Science and Technology
Advancing our world with audacious ideas
Science and Technology
Advancing our world with audacious ideas
World population milestone: the impact of 8 billion people explained
The human population will tick over to 8 billion on November 15. What does this mean for the environment, our cities, our health and our food supply? Six Macquarie University experts explain the impact of the milestone in their fields.
Leached chemicals from plastic pollution kill key marine microbes: study
Research has found the chemicals leaching from plastics can change the mix of microbial life in seawater, and harm the tiny life forms which are critical to oxygen production in our oceans.
Land clearing and climate change put half the world's wilderness areas at risk
A world-first study projects that climate change and land clearing will profoundly change half of the world’s remaining wilderness areas by 2050 unless governments act immediately to protect them.
New wormhole research shows how Interstellar got it wrong
A Macquarie University astrophysicist has found there's not a lot of wriggle room when it comes to Hollywood's depiction of wormholes; the designs just don't add up.
Microplastics study shows Australia may be over-carpeted
An international study has found Australia has the second-highest amount of microplastics in household dust among the higher-income countries studied, with too much carpet potentially to blame.
Please explain: Why we can't get enough of twinkling stars
Professor Fred Watson, the Australian Government’s Astronomer-at-Large and an honorary fellow at Macquarie University, explores our lasting love affair with stars and the technology that drives it.
Think spring has officially sprung? Not so fast
September 1 may be upon us but Macquarie University astrophysicist Dr Ángel R. López-Sánchez says spring in the Southern Hemisphere won’t begin until September 23.
Stingrays aren't silent - new underwater video leaves marine scientists amazed
Divers’ online videos have triggered a re-think of what we know about stingray communication – and left marine scientists wondering if there’s more undersea sounds we may not know about.
Two year study shows living seawalls promote regeneration in Sydney Harbour
Solid evidence is now available to support the value of the Living Seawalls project to marine environments that have been affected by construction.
Please explain: What's so scary about the honeybee Varroa mite?
Australia is undergoing an intensive biosecurity response since discovering an outbreak of the honeybee parasite, Varroa mite, in hives near Newcastle Port in mid-June – why are we so concerned?
Centenarian tortoises keep their secrets as longevity theories busted
Why do certain reptiles and amphibians live so long – and what can they teach us about ageing? A new study has tested four hypotheses behind some of this group's remarkable lifespans.
Light up your nightlife: Astronomy events still to come in 2022
If you loved Vivid, get ready to rug up again for some spectacular astronomical light shows in Sydney’s night sky for the remainder of the year – Macquarie University astronomer Professor Orsola De Marco guides us through upcoming events.