Conspiratorial thinking is a major element in the rejection of a broad range of scientific findings, from climate change to tobacco, vaccinations, GM foods and the moon landing. But why?
FEATURES - In depth articles on current research in Australia and abroad.
The development of a new biological ink takes us one step closer to the goal of printing living cells in three dimensions to create whole organs.
General anaesthesia alters our perception of time by shifting the expression of clock genes to a new time zone, leading to chemically induced jet lag.
A genetic study of ancient oral bacteria in the calcified dental plaque of human skeletons shows that our ancestors had healthier mouths than us.
Researchers hope that within 3 years new insulin pump software may be available to replace the functions of pancreatic beta-cells lost in Type 1 diabetes.
South Australian scientists have negotiated with armed gangs in lawless areas of Brazil in a brave mission to study gold deposition processes there.
Scribbles on eucalypts are the marks of a unique interaction with caterpillars that may date back to the Gondwana supercontinent.
ONLINE FEATURES
Linguists have identified a set of 23 frequent words to establish relationships between languages dating back to ancient times.
Linguists have compiled a list of words that can be traced to old forms around the time of the last Ice Age.
Local scuba divers are teaming with scientists to survey populations of sea dragons, which are classified as “near threatened” on the Red List of threatened species.
A few quirks of neural processing explain why religious devotees can see the face of the Virgin Mary in a slice of toast.
The decision to link the Australia’s carbon price to the European Union emissions trading scheme has wiped A$6 billion from the federal budget.
One of the casualties of the 2013 federal budget is the university sector.
New coatings have been developed for hip replacements to protect against post-operative infection and provide a barrier to minimise metal ion release into the body.
Multi-tasking micro-lights now being developed could initiate an amazing transformation for the future of communications by using light to carry information over the internet.
SIMON SAYS - Commentary by award-winning journalist Simon Grose
Petrol sniffing in remote communities could best be combatted by giving young indigenous people a positive way to get out of it.
THE BITTER PILL - Examining the science in medical claims
How can we compare the evidence base behind conventional and complementary medicine?
LOWE TECH - Ian Lowe examines the role of science in public policy
The expansion of coal seam gas operations could eventually produce as much greenhouse gas as all the cars on the road in Australia.
THE FIT - How lifestyle affects health
One-quarter of women would give up 3 years of their lives to be their ideal weight, but what do people believe is the ideal body?
QUANDARY - Bioethical issues raised by new technology
In vitro eugenics could soon make Huxley’s Brave New World a reality.
NEUROPSY – Adventures in neuroscience
Men and women use different strategies to find their car, with different degrees of success.
EUREKA - Quirky experiments and conclusions
Icelanders can check if a potential mate is a relative, and bees lose electrons as they fly.
OUT OF THIS WORLD - Space and astronomy news
David Reneke’s wrap-up of space and astronomy news.
Your guide to the night sky this month.
ECO LOGIC - New ways to protect biodiversity
Thinking like a multi-billion dollar mining magnate may help us better manage koalas.
COOL CAREERS - Science beyond the lab bench
When Brendan McMonigal wrote a mock research paper proposing to his girlfriend neither guessed it would go viral on the internet.
THE NAKED SKEPTIC - A critical eye on myths and pseudoscience
What has changed since Peter Bowditch first wrote for this column 10 years ago?
DIRECTIONS - Science policy issues that affect our future
Sustainable jet fuels are needed to constrain the aviation industry’s greenhouse emissions.
EXPERT OPINION - Experts comment on scientific claims made in the news
A nutrient used as a dietary supplement, not fat and cholesterol, is the link between red meat consumption and cardiovascular disease.
UP CLOSE – a podcast from the University of Melbourne.
Biogeochemist Prof William Horwath explains the impact that modern agriculture has on greenhouse gas emissions from the soil.
PUBLISH or PERISH – Your guide to new books
Your guide to new books this month
