SUNDAY FEATURE

SUNDAY FEATURE

What’s just the right height for a footballer?

It's a Darwinian jungle out there in sportsland. Players with the right stuff are selected, and those without...
SUNDAY FEATURE

How to fix your tiff with attention

Ding — that's an all too familiar sound, designed to instantly capture your attention. The average adult receives at...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Here’s how to practice active reading

If you’re part of Gen Z, chances are you rely on social media for news and current events....
SUNDAY FEATURE

New Ballista spider catapults ants into deadly trap

A newly discovered spider in the rainforests of northern Queensland has evolved an extraordinary hunting technique. Researchers say the...
SUNDAY FEATURE

The hidden cost of poor sleep

We’ve all felt the immediate aftermath of a terrible night's sleep—brain fog, irritability, and a desperate craving for...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Frozen and canned or fresh: What’s healthier?

You probably know fruit and vegetables are good for you, and most of us don’t eat enough of...
SUNDAY FEATURE

How much clothing is too much for a sustainable wardrobe?

Most people suspect they own too many clothes, but they aren’t sure exactly what the “right amount” is. Recent...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Scientists reprogram brain immune cells to fight Alzheimer’s

A newly discovered molecule, OLE, restored the brain’s immune cells to a more protective state in Alzheimer’s disease...
SUNDAY FEATURE

The afterlife of nature: How death rebuilds ecosystems

People's knee-jerk reaction to seeing death in nature is often not positive. The burn scar left by wildfire...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Rise in obesity burden drives up Indian’s cardiac age

Your heart may be older than you think, say doctors, warning that as obesity rates rise in India,...
SUNDAY FEATURE

India to fast-track Ebola vaccine production amid Africa outbreak

India is set to play a key role in the global response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Time to rewrite the rules on how we eat our greens

Fruits and vegetables are an important part of our diet. They provide nutrients and fibre, and many contain...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Washington politicians hunt for stake in AI boom

It was perhaps a surprising private overture from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to Sen. Bernie Sanders. The meeting between...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Is undisclosed use of generative AI morally wrong?

Imagine you have used a generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool such as ChatGPT to tidy up notes you...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Half of bookshops in Australia closed within decade. Who will rescue them?

In the past year alone, at least 13 independent bookshops have closed in Australia. Some have operated for...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Blue Origin rocket explosion puts NASA’s Artemis in jeopardy

During an evening test fire on May 28, 2026, a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded, engulfing the...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Why the sustained heatwave in India, Pakistan is so dangerous

India and Pakistan are no strangers to heat. This time of year is the worst, as heat peaks...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Was Auckland the cradle of the Kiwi accent?

If you’re a New Zealander who has spent time overseas, you’ve probably had someone comment on the way...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Why European households throw away so much food

Europe is wasting huge amounts of food while millions of people globally experience hunger. Wars in Ukraine and...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Iran’s ultimatum: The internet is now more vulnerable than ever

Early this week, Iranian state-linked media floated a plan to charge the operators of undersea internet cables in...
SUNDAY FEATURE

How menstruation is being weaponised in Myanmar’s civil war

The Tatmawdaw — the military government in Myanmar — has reportedly expanded a ban on menstrual products from...
SUNDAY FEATURE

China-US ‘friendship’ may not be good news for the world

Back in 2005, US economist Fred Bergsten coined the term "Group of 2" or "G2", proposing a stronger...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Trump’s claims of ‘win’ against Iran — here’s report card

Two months into the war in Iran, the reasons the US gave for launching this conflict — and...
SUNDAY FEATURE

IS POWER OF US PETRODOLLAR IN DECLINE?

After weeks of blockades by Iran and the United States in the Strait of Hormuz, it's clear the...
SUNDAY FEATURE

How cable TV visionary Ted Turner revolutionised television, video news

Ted Turner, who died on April 6, 2026, was bright, shrewd and, most of all, lucky. The cable...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Humidity and heat are killers for tropical birds

Humans are not the only species negatively affected by increasingly hot and humid conditions. Intense heatwaves sometimes kill...
SUNDAY FEATURE

AI chatbots prioritise flattery over facts, carry serious risks

In the summer of 2025, OpenAI released ChatGPT 5 and removed its predecessor from the market. Many subscribers...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Middle East conflict looks like a war nobody can win

Let's begin with a simple question that rarely gets a straight answer: what would victory over Iran actually...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations early exploration of ‘romance fraud’

Shrinking into her yellowing wedding gown with the decay of her wedding breakfast around her, Miss Havisham, from...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Gallipoli’s four lessons for Strait of Hormuz crisis

The Iran war reminds us small strategic moves can mushroom into expanding military commitments. The United States decided...
SUNDAY FEATURE

When oil refineries burn, here’s what happens to your lungs, heart

The fire at a major oil refinery in the Victorian city of Geelong has now reportedly been extinguished....
SUNDAY FEATURE

Ancient Greeks, Romans despair at world

If you’re feeling fed up with the way things are in the world, then, no matter your politics,...
SUNDAY FEATURE

‘First contact’ that may have led to complex life on Earth finally witnessed by scientists

On the shores of the west coast of Australia lies a window to our past: the stromatolites and...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Trans women in sports: Genetics of sex are complex

Last week, the International Olympic Committee announced it will determine whether athletes are eligible for women's events by...
SUNDAY FEATURE

What would aliens think of us?

As US President Trump orders UFO data release, a question beckons: For generations, human beings have wondered: What would...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Celluloid: The story of the plastic that made Hollywood

History can sometimes take an unexpected turn. One of these curious, revolutionary twists came in the mid-19th century,...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Dogs have been woven into human life for over 15,500 years: Study

Odin was a kelpie. Attentive and protective, with a happy smile and an endless hope for food, he...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Why some people still believe that aliens shaped ancient civilisations

Could ancient humans really have built the pyramids without extraterrestrial help? Or do such questions reveal more about...
SUNDAY FEATURE

How birds are spreading plastic pollution

Hungry gulls do not only steal our chips and sandwiches. They learn our habits, and look for reliable...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Strong contenders for Best Picture Oscars: Here’s which film should win

Film critics – myself included – love to bemoan the death of high-quality cinema in the age of...
SUNDAY FEATURE

What is the ‘acid rain’ in the wake of US bombings in Iran?

Reports are emerging of black rain falling over parts of Iran in the hours after US-Israeli airstrikes on...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Pollution, climate stress pose threat to heart health

In an unprecedented collaboration, the European Society of Cardiology, the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Epstein files reveal power and peril of online sleuths doing govt’s work

A large release of important documents once meant teams of journalists staying back, working through piles of records...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Raincoat no longer waterproof? Scientist explains how to fix it

You pull on your rain jacket, step out into the storm, and within half an hour your undershirt...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Why waking early will not make you more successful

At 5am, social media fills with proof that the early risers have already won the day. Cold plunges....
SUNDAY FEATURE

How China is betting cheap AI will get the world hooked on its tech

Artificial intelligence (AI) is at a very Chinese time in its life. Recent moves from Chinese AI labs...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Almost half of antibiotic prescribing for surgery is possibly inappropriate

Inappropriate antibiotic prescribing around the time of surgery and long-term prescribing in aged care are among a mixed...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Ads are coming to AI. But is it a bad thing?

American artificial intelligence (AI) company Anthropic this month attracted applause — and a surge in users — for...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Expert explains if couple’s counselling is right for you

Should we do couples counselling? Are we happy? Are we both pulling in the same direction? How can...
SUNDAY FEATURE

For $40, you can name star for your Valentine. But it won’t mean much

With Valentine's Day around the corner, romance is in the air. And what could be more romantic than...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Dating platforms are not really optimising love

In the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day, dating apps typically see a spike in new users and...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Scientists now worrying about men losing their Y chromosome with age

Men tend to lose the Y chromosome from their cells as they age. But because the Y bears...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Why comparisons between AI and human intelligence miss the point

Claims that artificial intelligence (AI) is on the verge of surpassing human intelligence have become commonplace. According to...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Pope Leo in Trump’s Board of Peace could mean centuries of ‘positive neutrality’ compromised

Pope Leo XIV is among the world leaders invited to join Donald Trump's "Board of Peace". Initially aimed...
SUNDAY FEATURE

What’s the best way to remove a splinter?

Splinters are everyday injuries commonly involving a small shard of wood, glass, metal, plastic or a thorn that...
SUNDAY FEATURE

ChatGPT will have ads; this opens new door for dangerous influence

OpenAI has announced plans to introduce advertising in ChatGPT in the United States. Ads will appear on the...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Aus needs canine brain bank to reduce risk of dog attacks

Dog attacks are on the rise in Australia. The most recent data from the Australian Institute of Health...
SUNDAY FEATURE

A new course for ocean diplomacy

Oceans shape everyday life in powerful ways. They cover 70 per cent of the planet, carry 90 per...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Does running hit bodies of professionals and amateurs alike?

Running counts among today’s most popular sports. Sometimes the race is on even before the competition itself has...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Find how to set work goals that stick in the new year

Every January, offices quietly reset. New planners appear on desks. Fresh notebooks open in meetings. To-do lists look...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Inside scoop: The 2,500-year history of ice-cream

We all scream for ice-cream, especially as temperatures soar in the summer season. Ancient civilisations had the same...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Braces: Why our ancestors didn’t need straight teeth

Ancient Egyptians and Etruscans pioneered orthodontics, using delicate gold wires and catgut to straighten teeth. It’s a tale...
SUNDAY FEATURE

The science behind how your winter jacket keeps you warm

As the weather grows cold this winter, you may be one of the many Americans pulling their winter...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Deepfakes leveled up in 2025: Here’s what’s coming next

Over the course of 2025, deepfakes improved dramatically. AI-generated faces, voices and full-body performances that mimic real people...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Research reveals consequences can be severe when managers don’t act

Most people recognise that we shouldn’t actively harm others at work. Yet people tend to assume that failing...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Study unravels breast cancer risk factors among Indian women

A new study conducted by scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has decoded the specific...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Idioms can trouble even fluent English speakers!

Being a linguist - and someone who has tried to learn several languages (including English) in addition to...
SUNDAY FEATURE

The truth about Santa Claus

Christmas can be a magical time of year for kids. Writing wish-lists, seeing Santa at the shops, leaving...
SUNDAY FEATURE

CDC abandons science in its new advice about vaccines and autism

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised its long-standing guidance about vaccines and...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Why tensions between China, Japan unlikely to be resolved soon

Though China and Japan are experienced in dealing with diplomatic crises, relations between the two neighbours appear to...
SUNDAY FEATURE

With Nvidia’s second-best AI chips headed for China, US shifts priorities from security to trade

This week, US President Donald Trump approved previously banned exports of Nvidia's powerful H200 artificial intelligence (AI) chips...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Gen Z’s future of work is purposeful, digital and flexible

As Generation Z - those born between 1997 and 2012 - enters the workforce in growing numbers, Canadian...
SUNDAY FEATURE

How the internet became enshittified — and how we might be able to deshittify it

Remember when Twitter used to be good? I reckon it peaked somewhere around the first COVID lockdowns. In those...
SUNDAY FEATURE

ChatGPT effect: How AI chatbot has changed lives

Three years ago, if someone needed to fix a leaky faucet or understand inflation, they usually did one...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Air pollution may reduce health benefits of exercise, finds study

A new study led by researchers at University College London (UCL) shows that chronic exposure to toxic air...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Air travel may go supersonic

An experimental supersonic aircraft called the X-59 took to the skies for the first time in October. The plane...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Is racism more acceptable in UK?

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on Nigel Farage to address allegations of racism in Reform UK,...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Dogs 10,000 yrs ago roamed with bands of humans, came in all shapes and sizes

From village dogs to toy poodles to mastiffs, dogs come in an astonishing array of shapes, colours and...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Psychedelics likely to help terminal patients find peace

In clinical trials around the world, a surprising treatment is showing promise for people with terminal illnesses: psychedelic...
SUNDAY FEATURE

How Pacific nations plan to run on 100% renewables

Picture dusk falling somewhere in the Solomon Islands. A fisher's skiff glides home using a whisper-quiet electric outboard...
SUNDAY FEATURE

For James Watson, DNA was his only ‘gold rush’

James Dewey Watson was an American molecular biologist most known for co-winning the 1962 Nobel Prize in physiology...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Some US public schools to teach kids about gun safety

This school year, students in elementary, middle and high schools in some states will get a new lesson...
SUNDAY FEATURE

No longer ‘Prince Andrew’: How royals can be stripped of their titles?

Prince Andrew will be stripped of his royal titles, meaning he will no longer be called “prince” or...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Brazil’s Amazon deforestation falls even as fires surge to record levels

Deforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest fell by 11% from August 2024 to July this year, the government said...
SUNDAY FEATURE

What’s behind anti-Trump protests and the frog costumes

Three frogs, a shark, a unicorn and a Tyrannosaurus rex dance in front of a line of heavily...
SUNDAY FEATURE

What modern British monarchy might look like under William?

In a recent interview with actor Eugene Levy, Prince William stated that “change is on agenda” when...
SUNDAY FEATURE

From barracks to palace: Soldiers who led military coups to become state leaders

Weeks of nationwide Gen-Z protests in Madagascar sparked by power and water shortages escalated and led to a...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Estrogen could aid in therapies for progressive multiple sclerosis: Studies

About 100,000 of the estimated million persons in the United States with multiple sclerosis (MS) have a progressive...
SUNDAY FEATURE

World wide web was meant to unite us, but tearing us apart instead

The hope of the world wide web, according to its creator Tim Berners-Lee, was that it would make...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Our quest to find a truly Earth-like planet in deep space

On October 6 1995, at a scientific meeting in Florence, Italy, two Swiss astronomers made an announcement that...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Trump on a coin? When Caesar tried that, the Roman republic crumbled

A proposed one dollar coin featuring US President Donald Trump is causing ructions across the political divide. It's...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Meet Irene Curie — the physicist who reshaped modern cancer treatment

The adage goes "like mother like daughter," and in the case of Irene Joliot-Curie, truer words were never...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Is China climate good or bad — or both?

You could tell me that China still gets most of its electricity from coal and is building more...
SUNDAY FEATURE

What is cultural intelligence?

Whether at school, at work, or in our leisure time, we encounter individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. "Cultural...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Warn, hide or stand out? How colour in animal world is battle for survival

The animal world is incredibly colourful, and behind this colour palette is a constant game of survival. Most animals...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Mental well-being central to avoiding rising heart disease

Mental well-being is central to preventing chronic and non-communicable diseases, especially heart disease, experts said on Friday. India has...
SUNDAY FEATURE

What is the rapture, and why does TikTok believe the end is coming?

If you believe that the end of the world is at hand, then you really need to know...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Here’s what SPF50+ sunscreen does to your vitamin D levels

What does wearing SPF50+ sunscreen every day do to your vitamin D levels? A study, recently published in the...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Is it okay to sit on public toilet seats?

If you’re a parent or have a chronic health condition that needs quick or frequent trips to the...
SUNDAY FEATURE

Does ASMR really help with anxiety? Psychology expert explains evidence

Most of us have experienced tingling or "goosebumps" at some point, especially when we feel a strong positive...
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