My favourite album: Hole’s Live Through This
Kurt Cobain killed himself a week before this album was due to come out. It became a perfect soundtrack to Gen X's grief and with its raw, angry, feminist-inspired, grunge sound, remains a classic.
Australia must sign the prohibition on nuclear weapons: here’s why
At a time of increasing threat of nuclear war, a historic treaty to ban nuclear weapons might provide a much-needed panacea.
New Zealand’s health service performs well, but inequities remain high
New Zealand's health service provides universal and free access to health care, but inequities remain stubbornly high.
Myanmar’s Rohingyas: victims of a democracy still under military sway
Once a beacon of democratic hope, Myanmar's 'civilian' government is showing its true nature.
As Victorian MPs debate assisted dying, it is vital they examine the evidence, not just the rhetoric
There is now a reputable body of research evidence from places that have introduced assisted dying, and MPs must examine that evidence before deciding how they will vote.
It may not be beautiful but the new ten dollar note is pretty secure
The new series of Australian banknotes are not a designer's dream but they are the strongest yet in terms of preventing counterfeiting.
Interest in tiny houses is growing, so who wants them and why?
New research has found a marked increase in people, particularly among women over 50, who are building or want to build a tiny house. However, inflexible planning rules often stand in their way.
Vietnam’s typhoon disaster highlights the plight of its poorest people
Vietnam has been hit by its fiercest storm in a decade, bringing home the reality of the risks faced by many poor and vulnerable people in flood-prone regions around the world.
Curious Kids: Why is the Earth round?
Imagine the Earth pulling everything it is made up of, all of its mass, towards its centre. This happens evenly all over the Earth, causing it to take on a round shape.
Preventing Murray-Darling water theft: a space agency can help Australia manage federal resources
There are local, practical implications linked to failed advancement of infrastructure projects that rely on expertise in space. Protecting Australia's water is just one example.
Hurricane Irma nursing home deaths shows stark dilemma of whether to stay put or evacuate
Evacuating nursing home residents during a disaster can be even more dangerous than staying put.
Fred Williams in the You Yangs: a turning point for Australian art
A new exhibition features more than 50 works by Fred Williams, centred on the You Yangs peaks, west of Melbourne. They illuminate a breakthrough moment in Australian art.
NDIS failing to catch children with late-onset difficulties
Parents need support from early childhood educators to build capacity to claim for NDIS services.
Book review: Abbott’s Right
A new book attempts to cloak Tony Abbott in a political philosophy, but is not entirely convincing.
300,000 women are missing from economics
To get them back, Economics 101 courses need to address real problems.
Excluding Indigenous youth from schools may severely increase their risk of incarceration
Indigenous youth are over-representation in juvenile detention centres, and excluding them from education could make this worse.
Artificial intelligence won’t replace a doctor any time soon, but it can help with diagnosis
The first generation of medical artificial intelligence systems are already rolling out to clinics. What are the plus- and down-sides?
Bike-sharing schemes might seem like a waste of space but the economics makes sense
There is more to bike-share schemes than first meets the eye. As they grow in global popularity, the economic models behind them become increasingly diversified.
Speed plus control in new computer chip: slowing down light to sound
The speed of light is of great advantage when sending data over the internet, but it is a real challenge to master on a small chip. A new design offers a solution: convert the energy to sound.
The prime ministership is not terminal – but it needs the right person for the times
The Australian prime ministership has never been easy, but the most successful tenures have been those in which the person has matched the circumstances.
