Research using mock advertising has found that models of average weight worked as well as thin models – and also made people feel better about their bodies.

Archaeologists have found the skeletons of two parents and their children, buried with each other after dying in a violent attack about 4600 years ago.

With clear-cut policies established, Generation 2 biofuels could be a solution to Australia's transport fuels shortage, writes Professor Robin J Batterham.

Experts believe a national biofuels institute could provide the initiative and support that Australia needs to create a viable transport fuel alternative.

The Australian biotech industry needs urgent attention! Don’t feed it when it’s dead, nurture it now and it will prosper, says Dr Anna Lavelle.

If the Government wants more innovative universities it needs to allow them to act independently and creatively, writes Don Watts.

Australia signed a convention 25 years ago and made a promise that we would protect our wetlands – and we’ve failed dismally. We now have a second and perhaps final chance to save these valuable ecosystems, but will we follow through on it, questions Professor Max Finlayson.

The current global financial crisis must not be allowed to detract Australia’s attention from the serious deterioration of the Earth’s atmosphere with its potential effects on future generations, believe Dr Barrie Bittock and Dr Andrew Glikson.

Dr Terry Cutler reflects on the Review of the National Innovation System and how long-term inaction on our failing system is putting Australia’s economic future at risk.

The way scientific research is funded in Australia’s universities puts an excessive emphasis on guaranteed results at the expense of adventurous ideas and major breakthroughs, writes Bryan Gaensler.

The review of the Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) program will help to ensure more flexible and demand-driven public good research projects, believes Ken Baldwin.

Low technology has opportunities for our manufacturing industries and jobs, and is a fast way to help cut carbon emissions, writes Valerie Yule.

Only days after being announced as chief scientist, Professor Penny D Sackett has made it clear she intends to keep the role as independent from government as possible.

Innovations come from unexpected directions: the greatest contribution by a government is to ensure a well educated and technically literate community, believes Tom Quirk.

Climate-change reporting is woefully inadequate because too often editors lack interest and assign writers without expertise, says James Fahn.