It may seem obvious but research has found that most of us never read the instruction manuals or use all the features on the appliances we buy.

The findings were the results of seven years work by a team of academics at the Queensland University of Technology.

Their work has earned them the Ig Nobel prize and lead researcher Professor Thea Blackler tells Mark while people may laugh but it may also make them think.

The Moreton Bay Regional Council has been under fire over its approach to the homeless including those forced to live out of their cars.

It is being encouraged to look at an initiative in Newcastle where a local church allows people to park their cars in safety during the night.

The man behind the Our Backyard - Car to Home program Peter Di Girolamo tells Mark all it requires is that the council take a sympathetic attitude.

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A developer has revealed plans to breath new life into the struggling Mt Gravatt Central shopping precinct.

The $100 million proposal would turn the site, once owned by Masters and home to Central Fair Shopping Centre, into a premier shopping and dining destination.

While a development application isn’t expected to be submitted until next year Southside Chamber of Commerce President Kathleen Lewis tells Mark it is just the shot in arm local traders need.

The strawberry industry in southeast Queensland is reeling after someone sabotaged fruit by putting sewing needles in some fruit.

While police are focused on a disgruntled former farm worker, it has prompted a copycat attack.

With the industry already struggling because of a glut of fruit Queensland Strawberry Growers Association vice-president Adrian Schultz tells Mark it is the the last thing they needed.

Anyone who has ever suffered a bull ant bite knows the searing pain the tiny insects can inflict.

Researchers at Queensland University have now completed the first comprehensive study of ant venom published in a leading scientific journal.

Dr Sam Robinson from the university’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience tells Mark his findings could one day help people to better manage pain.

An appeal has been lodged against the sentence handed to William Andrew O'Sullivan for the 2016 killing of Caboolture toddler Mason Jet Lee.

After a community outcry that he’ll be eligible for parole in four years Queensland Attorney General Yvette D’Arth decided on advice from the DPP that the sentence was "manifestly inadequate".

Queensland Law Society deputy president Bill Potts tells Mark the Appeals Court has a lot to consider.

Progress on bringing down Australia’s road toll has stalled while the numbers of people suffering serious injuries is beginning to trend upward.

A review of the Australian National Road Safety Strategy has found that unless the situation is turned around some 12,000 will die and 360,000 will be injured by 2030 at a cost of $300 billion to the economy.

The review calls for a zero fatality target by 2050 and Russell White from the Australian Road Safety Foundation tells Mark it will take a concerted effort from government and drivers.

In the age of the #MeToo movement sexual harassment in the workplace is getting worse rather than better in Australia.

A survey by the Australian Human Rights Commission has found that one in three people experienced unacceptable behaviour in the workplace in 2018.

LJ Loch, the chair of the women’s advocacy group NOW Australia, tells Mark the results are worrying, but not entirely surprising.

The federal government has announced major changes to the aged care sector after a number of scandals shocked the nation.

A new ‘one stop cop’ called the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will be set up to regulate, police and handle complaints while there will also be new rules on quality standards.

Ian Yates from the Council on the Ageing tells Mark it is a good start but there is still some way to go.