Ever wondered why we talk to pets like babies? Researchers ANTONIA GOETZ and ZHEN (JENNY) ZENG explain what's behind our pet-talk—and whether animals actually care.
THE CONVERSATION
Academic rigour, journalistic flair.
You’ve probably heard that hitting 10,000 steps a day is the key to health and longevity. HUNTER BENNETT says this magic number feels like a medical rule, handed down by doctors. But where did it come from? And is it even true?
Are Australians being polled too often? Political researcher DANIEL CASEY explains how the growing obsession with voting intentions may be distorting political debate.
Breast cancer screening in Australia is set for a major rethink. Risk management expert JENNIFER STONE explains what the changes could mean for women.
The federal government's proposed changes to private health insurance rebates have sparked warnings of widespread fallout. Economics researchers explain why the evidence tells a different story.
The latest NAPLAN results are unlikely to surprise schools. Education researcher SALLY LARSEN explains why the data is more useful for tracking progress than fuelling alarm.
From flushing our toilets to building new schools, this is why filling in your census form matters, writes demographer LIZ ALLEN.
Can regular exercise help keep winter bugs at bay? Researchers at Monash University examine what the evidence really says about staying active during the colder months.
CHRISTIAN MORO and CHARLOTTE PHELPS go behind the science to discover why nose and ear hairs become longer and thicker as we age.
Singing does more than brighten your mood. Biomedical scientist KATHLEEN MIKKELSEN explores the science behind its surprising effects on stress, the brain and overall wellbeing.
Road safety expert MILAD HAGHANI explains why Australia needs to respond swiftly to avoid risks it faces from China's move to tighten rules on door handles and touchscreens.
Cancer researchers SARAH DIEPSTRATEN and JOHN (EDDIE) LA MARCA analyse findings of a new study that looks at whether electromagnetic waves emitted by mobile phones cause cancer in the brain or not.
