The Conversation

New research has used genetic analysis in a world-first effort to accurately estimate Australian and New Zealand white shark numbers. Rich Hillary, Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO Russ Bradford, Project leader and researcher, CSIRO Toby Patterson, Senior research scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Most of us lack the expertise to evaluate climate science, but there are ways anyone can spot a badly reasoned argument. Peter Ellerton, Lecturer in Critical Thinking, Director of the UQ Critical Thinking Project, The University of Queensland Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

To answer this question from Fiona, age 6, we need to know some things about clouds and light. Justin Peter, Senior Climatologist, Australian Bureau of Meteorology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australian bees have so far avoided the 'colony collapse' devastating hives around the world, but there's growing pressure for a ban on certain insecticides blamed for bee deaths. Caroline Hauxwell, Associate Professor, Queensland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A dozen leading researchers have issued an urgent call to action for the Murray-Darling Basin, arguing that the billions spent on water-efficient irrigation have done little for the rivers' health. Quentin Grafton, Director of the Centre for Water Economics, Environment and Policy, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Darla Hatton MacDonald, Associate Professor, University of Tasmania David Paton, Associate Professor, University of Adelaide Graham Harris, Professorial Fellow, University of Wollongong Henning Bjornlund, Professor, University of South Australia Jeffery D Connor, Professor in Water Economics, University of South Australia John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland John Williams, Adjunct Professor Environment and Natural Resources, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Lin Crase, Professor of Economics and Head of School, University of South Australia Richard Kingsford, Professor, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sarah Ann Wheeler, Professor in Water Economics, University of Adelaide Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Pond snails use things like rocks or the side of their aquarium as their bed, attaching themselves while they sleep. This might not seem very relaxing but their shells do hang away from their body. John Lesku, PhD, Senior Lecturer in Sleep Ecophysiology, La Trobe University Anne Aulsebrook, PhD candidate, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Every festival in Australia sends countless bits of glitter down the drain (and into the ocean). But you can still shine on – in bio-glitter. Jennifer Lavers, Research Scientist, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Plenty of cafes these days will let you take home some used coffee grounds, to put on your garden. It's a versatile material with loads of potential uses - as long as you treat it properly first. Tien Huynh, Senior Lecturer in the School of Sciences, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

February is the riskiest time of the year for blackouts, as the nation returns to work and school and soaring temperatures put pressure on the system. Hugh Saddler, Honorary Associate Professor, Centre for Climate Economics and Policy, Australian National University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Today, we're asking why some of the most disadvantaged parts of our cities cop the worst of a heatwave and how you -- yes, you! -- can do your bit to reduce the risk of a summer time blackout. Sunanda Creagh, Head of Digital Storytelling Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Fill a tank with water, sugar, and old mobile phones. Add bacteria and stir. Result? Rare earth metals. This is biomining, and it's the way of the future. Marcos Voutsinos, PhD Candidate, Geomicrobiology, University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

We use our fridges, washing machines and air conditioners every day. That means that we should consider much more than the up-front retail price when choosing to invest in a new one. Trivess Moore, Research Fellow, RMIT University Simon Lockrey, Research Fellow, RMIT University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Coral reefs in the Asia-Pacific have been deluged with an estimated 11.1 billion pieces of plastic waste, increasing the risk of coral disease more than 20-fold. Joleah Lamb, Research fellow, Cornell University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

The federal government's new funding aims to spread the net wide in investigating possible ways to protect the Great Barrier Reef's corals. Winning this battle will require a wide range of weapons. David Suggett, Associate Professor in Marine Biology, University of Technology Sydney Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Imagine being one of the last few people alive. Would that make it ok to destroy the natural world? This thought experiment reveals the true value of nature, beyond the benefits to humans. Janna Thompson, Professor of Philosophy, La Trobe University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Despite persistent buzz, the falling cost of electric cars isn't enough to guarantee sales in Australia. Graciela Metternicht, Professor of Environmental Geography, School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Gail Broadbent, Post Graduate Researcher Electric Vehicles, UNSW Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Blockchain is now helping to bring much-needed transparency to the global tuna industry, which has been prone to corruption, human slavery and unsustainable fishing practices. Candice Visser, PhD Candidate, University of Wollongong Quentin Hanich, Associate Professor, University of Wollongong Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

If your New Year's resolutions include improving your diet, it's worth thinking about eating healthier for the planet. Michalis Hadjikakou, Research fellow, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering & Built Environment, Deakin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Despite Australia being considered the 'lucky country', 15% of us still experience food insecurity. Meanwhile, 40% of edible food is thrown away before it even reaches the market. Carol Richards, Senior Lecturer, Queensland University of Technology Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Australia's scorching summers aren't just inconvenient: heatwaves are deadly. Yet new research has found many vulnerable people don't have a plan for extreme heat. Andrew Gissing, Adjunct Fellow, Macquarie University Lucinda Coates, Risk Scientist, Risk Frontiers Natural Hazards Research Centre, Macquarie University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.