Science

Sciences & Technology

Does Santa have to obey the laws of physics?

How fast does Santa actually have to travel to get presents to the kids of the world? Physics has some of the answers – but the rest is pure magic

Environment

7 good things humanity did to combat climate change in 2024

Despite the deluge of bleak environmental news, here are some examples of the positive climate progress we made this year

Environment

'Videogame ecology’ can help us understand the climate crisis in our forests

New research is using computer game models to ‘challenge’ Australian plant species to survive future climate and fire scenarios

Sciences & Technology

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Under the Microscope

How Australia’s ancient forests became an arid zone

Studying the genetic relationships between desert plants is helping Dr Rachael Fowler to understand how they evolved in Australia’s arid zone, once dense forest

Environment

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Opinion

We must stop playing musical chairs with the climate

The COP29 climate conference again failed to deal with the real cause of climate change – extraction of fossil fuels

Sciences & Technology

From sand to superposition: A key step towards a powerful silicon quantum computer

A major obstacle to quantum computing has been overcome by modifying a common industrial method to create large arrays of single atoms in a silicon chip

Environment

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Analysis

COP29 wrap-up: Urgent finance needs stall in Baku

PhD students working in climate-related fields give their analysis of the successes – and failures – at the COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan

Sciences & Technology

New genomic toolkit set to boost Australian crop industry

Scientists are in a battle to keep the world’s food supply dependable, and new research into crop genomes is helping to lead the way

Sciences & Technology

A bit of bling helps insects dazzle their predators

Beyond just looking stunning, shininess may help insects confuse predators to avoid being eaten

Environment

Taking a punt on Melbourne Cup weather

In the time it takes 24 horses to run 3.2 kilometres, Melbourne’s weather can change from hot northerly winds to freezing southerly gales. Here’s why