Most of us own at least one smartphone that can count our steps every day. Increasingly, some people also wear wristbands, watches and other devices that collect fitness-related data such as heart rate. But how does the science behind this technology work? Is the information they provide us any use? The use of smart watches […] … learn more→

Aurora grew up in a home of strict rules and absent affection. Her father, Don Augusto, spoke little, but imposed his authority firmly. At the table, no one spoke without his permission, no one left without his authorization, and he decided the punishments. If Aurora spilled a glass of juice, her father’s stern look was […] … learn more→

The concept of negation is often associated with unfavorable or restrictive meanings, and the history of science offers numerous examples of this. From the condemnation of Galileo for defending heliocentrism to the harsh criticism received by Darwin for proposing human evolution from common ancestors with primates, many revolutionary ideas were initially rejected before becoming fundamental […] … learn more→

It may sound strange but plants can remember stress. Scientists are still learning about how plants do this without a brain. But with climate change threatening crops around the world, understanding plant stress memory could help food crops become more resilient. Since their colonisation of the land 500 million years ago, plants have evolved ways to defend themselves […] … learn more→

While diversity, equity and inclusion may on the surface seem focused on certain groups, in fact DEI programs benefit people from all walks of life – including white people. President Donald Trump and other conservatives have increasingly attacked such initiatives as discriminatory based on the presumption that they benefit only students of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Most […] … learn more→

Mobile apps have intricately woven themselves into our daily existence in the fast-paced digital world of today; they revolutionize communication, work habits, and educational pursuits. Specifically within education, mobile technology has sparked a radical shift: bridging old-school instruction with innovative digital means, rendering learning more dynamic and accessible than ever before. According to a recent […] … learn more→

In the early 1980s my parents brought home a home computer connected to the television screen. This motivated me to “play” scientist. I was proud to publish in those early computer magazines simple programs on how to draw mathematical functions, monitor the machine code of the microprocessor or rudimentary animations and computer games. Everything was published, […] … learn more→

There is a persistent gender gap in Australian schools. Boys, on average, outperform girls in maths. We see this in national tests such as NAPLAN, as well as international assessments. New Australian Council for Educational Research analysis by my colleague Catherine Underwood shows how boys, on average, are also more confident and positive about maths than girls. What can […] … learn more→

The number of people in England choosing to enrol in an apprenticeship has declined markedly over the past decade. Apprenticeship participation has fallen overall from 908,700 in 2016-17 to 736,500 in 2023-24. Particularly notable has been a shift away from apprenticeships providing introductory skills for young people towards them becoming higher level qualifications for older adults. In 2023-24, 55,660 […] … learn more→

America has already lost its global competitive edge in science, and funding cuts proposed in early 2025 may further a precipitous decline. Proposed cuts to the federal agencies that fund scientific research could undercut America’s global competitiveness, with negative impacts on the economy and the ability to attract and train the next generation of researchers. I’m an astronomer, and […] … learn more→