Our stories

Health and Wellbeing 5 min read

Can I trust my period-tracking app? Here’s what it can tell you – and what to watch out for

by Emmalee Ford Conjoint Associate Lecturer in Medical Biochemistry, University of Newcastle and Tessa Copp NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow in Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Sydney

As many as 50 million people now have a record of their menstrual cycle on their personal devices.

Arts, Culture and Society 7 min read

Through sage smoke and story: a life-changing Indigenous knowledge exchange for graduate students

by Jodan Perry, PhD student

A transformative week in Canada saw University of Newcastle students and educators connect with global participants, sharing Indigenous knowledge and building lifelong cultural bonds at the inaugural International Traditional Indigenous Knowledges Institute Gathering.

Business, Law and Politics 4 min read

Bold climate action benefits more than just the environment - it's also great for business

by Sudipta Bose, Senior Lecturer in Accounting at the Newcastle Business School (University of Newcastle) and Syed Shams, Associate Professor in Accounting and Finance (University of Southern Queensland)

As the world grapples with the intensifying challenges of climate change, businesses are under increasing pressure to take action.

Health and Wellbeing 5 min read

What is 'health at every size' lifestyle counselling? How does it compare with weight-focused treatments?

by Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, Erin Clarke Postdoctoral Researcher in Nutrition and Dietetics, Jordan Stanford, Post Doctorate Fellow in Nutrition and Dietetics, and María Gómez Martín, Dietitian and Early Career Researcher in the School of Health Sciences

Health at every size (or HAES) is a lifestyle counselling approach that promotes mindful eating and lifestyle behaviours to pursue health and wellness, without focusing on weight loss. Weight loss is seen as a beneficial side effect, rather than a goal.

Health and Wellbeing 1 min read

Should school nurses weigh students? We asked 5 experts

by Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics (University of Newcastle), Fron Jackson-Webb Deputy Editor and Senior Health Editor (The Conversation), Brett Montgomery, Senior Lecturer in General Practice (The University of Western Australia), Natasha Yates, General Practitioner & PhD Candidate (Bond University), Rachael Jefferson, Senior Lecturer and Discipline Lead in Human Movement Studies (Health and PE) and Creative Arts (Charles Sturt University), and Vivienne Lewis, Assistant Professor - Psychology (University of Canberra)

One in four Australian children aged two to 17 are classified as above a healthy weight, based on their body mass index (or BMI, which is weight divided by height squared).

Business, Law and Politics 6 min read

Conservative governments protect more land while socialists and nationalists threaten more species

by Matt Hayward, Professor of Conservation Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Andrea Griffin, Associate Professor in Wildlife Conservation Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, and Jacob Jones, PhD Candidate in Conservation Politics, School of Environmental and Life Sciences

The dire state of biodiversity across the globe suggests not all governments are willing to act decisively to protect nature. Why is that the case, and is a country’s political ideology a factor?

Health and Wellbeing 5 min read

Yes, you do need to clean your tongue. Here's how and why

by Professor Dileep Sharma, Head of Discipline Oral Health at the School of Health Sciences

Has your doctor asked you to stick out your tongue and say “aaah”? While the GP assesses your throat, they’re also checking out your tongue, which can reveal a lot about your health.

Environment 5 min read

New video shows sharks making an easy meal of spiky sea urchins, shedding light on an undersea mystery

by Jeremy Day, PhD researcher

Long-spined sea urchins have emerged as an environmental issue off Australia’s far south coast.

Education 5 min read

How early entry schemes help Year 12 students experiencing disadvantage

by Dr Sally Patfield, Lecturer at the School of Education

During September, many Australian universities start making early offers to Year 12 students for a place next year. This is ahead of the main rounds of offers, due in January.

Science and Technology 5 min read

I heard there's an aurora coming. How do I check?

by Dr Hannah Schunker, ARC Future Fellow in the School of Information and Physical Sciences (Physics)

Few sights in the night sky are as awe-inspiring as aurora. The vibrant dancing lights – usually seen close to the planet’s poles – are produced by a wind of charged particles streaming from the Sun into Earth’s atmosphere. The resulting disturbances are called geomagnetic storms.

Health and Wellbeing 4 min read

5 foods to add to your shopping list to save money – and they’re good for you too

by Laureate Professor Clare Collins AO, Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle HMRI Food and Nutrition Research Program and NHMRC Investigator Research Fellow

Food prices are adding pressure on household budgets, especially for Australians on the lowest incomes.

Health and Wellbeing 4 min read

From FLiRT to FLuQE: what to know about the latest COVID variants on the rise

by Nathan Bartlett, Assistant Dean - Industry Engagement, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy

We’re in the midst of a bad cold and flu season in Australia. Along with the usual viral suspects, such as influenza, RSV, and rhinoviruses (which cause the common cold), bacterial pathogens are also causing significant rates of illness, particularly in children. These include Bordatella pertussis (whooping cough) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

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