Democrats take the House in US mid-terms, but it wasn't all bad for Trump

Editor's note

The highly-anticipated US mid-term elections provided mixed results. As Adrian Beaumont writes, while the Democrats, as predicted, won the House of Representatives, the Republicans increased their hold on the Senate.

And as Timothy Lynch writes, the election went far better for Donald Trump than was predicted. There was no “blue wave” across America, instead deep divisions within the country. Key victories by pro-Trump, anti-immigrant candidates confirmed the president’s hold on the Republican Party and his ability to turn out his conservative base. This will boost hopes among his supporters of a second term in office.

Amanda Dunn

Section Editor: Politics + Society

Top story

Democrats celebrate as the US mid-term results come in. AAP/EPA/Erik S. Lesser

Democrats take House at US midterm elections, but Republicans keep Senate; Labor well ahead in Victoria

Adrian Beaumont, University of Melbourne

The highly-anticipated US mid-terms produced mixed results for both major parties – Democrats won the House but Republicans strengthened their hold on the Senate.

Ted Cruz held off a spirited challenge from Democratic candidate Beto O'Rourke to help the Republicans hold onto the Senate in a big night for the GOP. Michael Wyke/EPA

It’s not quite a ‘red wave’, but the US midterms show the power of Trump’s divisive messages

Timothy J. Lynch, University of Melbourne

Key victories by pro-Trump, anti-immigrant candidates have confirmed the president's hold on the Republican Party and his ability to turn out his conservative base.

Science + Technology

Borneo cave discovery: is the world’s oldest rock art in Southeast Asia?

Adam Brumm, Griffith University; Maxime Aubert, Griffith University; Pindi Setiawan, Institut Teknologi Bandung

The cave paintings in Borneo show people and animals and are now thought to be the world's oldest example of figurative art.
Curious Kids: Are there living things on different galaxies?

Jonti Horner, University of Southern Queensland

There are probably more than a million planets in the universe for every single grain of sand on Earth. That's a lot of planets. My guess is that there probably is life elsewhere in the Universe.

Business + Economy
The Google walkout is a watershed moment in 21st century labour activism Michael Walker, University of Technology Sydney Industrial action by Google workers shows collective representation is needed even in what is meant to be the best company in the world.

Education

Learning music early can make your child a better reader

Anita Collins, University of Canberra; Misty Adoniou, University of Canberra

Learning music in the early years of schooling can help children learn to read.
Let’s not focus on graduate incomes when assessing the worth of education

Peter Hurley, Monash University

We should keep in mind that education is valuable beyond graduate earning capacity, and that what a student learns during their education can have little to do with why they earn more.

Cities

Who wins and who loses when platforms like Airbnb disrupt housing? And how do you regulate it?

Laura Crommelin, UNSW; Chris Martin, UNSW; Laurence Troy, UNSW; Sharon Parkinson, Swinburne University of Technology

Short-term letting via digital platforms benefits some in the market at the expense of others. Closer regulation might be needed in Melbourne and Sydney, where a permissive approach prevails.

Health + Medicine

Pain isn’t just physical: why many are using painkillers for emotional relief

Kev Dertadian, Western Sydney University

People who use painkillers for non-medical reasons often justify it as a form of self-medication for legitimate medical diagnoses such as depression, anxiety and stress.
No butts – it’s time to help people with mental health conditions quit smoking

Ben Harris, Victoria University; Holly Beswick, Deakin University; Jenny Bowman, University of Newcastle; Kate Bartlem, University of Newcastle

Smoking rates are high among Australians with a mental illness. Quitting is likely to improve their physical and mental health; supporting them to do so should be part of mental health care.

Politics + Society

Morrison to unveil broad suite of measures to boost Australia’s influence in the Pacific

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

The Pacific push is against the background of China's growing involvement in the area.
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Andrew Giles on the growing issue of loneliness

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Ahead of the release of the most comprehensive data on loneliness in Australia, by the Australian Psychologists Society, Labor frontbencher Andrew Giles speaks about this "contagious phenomenon".
Morrison and Shorten reveal their positions on key foreign policy questions

Tony Walker, La Trobe University

In one of the most difficult foreign policy environments since the end of the Vietnam War, the two leaders have revealed strong similarities but also key differences on our relationships abroad.

Environment + Energy
Will the arrival of El Niño mean fewer mosquitoes this summer? Cameron Webb, University of Sydney The forecast arrival of El Niño may mean the east coast of Australia will experience an exceptionally hot and dry summer, but does this mean there will be fewer mosquitoes buzzing about?

Arts + Culture

Little Women at 150 and the patriarch who shaped the book’s tone

Ryna Ordynat, Monash University

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is an enduring classic for girls, soon to be a major Hollywood film. Yet many of the book's themes and morals were imposed by the author's father.
Why Scott Morrison’s white, male music playlists matter

Catherine Strong, RMIT University

The PM's Spotify playlists are significant as they offer insight into what he sees as valuable in popular culture. They also remind us how women are excluded from the music canon.