Diet over multivitamins for soon-to-be mums
Prenatal multivitamins are everywhere in supermarkets and pharmacies but taking them may cause more harm than good for mum and bub.
science and technology
Island dwelling birds more likely to be endangered
Australia's island-dwelling birds are among the species most at risk of extinction, and it might be due to their lack of preparedness for introduced predators.
High-risk AI use could be banned by new task force
Using artificial intelligence technology in risky tasks such as social scoring and biometric identification could be banned in Australia by a new group.
Key roles for women scientists in invasive pest battle
Women scientists are playing key roles in protecting Australian agriculture against invasive species while changing the face of a male-dominated sector.
Urgent changes needed to support women in STEM jobs
A new report recommends changes to support more diversity in science, engineering and technology jobs, as the industry fails to embrace change.
Big opportunities for seed to grow bush food industry
A tiny Australian seed could provide big opportunities for indigenous communities according to new research.
Drones being used to protect Antarctic biodiversity
Scientists are surveying remote areas of Antarctica with drones, hoping to protect plants and animals in the fragile ecosystems in the face of climate change.
Meta reveals plans to launch AI services in Australia
The firm behind Facebook has bold ambitions for artificial intelligence, with Mark Zuckerberg announcing plans to create the world's most popular AI services.
Spider webs help scientists unravel secrets of the wild
Researchers have worked out that spider webs are gold mines of information when it comes to the difficult job of understanding where animals live.
Musk’s Neuralink implants brain chip in first human
The first human patient has received an implant from Elon Musk's Neuralink company, the billionaire CEO has announced.
business (general)
computing and information technology
ethics
it/computer sciences
science and technology
software
technology (general)
AI tech predicted to soar amid calls for an Aussie GPT
The use of artificial intelligence technology is expected to skyrocket in 2024 but experts warn of potential risks and the need for an Australian made version.
business (general)
computing and information technology
internet
online
safety of citizens
science and technology
security
security measures
technology (general)
New rules warn of AI data poisoning, attacks and theft
Australia's top cybersecurity agency has issued guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence technology, warning businesses about privacy and data risks.
Study warns of worse bushfires after burn-offs, logging
Researchers say hazard-reduction burns and logging can make forests up to seven times more flammable and it's time to rethink how they're managed.
‘Disinformation takeover’ a source of worry as AI grows
Voluntary regulations for AI are on the cards as concerns mount about the emerging technology's impact on jobs, copyright and disinformation.
Picture perfect AI phone tools to blur lines of reality
Generative artificial intelligence can create stunning content but experts warn strict rules are needed to ensure viewers know what's real and what's fake.
‘Trust and transparency’ critical for growing AI sector
The federal government is considering mandatory safeguards for the use of artificial intelligence in high-risk settings.
Need ChatGPT in the car? Crazy vehicle tech at CES 2024
From cars driven by game controllers to vans you can turn into utes, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is giving a preview of an unusual future.
Scientists root out the secrets of tropical forests
After decades of work, scientists have discovered tropical forests are not as diverse as once thought.
Record heat fuelling ‘freak’ natural disasters: study
Record heat across the world impacted the global water cycle in 2023, scientists have found, contributing to severe storms, floods, droughts and fires.
disaster (general)
economy, business and finance
environmental issue
housing and urban planning
politics
science and technology
Digital hand for responders after devastating floods
As storms, floods and bushfires wreak havoc on Australia, a little-known company owned by the nation's governments is in demand for its digital intelligence.
Steeper cost of small reactors a blow to nuclear push
A push to add nuclear to Australia's energy mix may be silenced by a steep upward revision of the cost of small reactors by the national science agency.
‘The one to watch’: meteor shower to wow stargazers
Australians will have their best opportunity in years to watch the annual Geminid meteor shower due to a near-ideal combination of conditions.
How smart speakers ‘could detect domestic violence’
Researchers are investigating whether Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri or Google Home speakers should be used to detect violence in homes.
Not fit for purpose: Fitbit fined $11m for false claims
Australia's Federal Court has issued Fitbit with an $11 million penalty for making misleading claims to customers who complained about faulty devices.
computing and information technology
economy (general)
employment
it/computer sciences
job layoffs
science and technology
technology (general)
White collar staff among first to face AI wave: report
Professions likely to feel the early impact of artificial intelligence have been identified by a report that warns training must adapt to fit the technology.
Australia should delay AI laws, productivity boss warns
A business summit has heard Australia should not introduce laws around the use of artificial intelligence or it could risk being left behind other countries.
Climate information integrity threat ahead of summit
The climate crisis is being made worse by an information crisis, with some Australian outlets accused of peddling fake news and adding to confusion and delay.
Australia on track to meet emissions reduction targets
Australia is close to meeting its 2030 emissions reduction targets, but the energy minister won't say how much a clean transition will cost taxpayers.
Call for national testing standard after Qld lab bungle
Queensland's attorney-general has backed the concept of a national standard for forensic testing after years of bungles at a state-run laboratory.
Almost 50 new spider species identified in Australia
A popular former children's TV host dubbed "Ranger Stacey" is among the Australians who have had new species of spiders named after them in a published study.
Pact puts handbrake on ‘defining technology of our age’
A pact on artificial intelligence is intended to protect people from harm without stifling breakthroughs in vaccines, computing and defence.