securing an affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible energy sector is a huge challenge for policy makers - here's why
Inside Business
For the love of the punt
While we may be a nation of gamblers, how many of us are problem gamblers? And how much harm does it cause? The HILDA Survey is on the way to telling us.
Inside Business
Lack of women in economics ‘bad for business’
Although some of Australia’s finest economic minds are women, they remain under-represented in the discipline’s highest ranks
Inside Business
Australia’s generational wealth divide is biting
The 2017 HILDA Survey of Australians’ economic and social well-being shows that many young homeowners are struggling to pay down debt, if they can get into the market at all, putting in doubt the sustainability of the retirement system
Inside Business
Why the Channel Ten brand will live on
Despite going into voluntary administration, the brand remains strong and is likely to survive the current turmoil
Environment
Science Matters
Recurring fires are threatening the iconic snow gum
Frequent bushfires in the Victorian high country have devastated the snow gum population, endangering the flora and fauna that depend on them for survival
Animals, Food & You
Are these Australia’s happiest dairy cows?
Watch our video of the University of Melbourne’s robotic dairy, where the cows decide when they’re milked
Eavesdrop on Experts
Newell’s Renewal
We investigate the controversial history of an urban wetland and meet those rejuvenating the area
PodcastScience Matters
Re-diversifying our waterways, a garden stake at a time
For hundreds of years we’ve cleared the natural debris that builds up in our waterways, wiping out the habitats and ecologies of river animals in the process. Now a low-tech idea is bringing them back.
Design
Ecocity snapshots from around the world
We hear from global voices about our future in the urban age: how can cities and citizens rebuild our human habitat in relation to living natural systems?