By Heidi Jane Allen, Paleontologist, The University of Melbourne
Today, our planet is teeming with life, but it has not always looked the same. Long before forests reached skyward, animals walked on land, and the rise and fall of dinosaurs, our planet was shaped by a much smaller, more unassuming form of life. And we can still find traces of it today.
These ancient fossils, the earliest visible evidence of life on Earth, are known as microbialites.
Western…
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By Paul Spoonley, Distinguished Professor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University
From business and government to sport and entire populations, research tends to show gender, ethnic and linguistic diversity improves performance.
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By Erikka Loftfield, Group Leader, QIMR Berghofer
New findings suggest the label ‘ultra-processed’ alone doesn’t tell the full story about bowel cancer risk. What’s in the food seems to matter.
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Thursday, October 15, 2026
Brain signals recorded by a gaming headset or a wellness gadget could one day be used as evidence against you in court, according to a new UN report which warns that neurotechnology is outpacing the laws meant to protect human rights.
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By Benedict Moleta, PhD student, Department of International Relations, Australian National University
Israelis will soon vote for or against another Netanyahu government. The election outcome alone will not provide Israel with a solution to Hamas in Gaza.
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By Jo Case, Senior Deputy Books + Ideas Editor, The Conversation
Suzy Freeman-Greene, Books + Ideas Editor, The Conversation
ABC Radio National is about to reveal Australia’s top 100 books, chosen by popular vote. Ahead of the countdown, The Conversation has asked our experts for theirs.
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By Cameron Webb, Clinical Associate Professor, School of Medical Science & Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute; Principal Hospital Scientist, University of Sydney
Katie Anders, Associate Professor, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University
Sarah McGuinness, Senior Research Fellow, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University
Some of the most popular travel destinations for Australians are also places where dengue is common.
Prevention has traditionally relied on avoiding mosquito bites. But with the dengue vaccine Qdenga now available in Australia, travellers have another way to protect themselves.
Deciding whether to get vaccinated isn’t always straightforward. Here’s what you need to know.
What is dengue?
Dengue is a…
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By Rob Nicholls, Senior Research Associate in Media and Communications, University of Sydney
Jeannie Marie Paterson, Professor of Law (consumer protections and credit law), The University of Melbourne
Just as car makers have to report and pay to fix faulty airbags, AI companies should be legally responsible for their faulty products.
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By Hayley Pring, Senior Associate in Grattan Institute's Energy and Climate Change program, Grattan Institute
It’s been a big few weeks for coal mines.
Late last month, New South Wales approved the biggest coalmine expansion project in its history, letting Hunter Valley Operations keep digging until 2045. And last week, the High…
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By Adrian Barnett, Professor of Statistics, Queensland University of Technology
Philip Clarke, Professor of Health Economics, The University of Melbourne
Leaving some funding decisions up to luck can save everybody time and effort – and help understand what the funding actually does.
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