LATEST ARTICLES

A new tool to assess researchers for promotion and recruitment

A new tool to assess researchers for promotion and recruitment

Spanish researchers have developed a tool to measure academics’ knowledge, skills and abilities and improve research efficiency. In the past decade, despite steady growth in academic staff and investment, European universities have “not always reached the desired levels of research productivity”, write the authors of a study published in Science and Public Policyin August 2021. This …read more

The allure and scarcity of Rolex sports models

The allure and scarcity of Rolex sports models

A Rolex Oyster Perpetual stainless steel sports watch with a Tiffany blue dial was described in the auction catalogue as having the manufacturer’s stickers and being in “practically unworn condition”. It sold in early November for 18,900 Swiss francs (US$20,700), four times the Rolex catalogue price of a brand new watch of the same type.

6 direct-to-consumer fashion retailers that have launched IPOs in 2021, from Poshmark to Rent the Runway to Roger Federer-backed shoe brand On

6 direct-to-consumer fashion retailers that have launched IPOs in 2021, from Poshmark to Rent the Runway to Roger Federer-backed shoe brand On

Athletic wear, fashion and cosmetics have been flying out of e-commerce warehouses since the pandemic began as consumers concentrated on buying for their health and their looks, and from home. This year, several primarily direct-to-consumer online firms featuring these items have launched initial public offerings (IPOs). As both manufacturers and retailers, the brands have surged …read more

Curtin University’s Peter Teunissen is first in two research fields

Curtin University’s Peter Teunissen is first in two research fields

Curtin University senior professor Peter Teunissen has seen the field of satellite technology expand at a phenomenal rate over the past few decades.  From a distance of thousands of kilometres, satellites can now help detect ore deposits on Earth, determine the moisture content of soil for better crop planting, provide instant navigation assistance for walkers …read more

Uni of Wollongong’s Sharon Robinson is top in biophysics

Uni of Wollongong’s Sharon Robinson is top in biophysics

Plant physiologist Sharon Robinson has been monitoring plant health in Antarctica for more than 20 years and her findings are sobering. After a successful pilot project, she marked a series of Antarctic sites with tags on rocks in 2003 for on-going observation. She wanted to learn more about the endemic plants and how they survive in …read more

RMIT’s Kate Nguyen helps protect buildings from bushfires

RMIT’s Kate Nguyen helps protect buildings from bushfires

With degrees in chemical engineering and materials engineering from Vietnam universities, followed by a doctorate in civil engineering from the University of Melbourne, Thuy Quynh Nguyen was inspired to use her expertise to limit bushfire damage to Australia’s rural homes.

MBAs are still the postgraduate degree of choice for many

MBAs are still the postgraduate degree of choice for many

Chris Uren studied a masters of business administration course online at Macquarie University and it completely changed his ­career trajectory. Now almost 32, he had been employed as a frontline team member in the international division of Qantas and, like so many thousands of airline employees, he was stood down when the Covid-19 pandemic started to …read more

Tsunami of plastics trashing the oceans

Tsunami of plastics trashing the oceans

June Wong So-kwan picks up plastic takeaway cups and boxes, plastic bottles, and supermarket plastic wrappings and containers on her regular rubbish collection trips to Hong Kong’s beaches. “When I do beach clean-ups in Hong Kong I find a lot of these kinds of wrappers, the pre-pack containers,” she says. “This is what you can …read more

Eco-jewellery for the rich and conscientious

Eco-jewellery for the rich and conscientious

A diamond ring can signal joy, love, commitment and, maybe these days, environmental awareness. The global demand for ethically-sourced and environmentally-sound jewellery is steadily growing and big names, from the world-famous Tiffany brand to the massive Asia-based Chow Tai Fook group, have developed deep sustainable jewellery policies. 

Some women just like it complicated

Some women just like it complicated

Lung Lung Thun is one of the rare breed of women watch collectors. She researches the history of individual watches. She discusses watches, she understands watches and she buys watches – often larger men’s watches with complicated mechanical movements. She recently bought her first vintage Patek Philippe – the 3970 – a wildly expensive perpetual …read more