News archive

Articles published in 2015

11 November 2015

US conservatives in crisis

The frontrunners for the Republican nomination are symptomatic of their party's decline, argues Tom Switzer.

11 November 2015

Engineers don't just build things, they can help change the world

A mission to improve the living conditions of the least privileged citizens of the world - in Australia and overseas - needs to be at the forefront of engineering education, argue Petr Matous and Abbas El-Zein.

11 November 2015

Remembrance Day: Lest we forget

Honouring those who have died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts, we share the letters of graduate Eric Mortley Fisher from the Gallipoli frontline.

10 November 2015

Political satirists aren't freedom fighters, says Bassem Youssef

The role of political satirists is simple: to 'bring more people to the table', renowned comedian and freedom-of-speech advocate Bassem Youssef told a packed MacLaurin Hall at the University of Sydney last week.

10 November 2015

Trailblazing disability campaigner takes on stereotypes and wins

Joan Hume (DipEd '69, BA '69, MA '84) has spent a lifetime advocating for people with disabilities.

10 November 2015

Art helps make the world a better place

Since 1998 the Sydney Peace Prize has been recognising peace builders in both Australia and overseas. Now, an artist is joining the winners circle, reflects David Hirsch. 

10 November 2015

Wheat disease-resistance gene identified, potential to save billions

An international team of scientists has identified a gene that can prevent some of the most significant wheat diseases-creating the potential to save more than a billion dollars in lost production in Australia each year.

10 November 2015

Why COP21 in Paris doesn't define climate change action

Paris is not the be-all and end-all for global climate change action, writes Lisette Collins for the Huffington Post Australia.

10 November 2015

The story of Wall Street's first black millionaire

Jeremiah Hamilton made white clients do his bidding. He bought insurance policies on ships he purposely destroyed. And in 1875, he died the richest black American, writes Professor Shane White.

09 November 2015

Students count down to their biggest art show yet

Over 160 students at Sydney College of the Arts (SCA) are counting down to their biggest exhibition yet as they put finishing touches on artworks for the 2015 Undergraduate Degree Show, which officially opens on Tuesday 17 November.

09 November 2015

Archaeologists uncover Roman roads from ancient Cyprus

A team of Australian archaeologists has uncovered evidence of Roman roads and colonnades in Nea Paphos, the ancient capital city of Cyprus.

09 November 2015

'Little Hands' makes a big difference for lifelong learning

A new pilot program pairing Occupational Therapy students from the University of Sydney with kindergarteners from western Sydney public schools has ended its first year with breakthrough results.

09 November 2015

Thousands of dollars in scholarships still available for 2016

If you’re studying at Sydney next year there are numerous scholarships still open for new and current students across many study areas including engineering, the sciences, education, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, medicine, social work, engineering, and business.

09 November 2015

NHMRC funding recognises University of Sydney's research excellence

This outstanding result includes funding of more than $7 million for three NHMRC centres of research excellence dedicated to the early prevention of obesity in childhood, protecting the public from emerging infectious diseases and creating a more sustainable healthcare system, with a focus on cardiovascular disease and cancer. 

09 November 2015

Sydney Ideas marks 40th anniversary of Whitlam dismissal

The University of Sydney will mark the 40th anniversary of the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by Governor General Sir John Kerr with a free public event bringing together three leading scholars to lend their constitutional, legal and historical research expertise on the sacking. 

09 November 2015

Screening a silent killer cuts risk of stroke and death: JAMA opinion

Screening for asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) in people aged 65 and over and treating it with anticoagulant medications could greatly reduce the risk of stroke and premature death, say cardiologists in today's Journal of the American Medical Association.

09 November 2015

Microplate discovery dates birth of Himalayas

An international contingent of scientists, led by the University of Sydney, has discovered the first microplate in the Indian Ocean-helping identify when the initial collision between India and Eurasia occurred and dating the birth of the Himalayas as occurring 47 million years ago.

06 November 2015

How the insanity defence against a murder charge works

We should be concerned about the low numbers of people charged with criminal offences who raise mental impairment or mental illness defences, argues Associate Professor Arlie Loughnan.

06 November 2015

Study backs cat welfare: expert calls for early-age desexing

Research showing cats can be desexed younger than previously thought could have important implications for animal welfare and the environment.

06 November 2015

Keep an eye on vocal fry

Dr Cate Madill explores the speech phenomenon becoming increasingly common with young women in Australia, the UK and US.