New crops needed for extreme conditions ahead - Gates

Bill Gates grew his extreme wealth as co-founder of software company Microsoft. Now he has a philanthropic foundation and supports global health and agriculture.

Does innovation mean inequality?

Andrew Leigh describes how society can become both more entrepreneurial and more egalitarian.

Terania Creek - saved in 1979, ravaged by fire in 2019

Just as rainforest is razed by fire, new state laws lessen environmental protection, aid developers and threaten protesters.

Corona secrecy may have given virus a head start

Jamie Lloyd-Smith comments on the world response to COVID-19.

Artificial intelligence aids risk assessment of criminals

In the US, risk assessment is commonly used to determine parole. And now that includes use of artificial intelligence.

Vast stores of carbon dioxide in seabeds could be released as oceans warm

Carbon dioxide collects in the ocean depths near vents. It is held in place at low temperatures under high pressure. As oceans warm, there is potential for its release.

Kuiper Belt object reveals secrets of the solar system, and maybe life

Arrokoth lies beyond Pluto, more than 4 billion miles from Earth. It is very cold, with less impact from radiation and collision, preserving early conditions and offering an insight into planet formation and even of early life.

Gerrymanders undermine American democracy - Jared Diamond

A party may receive most votes in a state. But district boundaries mean the less popular party receives more congressional seats.

A wire around the world

We marvel at the internet, but modern communications was born almost 150 years ago when Australia was linked to the world by telegraph.

The formula - the new science of success

In the age of big data, some scientists are convinced we can now predict human behaviour, with precise laws and patterns describing how someone’s performance will be a success or a failure.