Lists
Freshwater national poll holds steady at a 50--50 tie between Labor and the Coalition as Trump set for big win in Iowa caucus
The summer break hasn’t changed the Freshwater polling figures for the two major parties federally. Overseas, the former US President is in a strong position ahead of the Iowa caucus.
Do they see what we see? Bees and wasps join humans in being tricked by illusions of quantity
Being susceptible to visual illusions is part and parcel of life not just for humans, but many other species – including bees.
More than 4 billion people are eligible to vote in an election in 2024. Is this democracy's biggest test?
In 2024, more than 40% of the world’s population is eligible to vote in an election. The scale is unprecedented, but not all elections are made equal. What will it mean for democracy?
Less than 10% of Australian scorpions are known to science. We've added two new species to the list
Most Australians think of scorpions as exotic desert animals, but they are fairly widespread across the continent. Still, next to nothing is known about most local scorpion species.
A short history of the Australian Open – from a Perth Zoo sideshow to economic juggernaut
The tournament has proven to be very resilient throughout its history, but its greatest challenges may lie ahead.
Giant 'kings of apes' once roamed southern China. We solved the mystery of their extinction
What happened to the three-metre tall apes that once lived alongside orangutans? A new study suggests they were too slow to adapt to a changing world.
South Africa is taking Israel to court for genocide in Palestine. What does it mean for the war in Gaza?
Today, hearings will begin in the International Court of Justice, where South Africa is accusing Israel of genocide in Palestine. How will the proceedings work, and what does it mean for the war?
Magazines were supposed to die in the digital age. Why haven't they?
As digital media took off in the 2010s, few believed magazines could survive. While the industry isn’t what is once was, magazines are still very much alive, but why?
New analysis unlocks the hidden meaning of 15,000-year-old rock art in Arnhem Land
Rock art directly represents how our ancestors saw the world. A new approach involving the history of the landscape brings fresh meaning to Arnhem Land rock art.
Why is the universe ripping itself apart? A new study of exploding stars shows dark energy may be more complicated than we thought
After a decade studying thousands of supernovae, astronomers are still perplexed by the enigma that led Einstein to his ‘greatest mistake’.
Indonesia is one of the world's largest democracies, but it's weaponising defamation laws to smother dissent
Two human rights activists have been acquitted of defaming a powerful government minister. It’s the latest in a string of concerning authoritarian uses of Indonesian law.
Senate estimates and inquiries: what are they, what’s the difference, and why do we have them?
Senate estimates and inquiries are the homes of some of Australia’s most memorable political moments, but what are they really? How do they work?
Male pregnancy and weird courtship wiggles: how NZ’s wide-bodied pipefish confounds expectations
Female wide-bodied pipefish are brightly coloured, but it is the male that initiates courtship – and carries the babies.
1 in 3 people are lonely. Will AI help, or make things worse?
As far back as the dawn of the internet, scholars have discussed how AI might serve to replace (or supplement) human relationships.
Here's why you should (almost) never use a pie chart for your data
They are popular because they are popular, which is a circular argument that suits a pie chart. But there are some serious downsides to using the humble pie.
After 3 months of devastation in the Israel-Hamas war, is anyone 'winning'?
Israel has seen limited success in its primary war aims, while Hamas can claim a partial victory because it is still standing. But is the conflict headed towards a stalemate?