US carmakers passing up lithium from Australia"s first refinery
The head of Australia's first lithium hydroxide refinery says it's attracted little attention from US carmakers seeking to buy the metal that's crucial to the world's renewable energy revolution......»»
Fire is a chemical reaction—here"s why Australia is supremely suited to it
Over the last 15 million years, Australia has slowly dried out. After humans arrived more than 65,000 years ago, they learned to use fire to their advantage. Today, fire weather is getting more frequent—and fires are following as the world heats up.....»»
Australia wants navy boats with lots of weapons, but no crew. Will they run afoul of international law?
The Australian Navy is set to be transformed. On top of existing plans for nuclear submarines, the government yesterday announced a scheme for an "enhanced lethality surface combatant fleet" including six new "optionally crewed" vessels......»»
After EV price cuts, cheaper batteries could be just what automakers need
Sharp price declines for lithium, cobalt, nickel and other materials are lowering battery costs, allowing automakers who are slashing EV prices to maintain their margins......»»
Diving into the secret life of mixed-species dolphin groups in Australia
In-depth research of two of Australia's dolphin species shows how their behaviors have evolved to co-exist and form mixed-species groups in northwestern Australia......»»
Economists have proposed a $100 billion-a-year fossil fuel tax: A debate Australia should embrace
Leading Australian economists Ross Garnaut and Rod Sims this week sought to shake up the carbon policy debate in Australia, by proposing a tax on the nation's fossil fuel production. They claim it could raise A$100 billion in its first year and posit.....»»
Australia"s most at-risk bird species share some common traits
Australian birds that live on islands are among the species most at risk of extinction, a first-of-its-kind study from The Australian National University (ANU) has shown. The study is published in the journal Emu—Austral Ornithology......»»
Drowning in "digital debt"? AI assistants can help—but we must use them carefully
In recent days, the "right to disconnect" has entered Australia's legislative agenda. It refers to employees' rights to refuse unreasonable after-hours contact from their employer......»»
Japan, Toyota, Honda, Nissan face 7 big challenges in EV age
Japan's carmakers are tackling seven key challenges to reboot their global competitiveness as the country's auto industry comes under siege from new technologies and new rivals from China and beyond......»»
Application of ultrasound found to greatly speed up motility of human sperm
A team of engineers at Monash University in Australia has found that exposing human sperm to ultrasound can cause them to swim faster. In their study, published in the journal Science Advances, the group exposed human semen samples to ultrasonic wave.....»»
Australia"s shot-hole borer beetle invasion has begun, but we don"t need to chop down every tree under attack
A new pest attacking Perth's trees threatens to spread across Australia, damaging crops and native forests as well as our urban forest. To control its spread, the Western Australian government is chopping down hundreds of established trees. But these.....»»
A secret war between cane toads and parasitic lungworms is raging across Australia
When the first cane toads were brought from South America to Queensland in 1935, many of the parasites that troubled them were left behind. But deep inside the lungs of at least one of those pioneer toads lurked small nematode lungworms......»»
Passing stars altered orbital evolution of Earth and other planets, astronomers find
Stars that pass by our solar system have altered the long-term orbital evolution of planets, including Earth, and, by extension, modified our climate......»»
Imperfect mimicry in spiders and insects mainly shaped by adaptive processes rather than constraints, finds study
Two natural scientists at Macquarie University, working with an evolutionary specialist at the University of New South Wales, all in Australia, have found that imperfect mimicry in spiders and insects is likely mainly shaped by adaptive processes rat.....»»
French fungus as a biocontrol agent against sea spurge in Australia
Field trials have confirmed the successful establishment of Venturia paralias, a biocontrol agent for sea spurge. This line in the sand marks the first time the fungus has established at release sites. It has now begun to spread......»»
Secrets of night parrot unlocked after first genome sequenced
Researchers at CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, have sequenced the first genome of the night parrot, one of the world's rarest and most elusive birds. The development will answer questions about population genetics and biology that could b.....»»
Power of nostalgia: Vintage typography can build emotional connections, influence attitudes, boost willingness to pay
Researchers from University of Newcastle–Australia have published a new Journal of Marketing study that examines how brands can use references to the past via vintage typography to establish emotional bonds with today's consumers......»»
Migrant and refugee children need early education supports, too
Early childhood educators need more support to deliver positive outcomes for Australia's most vulnerable children—including migrant and refugee children—say early childhood experts at the University of South Australia......»»
Researchers: Australians would rather save a single human life than prevent an entire species from becoming extinct
Australia is in the grip of an escalating extinction crisis. Since colonization, 100 native plant and animal species have become formally listed as extinct due to human activities. The actual number is undoubtedly far higher......»»
Video: Are ammonia engines the way of the future?
Could ammonia engines power the cars of the future? Carmakers like Toyota are working to make this a reality......»»
Examining the extended reach of tax laws
For big multinationals that love tax havens, the start of 2024 was not a cause for celebration. On Jan. 1, the European Union, Japan, Canada, and Australia joined other jurisdictions in requiring their largest companies to pay a tax rate of at least.....»»