Sciences & Technology
Research
How one plume of hot rock built two volcano chains off Australia's coast
Running side by side down Australia's east coast, these two chains of volcanoes should have collided millions of years ago. New research reveals what's kept them apart
Research
Why Melbourne makes you sneeze in spring
We've never known exactly which grass pollens trigger hay fever or thunderstorm asthma in Melbourne's spring. Now DNA is revealing which grasses are to blame
Research
Two AIs disagree about the reason someone can’t borrow money
When asked to explain why an algorithm rejected a loan application, two AI models listed entirely different reasons. If AI can disagree like this, what does it mean for transparency?
Research
Restoring Australia's she-oaks means listening to Indigenous Knowledges
The she-oaks no longer whisper across much of Australia. A 2000-year record from GunaiKurnai Country holds the answer to who shaped these native woodlands and what restoration is missing
Research
Why the image of ‘clean and green’ is no longer enough for Australian agriculture exports
New technology is integrating sustainability into production and helping Australia’s agricultural industry demonstrate its green credentials
Analysis
Humanity’s race to mimic the stars
Only the sun and stars reach fusion naturally. Now, the push for carbon-free, waste-free energy on Earth could become a reality by the 2030s, with real opportunities for Australia
Analysis
How much of your $6 coffee actually reaches the farmer?
A lot goes into taking your coffee beans from a distant farm to a Melbourne café. Knowing what’s real and what’s marketing can help you support everyone from farm to cup
Research
Pacific farmers are reviving traditional knowledge to tackle a changing climate
Drawing on long-held knowledge, research is helping farmers better adapt to climate challenges like drought, weed pressure and declining soil health
Research
What happens when AI runs out of pictures?
AI is data-hungry and needs thousands of images to learn how to detect tumours or product defects, but often very few are available. A new method aims to change that