New research shows cultural experiences can shape your perception of beautiful music, but your appreciation can evolve. And there are benefits to having broad musical taste.
How pushing past her comfort zone netted Michelle Simmons Australia's top science prize
Quantum physicist Michelle Simmons has been awarded the 2023 Prime Minister's Prize for Science for her role as a world leader in the race to harness the power of atoms to build super-fast computers.
Photo shows Michelle Simmons smiling with research machineFarmers want to export 'climate-smart' rice — but an old law stands in their way
Rice is agriculture's second-largest methane emitter, surpassing beef, but a small group of growers is producing a rain-fed crop, with a smaller environmental footprint. The problem is they can't export it.
Photo shows The sun shines through the clouds over sn open green field of rice crops'Get it out of my hands right now': Surgeon removes living roundworm from patient's brain
In a world first, doctors have extracted a living roundworm usually found in carpet pythons from a patient's brain. They believe the infection occurred after the patient ate contaminated native greens.
Photo shows A worm in a specimen pot'It's going to get worse': Warnings for Australian summer after study shows climate change worsened Canada's wildfires
Canada’s record-breaking wildfires are significantly worse because of climate change, according to a rapid analysis by a leading team of scientists.
Photo shows A middle-aged couple on a paddleboat in a lake, shrouded in an orange haze of bushfire smoke.'Authoritative but thoughtful': Leading scientists pay tribute to pandemic epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws
The scientific community pays tribute to the calm, warm epidemiologist who led Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic who some say was more respected than a head of state.
Photo shows Headshot of Epidemiologist Mary-Louise McLaws.All Indigenous students guaranteed a funded university place as part of major education reforms
All Indigenous students will be guaranteed a Commonwealth-supported place at the university of their choice, provided they meet entry criteria, as part of a set of reforms designed to make higher education more accessible for all Australians.
Photo shows A man in a suit smile as he stands behind a micophone.Babies get a 'starter pack' of bacteria from their mum — even if they're born via C-section
Mothers supply essential microbes that seed their baby's microbiome even when children are born via caesarean section, a new study suggests.
Photo shows Mother and newborn baby in hospitalWarrior huntsman one of three new species discovered during Alps Bush Blitz
The 11-day Australian Alps Bush Blitz expedition uncovers three new species of spider, and arachnologist Joseph Schubert hopes to find more.
Photo shows A spider with bright spots on its legs and a shield patter on its abdomen.'I've had all the sexist comments': The women who want to grow American football in Australia
A group of determined women have heard it all — "It's not a girl's sport? Why are you doing that to your body?" — but they're out to change that narrative and make American football big in Australia.
Photo shows A UNSW Raiders women's player holds the ball with her arms out.Health union joins NSW Premier's push to change mandatory COVID-19 isolation rules
The union that represents workers in hospitals and the aged care sector says Australia needs to start trusting people to do the right thing and stay home if sick, instead of mandating isolation periods.
Who was James Lovelock, what is Gaia theory, and why does it matter today?
The scientist credited with inventing Gaia theory has been celebrated by everyone from the New-Age movement to nuclear power advocates. But what is the late James Lovelock's lasting legacy to science?
Photo shows James Lovelock near a tree looking to the side'Avoid becoming infected': Why experts say monkeypox needs to be taken seriously
Newer vaccines to tackle monkeypox are on their way to Australia to deal with the emergency, but experts warn currently there is limited supply and are calling for a comprehensive response to tackle the outbreak.
Photo shows A vial rests on a gause swab with monkeypox written on it$1,000 flood assistance payments to be rolled out from tomorrow, as PM readies to visit flooded regions
The Prime Minister announces support payments for families affected by heavy flooding along the NSW coast, ahead of his visit to flooded areas today.
Photo shows The roofline of a flooded home is visible in a large body of water.These students must return home after studying in Australia, but they say it's not safe
Myanmar scholarship recipients must return home on completion of their studies in Australia, but senior academics say there is a risk they could be tortured if sent back.
Photo shows The back of a person shown giving a three-finger salute in front of a crowd.'Wild dogs' in controversial photograph taken in outback Queensland identified as 'pure' dingoes
So-called "wild dogs" pictured strung from trees in western Queensland last year were 99.9 per cent "pure" dingoes, a genetic researcher says.
Photo shows A golden dingo looking towards the camera with its tongue out, surrounded by shrubs and grasses.'Just add water and it turns': Stunning views as Lake Eyre fills but more rain still needed
Recent rain over Australia's inland Channel Country is breathing new life into the Lake Eyre Basin, with graziers and businesses excited for a big year ahead.
Photo shows Brown water from the Lake Eyre Basin flowing into Kati-Thanda Lake EyreHow rice farmers are helping protect Australia's bunyip bird
A "bittern-friendly" rice program in southern New South Wales is covering more hectares of farmland than ever before.
Photo shows bird head with long beak pointing up, out of green grassAustralia's original rock star economist laid to rest, along with a great deal of economic history
One of Australia's greatest economists and closest links to the ideas of John Maynard Keynes is being laid to rest, and with him passes a great deal of our economic history, writes Michael Janda.
Photo shows Geoff Harcourt dressed as Frank Sinatra with colleague Fred Bloch and students in 1970.What does happiness cost? More than most Australians get paid, according to recent research
Money may not be able to buy happiness but recent research shows it helps. But the income needed for a happy life is increasingly out-of-reach for ordinary Australians.
Photo shows A golden retriever wears rabbit ears, looks at camera.Once these places make the 'worst-off' list, there's a good chance they're staying there
The most comprehensive report into disadvantage in Australia reveals disadvantage is not only entrenched in some communities, it also impacts a wide range of factors.
Photo shows Chandelle, two young women, and a middle aged man stand in a cozy-looking living area and smile at the camera.