Monthly Archives: November 2023

TV can be educational but social media likely harms mental health: what 70 years of research tells us about children and screens

TV can be educational but social media likely harms mental health: what 70 years of research tells us about children and screens

Ask any parent and it’s likely they’ll tell you they’re worried about their kids’ screen time. A 2021 poll found it was Australian parents’ number one health concern for their kids – ahead of cyberbullying and unhealthy diets. But how worried should parents be? The information that’s out there can be confusing. Some psychologists have compared it to […] … learn more→

This is how the pre-adolescent brain changes with depression

This is how the pre-adolescent brain changes with depression

Depression, a disorder that can affect us at any time in our lives, shows its most complex face in the transition from childhood to adolescence, the so-called pre-adolescence, a period of intense changes and challenges. This stage of life, marked by a significant transformation both physically and emotionally, is also a critical moment in brain development, […] … learn more→

Why the future might not be where you think it is

Why the future might not be where you think it is

Imagine the future. Where is it for you? Do you see yourself striding towards it? Perhaps it’s behind you. Maybe it’s even above you. And what about the past? Do you imagine looking over your shoulder to see it? How you answer these questions will depend on who you are and where you come from. […] … learn more→

You’ve submitted, now it’s wait time

You’ve submitted, now it’s wait time

There is, rightly, a lot of emphasis on getting your PhD text written and submitted. That end-of-doctorate writing can be tough and it’s important that people do get as much help as they want and need to complete. But of course handing in isn’t the end. There’s still the examination to go. The defence. The […] … learn more→

Writing about yourself

Writing about yourself

An essential element of a grant application is your description of yourself. How people describe themselves differs markedly across cultures and depends on their audience. You won’t know exactly who will read your application and there will be different audiences through the application process, but you may be able to understand their cultural biases in […] … learn more→

With the pandemic, have student dropouts increased at university?

With the pandemic, have student dropouts increased at university?

The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the academic trajectories of many students. Whether they were new to higher education or already engaged in their university career, they were faced with an unprecedented situation: the closure of universities and the transition to online learning have transformed the relationship with ‘education. Virtual classrooms have become the new normal, and […] … learn more→

Who will govern AI? The race of nations to regulate artificial intelligence

Who will govern AI? The race of nations to regulate artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a very broad term: it can refer to many activities undertaken by computing machines, with or without human intervention. Our familiarity with AI technologies depends largely on where they play a role in our lives, for example in facial recognition tools, chatbots, photo editing software or self-driving cars. The term “artificial intelligence” […] … learn more→

Is some of the body that collided with Earth to form the Moon still recognisable inside our planet?

Is some of the body that collided with Earth to form the Moon still recognisable inside our planet?

Scientists have dated the birth of the Solar System to about 4.57 billion years ago. About 60 million years later a “giant impact” collision between the infant Earth and a Mars-sized body called Theia created the Moon. Now, new research suggests that the remains of the large object that collided with the young Earth to form the Moon are still identifiable […] … learn more→