(MENAFN- The Conversation) There's no doubt you, dear readers, love science and technology.
Over the past 12 months, you were fascinated by octopus, intrigued by geology and obsessed with data and electronic devices. You watched space, wondered about our human ancestors, and queried your own behaviour.
Month by month, here's a snapshot of the articles you enjoyed the most in 2017.
TIMELINE: most highly read Science and Technology stories in 2017. Use the arrows or swipe to scroll through the months.
For us as editors, in the Science and Technology section we aim to cover not just the biggest stories in the sector, but also issues that can fly under the radar of other news outlets.
This year we've featured many great examples of new research, unique analysis and compelling human yarns, not just in the modern era but also looking back in time and glancing outwards into space.
Gazing to space
The 2017 detection of gravitational waves generated by collapsing neutron stars was heralded as one of the biggest science stories in half a century. Global interest in this discovery was phenomenal. We published analysis not just on , but also personal reflections that shared , the collaboration and required when you're a researcher.
Still in space, scientists and science-lovers alike watched the of the Cassini space probe in 2017, as it plunged into Saturn after .
But we took comfort in the fact that Australia is the only country positioned right to as – 40 years post launch – they reach the outer edges of our Solar system.
The Federal government's announcement that seemed hastened by the taking place in Adelaide in 2017. We analysed Australia's space activities in the leadup to the conference, in our series .
Love/hate technology
Digital technology featured heavily in our lives in 2017, creating a somewhat uneasy mix of delight and trepidation. We're shopping faster, travelling easier and communicating quicker. But , should governments be allowed to view it, and do we understand the place of machines in our lives? Our series and tackled questions around data, the law and ownership.
It was a year of heightened awareness of and . Driverless cars seem just around the corner: but what does that mean and ? How will if we ?
Our hopes and fears about technology are often played out in and other forms of . It's clear though that from the involvement of artists.
Whatever emotions we do have, chances are Facebook has a . We can't seem to stay away from social media and digital platforms, but we're still grappling with the best way to , particularly for
In Australia, just the act of getting online itself is still a problem - delivery of the NBN and access to the internet is in this country. Governments and the private sector are the best way to tackle this as both a and a problem.
Our series was symbolic of the section, pulling in expertise on technology, geological resources, energy and environmental considerations.
It's only natural
Getting back to nature, our research story about dolphins in Australian waters developing a unique approach to attracted huge attention from around the world. Giant extinct and confirmed that New Zealand is a place of unique biodiversity.
Geology was similarly popular, showing that even very complex science analysis can be enjoyed when presented in the right way, such as a , and a .
Exploding volcanoes are hard to ignore. Bali's Mt Agung in September 2017, and increased in activity over and . Things seem relatively quiet at the moment, but the mountain will always hold a .
In 2017 Jenny Graves became the first woman to . Jenny is well known for her suggestion that the male Y chromosome will self-destruct, and is a highly respected genetic researcher and mentor in Australian science. She is a .
Jenny Graves won the 2017 Prime Minister's Prize for Science. The first Australians
The stories of indigenous Australians are increasingly told through science. In 2017 we published showing the first Australians were living and using technology in northern Australia around 65,000 years prior to the current day.
present a similar time frame for humans migrating into this region. The eyes of the worlds archeologists are to reveal the true details of the first human migrations out of Africa.
But science too reveals the worst aspects of human nature, with a showing that Indigenous stories of a massacre in Western Australia in the early 20th century are supported by forensic evidence.
What is science?
The very nature of what science is, what it isn't and how to report science appropriately continues to present challenges to scientists, journalists and the general public. Our series tackled many misconceptions head on, and will prove useful now and in years ahead.
More broadly, other analysis looked at how to apply evidence, and how to participate effectively in public discourse relating to important social issues such as and . We submitted an to a parliamentary enquiry into the future of public interest journalism.
Science and technology are central to understanding our past, to seeing how we operate as a society and to mapping our path into the future. We hope you can join us in 2018 to enjoy the ride with us further.
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