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Tie research funding to progress on diversity, STEM review says
Taxpayer cash spent trying to encourage more women to work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields has been largely ineffective, a government review has found.
- by Liam Mannix
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The science stacks up for recycled roads. Why aren’t they everywhere?
Pete Shmigel is beyond frustrated. The former head of the Australian Council of Recycling has been campaigning for the rollout of recycled roads for more than half a decade now.
- by Liam Mannix
What does Australia ‘sound’ like? New show lends an ear
ABC radio producer Ann Jones has embarked on an entertaining and fact-filled mission to capture Australia’s unique sounds in The Soundtrack of Australia.
- by Ben Pobjie
Moon rocks and management marked a meteoric career
John Lovering was a prominent scientist who made a huge contribution to human knowledge of meteorites, lunar rocks and geochemistry and became the adviser to the media coverage of the NASA lunar landing.
- by Lynne Selwood and William Birch
What you need to know about Eris, the latest COVID variant
It is now the most prevalent variant in the United States and is spreading in Europe and Asia.
- by Liam Mannix
Analysis
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Superconductor or super-suss? The strange story of LK-99, the internet’s new scientific obsession
A South Korean team says it has found a new room-temperature superconductor, but does it stack up?
- by Liam Mannix
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Research
Push for science watchdog as inquiry finds ‘disincentive’ for self-regulation
An inquiry which investigated allegations of misconduct and bullying against a cancer scientist found the federal government should establish the equivalent of the Office of Research Integrity in the US.
- by Liam Mannix
Fusion power breakthrough repeated in California lab for second time
Scientists have known for about a century that fusion powers the sun and have pursued it on Earth. Such a breakthrough could one day help curb climate change.
Loch Ness ‘monster hunters’ wanted for biggest search in 50 years
Researchers will use technology that has never before scanned the waters and a hydrophone that picks up acoustic signals – “any Nessie-like calls” – underwater.
- by Justine McDaniel
How a ‘demanding cat’ called Phineas became a cult influencer – with merch
A disarmingly wobbly ginger tabby has become a social media sensation. He’s also helping his neuroscientist owners educate people about a rare brain disorder.
- by Tim Elliott
Our permafrost is thawing – and with it bacteria and viruses
At the ends of the world, ground that has long been frozen is warming – and scientists are discovering that some ancient bacteria and viruses can spring to life. Could dangerous pathogens emerge?
- by Liam Mannix