‘Whose side are you on mate?’ How no one is free from bias – including referees
By Tim Dare Et Al
When Jason Paris, head of the company that sponsors the New Zealand Warriors NRL team, complained recently about Australian referee bias, more than a few heads will have nodded in agreement.
Sports fans often think the...
Wildfires in Alberta spark urgent school discussions about terrors of global climate futures
By J-C Couture Et Al
In the wake of wildfire outbreaks tearing through Alberta, which have destroyed infrastructure, homes and razed an estimated one million or more hectares of forest, the province recently announced only students evacuated...
In B.C., Alberta and around the world, forcing drug users into treatment is a violent policy
By Tyson Singh Kelsall Et Al
Intervention without human rights goes by many names involuntary institutionalization, compulsory drug treatment, coerced care, forced abstinence or a combination of all of those terms.
Involuntary treatment in the...
Lehrmann inquiry: what's a director of public prosecutions or DPP? A legal expert explains
By Kellie Toole
Australian public prosecutors are far less visible than defence lawyers, judges and police, yet they are the most powerful actors in the criminal justice system.
Every Australian state and territory, and the...
Friday essay: what the migrant workers who made my iPhone taught me about love
By Wanning Sun
Ten years ago, a group of images on a popular Chinese website caught my attention. They showed young rural migrant workers in intimate, though not overtly sexual situations: talking quietly, holding hands, kissing,...
70 years after the first ascent of Everest, the impact of mass mountaineering must be confronted
By Yana Wengel Et Al
Mountains their height, their mass, their climates and ecosystems have fascinated humans for thousands of years. But there is one that holds extra-special meaning for many Mount Everest, or Chomolungma as the Nepalese...
Antarctic alarm bells: observations reveal deep ocean currents are slowing earlier than predicted
By Kathy Gunn Et Al
Antarctica sets the stage for the worlds greatest waterfall. The action takes place beneath the surface of the ocean. Here, trillions of tonnes of cold, dense, oxygen-rich water cascade off the continental shelf and sink...
Working with kids, being passionate about a subject, making a difference: what makes people switch careers to teaching?
By Erin Siostrom Et Al
Teacher shortages around Australia mean there is an ongoing debate about how to attract, retain and educate more teachers.
One part of the push to increase teacher numbers is encouraging people to swap their current...
Ukraine recap: Moscow's 'pyrrhic victory' in Bakhmut prompts unrest in the Russian military, but it's all smiles for Zelensky
By Jonathan Este
After the best part of a year, Russia has claimed victory in the meat-grinder that was the Battle of Bakhmut in Ukraines east. But the battle achieved virtually none of Russias original strategic objectives and came at a...
Greedy gulls decide what to eat by watching people -- new research
By Paul Graham
Ask anyone living in a coastal area of the UK and theyll confirm that seagulls can be a nuisance. These birds pilfering of food knows no bounds, and no one is safe from one of their thieving attacks.
For many people,...
Tranq: first UK death from the flesh-rotting 'zombie drug' xylazine
By Caroline Copeland
The flesh-rotting zombie drug xylazine has been wreaking havoc in the US. Now its in the UK. A toxicology report showed that a middle-aged man from Solihull, England, died from the effects of xylazine, heroin, fentanyl and...
Tinubu inherits Nigeria’s high debt – an economist analyses what this means for the country's future
By Stephen Onyeiwu
As the 16th president of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu inherits an economy that is grappling with inflation, chronic unemployment, extreme poverty, crumbling infrastructure and insecurity.
Nigerias debt profile stands out...
Arms-to-Russia row raises doubt about South Africa’s compliance with arms control. It could face tougher scrutiny in future
By Dr Moses B. Khanyile
The recent furore over accusations by the US ambassador to South Africa, Reuben Brigety, that South Africa was supplying arms to Russia despite its declared policy of non-alignment, has sparked a debate on whether the...
Tiger protection in India also saved 1 million tonnes of carbon emissions – new study
By Simon Evans
The year 2023 coincided with the 50th anniversary of Indias groundbreaking Project Tiger, an innovative programme designed to rescue the countrys iconic big cat from the precipice of extinction. In April, as part of these...
Greenwashing: energy companies make false claims about sustainability – they should be held to account
By Ouidad Yousfi Et Al
Companies implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a way to present an environmentally responsible image and therefore gain legitimacy in the eyes of their stakeholders. But some companies dont actually live up...
Lula's diplomatic dance is nothing new for Brazil or its leader -- what has changed is the world around him
By Rafael R. Ioris
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is a man currently very much in demand in international circles.
In April, the leftist leader was being courted by China during a high-profile visit to Beijing. That was...
Americans are increasingly moving to red, Republican-leaning states – where life is cheaper, but people also die younger
By Robert Samuels
The United States is an increasingly polarized country when it comes to politics but one thing that almost all people want is to live a long, healthy life.
More and more Americans are moving from Democratic-leaning...
NFL icon and social activist Jim Brown leaves a complicated legacy
By Kenneth L. Shropshire
Throughout his celebrated life, Jim Brown was both praised for his community activism and vilified for his abuse of women.
But no one questions his incredible ability on the professional football field or his subsequent...
Africa is getting renewed attention from Washington — and some African states are courting African Americans
By Asafa Jalata
Recent allegations by the U.S. ambassador to South Africa that the African nation gave ammunition and weapons to Russia in December 2022, amid Russias war on Ukraine, illustrate the complexity of U.S.-Africa...
What is vernacular art? A visual artist explains
By Beauvais Lyons
Vernacular art is a genre of visual art made by artists who are usually self-taught. They tend to work outside of art academies and commercial galleries, which have traditionally been the purview of white, affluent artists...
What is 'ethical AI' and how can companies achieve it?
By Dennis Hirsch Et Al
The rush to deploy powerful new generative AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, has raised alarms about potential harm and misuse. The laws glacial response to such threats has prompted demands that the companies developing...
Ukraine war: Zelensky's diplomatic tour has improved the ground for a fresh military offensive – but it needs to come soon
By Stefan Wolff Et Al
Ukraines offensive is in full swing at least diplomatically. President Volodymyr Zelensky has been touring capitals and summits over the past several weeks, trying to keep Ukraine on top of the international agenda while...
US banking failures: the role of big auditors in another financial crisis
By Atul K. Shah
Three recent and very serious US bank failures Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), Signature and First Republic have one common denominator: all three businesses were audited by one of the worlds major professional services...
Doctor dog: how our canine companions can help us detect COVID and other diseases
By Jacqueline Boyd
While we humans generally experience the world through sight, dogs use scent to learn about the environment around them. What their nose knows is crucial for finding food, mates and safe spaces.
Our furry friends can...
How online grocery shopping is making Britain's urban-rural inequality worse
By Andy Newing
Before the pandemic, online grocery shopping was typically something younger and more affluent people living in cities indulged in. When COVID hit, though, the market exploded.
In the first week of the first UK...
'Chinese and chips': a brief history of the British Chinese takeaway
By Jamie Coates Et Al
Ive never been so disgusted in my life. Such was one Twitter users response to a recent video showcasing the spoils of a British Chinese takeaway order. British Chinese was trending on social media as American users...
Body dysmorphic disorder: what to know about this mental health condition
By Viren Swami
Actress Megan Fox recently shared in an interview with Sports Illustrated that she has body dysmorphia. In the video interview, Fox said: I dont ever see myself the way other people see me. Theres never a point in my life...
Not all interruptions are bad: how surprise breaks can unleash creativity at work
By Tim Schweisfurth
Interruptions are an inevitable part of working life. Some last a short time a phone call, an urgent task, or a colleague stopping by for a chat. While these can take a brief toll on productivity, extended interruptions...
Why pain seems worse at night
By Rocío de Carranza
As the song from the musical Les Miserables, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, says, But the tigers come at night, with their voices soft as thunder. Weve all been miserable at night, when we find ourselves tossing and...
AI is helping us read ancient Mesopotamian literature
By Enrique Jiménez
[… who s]aw the Deep, […] the country,
[who] knew […], […] all […]
[… who] saw the Deep, […] the country,
[who] knew […], […] all...
What was behind Australia's potato shortage? Wet weather and hard-to-control diseases
By Ronika Thapa Et Al
If youve been into a fish and chip shop in the last 12 months, you may well have seen a notice tacked to the wall about the impact of the potato shortage. Supermarkets, too, slapped temporary limits on frozen chip...
Expansive, exciting and free: how Zelda's Tears of the Kingdom unlocks the potential of open world gaming
By James Birt
Whether youre an experienced gamer or simply curious about the allure of open world games, Nintendos latest installment in the long-running (35-year) Zelda franchise, Tears of the Kingdom provides a captivating...
World leaders are flocking to Papua New Guinea. Here's why
By Ian Kemish
Papua New Guinea has been in the international spotlight over the past week, hosting a remarkable series of visits by foreign leaders and senior representatives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India received an...
Biodegradable plastic in clothing doesn't break down nearly as quickly as hoped – new research
By Keiron Roberts Et Al
Plastic pollution has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Over 100 million tonnes of plastic enters the environment each year, with more than 10 million tonnes ending up in our oceans....
Astronomers detected two major targets with a single telescope – a mysterious signal and its source galaxy
By Marcin Glowacki
Astronomers have been working to better understand the galactic environments of fast radio bursts (FRBs) intense, momentary bursts of energy occurring in mere milliseconds and with unknown cosmic origins.
Now, a study...
China's hypersonic missiles threaten US power in the Pacific – an aerospace engineer explains how the weapons work and the unique threats they pose
By Iain Boyd1
Chinas newest hypersonic missile, the DF-27, can fly as far as Hawaii, penetrate U.S. missile defenses and pose a particular threat to U.S. aircraft carriers, according to news reports of an assessment from the...
Laws targeting protesters are being rushed through state parliaments. But they are often poorly designed and sometimes, unconstitutional
By Sarah Moulds
Across Australia, climate activists are testing the limits of what counts as lawful protest, in addition to the patience of commuters as their actions shut down roads or disrupt businesses. Authorities are responding with...
Batteries are the environmental Achilles heel of electric vehicles – unless we repair, reuse and recycle them
By Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian Et Al
Electric vehicle advocates say the cars ultimately have a smaller carbon footprint than their fossil-fuelled counterparts and could resolve our energy concerns for good. Well, fair enough, but questions arise when we dig...
How drag as an art form sashayed from the underground and strutted into the mainstream
By Jonathan W. Marshall
Recent protests against drag queen story hours are the latest in a series of actions targeting the increased prominence of displays of LGBTIQ+ culture in the public arena.
But drag artists have been strutting their...
Canada's housing crisis demands better buildings — here are the changes that could improve apartment and condo life
By Marianne Touchie
As Canada grapples with an ongoing housing crisis, the need for more housing particularly in cities is becoming increasingly apparent. To effectively address this challenge, Canada needs to focus on constructing more...
As governments shirk their responsibilities, non-profits are more important than ever
By Kevin Gosine Et Al
Youve likely walked past that non-profit youth centre or literacy program in your neighborhood countless times. Youve probably never needed to make use of it and never given it a second thought.
But on your next stroll,...
Depression is more common in the suburbs than in city centres – new research
By Karen Chen
The rapid growth of cities comes with many challenges. How can we build greener? And how can we support the health and wellbeing of the people living in urban areas?
This seems to involve a trade-off. Many studies show...
How China is increasing its influence in central Asia as part of global plans to offer an alternative to the west
By Stefan Wolff
As G7 leaders were preparing for their recent summit in Japan, Chinas president Xi Jinping hosted his central Asian counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Central Asia is...
The UK public sector is already using AI more than you realise
By Albert Sanchez-Graells
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) products like the text-generating tool ChatGPT has politicians, technology leaders, artists and researchers worried. Meanwhile, proponents argue that AI could improve lives in...
Better bipolar diagnosis may reduce suicide rates in boys – new research
By Adrian Desai Boström Et Al
Suicide rarely happens in the absence of severe mental health problems. Research indicates that psychiatric disorders are prevalent in up to 90% of adolescents who die from suicide. In particular, what are known as...
The future is uncertain for our last old-growth boreal forests
By Maxence Martin Et Al
Driving along the Trans-Canada Highway, with its endless succession of spruce, aspen, fir and birch trees, its easy to assume that our country is bursting with forests.
This article is part of La Conversation...
Price inflation: five ways stronger UK supply chains can help reduce rising food costs
By Amir M. Sharif Et Al
Annual price inflation has recently fallen below double digits, but food costs are still rising rapidly. Official UK figures show food prices rose by 19.1% in the year to April 2023.
To prevent further increases, the UK...
Africa's Russia-Ukraine peace mission: what can it achieve?
By Gilbert M. Khadiagala
South Africas President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to lead an initiative of six African heads of state to explore an end to the year-long Russia-Ukraine war. The announcement followed his phone calls with both Russian...
Why profits, not pay, have caused the cost of living crisis
By Costas Lapavitsas
The Bank of England accompanied its most recent UK interest rate hike the 12th in a row with a warning that UK price inflation is likely to be higher for longer than expected due to soaring food costs. The bank has been...
ChatGPT and other generative AI could foster science denial and misunderstanding – here's how you can be on alert
By Gale Sinatra Et Al
Until very recently, if you wanted to know more about a controversial scientific topic stem cell research, the safety of nuclear energy, climate change you probably did a Google search. Presented with multiple sources,...