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The Conversation

theconversation.com

Academic explainers written by working researchers for general audiences. Topical news angles, but the depth comes from the writer's actual expertise.

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The Conversation

As SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic plan blockbuster launches, will it make AI giants more accountable?

While all eyes are on whether Elon Musk is about to become the world’s first trillionaire, there may be a hidden upside to AI giants finally facing market scrutiny.

Marta Khomyn, Senior Lecturer, Finance and Data Analytics, Adelaide UniversityJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

Climate change has already made Australians in one state much poorer, and more’s to come

It’s time to recognise climate change for what it is. A new study shows it’s a current and ongoing threat to our standard of living.

Ben Newell, Professor of Cognitive Psychology and Director of the Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW SydneyJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

Reform is hard. Albanese and Chalmers need to stay the course

The Albanese government was criticised on its first term for not doing enough. Now that it is prescribing reform, it’s copping flak for that, too.

Chris Wallace, Professor, School of Politics Economics & Society, Faculty of Business Government & Law, University of CanberraJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

Does the body really ‘keep the score’ after trauma? How the debunked idea of ‘repressed memories’ is making a comeback

In the 1990s, repressed memories sparked a major scientific dispute about how trauma works. Now, the idea is back – with a twist.

Celine van Golde, Associate Professor in Forensic Psychology, University of SydneyJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

Breathing two-billion-year old air: MONA’s Hard Core is an artistic journey through deep time

An Earth scientist reviews Julian Charrière’s new exhibition spanning volcanoes, glacial rocks, and humans’ short yet impactful role in geological time.

Hannah Moore, University Associate, Earth Sciences, University of TasmaniaJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

The Social Security trust fund will run dry in 2032 – what that means for retirees and workers who hope to retire

Unless Congress acts, 1 in 5 Americans who receive Social Security could see an across-the-board benefit cut of roughly 22% starting in 2032.

John W. Diamond, Director of the Center for Public Finance at the Baker Institute, Rice UniversityJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

The ‘Divine Ponytail’, drug scandals and the OJ Simpson chase: looking back at the 1994 US World Cup

The soccer was superb but the 1994 World Cup in the US is also remembered for multiple controversies.

Brendon Hyndman, Associate Professor of Education, Charles Sturt UniversityJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

Astronomers found a galaxy in the throes of death – and they know what’s killing it

All things die, even galaxies.

Deanne Fisher, Associate Professor of Astronomy, Swinburne University of TechnologyJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

The market moves before Trump posts

Hundreds of millions of dollars are being made on well-timed oil bets occurring just before Trump posts. But can we call it insider trading?

Stephen Harrington, Associate Professor, School of Communication, Queensland University of TechnologyJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

How can we make buildings more resilient before – and after – earthquakes? We put one solution to the test

A full-scale earthquake test suggests a new generation of low-carbon timber-based buildings could remain usable after major shaking.

Ashkan Hashemi, Senior Lecturer in Structural and Earthquake Engineering, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata RauJun 10, 2026
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The Conversation

Politics with Michelle Grattan: pollster Simon Welsh on One Nation’s rise and Victoria’s ‘very messy’ election

The pollster also warns any move to replace Victorian premier Jacinta Allan before the November state election would be a ‘disaster’ for Labor.

Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of CanberraJun 10, 2026
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The Conversation

A meteorite impact may have once rained gold on Western Australia – new study

Here’s what happens when a rock from space smashes into a goldfield.

Raiza R. Quintero, Assistant Professor, Department of Geology, University of Puerto Rico - MayagüezJun 10, 2026
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The Conversation

Is milk good or bad for kids? And how much dairy do they actually need?

If you follow child nutrition content on social media, you’re bound to be confused when it comes to giving your kids milk. Here’s what the evidence actually says.

Nick Fuller, Clinical Trials Director, Department of Endocrinology, RPA Hospital, University of SydneyJun 10, 2026
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The Conversation

The government is reforming child support. Here’s what’s changing – and what’s been missed

One million children are meant to receive child support each year. Proposed changes will help them in some ways, but fall short of addressing big problems.

Bruce M Smyth, Emeritus Professor of Family Studies, Australian National University; La Trobe UniversityJun 10, 2026
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The Conversation

Do mandatory body cameras actually reduce police brutality?

NSW police will make body-worn cameras mandatory after recent controversies. But it may not solve the issues they face.

Michael Cain, Associate Lecturer in Criminology, Deakin UniversityJun 10, 2026
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The Conversation

Mamma Mia! is Shakespeare’s Tempest in campy musical disguise

Both are tales set on islands where romance and mystery abound.

Elizabeth Schafer, Professor of Drama and Theatre Studies, Royal Holloway, University of LondonJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

Left-of-centre parties like Labour face challenges from both right and left – here’s what they can do about it

The social democratic movement is clearly under pressure.

Magnus Feldmann, Associate Professor, School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies, University of BristolJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

Researchers ask us to rethink the ways we see and study the Arctic

Given increasing geopolitical tensions and economic interest in the region, how can academic research support those who live in and depend on the Arctic?

Megan Bailey, Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair, Integrated Ocean and Coastal Governance, Dalhousie UniversityJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

The 2026 World Cup is around the corner, but where is FIFA’s child safeguarding policy?

The commitments produce policy documents without enforcement mechanisms, are vague and are not tailored to the specific risks children face during a sports mega-event.

Isra Iqbal, PhD Student in Kinesiology and Health Science, Western UniversityJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

When men take parental leave, their careers may benefit — but women’s do not

New research using Canadian workplace data finds that men who take six months or more of parental leave are seen as warmer and more leadership-ready by colleagues.

Ivona Hideg, Professor of Organisation Studies, University of Oxford; York University, CanadaJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

Nasa names Artemis III crew, but a rocket explosion has thrown US Moon plans into turmoil

The New Glenn explosion could seriously delay the timetable for returning to the Moon.

Daniel Brown, Lecturer in Astronomy, Nottingham Trent UniversityJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

Is soccer taking over America … or are Americans taking over football?

Americans own dozens of elite European soccer teams – and are seeking changes to protect their investments.

Kirk Bowman, Professor of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of TechnologyJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

A day at the museum: How to follow kids’ leads to support curiosity across generations

When adults thoughtfully pay attention to children’s curiosity and questions, they can support child development and foster the exchange of meaningful insights.

Sheryl Smith-Gilman, Associate Director, Daniel and Monica Gold Centre for Early Childhood Development, McGill UniversityJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

Glucosamine supplements may speed memory loss from Alzheimer’s, new research shows

Animal experiments and analysis of patient records suggest that taking glucosamine is safe for a healthy brain but is associated with further decline in diseased brains.

Ramon Sun, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of FloridaJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

Greater international co-operation is needed to achieve the UN’s global forest goals

While some progress has been made since these goals were established in 2017, it is uneven. Only seven of the 26 targets have been broadly met.

Peter Wood, Lecturer, Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship, University of British ColumbiaJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

How positive tipping points may be the key to protecting tropical rainforests

We don’t have to persuade everyone to do the right thing. We just need to persuade enough people to make the system tip in the right direction.

Tom Powell, Research Impact Fellow in the Global Systems Institute, University of ExeterJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

Pizza lovers and savoury snackers: what secondary school pupils choose to eat

Cookies, traybakes and pizza were very popular, and daily specials and fruit were not.

Patrice Mwithaga, Postgraduate researcher in Public Health Nutrition, University of LeedsJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

Wes Streeting’s health bill brings back ‘democratic control’ of the NHS in England – but what does it mean?

Abolishing NHS England sounds like a tidy fix. But the legal changes buried in the health bill could make the NHS more vulnerable than ever.

Mary Guy, Research Fellow, Health Policy, Trinity College DublinJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

Megacolon: when constipation becomes something more serious

Most constipation is harmless. In rare cases, the colon can become dangerously enlarged. Here is what you need to know.

Mohsin Butt, Clinical Research Fellow in Neurogastroenterology, Queen Mary University of LondonJun 9, 2026
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The Conversation

How gaps in education, work and welfare support can push neurodivergent people into homelessness

Homelessness among neurodivergent people isn’t just about housing, it reflects repeated failures across support systems.

Sebastian C. K. Shaw, Associate Professor in Medical Education (Research Methods), Brighton and Sussex Medical SchoolJun 9, 2026