Monkey business for the geek in you!
Did you know that most bee species don’t die when they sting? Out of the nearly 21,000 bee species in the world, only eight die after stinging. Some bees can’t sting at all, while others can sting as much as they want. The reason why some bees die after stinging is because of their barbed…
Can Australian courts determine what foreign citizens view online on a foreign-owned platform? This question raises concerns about the potential for other countries to do the same to Australians. The issue of global “take-down orders” has come to the forefront with the Australian eSafety commissioner’s demand for social media platform X to remove videos of…
Can single people be secure and thriving? A recent study published in the Journal of Personality suggests that they can. While it is often assumed that single people are insecure and struggle to find a partner or maintain a relationship, the research shows that attachment style plays a crucial role in how individuals experience singlehood….
Did you know that oxygen and nitrogen gas, the same gases we breathe on Earth, can also be found in space? A recent study published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society provides a high-resolution view of how these elements travel through the universe. Gas outflows from galaxies occur when stars explode in supernovae,…
The South Australian Museum is undergoing significant changes that have sparked concern among scientists and supporters. CEO David Gaimster plans to reduce the museum’s research capabilities and focus more on the visitor experience. This decision has been met with criticism, with many arguing that research is a crucial aspect of a museum’s role. The museum’s…
If you have an interest in space, you’ve probably heard about the “devil comet” that has been captivating observers in the northern hemisphere for the past few weeks. Now, it’s time for the southern hemisphere to enjoy the view as comet 12P/Pons–Brooks becomes visible. Before you get too excited, let me manage your expectations. Comet…
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent among Australian office workers, impacting various sectors such as banking, finance, weather forecasting, health, and medicine. While AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are commonly used for tasks like obtaining advice, finding information, and summarizing text, recent research shows that generative AI can…
Thousands of stone structures, stone tools, ancient fireplaces, and rock art have been discovered in the Arabian peninsula. However, only in the past decade have archaeologists taken a dedicated interest in these sites. Some structures have been dated to 10,000 years old. The arid climate and intense wind erosion make it difficult to find fossils…
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into our everyday devices, making them more responsive and personalized. However, this also puts users at risk of exploitation by hackers. As AI becomes more prevalent, consumers need to be aware of the safeguards necessary to protect themselves from cyberattacks. The Internet of Things (IoT) was born when physical…
Neural implants and generative AI have sparked discussions about the possibility of “reading minds” and the implications it would have on privacy. However, before jumping to conclusions, it is important to understand the limitations of these technologies. Conscious experience is believed to arise from brain activity, meaning that specific patterns of neuron firing correspond to…
Online communities like Reddit have become a popular platform for people to discuss and process tragic events. One piece of advice that users often give each other is to play Tetris as a way to combat traumatic memories. But where does this idea come from, and can playing Tetris really help with conditions like post-traumatic…
Millions of years ago, Australia and New Guinea were home to giant animals known as megafauna. These creatures were much larger versions of modern animals. One example is the Megalania, a four-meter goanna that likely ambushed its prey. However, most of the megafauna, including the Megalania, disappeared around 40,000 years ago. Some of the extinct…
Soil contains a significant amount of carbon, both in organic matter and inorganic form. A new study published in Science reveals that the inorganic carbon in soil may play a larger role in Earth’s carbon cycle than previously thought. The researchers analyzed over 200,000 soil measurements from around the world and estimated that the top…
An article published last week by +972 Magazine, a nonprofit outlet run by Israeli and Palestinian journalists, reported that the Israeli army utilized a new artificial intelligence (AI) system called Lavender to generate lists of potential human targets for airstrikes in Gaza. The system, according to six unnamed sources in Israeli intelligence, was used in…
Pottery has been a mystery in Australia for a long time, as there was no evidence of ancient Indigenous pottery. However, recent research has uncovered the oldest securely dated ceramics in Australia, dating back over 1800 years. The pottery was found on Jiigurru, an island in the Lizard Island group on the northern Great Barrier…
In late 2018, a magnetar known as XTE J1810-197, which had been silent for a decade, suddenly became active again. This city-sized star, born from a supernova explosion, released a tremendous amount of energy in the form of gamma rays, X-rays, and radio waves as its tangled magnetic field snapped and untwisted. Astronomers have been…
Residents in San Francisco set fire to a Waymo self-driving taxi last month, reflecting growing anger towards autonomous vehicles in the United States. In order to gauge public sentiment in Australia, a survey was conducted with 562 participants to understand their views on self-driving vehicles. The results showed that nearly half of the respondents saw…
The common misconception that Earth’s orbit around the Sun is oval-shaped and brings the planet closer to the Sun in summer has been debunked. While it is true for the southern hemisphere, it does not hold true for the northern hemisphere. The average distance between Earth and the Sun is 150 million kilometers, and the…
A critical flaw has been discovered in XZ Utils, a tool for data compression in Linux systems, which could leave networked Linux computers vulnerable to malicious attacks. The flaw allows a knowledgeable hacker to gain control over vulnerable Linux systems, potentially accessing vital information on computers worldwide. Unlike major software vulnerabilities in the past, this…
A major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 hit the central east coast of Taiwan today, approximately 20 kilometers south of Hualien City. Witnesses near the epicenter reported severe ground shaking, making it difficult to stand or drive. The earthquake was felt across Taiwan and in neighboring China. The quake has resulted in at least…