Australasian Science: Australia's authority on science since 1938
Online Feature
The coronavirus has thrust human limitations into the spotlight. Will it mark the rise of automation?
The coronavirus pandemic has caused a massive surge in global unemployment. It has also highlighted the increasingly valuable role of automation in today’s world.
Although there are some jobs machines just can’t do, COVID-19 has left us wondering about the future of work and with this, the capacity of automation to step in where humans must step back.
Originally published in The Conversation.
Don't be phish food! Tips to avoid sharing your personal information online
New Zealand sits on top of the remains of a giant ancient volcanic plume
Back in the 1970s, scientists came up with a revolutionary idea about how Earth’s deep interior works.
Originally published in The Conversation.
Are thermal cameras a magic bullet for COVID-19 fever detection? There's not enough evidence to know
During the frenzy of the past few months to secure resources for the fight against COVID-19, the demand for technologies that promise to detect symptomatic individuals has been sky-high. However, not all proposed solutions work as advertised.
Originally published in The Conversation.
Seeing is believing: how media mythbusting can actually make false beliefs stronger
Shutterstock
As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the world, politicians, medical experts and epidemiologists have taught us about flattening curves, contact tracing, R0 and growth factors.
Originally published in The Conversation.
Can't resist splurging on online shopping? Here's why
The demand for online shopping has obviously increased since COVID-19 restrictions were put in place.
Originally published in The Conversation.
Internet traffic is growing 25% each year. We created a fingernail-sized chip that can help the NBN keep up
Corcoran et al., N.Comms., 2020, CC BY-S
Originally published in The Conversation.
Australian quantum technology could become a $4 billion industry and create 16,000 jobs
Nick Bowers/Silicon Quantum Computing, Author provided
Quantum technology is not a phrase discussed over kitchen tables in Australia, but perhaps it should be.
Originally published in The Conversation.
Plane cabins are havens for germs. Here's how they can clean up their act
Qantas has unveiled a range of precautions to guard passengers against COVID-19. The safety measures expected to be rolled out on June 12 include contactless check-in, hand sanitiser at departure gates, and optional masks and sanitising wipes on board.
Controversially, however, there will be no physical distancing on board, because Qantas claims it is too expensive to run half-empty flights.
Originally published in The Conversation.
New Zealand's COVID-19 Tracer app won't help open a 'travel bubble' with Australia anytime soon
The Conversation, CC BY-ND
New Zealanders finally have access to the government’s new tracing app to help people monitor their movements as lockdown continues to
Originally published in The Conversation.
