Big trucks and buses drive a heavy healthcare burden
Premature deaths and childhood asthma are among the health risks of allowing high-polluting heavy vehicles to travel on populated routes.
research
Dumpster fire: Aussie households fail the battery test
Millions of households are risking fires by getting rid of batteries in dangerous ways and the popularity of lithium batteries is raising the stakes.
Earth’s doppelganger: scientists make $15m digital twin
From stress-testing crops to simulating disease outbreaks, researchers plan to create a virtual copy of Australia's agricultural landscape to test scenarios.
Pump it up: former PM calls for action on hydropower
Hydropower projects should receive more support and faster approvals if Australia is to meet its renewable energy targets, a group has warned.
Ticket to rideshare: disability groups call for change
Transport subsidy schemes around Australia need urgent reform to give people with disabilities greater choice and lower costs, a report has found.
Not a real doctor: AI struggles to treat human patients
Tasked with identifying common medical conditions and recommending treatment, artificial intelligence can deliver deadly advice.
Deadly disparity for Indigenous people under restraint
A study of deaths in custody has highlighted a disturbing disparity involving the use of a potentially lethal restraint on Indigenous Australians.
Alarm raised over vaccination rates in twin pregnancy
Pregnant women expecting twins are being encouraged to get the flu and whooping cough vaccines as they do not increase the risk of birth complications.
Floral art helped break down gender barriers in science
The lives of two pioneering female botanical artists have been highlighted in new research that shows how art helped breakdown gendered barriers in science.
Taking a swing: Aussie Open serves AI insights to fans
Tennis-talking robots, virtual reality matches and an innovation to let visually impaired fans follow the action are being tested at the Australian Open.
Blood test could bolster brain cancer survival rates
Australian scientists have developed a diagnostic device that uses a patient's blood to analyse how deadly brain tumours are responding to medical treatment.
Olympic legend, top silks score highest honours
Olympic legend Cathy Freeman is one of 10 people to receive the top honour at the annual Order of Australia awards.
AI is boosting scientific careers but shrinking studies
Artificial intelligence could be good for scientists but bad for science as a whole, a study has found, as it narrows the scope of research.
Citizen scientist discovers ‘extinct’ native plant
A native plant species has been rediscovered decades after it was presumed extinct, highlighting the power of citizen science data in research and conservation.
Aussies are using AI at home but want rules at work
Most workers in fields such as finance, technology and law are using artificial intelligence at home but want changes to make it safer to use on the job.
AI continues to disrupt your career prospects
Artificial intelligence is expected to transform employment even more in 2026, both in specialised roles and as an added skill in others.
Aussie spider venom spawns heart attack and stroke drug
Venom from a spider found on K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, has been used to develop a drug that prevents damage during heart attacks and strokes.
Nukes and carbon capture remain off future energy plan
Wind and solar systems are projected to be the cheapest energy-generating technology in 2050 while small nuclear reactors will cost the most.
Long commute deal breaker as workers stay close to home
Spending hours on public transport or driving to work is falling out of favour as more employees seek local and hybrid working options.
Electric shock: hybrids, not EVs, pose pedestrian risk
They may be quieter and heavier than petrol cars but electric vehicles are not more likely to crash into a pedestrian or to cause serious injury.
Thirsty AI technology could strain Aussie water supply
Data centres supporting artificial intelligence technology could use as much as 20 per cent of the water supply in some cities unless policies change.
In-app-propriate: renters quizzed on personal details
Almost half of Victorian renters are being forced to use digital platforms to apply for and maintain their accommodation despite privacy concerns.
AI will make a list but shoppers should check it twice
More than half of young Australians are willing to hand over their Christmas shopping to an artificial intelligence tool, but others have concerns.
Road tests show electric vehicles keep pulling up short
Battery-powered cars have been found using more energy than promised in independent tests, just like their petrol and diesel peers.
Not up to code: security flaws, bias in foreign AI tool
Companies should scrutinise the artificial intelligence technology they deploy, researchers have warned, after vulnerabilities were found in a Chinese tool.
Aussie start-up has a ‘solid’ plan to revive hydrogen
An Australian company plans to turn hydrogen into a solid material that is cheaper to produce and could rescue green industries.
National AI safety hub to manage risks, deliver rewards
An institute will advise the government on how to shut down risks from artificial intelligence and ensure companies follow the rules.
One million pushed to brink amid child poverty crisis
Advocates are renewing calls for Australia to adopt a nationally-agreed definition of child poverty, as concerning data shows almost one million are struggling.
Embattled steelworks should become a green iron beacon
Australia should take advantage of its natural resources to lead the world in the green metals race, a report has found, with one facility an obvious choice.
No rules, no use: Aussie firms may miss AI opportunity
More Australian businesses are investing in artificial intelligence technology but many are still waiting for clear rules about its use.
Petrol low as car buyers flock to hybrid and electric
More buyers of new vehicles are opting to save money on petrol with electric cars and hybrid models proving popular in the latest auto industry snapshot.