Australia

Researchers from the Monash University School of Physics and Astronomy have flipped a long-held assumption in optics, showing that deliberately introducing controlled disorder into ultra-thin optical devices can dramatically increase their power and versatility, without making them bigger or more complex. Published in Nature Communications, the study reveals a new class of “disordered mosaic metasurfaces” nanostructured materials…

Thiess recently hosted its inaugural, first-of-its-kind Mining HER Future Forum in Singleton, New South Wales, supported by New South Wales Mining, the Careerlinks Empower HER Program and the New South Wales Department of Education’s Educational Pathways Program.  Approximately 120 female students from schools across the Hunter Valley attended the forum to hear from women in mining and discover pathways at Thiess and across the broader industry. …

The City of Sydney has released a new discussion paper to lead conversation on where and how more local housing should be delivered. Lord Mayor Clover Moore AO has opened consultation on the Housing for All discussion paper, encouraging the community to explore new opportunities to address the housing affordability crisis. “Affordable housing is essential for a…

UNSW experts are available to comment on the cascading impacts of the Iran conflict, including fuel supply pressures, economic and supply chain disruptions, and how governments, industries and households respond to emerging constraints. Dr Timothy Neal (Scientia Senior Lecturer in Economics, UNSW Sydney; UNSW Institute for Climate Risk & Response) can explain how shocks propagate through…

New research shows social media platforms do not need to addict users to keep them – they just need to make leaving worse than staying  Social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok harm their users yet continue to grow because people feel compelled to stay, not because they are addicted, but because being off…

The great hot cross bun debate has finally been settled, with new research showing the microwave has overtaken the toaster as the nation’s preferred way to enjoy the Easter favourite. Nearly one in three customers (32%) prefer to heat their hot cross buns in the microwave, edging out the toaster (29%), while a quarter admit…

Brisbane’s The IncrediBows headed to famed music festival following new Foundation launch A group of Brisbane teenagers are heading to one of the world’s most acclaimed chamber music festivals, proving that Australia’s next generation of musical talent is not only emerging, its ready for the global stage. Fresh from winning the prestigious Musica Viva Strike A…

Western Australian farmers entered 2026 with subdued confidence levels, concerned about mounting cost pressures even prior to the current Middle East conflict.  The quarter one Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey found WA farmer sentiment had softened even before the start of the Iran War, with net rural confidence easing from -7 per cent in late 2025…

Bali has long been one of the most attractive destinations in Asia for property investment, particularly for short-term rental villas. Strong tourism demand, high nightly rates, and the global popularity of platforms like Airbnb have encouraged many individuals—both Indonesians and foreigners—to turn private homes into income-generating rental villas. However, behind this booming market lies a…

A wearable device to make fertility treatment easier is being developed by a Melbourne startup in partnership with RMIT, the University of Melbourne and Monash IVF. To give people the best chance at conception using IVF, clinicians track hormone levels to ensure egg collection and embryo transfers are optimally timed. Currently, this requires multiple blood…