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The biomechanics of going really, really fast

August 7, 2024

By Associate Professor Adam Bryant Published on August 7, 2024 The 2024 Summer Olympics are well underway in Paris. Around 10,500 athletes from 206 countries are competing in 45 different sports over 19 days of competition. Along with hundreds of millions of people around the world, Australians are tuning in to watch their favourite sports and some of the world’s best athletes. Mollie O’Callaghan, Lani Pallister, Brianna Throssell and Ariarne Titmus of Team Australia celebrate after winning gold in the Women's 4x200m Freestyle Relay.

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Cities must act quickly to challenge disinformation-fuelled violence

August 6, 2024

By Ika Trijsburg Published on August 6, 2024 This week has seen violent protests erupt in cities across the United Kingdom. Media reports suggest these were fuelled by disinformation in the immediate aftermath of the horrific murder of three children at a Taylor Swift dance class in the British town of Southport. Three children were murdered in a knife attack at a dance class. Picture: Getty ImagesDisinformation is knowingly false information, spread with intent.

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Your must-see MIFF films of 2024

July 29, 2024

By Dr Crist\u00f3bal Escobar Published on July 29, 2024 I must confess that I’m terrible at making lists, unless it’s for groceries. There is always something essential missing, and this list is no exception: choosing five films means excluding hundreds. Hamer Hall is one of ten venues showing films during MIFF in 2024. Picture: Wikimedia / Adam JWCThis year, the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is showing more than 250 works from over 62 countries, bringing together films of all genres, lengths and formats.

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We checked if Melbourne really is a dog-friendly city

July 25, 2024

By Dr Mia Cobb Published on July 25, 2024 Slide to the right for a human view, to the left for a doggie view. Dogs' vision is less sharp than humans and they have a narrower colour spectrum. Picture: Pexels So where is the best place for a dog to live in Melbourne?It’s going to depend on the dog. Like people, dogs are individuals with their own preferences. They will decide whether they want loud or quiet, if they can make use of vast running space, and how many playmates to pounce on each day.

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What five thylacine skulls can tell us about extinction

July 25, 2024

By Rohan Long Published on July 25, 2024 The last known thylacine or Tasmanian tiger (Thylacinus cynocephalus) died in Hobart’s Beaumaris Zoo on the 7th of September 1936. The story goes that the last surviving member of the species died of neglect, an evocative end to a story of human callousness and the devastating effects of colonialism. Previously, the five thylacine skulls were never considered as a group. Picture: Gavan MitchellThe Tasmanian tiger with its dog-like body and stripes has since become an icon of extinction, appearing on everything from the Tasmanian coat of arms to beer bottles.

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