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Dinosaur could be the biggest ever land animal
animalsPalaeontologists are digging up the massive 98-million-year-old fossilised skeleton of a titanosaur they now believe was the largest animal ever to walk on Earth
Bushfire Poetry Comp: author Jackie French’s five rules for writing a poem
artsAward-winning author Jackie French wants kids to discover the healing power of poetry. See her tips for writing a great poem
New name revealed for Coon cheese
civicsFavourite Australian cheese brand Coon will be renamed Cheer after concerns the old name has a racist meaning
Latest
Student solves poem clues, finds treasure chest
The identity has been revealed of the person who solved clues written into a poem, then found a famous gold-filled treasure chest hidden more than a decade ago in the wilds of Wyoming
New height agreed for Mount Everest
China and Nepal jointly announced a new and slightly higher official height of 8848.86m for Mount Everest on Tuesday, ending a disagreement between the two nations
Great Barrier Reef spawning shown on TV
In an Australian first, the annual Great Barrier Reef spawning has been shown live on TV in the hope the event will bring the country together in awe and inspire people to help protect the reef
Snapshots capture happy quokkas
Quokkas are the happiest creatures on Earth, according to animal photographer Alex Cearns, who has captured the loveable marsupials on camera for a new picture book.
Aussie telescope maps new atlas of the Universe
In under two weeks the CSIRO’s world-leading radio telescope in Western Australia has created a Google Maps-like atlas or map of our Universe, in the meantime discovering many new galaxies
China launches mission to the Moon
China has launched a spacecraft to collect rocks from the Moon for the first time in more than 40 years. It’s the country’s boldest space mission yet and could lead to a future crewed lunar landing
Dogs then cats top list of favourite pets
Australians love pets and our favourite pets are definitely dogs, according to the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey, which, for the first time, asked us about animals
Like Superman: Aussies making diamonds in minutes
In nature, diamonds take billions of years, heat and pressure to form. Australian scientists have made diamonds at room temperature by squashing carbon with the weight of 640 elephants
Solving the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle
Ships and planes have disappeared without a trace in the Bermuda Triangle. But is there really anything strange going on? Kids News looks at the history of this fascinating phenomenon
Room to improve Australia’s recycling efforts
Australia is burying 67 million tonnes of garbage every year, equal to 2700kg for each person, a new report has found. That’s despite people saying they’re putting a lot of effort into recycling
‘Iso’ declared Australia’s word of the year
The Australian National Dictionary Centre has named ‘iso’ — slang for self-isolation — as the word of 2020 from both a year and a shortlist of words dominated by the coronavirus pandemic
New names for Red Skins and Chicos lollies
Red Skins will be renamed Red Ripper and Chicos will become Cheekies as Nestle scraps the old names over fears they are offensive
New technology beams sound into your head
Audio technology to be unveiled this week beams music, games or movie soundtracks directly into your head without headphones or wires, which the developers are calling “sound beaming”
A Clock of Stars author Francesca Gibbons answers your questions
Thanks to everyone who sent in questions for Francesca Gibbons. Check out her answers to her favourite questions, and while you’re at it you can read the first three chapters of A Clock of Stars: The Shadow Moth for free
Meet your two-million-year-old ‘cousin’
Australian researchers have found the skull of a big-toothed, small-brained ‘cousin’ of our species called Paranthropus robustus, which could help us understand human evolution
New push to change Australian anthem lyrics
The NSW Premier has called for a change to the lyrics of the national anthem to better acknowledge Australia’s proud Indigenous history but some say it’s not enough of a change
Vaccine maker ‘near ecstatic’ after study result
The Pfizer coronavirus vaccine has shown a 90 per cent effectiveness rate in tests, boosting global confidence. Australia last week ordered 10 million doses of this particular vaccine
Aussie kids need less homework, more play
Homework headaches and “competitive parenting’’ are fuelling kids’ anxiety, Australia’s new National Children’s Commissioner warned, calling for kids to get more time to relax and play
Gut bacteria could help control allergies, asthma
There are positive signs in new research that hay fever, asthma, eczema and other allergies — which affect one in three Australians — could be controlled by improving your gut health
Plentiful water found on surface of Moon
NASA has announced the discovery of surface water on the Moon in more places and in larger quantities than expected, providing drinking water and rocket fuel for future astronaut base camps
What is dyslexia? Is there a cure?
Dyslexia is the most common cause of reading, writing and spelling difficulties. But the good news is dyslexia is not a disease and you can have dyslexia and be really good at lots of things
Phones and watches are an increasingly popular way to pay
We all know you don’t need cash to go shopping these days. But now you don’t even need a bank card, with the rise of digital wallets on smart devices
Signal troubles on Earth? Move to the Moon
If you’re struggling with dodgy phone or internet, there’s a chance you’ll soon be better off on the Moon as NASA awards Nokia the job of building the first lunar mobile network
NASA attempts to snatch asteroid rubble
UPDATED After almost two years circling the asteroid Bennu hundreds of millions of kilometres away, a NASA spacecraft has attempted to collect a sample from the treacherous, boulder-packed surface
Kurt the cloned horse kicking up his heels
In a world first, scientists have cloned a rare, endangered Przewalski’s horse. They used cells taken from a stallion 40 years ago and fused them with an egg from a domestic horse
Record fast flight to International Space Station
A new crew has arrived at the International Space Station in less time than it takes to catch a plane flight from one side of Australia to the other
Wanting the Premier to hit the right target
There are lots of complex numbers in news about the coronavirus pandemic. Mark Knight explains how he created a drawing to show what’s happening in Victoria in a simple way
The planets better suited for life than Earth
Scientists have discovered 24 “superhabitable” planets that are older, larger, warmer and wetter than Earth, making them ideal for life
How do birds fly? Why can’t humans fly?
It’s spring and that means there are soon to be a lot of baby birds learning to fly. They look awkward first go, but they soon work it out. How do they do it? And why can’t humans fly too?
Cricket star’s message to kids: tough times won’t last
She’s a superstar of Australian sport, but things haven’t always gone to plan for cricketer Alyssa Healy. Here’s her advice for bouncing back from difficult times
Alligator-squeak research wins big science prize
Scientists have won an international prize for research intended to make you laugh — and then think — for testing whether an alligator that breathes in helium squeaks like Minnie Mouse
Aussie boy sets sights on Paralympics
A genetic condition that affects co-ordination and muscle development is no match for this little boy with a big dream
Tassie devil relative returns from extinction
This tiny carnivorous marsupial was thought to be wiped out in NSW a century ago, but now scientists have reintroduce a small population of mulgaras back into the wild
Scan of 10.3 million stars doesn’t find aliens – yet
In the broadest search for extraterrestrial life ever completed, scientists have looked for aliens in a scan of more than 10 million stars using a radio telescope in Western Australia
Scientists solve mystery of giant melting glacier
Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier — more than twice as big as Tasmania — is melting from below, putting it at risk of collapse. Scientists now know warm water flowing beneath it is to blame
Mighty mice keep muscles in space
As humans get ready for long trips to Mars, scientists are working on how to keep them strong and healthy by studying astronaut mice with big muscles sent to the International Space Station
Bullied by a friend? It’s still bullying
Young people are less likely to recognise behaviour as bullying if it is coming from someone they consider a friend, according to a new study from online mental health organisation ReachOut
Inside the shark tank at Sea Life Aquarium
They might look scary but few sharks deserve their fearsome reputation, according to aquarist James Gilbert. In fact, some need our help to survive on National Threatened Species Day.
Time outdoors is good medicine for hi-tech kids
New research has found green time can reduce the negative effects of too much screen time in front of TVs, computers and video games for kids
Biggest black hole collision ever detected
Adelaide scientists are part of the international team celebrating the discovery of the most massive black hole collision and merger ever detected and which happened almost 7 billion years ago
Meet Gertrude, the pig with the brain implant
A company co-founded by Elon Musk has fitted computer chips into the brains of three little pigs in a trial that could lead to people being able to control computers with their minds
Brain holds key to Antarctic ice ship mystery
Conspiracy theorists claim they’ve found a huge capsized ship about 160km off the coast of Antarctica but the mystery is most likely solved by looking at how human brains work
Chirps from space reach Earth again
More mysterious Fast Radio Bursts have made it to Earth from a galaxy three billion light-years away but researchers still don’t know what they are and why they’re coming here
The day the flag was missing from the big game
What a thrill to see this year’s big AFL Dreamtime game between the Bombers and the Tigers played in Darwin. But what a shock that the Aboriginal flag — an important symbol — was missing
Hope for gold at the end of the tunnel
Victoria is on the verge of a second gold rush fuelled by gold’s high world price and modern mining methods, with hopes the precious metal will help the state recover after COVID-19
Coral recovery hope for Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is fighting back, with new research showing “encouraging” signs of coral growth in two-thirds of 86 monitored reefs
Human blood is warm, but cool too!
Kids News is celebrating National Science Week by taking a look at the approximately five litres of hardworking red blood pumping around a person’s body that gives us our get up and go
Female Aussie swimmer tops men’s world record
Marathon swimmer Chloe McCardel has completed her 35th English Channel crossing — her fourth in 16 days and more than any man — battling fog, darkness, ships and quarantine rules
Whose big AFL grab will we sing about?
The AFL Grand Final is one of the major sporting events of the year but everything about the 2020 season is different. Qld Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk could take the mark of the year
Do you recognise this face?
Most Australians will have seen her face but few would know the remarkable story of Mary Reibey and how she came to be on our $20 banknote
Ocean world discovered between Mars and Jupiter
A NASA mission has discovered a saltwater ocean world in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Until now, freezing dwarf planet Ceres was thought to be a barren space rock
Kids helping kids with One=One campaign
In rural and remote Australia, one in four kids comes to school without breakfast or lunch. To help, Kids News is supporting One=One, which means $1 raised provides one meal
NASA to drop harmful space nicknames
The US space agency will stop using the nicknames of some cosmic objects — such as NGC 2392, the “Eskimo Nebula” — in an effort to address discrimination and inequality
Plastic waste found in seafood
Researchers have discovered alarming levels of microplastics in sardines, prawns, oysters and crabs
Tough battle ahead for state of disaster
In a cartoon, using a visual metaphor can help describe another issue we may not have much understanding about. But just like with bushfires, if Australians band together, we can beat this
Heatwave Harry? Naming the threat may save lives
Giving heatwaves names and strength ratings, as for cyclones, could help people in hot places such as Australia understand how dangerous they are, particularly as heatwaves worsen in future
How the Martian ice age shaped the red planet
Mars was once covered in ice sheets that carved out thousands of giant valleys in the same way as on Earth, challenging previous theories of Mars as a warm, wet planet covered in oceans
Solved: the mystery of smelly armpits
Scientists 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
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
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
Bushfires threaten 49 Australian species
Scientists are just beginning to understand how the bushfires devastated populations of native animals. See the full list of species that are now – suddenly – under threat
Mars mission headlines big week in space news
UAE launched its first mission to Mars on Monday as it strives to reduce the country’s reliance on selling oil. On the ISS, NASA astronauts complete a space walk and prepare to head home
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
Race is on to reach the Red Planet
Traffic is about to get busy on the interplanetary route between Earth and Mars as three rival missions leave Earth during July in time for the next Earth-Mars Close Approach in October
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
Calls to better protect world-famous giant cuttlefish site
Pressure is mounting on the SA government to reverse a decision allowing fishing of giant cuttlefish in the Spencer Gulf, where they mass each year to spawn, the only place in the world this happens
Big buzz about Aussie bee drone invention
A team of mechanical engineering students in South Australia has invented a small drone that transfers pollen from plant to plant and that could one day replace bees
How you can help stop a bully
You might not have been bullied but chances are you’ve seen it happen to one of your classmates. Experts say bystanders make a choice to be part of the problem or part of the solution
Scientists map ancient lost continent
Towering titanosaurs and other dinosaurs once roamed the vast, mountainless lands between the east of Australia and New Zealand on a lost continent called Zealandia
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
Giant meat-eating dinosaur roamed Australia
Move over T-rex, Gigantosaurus and Spinosaurus — the discovery of dinosaur footprint fossils in Queensland reveal Australia had its own huge predator in the Jurassic Period.
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
Discovery of Earth-like habitable planet
An exoplanet that orbits a star just like our Sun could be the most similar to Earth ever found, which has scientists thinking it could liveable.
Lost city found with radar and a quad bike
A long-buried ancient Roman city in Italy has been mapped in incredible detail without any digging. Instead, archaeologists used a ground-penetrating radar strapped to a quad bike
The mystery of sea creatures’ snot palaces
Learning how sea creatures build the equivalent of five-story palaces in about an hour, made just with mucus from their heads, could help us build expanding homes on Earth, the Moon or Mars
Burnt koalas heal with Phillip Island penguins
Phillip Island reopens on World Environment Day as Ranger Jess McKelson shares tales of bushfire koalas and little penguins
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
Australia set for colder, wetter than average winter
Get your umbrella and winter woollies out. The Bureau of Meteorology is tipping plenty of rain and chilly days ahead but nights could be warmer.
Australian man’s new toilet paper world record
A young Queensland soccer star has claimed his fourth Guinness World Record, despite most sport being cancelled during coronavirus-related restrictions
Big boost to birdwing butterflies in the wild
A successful captive breeding and release program of more than 500 Richmond birdwing butterflies means the species could soon be taken off the threatened species list
No joke! Experts agree laughter is good for us
Humour is as ancient as human life itself, but the joys of laughter never grow old and amusement experts believe we’re on the cusp of a COVID-19 comedy revolution
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
Unleash the little scribes to make mischief!
Beloved Australian children’s author Andrew Daddo says storytelling platform Littlescribe invites kids to imagine breaking all the rules
Climbers to remeasure height of Everest
A team of climbers is on its way to summit Mount Everest this week to measure whether it has grown as Earth’s tectonic plates move and try to end international disagreement on the subject
Gnarly home has its own skate bowl
Imagine the fun you’d have living in this cool house. Pool parties with friends are just the start. How about your own indoor skate bowl?
Isolation baby boom for Australian zoos
While the world has been in lockdown, zoos around the country have been welcoming a wave of cute, cuddly and not so cuddly babies. Check them out.
Aussie AI song takes global music prize
A three-minute song written by artificial intelligence that turned koala grunts, kookaburra laughs and Tassie devil barks into a kind of instrument has won an international music competition
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?
Spooky goings-on at night in the museum
British Museum guards have reported spooky goings-on including ghostly footsteps, strange lights and mysterious crying among the exhibits, like a real-life version of Night at the Museum
Mystery of koala drinking habits solved
In a big win in the battle to save this species from extinction, scientists have observed koalas drinking in the wild for the first time, watching them lick rain running down tree trunks
Cave find rewrites history of early humans
Scientists have found human bones and a tooth up to 46,000 years old that rewrite the history of early humans’ arrival in Europe and time spent living alongside Neanderthals
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