LATEST ARTICLES

Adam Slipinski, entomologist

Adam Slipinski, entomologist

Professor Adam Slipinski is passionate about beetles. Now immersed in the massive task of identifying and classifying thousands of Australian species for the definitive CSIRO catalogue on these insects, he says a proper understanding of beetles is crucial. Although they can be serious pests, he says, beetles also provide essential environmental services – they are pollinators, …read more

Julie Arblaster, climate scientist

Julie Arblaster, climate scientist

When she was a kid in the Mallee in Victoria, Dr Julie Arblaster spent a lot of time outside, swimming in the Murray and roaming in the bush. Weather has always been an important part of her life, and these days it has become central to her profession.

The weight of the world

The weight of the world

Children from Hong Kong and China are not immune to the global epidemic of obesity. About one in five Hong Kong schoolchildren are now classed as overweight or worse, according to the Hong Kong Department of Health’s latest survey, released last year. They were not eating enough fruit and vegetables, but eating too much salt …read more

Catching the bug

Catching the bug

A serious attack involves fever, sweating, vomiting, muscle spasms, driving thirst, thumping pain behind the eyes and in the joints. Weeks pass, tossing and turning in hellish delirium. And right now, a deadly wave of dengue fever is sweeping across Asia, killing hundreds and leaving tens of thousands sick, over­whelming health services and creating panic …read more

Rugby World Cup Japan 2019: Back to back epics for a nation’s devoted fans

Rugby World Cup Japan 2019: Back to back epics for a nation’s devoted fans

Sports loyalty drives passionate emotion in Japan. With the prestigious Rugby World Cup kicking off in Japan soon — and Japan playing Russia in the first match — fans will live through weeks of intense drama leading up to the final in November.

Words on a page or words on a screen?

Words on a page or words on a screen?

The contrast was stark. There was a small part of my husband’s library of beloved books, packed into four waist-high cardboard packing cases. Heavy. Unwieldy. Smelling a bit of mould and silverfish. A dead bore when moving, particularly between countries.

Ports operators send ‘more hands on deck’ call to governments over staff

Ports operators send 'more hands on deck' call to governments over staff

Australian shipping has an emerging crisis. Ninety-eight per cent of tangible Australian imports and exports arrive and depart by sea, yet the nation’s marine workforce is both ageing and dwindling in numbers to an alarming extent, experts say.

Sea’s bio-soup studied for clues to invaders

Sea's bio-soup studied for clues to invaders

An innovative Western Australian biosecurity warning system based on DNA “soup” has piqued the interest of ports in NSW, Victoria and particularly Queensland, where a trial is planned for later this year.

Cruising goes year-round ahead of expansion of berth space

Cruising goes year-round ahead of expansion of berth space

Brisbane’s new cruise terminal is scheduled to begin operations with a flourish in 2020, changing the shape of Australian cruising and setting the scene for further expansion in the lucrative market. The cruise industry contributes an estimated $5 billion to the Australian economy annually. And, according to advocates, cruising has brought an economic lifeline to …read more

Industry’s leaders set course for long haul

Industry's leaders set course for long haul

Sustainability is the new watchword for the ports sector in Australia with an array of new sustainability initiatives under way across the nation. Projects range from shorebird habitat rehabilitation at the Port of Newcastle to refurbishment of historic wharves in Cairns to the Port Lincoln wharf recycling project (using redundant wharf timbers to construct public …read more