To understand why insects sting and why the stings of such tiny animals hurt so much, we first needed a way to measure the pain they cause. So I created a sting pain index.
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Environment + Energy – Articles, Analysis, Comment
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Bees, wasps and ants – a group known as Hymenoptera – can claim the title of deadliest insects. How did they evolve to be so painful?
Why do people still die in bushfires? Recent fires have triggered a debate about emergency warnings.
It’s not just Australia’s animals that can be deadly, there are plenty of dangerous plants too.
From stingers to swans, Australia’s oceans are full of (potentially) deadly wildlife.
Despite a fearsome reputation, it seems Australia’s wildlife doesn’t scare away tourists.
How do you balance coal and conservation? New research from Queensland hints at an answer.
Your guide to the cocktail of deadly chemicals in animal venom.
Australian snakes are the best mouse killers in the whole world. And while that’s clearly bad news for mice, how does it translate into human risk?
There’s a simple reason why Australia isn’t the most lethal nation in the world.
Only two Australian spiders can kill you, but the rest are a pretty fascinating bunch.
The death of Cecil the lion ignited furious debate over trophy hunting in 2015. But conservationists argue that it’s a necessary evil.
When 100-year-old giant tortoise Lonesome George died in 2012, the world thought his species was lost forever. We went to the Galápagos Islands looking for ‘extinct’ tortoises – and we found them.
There are now six species roaming wild, and their numbers are increasing dramatically as their population expands and through human action. As they spread, they raise uncomfortable issues for conservation.
Australia may have reputation for vast areas of wilderness, but in reality the continent’s ecosystems have been chopped and diced. Now we need to protect what’s left.
El Niño dominated global climate in 2015, but in Australia the story was more complicated. 2015 was Australia’s fifth warmest year on record, and saw the return of very dry conditions to parts of Australia.
People who expose wrongdoing – whether it’s cruelty against animals or corporate misconduct – deserve better protection and even financial incentives to do the right thing, as the US has shown.
Bees and humans share a long history. But now bee populations are in a worrying decline. So can beekeeping teach us how to live in harmony with the world’s most famous pollinator?
It’s time to tackle a question we’ve all pondered at one point or another: should I use an electric dryer or hand towels to dry my hands? The answer may surprise you.
The National Archives of Australia today released selected federal cabinet records for 1990 and 1991. They reveal intense battles over Australia’s domestic climate targets and, above all, a palpable determination that Australia not damage its coal revenue.
Amid the usual doom and gloom, 2015 brought one big environmental triumph: the first truly global climate deal.
In many parts of the world, Christmas and mistletoe are inextricably intertwined. But in the natural world, mistletoe has long fascinated naturalists and scientists.
There are hundreds of places to see birds close to Australian cities.
Many of us are concerned about just want to get through it. But the consumer madness of late December is the perfect time to ponder the consequences of our habits and excesses.
Christmas is here again, and we’re excited for decorating, parties, and summer getaways. But before we dive into the silly season, let’s first make sure our pets are properly taken care of.