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We Will Never Cure Cancer, So Should We Even Try?
Credit: dcleomiu/Adobe
By Nial Wheate
Billions of dollars are spent on cancer research each year for minimal gains. Would that money be better invested elsewhere?
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Our Human Right not to Be Poisoned
Credit: CSA-Printstock/iStock
By Julian Cribb
Thousands of new chemicals are released each year, and the toxic effects are mounting. What can we do about it?
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Engineering Australia’s New Wealth
By Marlene Kanga
It’s time to connect the dots between invention, innovation and the role of engineering.
The decline of traditional manufacturing and the waning resources boom require Australia to develop new sources of wealth generation. As a developed nation with high wage costs and high standards of living, Australia needs to develop new industries that use advanced technologies, require high levels of education and have high barriers to entry. There is no alternative.
Science at the Ballot Box
By Emma Johnston
When you find yourself at the ballot box on 18 May, ask yourself about each party’s science and technology credentials. Here’s a guide.
Last month I was proud to host more than 70 leaders from 58 science and technology organisations in Sydney to craft a unified platform for science policy ahead of the Federal election on 18 May. Together we compared priorities and came away with four shared positions that we would like to see adopted by each of the major parties:
- a whole-of-government plan for science and technology;
- a strategy to equip the future Australian workforce with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills;
Whales and Sharks Must Be Protected from Global Shipping
By Vanessa Pirotta
Road ecology is being applied to shipping routes to stop marine giants from becoming “roadkill”.
More than 80% of the world’s merchandise is transported by sea, but this comes at a cost to marine wildlife. Ships introduce oil and chemical pollution into the marine environment, emit greenhouse gases and other wastes, as well as noise pollution from ship engines.
Big Tobacco’s Innovative Smokescreen
By Janet Hoak and Philip Gendall
While tobacco companies claim to be cooperating with health authorities to reduce smoking, new tobacco products are squarely aimed at recruiting new smokers.
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Diversity Values Must Be Backed By Actions
By Catherine Lockley
A disabled student’s story reveals the huge systemic barriers faced by minority groups seeking a science education.
Research tells us that diversity fosters better science. Most Australian universities have a list of policies available to all staff and students promoting diversity, and many develop initiatives to specifically target and enrol these students.
On paper, diversity is encouraged and supported by both government and institutional policy and infrastructure, but how do these initiatives translate into experience for the students?
Your Nitrogen Footprint Has Far-Reaching Consequences
By Xia Liang
Australia’s reliance on coal and taste for beef is contributing to nitrogen pollution as far away from our population centres as the Great Barrier Reef.
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The Good News You Missed About Ocean Acidification
Sean Connell taking notes at a vent that is emitting CO2 bubbles. Note the presence of weed-like plants or turfs, which occur instead of the normally extensive kelp forests or urchin barrens.
By Sean Connell
Carbon may be acidifying the oceans, but the species it’s supposed to harm are fighting back.
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The Basic Mistake Made by Critics of Electric Vehicles
Credit: Francois Poirier/Adobe
By David Richardson
Arguments that electric vehicles are no “greener” than the electricity they use fail to acknowledge the increasing role of renewables in the energy grid.
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