The Conversation

Learn how cicadas, the world's loudest insects, create their cacophony, and why people in ancient Greece and ancient China admired them. Eliza Middleton, Invertebrate and behavioural ecology laboratory manager, University of Sydney Linda Evans, Associate professor, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Cities occupy just 3% of the Earth's surface, yet more than half the world's population live in urban environments. We need nation-wide plans to keep our cities cool so no one gets left behind. Mark Maund, Research Affiliate, School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle Kim Maund, Discipline Head – Construction Management, School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle Marcus Jefferies, Senior Lecturer School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle SueAnne Ware, Professor and Head of School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Newcastle Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Far-right Trump supporters are afraid American democracy has been overturned by their left-leaning 'opponents', even as they themselves actively undermine liberal democratic values and institutions. Jordan McSwiney, PhD Candidate, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The end of coal-fired generation in Australia is inevitable. But the federal government can do more to ensure an orderly transition to renewables – avoiding price spikes and supporting workers. Daniel D'Hotman, DPhil Candidate, University of Oxford Steven Hamilton, Visiting Fellow, Tax and Transfer Policy Institute, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia's invertebrates have an ancient lineage and a fascinating evolution. Get up close with macrophotography to discover tiny, unique animals you've probably never seen before. Nick Porch, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Earth Science, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Different animals have different ways of showing they're happy. Their behaviours aren't as straightforward as you might think. Melissa Starling, Postdoctoral researcher, University of Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As well as my work as a sociologist, I'm also a professional snake catcher. I don’t expect people to love snakes, but I believe they should know more about them - and it's not all bad. Gavin JD Smith, Associate Professor in Sociology, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Indigenous languages around the world are declining at a rapid rate, but linguists can help language revival by working with communities of native speakers. Julie Barbour, Senior Lecturer, Linguistics, University of Waikato Nicola Daly, Senior lecturer in children's literature and language teaching., University of Waikato Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Once thought to occur only in birds and mammals in the Northern Hemisphere, due to the more pronounced winters, we now know torpor is widespread in small Australian mammals. Chris Wacker, Postdoctoral Research Fellow - School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

What blooms underground and smells like vanilla? The answer is an underground orchid, and I never expected to see one, let alone have the privilege of working on them. Mark Clements, Botanist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Not all frogs 'ribbit' — some sound like a motorbike changing gears or a tennis ball being hit. This summer, keep your eyes and ears out for these Aussie frogs. Jodi Rowley, Curator, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Biology, Australian Museum Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The good projects have already been identified and interest rates are low. We could speed up the electricity transition by decades. Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

In many parts of Australia, the trees are in full flower in December. But once they start you must be quick to catch sight of them, the impressive flower show doesn't last more than a couple of weeks. Gregory Moore, Doctor of Botany, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A person who exercises, attends sporting events as a spectator and takes their kids to the oval or swimming pool will create 935 kg of CO₂ per year if using their car. Tim Breitbarth, Senior Academic, Swinburne University of Technology Adam Karg, Associate professor, Swinburne University of Technology Kasey Symons, Postdoctoral research fellow, Swinburne University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Given long-term forecasts for growing urban populations and an increasingly variable climate, local authorities will have to think about how best to encourage people to conserve water. Julia Talbot-Jones, Lecturer, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Sophie O'Brien, Research Analyst, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research Suzie Greenhalgh, Portfolio Leader (Society, Culture & Policy), Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

As the holiday season begins after months of reduced travel, wildlife hospitals are braced for a new wave of admissions. Marissa Parrott, Reproductive Biologist, Wildlife Conservation & Science, Zoos Victoria, and Honorary Research Associate, BioSciences, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The method, using satellite data and other information, could reduce the work of fire forensics teams after bushfires. Dianne Cook, Professor of Business Analytics, Monash University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Airborne data like this is usually available only to industry and government agencies and researchers — rarely to the public. Jorg Michael Hacker, Chief Scientist at Airborne Research Australia (ARA); and Professor, Flinders University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

New research found curly leaves on the forest floor create litter beds with more air gaps. And this fuels bigger fires. Jamie Burton, PhD Candidate, University of Melbourne Alexander Filkov, Senior research fellow, University of Melbourne Jane Cawson, Research Fellow in Bushfire Behaviour and Management, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Decision-makers, locally and globally, must balance management of pandemics with a recognition that fish and fishing communities are essential to local well being. Jacqueline Lau, Research fellow, James Cook University Sarah Ruth Sutcliffe, Marine Social Sciences PhD candidate, James Cook University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.