The Latest Breaking News from The Conversation

The world’s biggest trees could hold the secret to coping with drought

Rising more than 70 metres above the rainforest canopy, a giant skyscraper of a tropical tree can seem almost invincible. Some have survived centuries of storms, droughts and competition.

The Conversation · Aug 21

More protein in your breakfast or snacks won’t give you more muscle without more work – a biologist separates the science from the marketing

Growing up, my brothers were fascinated by the first “Rocky” movie. They were trying to get stronger and excel in sports, so one scene stood out almost as much as Rocky sprinting up the museum steps: Before sunrise, Rocky cracked raw eggs into a glass and drank them.

The Conversation · Aug 21

The importance of teaching students what AI can’t do

It’s disconcerting to envision human thought becoming redundant or deemed inferior due to advancements in artificial intelligence. But for all its ills, AI cannot be ignored or wished away. It’s here to stay, and I want my students to understand the stakes of becoming too reliant on this technology.

The Conversation · Aug 21

After a wildfire Britain’s moors and heaths can be green again within weeks – but the real recovery takes much longer

Wildfires that have swept across Britain’s upland moors and lowland heaths in unprecedented tinder-dry conditions have left behind expanses of smoking, blackened vegetation.

The Conversation · Aug 21

Women in politics face more personal, sexualised attacks than men, a recent analysis shows

Online spaces, and social media in particular, are forums for vigorous political debate. They provide a space for members of the public to express political opinions, organise, and sometimes even interact directly with politicians. While they clearly have democratising potential, these platforms have also become fertile ground for hate speech,…

The Conversation · Aug 21

Jason Arday and the new politics of plagiarism

After a meteoric rise to the top ranks of British academia, scholar Jason Arday was found dead at his London home on Aug. 14, 2026.

The Conversation · Aug 21

Football ticket crackdowns and price hikes are excluding traditional fans

The new season of the English Premier League is almost ready to kick off, and with it another annual cycle of the national game. Each August brings hope and expectation for supporters with an opportunity to start anew. But, rather than excited anticipation, frustration, anger and anxiety are the overriding…

The Conversation · Aug 21

We put cottage cheese through an evidence check – and the health claims didn’t stack up

Cottage cheese is having a moment. It’s being added to dips, mixed into batters and even used in pizza and brownies. It’s touted as a high-protein food that can help build muscle and lose fat. But the research supporting these benefits is not quite as abundant as the number of…

The Conversation · Aug 21

Is Europe developing Ukraine war fatigue?

Volodymyr Zelensky is fighting a war on several fronts. Russia is ramping up its missile attacks with almost nightly bombardment of Ukrainian cities. A blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports is choking its grain exports with a devastating effect on its agricultural economy.

The Conversation · Aug 21

Israeli ambassador suggests former defence chief Binskin return to Israel to pursue Frankcom decision

Israeli ambassador Hillel Newman has suggested Australia sends former defence chief Mark Binskin back to Israel to follow up its defence force’s refusal to further investigate the fatal attack on Australian Zomi Frankcom and other aid workers in 2024.

The Conversation · Aug 21