Earth science – The Conversation

New Zealand’s recent decision to reject the latest amendments to the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations (IHR) made news largely due to the lack of a clear explanation from the government rather than what the rules actually say. Health Minister Simeon Brown and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters made the decision without seeking cabinet approval, but offered differen…

Last year Kenya Wildlife Service warned of a growing demand for garden ants in Europe and Asia, where some people view them as exotic pets. An attempt to smuggle over 2,000 garden ants out of the country’s main international airport made the news in 2026. Echoing this, in 2025, four men were sentenced for attempting to smuggle more than 5,000 ants out of the country. The defendants in the 2025 ca…

Plenty of people have worked under a manager who appears confident, articulate and highly visible – yet they struggle to lead their team effectively. Team members can become disengaged, decision-making slows and performance declines. But despite this, the same people always seem to progress through the hierarchy. Unfortunately, this is not unusual. In many organisations, leadership potential is a…

You wake up with that familiar urgency to go to the toilet and burning when you pee – and no matter how many times you go, that urgency doesn’t let up. You know exactly what it is: a urinary tract infection, or UTI. UTIs are common, affecting half of all women at some point. They occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract, causing symptoms such as burning, urgency, frequent urination and lower a…

Charity shops are generally seen as a responsible way to get rid of unwanted belongings. In theory, donating items allows them to be reused and raises money for important causes. However, many charity shops struggle to make use of the donations they receive. The UK has more charity shops per person than any other country, handling hundreds of thousands of tonnes of used clothing every year in add…

A California company has recalled more than 3.1 million bottles of lubricating eye drops because it had not properly tested – and thus could not prove – whether the products were sterile. These products are sold under several names at major retailers across the country. The company, K.C. Pharmaceuticals, initiated the recall on March 3, 2026. I am a clinical pharmacologist and pharmacist who has …

Victoria Cross winner Ben Roberts-Smith was arrested on Tuesday and will face five charges of the war crime of murder allegedly committed during the war in Afghanistan. He was arrested by Australian Federal Police at Sydney domestic airport. Roberts-Smith, a former Special Air Service corporal who was widely feted as one of Australia’s most decorated modern war heroes, has always maintained his i…

The war on Iran has made crystal clear how shaky our reliance on fossil fuels is. It’s no surprise electric vehicles and transport have become more appealing. In Australia, sales of electric vehicles surged 40–50% in March. That sudden surge came after ten months of relatively slow growth, during which battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles made up roughly 14% of new car sales. Industry gro…

Global efforts to limit climate change require deep cuts to carbon emissions. However, global emissions are still growing. Currently, we emit roughly 42 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuel use and land use changes every year. To achieve the targets of the Paris Agreement, which included a long-term commitment to limit global warming to 1.5°C, it will also be necessary to do more tha…

The recent cancellation of the reality TV show The Bachelorette at first glance appears to be a routine network response to save face as alarming information about a star becomes public. Network executives stated that the decision was made “in light of the newly released video” involving a 2023 incident when the latest scheduled season’s main cast member, Mormon mom influencer Taylor Frankie Paul…

The Strait of Hormuz crisis has reached a critical juncture. President Donald Trump has demanded Iran reopen the strait or the United States will further intensify its military assault. While the strait has not been totally closed to shipping, it has been substantially disrupted and transits have effectively slowed to a trickle. The strait is economically and strategically unique due to the acces…

In just a few years, generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) has brought about significant changes in many industries from healthcare to education, entertainment to finance, and even law. The use of gen AI in court verdicts poses significant risks to justice. Erroneous outcomes generated from “hallucinated” information, discriminatory decisions and lack of transparency are all concerns when t…

A high prevalence of long COVID is perhaps the starkest reminder that the pandemic is far from over. The latest New Zealand Health Survey confirms the impacts of the COVID pandemic continue, six years after the initial outbreak. The data show most New Zealanders (77.7% or about 3.3 million people) have had COVID at least once. Many people reported changes in health after COVID, but about one in 1…

“I am a king of angels, from beginning to end. Arrani you’ll soon be crying out, weeping endless tears,” sings Akram Qawar in Arabic while gesticulating at his opponent. Muhammad al-Arrani sings back: “What are you mumbling about? No one understands your verse, did you just come here to make a fool of yourself in the arena?” “Who’s [sic] uncles are out here doing battle raps,” one fan exclaims in…

In a high-end fashion store or luxury car showroom, the term “vegan leather” sends a strong message of quality. For many shoppers, it promises the look and feel of real leather without using animal skins. As brands move away from animal leather, “vegan” has come to suggest something that is both kinder to animals and better for the planet. However, the reality is more complicated. While these mat…

Since March 2025, at least 15 Florida public universities and colleges, including the University of Florida and Florida State College at Jacksonville, have signed memorandums of agreement for their campus police departments to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. These partnerships authorize ICE agents to expand the role of campus police officers so they can receive training…

The war in Iran is affecting the cost of living around the world. In the UK, it is leading to higher energy prices, weaker economic growth and a more expensive future. It may seem odd that fighting in the Middle East could have such a profound affect on household finances in the East Midlands (and everywhere else in the UK). But since the conflict began on February 28 2026, banks and building soc…

On November 26, 1923, a woman named Anne McCormack applied for a military dependent’s pension on the grounds of her husband, James McCormack’s death. He had been a soldier in the Irish citizen army, under the socialist and revolutionary leader, James Connolly. This group was committed to the establishment of a workers’ republic. Its members participated in the week-long armed insurrection of 1916…

Whether it’s riding a bike or knitting a sweater, there are some tasks you do without thinking. These are commonly associated with “muscle memory”, the idea your body can remember how to perform complex tasks and, over time, learn to do them automatically. But do your muscles actually have a memory? And what role does your brain play? Let’s unpack the science. What is ‘muscle memory’? In popular …

Trying a new hobby for the first time can feel surprisingly intimidating. As adults, stepping into beginner territory often comes with discomfort, self-doubt and fear of judgment. Yet research suggests that pushing through this unease can be deeply rewarding, both mentally and emotionally. Leisure activities and hobbies can improve well-being by increasing satisfaction. Beyond simple enjoyment, h…