Aussie dogs to train as pandemic sniffer force
healthThe first COVID-sniffing dogs could be on patrol in airports, hospitals or quarantine within months as Australian scientists work to deploy puppy power in the hunt for unidentified patients
‘Karen’s’ mask fight not just about her rights
civicsLike a school essay, a cartoon is a way to compare and contrast two sides to an issue. In this case it’s about someone demanding their rights but forgetting their responsibilities to the vulnerable
Solved: the mystery of smelly armpits
scienceScientists now understand the substances that make armpits smell, that they predate Homo sapiens and they may have had an important role in communication between our ancestors
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Aussie invents paint to beat coronavirus
In what may be one of the biggest breakthroughs yet in combating COVID-19, a scientist has invented a surface coating that wipes out the virus and may continue working for years
Cartoonist says sorry for taking the mickey
We all know when you try to do something in front of a camera, things don’t turn out quite as you would like them to. This was the case with the Health Minister and his face mask
KFC plans to 3D print chicken nuggets
A fast-food chicken chain is creating lab-grown meat made from stem cells to create a “meat for the future”, as a burger chain feeds cattle lemongrass to try to cut methane emissions
Uncomfortable uniforms could force girls out of sport
Girls are dropping out of sport at high rates as they move from tweens to teens and a new study is looking to see if uniforms are part of the problem
Calls to change cheese health star rating
Despite more than 90 per cent of Australians not eating enough dairy, cheese is being overlooked as a source of calcium and “good” fats, with some cheeses only rating 1.5 health stars
Roadblock stops Premier’s getaway
Cartoonist Mark Knight discusses Victoria’s change of circumstances as coronavirus case numbers increase, and whether Premier Daniel Andrews is running away from responsibility
Dog becomes essential worker during pandemic
A chocolate Labrador has been doing an important job to help people stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering food in a straw basket around his neighbourhood
Virus spread leads to remote learning return
Melbourne students have an extra week of holidays as schools face a return to remote learning while the city battles a second wave of coronavirus infections.
Why do we get wrinkly skin as we age?
Wrinkles are a normal part of ageing, except for the wrinkly fingers and toes people of any age can get when they’ve been in the bath or pool for too long. Kids News researched wrinkles
Getting used to our strange ‘new normal’
A WWII Lancaster bomber aeroplane in the COVID-test queue? Our lives have changed so much in recent months not much surprises us any more, writes cartoonist Mark Knight
Concerns over spike in Victorian COVID-19 cases
Victoria’s new coronavirus cases — including AFL player Conor McKenna — are causing concern about how this could impact Australia’s economic recovery, reopening borders and sport
Vitamin D could help fight food allergies in kids
Australia has the world’s highest rate of childhood food allergies but researchers hope a simple vitamin supplement could help change that.
Teens making music about COVID-19
June 20 is World Refugee Day. Kids News shares a film by a teenager at Bidi Bidi refugee camp in Uganda about young people making music to help stop the spread of COVID-19
Call to ban junk food on kids’ social media
Fast-food companies are bombarding children and teenagers on social media with ads for unhealthy junk food and drinks, according to a new study. Researchers want the ads banned
Trial to ‘switch off’ severe allergies in kids
Kids could live free of life-threatening egg allergies thanks to a treatment being trialled by Australian researchers in Melbourne after the success of a similar trial for peanuts allergies
Goalkicking yips could be in players’ heads
Have you ever wondered why footballers struggle to convert set shots for goal? Australian sports scientists believe the answer could be all in the mind
Young minds rise to the challenge
They might be young but they’re thinking big. Find out how the Westpac Youth Impact Challenge is inspiring kid entrepreneurs who want to make the world a better place
Search for solutions to sports’ COVID-19 problems
As clubs and players prepare to return to training and playing sport, people are working to find solutions to COVID-19-related challenges, including how to legally sanitise a cricket ball
Molly’s on the run for good cause
Pint-sized Molly loves to run — and she’s planning to do it all the way from her Melbourne home to Canberra to raise money for children’s brain cancer.
Insulin that mimics venom of deep-sea snail
Scientists in Australia have described as possibly life changing the invention of human insulin that mimics cone snail venom insulin, working almost instantly to lower blood sugar levels
Dusty models COVID-safe return to AFL season
There’s a small light at the end of the coronavirus tunnel with the AFL’s announcement of a restart to the footy season. Mark Knight imagines how Tigers star Dustin Martin could help
Caring for the billions of microbes in your mouth
Donations of spit from about 1500 people are helping scientists understand how the billions of microbes in our mouths work to keep us healthy and what you can do to keep them healthy too
What makes eyes different colours?
Do you have brown eyes? If that’s a yes, you’re in the majority. In fact, it’s thought that 10,000 years ago, every human had brown eyes. Kids News researched the science of eye colour
Coughing over the health of Australia’s piggy bank
When Mark Knight tuned in to watch Treasurer Josh Frydenberg talk about the economy in federal parliament, he saw him coughing uncontrollably. What was the cause?
Coronavirus restrictions to ease across Australia
A visit with grandma and grandpa, a return to school or a kick of the footy with friends? What do the easing of coronavirus lockdown rules mean for you?
Human urine could help make concrete on Moon
Scientists have found that urea, the main chemical ingredient in urine, would make a good lunar concrete for building a Moon base, reducing the need to launch supplies from Earth
PM’s cabinet chat becomes a stop-work meeting
In his weekly series, award-winning cartoonist Mark Knight explores the PM’s National Cabinet meeting where one leader is pulling out all the stops to protect his citizens from coronavirus
Sea turtles thrive as humans stay off our beaches
Sea turtles are nesting in record numbers across the world as humans stay inside to stop the spread of COVID-19. The turtles are thriving with crowd-free beaches and less pollution
Kids get creative at school to keep COVID-19 away
Children in China are finally returning to classrooms after months of online learning, using creative thinking to find fun ways to keep their distance to help slow the spread of the coronavirus
Toy Story star surprises bullied Aussie boy
A Gold Coast boy named Corona has received a heartfelt letter and special gift from Hollywood actor Tom Hanks after revealing he had been bullied at school
Making music in times of trouble
A Queensland music shop expected tough times during COVID-19 restrictions but it’s been “busier than Christmas” as people turn to playing musical instruments for pleasure and comfort
Drones delivering COVID-19 test kits
Aussies could soon be self-testing for COVID-19 with the help of a fleet of drones. A Melbourne-based drone company is already using tiny aircraft in Africa to deliver and return test kits
Home learning enough to make parents scream
In his weekly series, award-winning cartoonist Mark Knight explores how parents are coping — or not — with the need to support their children’s education from home
Rice ATM helps feed jobless during pandemic
A businessman in Vietnam has invented a rice ATM to help people who can’t afford to buy food because of the shutdowns to prevent the spread of coronavirus
Wild beasts come out to play as humans stay in
Wild animals including jaguars, goats and boars have started exploring quiet city streets across the world as humans stay inside during the coronavirus lockdown
Muggles invited free into Harry Potter world
JK Rowling and Harry Potter are casting a spell to banish coronavirus boredom for children around the world after launching a free website for fans of the boy wizard
Breaking the rules is no laughing matter
In his weekly series, award-winning cartoonist Mark Knight explains why it’s impossible to laugh off the foolish behaviour of beachgoers who break social distancing rules
Outside gatherings cut to two to slow Covid-19
Sunday update: Prime Minister Scott Morrison has limited outside gatherings to just two people and encouraged the elderly to not leave home as the nation continues to try and slow the spread of the coronavirus
Leaders have different schools of thought
In his weekly series, award-winning cartoonist Mark Knight explains why he drew the Prime Minister and two state leaders as musicians playing to a different beat on schools closures
Big COVID-19 questions and simple answers
Using World Health Organisation information, we answer important questions about COVID-19, such as: "What is a virus?" and "Why are there new rules for everyday life?"
Aussie-made food on the menu for astronauts
Australian scientists are cooking up astronaut food to send to space for a year before testing how tasty it is using an electronic nose and tongue in preparation for Moon and Mars missions
Shutdowns across Australia to slow Covid-19
PM Scott Morrison has urged Australians to take social distancing seriously as he announced tough restrictions on how we live and closed non-essential businesses to slow the spread of coronavirus
Protect yourselves, we’re living in strange times
In his weekly series, award-winning cartoonist Mark Knight explains why he drew a cricketer protected by pads and a helmet heading off to buy toilet paper at the supermarket
AFL and NRL clubs vote to play on despite virus
AFL chief Gillon McLachlan has declared the footy season will kick off tomorrow night as NRL clubs also voted to play on during the coronavirus crisis
Hand washing: How does soap work?
As people around the world work to slow the spread of the virus called COVID-19, everyone is telling us to wash our hands with soap. Kids News explains how soap works
It’s not all bad news; there is good news too
Australian Childhood Foundation’s Dr Joe Tucci has a positive message for children about worry and bad news, and a reminder that there is still a lot of good news around if we look for it
Ban on indoor gatherings to limit spread of Covid-19
For the first time in history, Australians are being told not to travel overseas and indoor gatherings of more than 100 people are banned in an effort to keep people safe from COVID-19
Miracle change after double hand transplant
A woman who received two hands from a male donor has found her new hands have transformed to be slimmer and like her own skin tone, in an incredible development that has pleased doctors
WHO officially declares COVID-19 coronavirus a pandemic
As WHO officially declares the global coronavirus crisis a pandemic, PM Scott Morrison announces a $2.4 billion package for Australia’s health system to help it respond to the crisis
Toilet paper now worth its weight in gold
In his weekly series, award-winning cartoonist Mark Knight explains how coronavirus fears across Australia have sparked panic buying and turned toilet paper into a rare gem
Would you eat butter made from maggots?
Scientists in Belgium are experimenting with larva fat to replace butter in waffles, cakes and cookies, saying using grease from insects is more sustainable than dairy produce
Violinist plays during her own brain surgery
A musician has played her violin during a six-hour, lifesaving operation to remove a brain tumour, helping calm the woman’s fears the surgery would ruin her ability to play
Why do we cry and what are tears?
Crocodile tears are real – though humans are the only animals that cry emotional tears – and babies don’t cry tears at all. Kids News explains tears and crying
Doctors keep heart alive in jar for 24 hours
Doctors have kept a heart beating for 24 hours in a jar with the new life-changing ULiSSES device, bringing hope to thousands of patients needing the lifesaving treatment
Mammoth funnel-web stuns zoo
Look away if you hate spiders, because this story is about a huge funnel-web called Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. He’s so big he can produce enough venom to save many human lives
Keeping drinking water safe after fires
Water experts are preparing to keep Australia’s drinking water clean after bushfires, including installing huge fabric curtains across Sydney’s main dam
WHO names coronavirus COVID-19
The World Health Organisation now officially has a name for the coronavirus that has infected more than 40,000 people around the world
Pigs are here to help
Therapy dogs have been helping calm people’s nerves for several years. Now pigs are lining up to be loved by people all over the world who need some extra emotional support
Lunch box sweet treats too salty
Kids and parents planning back-to-school lunches are warned to avoid unhealthy salty treats that contain almost the entire day’s salt allowance recommended for a child
Growing ‘mini brains’ and zapping them to life
In a world first, Australian scientists are zapping balls of brain cells they are growing in a laboratory to make them come to life in a real-life, good-news version of Frankenstein
Energy drinks robbing teens of sleep
Energy drinks loaded with caffeine are depriving Aussie teens of sleep, a major new survey shows. Experts want advertising of the drinks banned on public transport
Junk food tells lies to your brain
Sugary and fatty foods have the power to change how your brain works and stop you knowing when you’re full, but scientists believe you can retrain your brain to beat junk food addiction
Operating on Obama’s 3D-printed brain
In a world-first, Australian doctors have operated on a 3D-printed brain to rehearse for a real brain operation. Up next, 40 brain surgeons operating on 3D printed brains all at once
Astronauts’ blood flows backwards in space
NASA doctors have made the surprising discovery that astronauts’ blood sometimes flows in reverse, with major implications for space tourism and trips to Mars
Australia on high fire alert
A Code Red fire danger day has been declared in Victoria for the first time in 10 years as the entire country swelters through heatwave conditions and fires continue to burn
Bushfires: Sydney’s hazardous air quality
As people in Sydney are being warned to stay inside due to “hazardous” air quality from bushfire smoke blanketing the city, we look at why it’s bad for your health to breathe in smoke
Blood donors lifeblood of Australia
Lifesaving blood transfusions helped Joel Mason survive a shark attack. Now he’s telling his story to help us all understand how donating blood saves lives
Macca’s burger still ‘fresh’ after 10 years
There’s a story that McDonald’s burgers last forever, so one fan kept a burger and fries from 2009 to see if it was true. Today, they still look fine to eat, with no sign of mould or decay
Life-changing day for man with 14 toes
A fortune teller said this man’s extra toes were a gift from heaven, but after a lifetime of coping with this rare condition called polydactyly, he has had them surgically removed
Too many dirty hands to be healthy
New research has exposed the “gross” hygiene habits of some Australians, with some admitting they don’t always wash their hands after going to the toilet or before touching food
Sweet dreams and a good night’s sleep in a carpark
One man’s big plan to help Australia’s homeless people have a good night’s sleep is a step closer to becoming a reality after a trial turned an empty carpark into pop-up accommodation
Quest to end child poverty wins Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prize in economics has been awarded to three people working on solving child poverty. One of the winners is the youngest ever and only the second woman ever
Banish mould lurking in lunch boxes
A child health specialist is urging parents and kids to properly clean and inspect lunch boxes, drink bottles and toys for hidden mould after the revolting results of a parent survey
Scientist becomes world’s first full cyborg
A world-renowned roboticist with motor neurone disease is transforming himself into a robot to extend his life, with plenty more upgrades and updates planned for the future
Paralysed man walks with exoskeleton
A man paralysed from the shoulders down has walked using a four-limb robotic exoskeleton controlled by signals sent from sensors implanted in his brain
The mystery of the human belly button
There are more than 7.7 billion human belly buttons on Earth, yet few of us know much at all about this funny-looking squiggle on the middle of our middle. Kids News explains belly buttons
Head outdoors for ‘playlight savings’ fun
Even families in states without daylight savings need to adopt “playlight savings” to make the most of summer’s longer days and improve their health by being outside
Teens guzzling too much soft drink
One in six Australian teenagers consumes at least 5.2kg of sugar each year from sugary drinks, according to a new health survey. Though that’s an improvement, it’s still too much sugar
Kids feeling eco-anxiety about plastic waste
Australian doctors have declared climate change a health emergency and children admit feeling anxious about the environment, some blaming adults for plastic waste
Yippee! The future is bright for optimists
Scientists believe optimists — people who feel hopeful and are confident about the future — are more likely to live longer and that we may be able to learn to be optimists
Aussie cricket stars’ big tips for kids
Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup, top cricketers are sharing what they’ve learned about success with Australian kids, but it’s not about how to hold a bat, bowl a ball or take a catch
Concussion: what is it and how does it happen?
As cricketer Steve Smith recovers from a hit to the neck, we look at what concussion is, how it happens and how to stay safe in light of new research about kids, concussion and sport
Happy or sad? Students send teachers emojis
School kids will soon be able to use emojis to instantly tell their teachers whether they’re feeling happy, confident, overwhelmed, bored or confused by what’s going on in the classroom
Australian scientists lead world stuttering study
A massive international effort involving scanning the genes of 10,000 stutterers worldwide hopes to uncover the cause of stuttering rather than just treat its symptoms
Building designer mozzies to do good not harm
Australian scientists are creating genetically modified mosquitoes that could wipe out deadly viruses in Queensland and popular overseas holiday spots
Feeling sick? Pepper the robot is here to help
Get ready for robots offering health advice and even criticising your bad health habits. In fact, humanoid robots have already been on the job in Australian hospitals and clinics
Brush more and eat less sugar for healthier teeth
It’s Dental Health Week in Australia, but recent research shows too many children’s teeth are decayed and we need to take better care of our dental health all year. Here’s how
Outdoor smoking ban a first for a major CBD
North Sydney Council has decided to ban smoking outdoors in its CBD, a move it said is about “nonsmokers claiming back the streets”. The ban has overwhelming public support
Michael celebrates birthday with the gift of life
As Australians are asked to talk about organ donation during Donate Life week, we meet tiny Michael Theobald who celebrated his first birthday with the gift of life after a liver transplant
Tiger iceblocks and other heat hacks for a hot Earth
Earth had its hottest June on record and it’s predicted July will be even hotter, with zookeepers resorting to feeding tigers dinner frozen into giant ice blocks, while NSW is put on bushfire alert
Chatty family dinners at risk of dying out
Few Australian families sit down together for dinner every night and many use their phones, watch TV or sit in silence or argue while they eat, according to new research
Study links soft drink to increased cancer risk
New research shows that drinking just a third of a can of soft drink a day greatly increases your risk of cancer, leading a health expert to call for sugary drinks to be treated like cigarettes
What is ear wax and how big can it grow?
A revolting ear wax chunk so big it made international news got us wondering what ear wax is, what it’s for and whether we should clean it out, eat it or leave the inside of our ears alone
Victoria bans student phones at schools
Students at all Victorian government schools will be banned from using or carrying phones from first to last bell from next year in an attempt to reduce distraction and cyber bullying
Amputee footballer having a ‘red-hot crack’
Feet might seem essential to play footy, but a double amputation before his first birthday couldn’t keep 11-year-old Jett out of the team or off the field
Australian man’s world-first skin transplant
South Australian burns survivor Glenn Ogg owes his renewed life to a world-first skin transplant technique developed in Adelaide that involves “farming” new skin from his own skin
Weird ways tech could be changing our skeletons
Modern life could be causing big changes to our bodies. Not all the possible changes are desirable and some of them are alarming, from spiky skull growths to narrower elbows
