Even the Pentagon is looking for aliens. What are the odds of finding them?
Explainer
Space

Even the Pentagon is looking for aliens. What are the odds of finding them?

Is there anybody out there (or,at least,anything)? In a new explainer series,we explore how close science fiction is to becoming reality,starting with the search for alien life – and how UFOs went mainstream.

  • bySherryn Groch

Latest

Scientist are uncovering the wide-ranging effects of sounds heard before birth

Scientist are uncovering the wide-ranging effects of sounds heard before birth

Researchers say frogs,birds,crocodiles and other creatures seem able to sense and use sound while they’re still embryos,and that prenatal sounds affect everything from their behaviour to their chances for survival.

  • byErin Blakemore
How are mRNA vaccines made and how do they work?

How are mRNA vaccines made and how do they work?

It would take less than two kilograms of mRNA to vaccinate all of Australia and to make that just 20 grams of DNA is required.

  • byLiam Mannix
Octopus dreams more like gifs than visions:scientist

Octopus dreams more like gifs than visions:scientist

A new octopus study suggests the creatures experience short bursts of ‘active sleep’ not unlike humans,but without the “complex symbolic plots”.

  • byWill Dunham
Small,cute,weird:Some sea slugs grow new bodies after losing head

Small,cute,weird:Some sea slugs grow new bodies after losing head

This “wonder of nature”,reported in a biology journal,could eventually help scientists better understand and tackle regeneration of human tissue.

  • bySeth Borenstein andMayuko Ono
Scientist abuzz as bee thought ‘extinct’ for 100 years lands near him

Scientist abuzz as bee thought ‘extinct’ for 100 years lands near him

A rare Australian native bee had not been sighted for nearly 100 years until one landed in front of the researcher looking for them.

  • byStuart Layt
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Finding Nemo’s vision:State-of-the-art Qld tech to determine how clownfish see

Finding Nemo’s vision:State-of-the-art Qld tech to determine how clownfish see

Researchers have been experimenting with a special display to help them understand how the fish,and other animals,see UV light.

  • byStuart Layt
Octopuses have a secret sense to keep 8 arms out of trouble

Octopuses have a secret sense to keep 8 arms out of trouble

How does the octopus keep all those wiggly limbs out of trouble? According to a new study,the octopus’ arms can sense and respond to light — even when the octopus cannot see it with the eyes on its head.

  • byRichard Sima
Light in the darkness:Fish with eyes that made scientists look twice
Exclusive
Science

Light in the darkness:Fish with eyes that made scientists look twice

Scientists have confirmed a species of coral fish has eyes even better at seeing in low light than some species found in the deepest depths of the ocean.

  • byStuart Layt
How spitting cobra venom evolved to be a ‘defensive chemical weapon’

How spitting cobra venom evolved to be a ‘defensive chemical weapon’

New research has found the venom from spitting cobras is supercharged to cause as much pain as possible.

  • byStuart Layt
The research breakthrough to ensure your cells aren’t the boss of you

The research breakthrough to ensure your cells aren’t the boss of you

Queensland researchers have pinpointed the genes in charge of telling other genes what to do,with implications from treating heart disease to helping animals deal with climate change.

  • byStuart Layt