The Latest Breaking News from Australian Research Council

Supercomputers have revealed the giant 'pillars of heat' funnelling diamonds upwards from deep within Earth

Most diamonds are formed deep inside Earth and brought close to the surface in small yet powerful volcanic eruptions of a kind of rock called “kimberlite”.

The Conversation · May 8, 2023

Australia now has its own grand mosque: a brief history of how these buildings fold into the urban landscape

A referee’s whistle pierces the air. A player dribbles a ball across a court; goal! Cheers erupt.

The Conversation · May 8, 2023

Bus rapid transit can avoid traffic chaos for the AFL's new stadium and transform Hobart – and other cities too

Following a decision to fund an AFL stadium on Hobart’s waterfront, the Tasmanian premier announced plans for a new bus rapid transit (BRT) system and ferry services to avoid traffic congestion. These plans are linked to Hobart’s City Deal and promise to reinvigorate the city’s ailing public transport system.

The Conversation · May 5, 2023

Isotope analysis helps tell the stories of Aboriginal people living under early colonial expansion

Acknowledgement: we would like to extend our thanks to the Gkuthaarn and Kukatj People who invited us to work on this sensitive project through the lens of truth-telling – particularly Phillip George, Richie Bee and Francine George – whose insights have formed a key pillar of the work.

The Conversation · May 1, 2023

Drone seeding and E-seeds sound exciting, but ecosystem restoration needs practical solutions

A drone drops a small wooden projectile with three spiral tails and a seed mounted on the tip. It gently lands on the bare ground and sits there, exposed to the elements, until it rains. Then, the moisture penetrates the wood fibres, and the spiral tails start twisting, slowly pushing…

The Conversation · Apr 30, 2023

Premier League’s front-of-shirt gambling ad ban is a flawed approach. Australia should learn from it

“Excellent decision.”

The Conversation · Apr 28, 2023

First Nations students are engaged in primary school but face racism and limited opportunities to learn Indigenous languages

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ school experiences are often inaccurately described through what researchers call “deficit perspectives”. This means their experiences are spoken about by others in ways that aren’t representative of lived experience.

The Conversation · Apr 28, 2023

We need a 'lemon law' to make all the homes we buy and rent more energy-efficient

A long-awaited increase in energy-efficiency requirements for new homes is part of revised Australian construction standards taking effect on May 1. All new homes must achieve a minimum 7-star whole-of-home energy rating from October, following a six-month transition period.

The Conversation · Apr 26, 2023

Netflix and other streaming giants pay to get branded buttons on your remote control. Local TV services can’t afford to keep up

If you’ve bought a new smart TV in the past few years, you’ll likely have a remote with pre-programmed app shortcuts, such as the now ubiquitous “Netflix button”.

The Conversation · Apr 26, 2023

New exposé of Australia's exotic pet trade shows an alarming proliferation of alien, threatened and illegal species

Australia has a global reputation for being tough on biosecurity. There are strict rules around the import and export of both native and exotic species. Security is tight, and advanced screening technology commonplace at ports of entry and mail centres.

The Conversation · Apr 25, 2023