Environment

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Environment 6 min read

What has the Nobel Prize in Physics ever done for me?

by Karen Livesey

Each October, physics is in the news with the awarding of the Nobel Prize. The work acknowledged through this most prestigious award often seems far removed from our everyday lives, with prizes given for things like “optical methods for studying Hertzian resonances in atoms” and “elucidating the quantum structure of electroweak interactions”.

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The ripple effect of drought

Our Communities 12 min read

The ripple effect of drought

by Penny Harnett

Drought is like a creeping cancer. It insidiously infects communities. It spreads profound and multifaceted challenges that demand multidisciplinary treatment.

What Australia learned from recent devastating floods – and how New Zealand can apply those lessons now

Our Communities 13 min read

What Australia learned from recent devastating floods – and how New Zealand can apply those lessons now

by Iftekhar Ahmed

Australia and New Zealand have both faced a series of devastating floods triggered by climate change and the return of the La Niña weather pattern. So it makes sense that Australia has now sent disaster crews to help with the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Why El Niño doesn’t mean certain drought

Environment 13 min read

Why El Niño doesn’t mean certain drought

by Abraham Gibson, Danielle Verdon-Kidd

The Bureau of Meteorology released its latest climate driver update on Tuesday, saying the current La Niña has weakened and is “likely near its end”. Most climate models now point to neutral conditions – neither El Niño nor La Niña – through autumn and a trend towards El Niño in early spring

‘Forever chemicals’ have made their way to farms. For now, levels in your food are low – but there’s no time to waste

Environment 13 min read

‘Forever chemicals’ have made their way to farms. For now, levels in your food are low – but there’s no time to waste

by Ravi Naidu

They stop your food from sticking to the pan. They prevent stains in clothes and carpets. They help firefighting foam to extinguish fires. But the very thing that makes “forever chemicals” so useful also makes them dangerous.

Photos from the field: our voyage investigating Australia’s submarine landslides and deep-marine canyons

Environment 15 min read

Photos from the field: our voyage investigating Australia’s submarine landslides and deep-marine canyons

by Hannah Power, Kendall Mollison, Michael Kinsela, Tom Hubble

Environmental scientists see flora, fauna and phenomena the rest of us rarely do. In this series, we’ve invited them to share their unique photos from the field.

Traditional knowledge key to solving the world’s plastics pollution disaster

Our Communities 6 min read

Traditional knowledge key to solving the world’s plastics pollution disaster

by Gemma Dawkins & Shahni Wellington

A return to Indigenous-led solutions may be our only hope to address the global waste issue, according to researchers.

Australia's preparation for the next disaster

Health and Wellbeing 14 min read

Australia's preparation for the next disaster

by Mark Maund, Kim Maund and Thayaparan Gajendran

Nearly 6 months on, flood victims are still waiting to be housed. This is what Australia must do to be ready for the next disaster.

Saving money on your groceries

Health and Wellbeing 13 min read

Saving money on your groceries

by Clare Collins and Megan Whatnall

How to save $50 off your food bill and still eat tasty, nutritious meals

Borneo offers students a taste of research, culture and connection

Arts, Culture and Society 9 min read

Borneo offers students a taste of research, culture and connection

by Rachel De Giorgio

20 uni students, proboscis monkeys and a rockstar professor make for an unforgettable trip to Borneo, Indonesia.

All hands on deck

Environment 9 min read

All hands on deck

by Gemma Dawkins

A group of students have undertaken the trip of a lifetime, spending six weeks at sea in the name of scientific research.

Could freezing koala sperm save the species?

Environment 9 min read

Could freezing koala sperm save the species?

by Penny Harnett

A team of conservation scientists are banking on IVF technology to protect Australia’s endangered koalas long-term and preserve precious genetics.

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