Ellen Phiddian

Despite growing interest in psychedelics and cannabis for treating depression, evidence the treatments work is limited.

A study published this week claims taking a daily multivitamin may help slow markers of biological aging. But does the evidence match the headlines?

Large studies conclude there is no evidence to back up community concerns that fluoride in water at recommended levels may affect the cognition or IQ of children. 

Councils are voting to remove fluoride from drinking water — so why did we add it in the first place, and how can you protect your teeth if you're losing access to it?

A review by Australia's pharmaceutical regulator has raised concerns about "endocrine disruptors" in some sunscreens. Is there any reason to be worried?

There's an increasing number of tools that block AIs from training themselves on online information. How do they work, and will they change the way AIs and the internet operate?

Artificial roosts, or "bat boxes", have become a popular home conservation tool. But a new study raises concerns about the danger these boxes pose during heatwaves.

The first set of ancient hand fossils from an ape-like cousin of humans discovered in Kenya suggest a number of species were capable of making tools 1.5 million years ago. 

Can a full moon affect your periods? A new study suggests there's a link, but others say there's little evidence. We look at the facts and debunk some myths.

Three newly discovered sites filled with art and stone tools have pushed back the date of when humans returned to Arabia after the last ice age.

A crushed million-year-old skull found in China that has been digitally reconstructed reopens a debate in human evolution.

A scientific journal has retracted a study that claimed apple cider vinegar rivalled Ozempic as a weight-loss agent.

Archaeologists claim they've found the oldest evidence of human mummification buried underground in Asia. 

Archaeologists claim they've found the oldest evidence of human mummification buried underground in Asia. 

Archaeologists claim they've found the oldest-known deliberately mummified remains in burial sites across China and South-East Asia, with some individuals dating back 14,000 years.

Industry is cautiously moving ahead with a new soft plastic recycling system in the wake of the REDcycle disaster. How will it work, and can we really have a circular soft plastic system in Australia?

A survey of Australian women with a condition called hyperemesis gravidarum found more than half considered terminating their pregnancy, and 90 per cent considered having no more children.

Australian marine scientists have an unprecedented disaster happening right before them, the toxic algal bloom in South Australian waters.

Scientific efforts are getting microscopic on the biggest algal bloom in Australia’s history to see if it hides secrets that could stop its spread.

A worldwide study of more than 4 million birdcalls has found that birds are singing for nearly an hour longer each day because of light pollution.

A supernova blast 2.2 billion light-years from Earth has given astronomers a deeper view into a star's centre than ever before.

Archaeologists discovered stone tools at least a million years old on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, but exactly who made them and how they got there is unknown.

A single flash of lightning stretching more than 800 kilometres across the US has set a new "megaflash" world record. Could it happen in Australia? 

A strange crest found on ancient reptile fossils suggests birds and dinosaurs may not have the exclusive lock on feather-like features.

Researchers tested a genetically engineered gut bacterium to try to limit kidney stones. But once inside some human volunteers, the modified microbe did not follow the plan.