Lost in Science: Recent Episodes
Chris Lassig, Stuart Burns and Claire Farrugia and others.
Entertaining news and discussion about research that has impact on society and providing a wide range of science and technology news. Distributed nationally on the Community Radio Network.
s Research Centre to find out about ongoing research into the effectiveness and protection offered by COVID-19 vaccination programs in Australia and in less developed nations.
Chris discusses the latest insights from 3I-Atlas, the interstellar comet that has been careening through our solar system. Linden chats to Dr Kathryn Gurner, a clinical research embryologist from Melbourne IVF, about a recent pilot study exploring a non-invasive way to check for abnormalities in embryos.
Stu talks to Dr. Sapphire McMullan-Fisher from the University of New England school of environmental and rural science about the weird world of Australian fungi which is also the topic of a book called Fungi for Land which she has co-authored with Roz Hart a fungi expert from Western Australia
This week, Chris checks out the sensation of human-made SpudCells, which are not exactly alive but can do many of the things living cells can, as announced recently in press releases rather than peer review; and Stu checks in on carbon capture and storage for removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, and how it’s unlikely to deliver on its promise.
This week, Stu investigates whether there’s any science behind the use of pickle juice for muscle cramps, as observed in use in the World Cup; while Chris reveals some recent research by physicists on how Venus flytraps are able to snap shut so quickly.
Another step back in time to an earlier iteration of the show where former hosts present a range of stories on biodiversity and strange animal discoveries.
s most popular insect repellent, revealing that mosquitoes may be able to learn to associate it with a tasty meal, and even become attracted to it.
Stu catches up with Dr. John Wentworth from the Royal Melbourne Hospital to talk about Type1Screen, a nationwide project aiming to identify people at risk of developing Type 1 diabetes in order to develop treatments to prevent progression of the illness. See https://type1screen.org/ for more details
This week on Lost in Science, Stu explores new research into how animals perceive time differently — and how that perception is tied to the pace of their lives. Why does a fly seem to react in slow motion compared to us, and what does that reveal about survival, metabolism and evolution?Also on the show, we celebrate the 100th birthday of David Attenborough by taking a tour through some of the remarkable creatures that scientists have named in his honour — from geckos and spiders to ancient fossils and deep-sea wonders.
Chris follows the trail of research trying to answer the question of why sharp things in nature like teeth and stingers all have a similar shape, and whether it’s due to evolution or physics; and Linden latches onto leaches, how they’re still used in medicine but are also inspiring robots and weather prediction.
Linden chats to Dr Mia Cobb, Chaser Innovation and John McKenzie Research Fellow at The University of Melbourne. Mia shares her career journey that led her to be a canine welfare researcher. Dogs do so much for us, but how can we use science to make sure we are giving them their best lives?
s interesting to note that chimps may do the same, but they also share some darker human traits we may not be so proud of. And Stu finds that (of course) not everything natural is safe or good, exploring the natural (but extinct) nuclear reactors of Gabon.
s Ig Nobel Prizes to find out more about the physics of a perfect pasta sauce, and the role of emulsifiers.
Claire and Linden talk all things Artemis II this week, with a special focus on how Australia is contributing to the program. We congratulate amateur astronomers from southeastern Queensland for their recent award, and explore how you can take part in international Citizen Science Month. To find a project for you, check out SciStarter, the Australian Citizen Science Association, or Zooniverse.
This week on Lost in Science, Claire dives into something very close to home — pregnancy — unpacking fascinating new research showing how both first and second pregnancies can reshape the brain for the long term, and what those changes might actually mean for how we think, feel and parent.Plus, it’s school holidays, and Linden’s in the kitchen cooking up some hands-on science with a true unsung hero of the veggie world… the humble cabbage.
This week, Chris checks out a study showing carbon dioxide levels in human blood rising with greenhouse gas emissions, and contemplates the health effects; and Linden unearths a Taiwanese study that crafted artificial dinosaur eggs to determine whether the oviraptor Heyuannia sat on their nest to incubate them.
This week on Lost in Science, Claire chats with veterinary parasitologist Professor Shokoofeh Shamsi about the recent spate of shark encounters and why we still don’t fully understand animal behaviour in these moments. From parasites to changing ocean environments, it turns out there’s a whole ecosystem of missing pieces—and a growing call for deeper research to help us make sense of it all.Meanwhile, Linden takes us back tens of thousands of years to explore groundbreaking discoveries of the oldest known rock art in Sulawesi, Indonesia. What does this ancient artwork reveal about the human journey, cultural development, and the deep histories connected to First Nations Australians?
Stu looks into the scientific origin of a famous album cover and how it reveals the legacy of a pioneering female astrophysicist, and Chris looks into the strange story of a tiny insect bite that can lead to anaphylaxis of a carnivorous kind.
This week, Linden talks to atmospheric chemist Rob Ryan about the effect on coral of changes in the air over the Great Barrier Reef; and Stu updates us on some recent findings on parasites, including a self-experiment from a researcher’s encounter with a sand flea (Tunga penetrans).
This week on Lost in Science, Claire dives headfirst into the evolutionary echidna-and-egg conundrum: which came first — the placental mammal or the mammalian egg of our humble monotreme cousins? Then Stu explores fascinating new research into how artificial intelligence might help bring people back from conspiracy theories — not by arguing louder, but by engaging directly with the evidence that convinced them in the first place. Can AI help untangle deeply held beliefs?
Welcome back the team for a new year, and Stu talks to Professor Tim Stinear from the Doherty institute and Director of the WHO collaborative centre on Buruli ulcer about a project tracking the prevalence of the ulcer using environmental surveillance to assess presence and provenance of the bacteria.
Continuing our January tradition of playing highlights from the past year, Chris responds to media reports of possible over-diagnosis and over-medication of ADHD by looking at the data and current research and best practice; meanwhile Claire gets her teeth into a new, large longitudinal study that showed water fluoridation did not harm cognition or IQ.
Our summer series continues this week with an interview with Ted Vanderfeen, a scientist who works on space faring robotics to help explore strange new worlds.
As the first Torres Strait Islander to receive an Australian of the Year award in any category, Dr Wruck shares her journey, the science behind her research and how she is working to improve environmental and health outcomes in remote Indigenous communities.
Is it 2026 already? We farewell the year just gone, by remembering famous scientists who died in 2025, plus Chris tests our memory with his annual quiz of unforgettable science stories.
s science) and Stu bags up some realities of the neuroscience of Holiday sales and how to avoid spending too much.
s oldest science communication competitions. Watch the FameLab International final on the FameLab YouTube channel, see the Australian final at the channel of the Foundation for the WA Museum, and follow Tammy on Instagram, @testtubetammy.
This week on Lost in Science, in the lead-up to Christmas — and before our official festive special — we’re diving into the archives to revisit two of our all-time favourite holiday stories. Cat crunches the numbers on Santa’s impossibly busy Christmas Eve, using maths and physics to reveal just how many children he visits (and how he might just pull it off). Then Stu takes us on a botanical adventure through the science of Christmas trees, exploring what makes them smell, sparkle and survive the season.
Linden and Chris talk about the funding cuts to Australian science, and Claire chats with A/Prof Jochen Kaempf from Flinders University about the algal bloom that continues off the South Australian coast.
re so hardy they can even survive on the outside of spacecraft; and Claire gets her teeth into a new, large longitudinal study that showed water fluoridation did not harm cognition or IQ. Maeng, Chang-hyun et al., Extreme environmental tolerance and space survivability of the moss, Physcomitrium patens. iScience, Volume 0, Issue 0, 113827 (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2025.113827 John Robert Warren et al., Childhood fluoride exposure and cognition across the life course. Sci. Adv. 11, eadz0757 (2025). DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adz0757
This week on Lost in Science Stu checks in on the cutting edge of CRISPR — the revolutionary gene-editing technology promising to change how we treat diseases. Is it living up to the hype? And as we head into the holiday season, Chris is getting practical with physics, applying maths and motion to the age-old problem of how to pack your bag efficiently.
Revisiting some past stories from episodes of Lost in Science Fiction, we look at the science contained in (and the science inspired by) Star Wars, 2001: a Space Odyssey, and Ad Astra
This week the team explore the science behind some science fiction classics. How strong would a tornado have to be to suck up the shark from Jaws? Would murderous robots in the future really be human-like? And what is the best science fiction movie, according to quantum physicists?
T. Marghetis, An information-theoretic foreshadowing of mathematicians’ sudden insights, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 122 (35) e2502791122, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2502791122 (2025).Juvé, Y., Lutrat, C., Ha, A. et al. One mother for two species via obligate cross-species cloning in ants. Nature 646, 372–377 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09425-w
s Nobel prizes, though possibly not as much fun as the Ignobels from last week, they will definitely get people thinking (and solving problems) if not laughing as much about the research.
This week on Lost in Science, we dive into the delightfully weird world of the Ig Nobel Prizes — awards that celebrate research which first makes you laugh, then makes you think. From testing whether babies prefer garlicky milk, to exploring the science of perfect pasta, and discovering if a few drinks can improve your foreign language skills, we’re unwrapping the year’s most curious and clever discoveries.
In this week's episode we welcome two more students from the University of Melbourne's Science Communication program. Carola explores her own family history through the story of Mendel's peas, while Lucy spills the tea on how the world's scientists rejected the idea of the Anthropocene as a geological era.
A recent study suggests elephants have nicknames for each other. Find out more with Jessica on this week's episode. Photo by Nam Anh on Unsplash In this week's episode we welcome two students from the University of Melbourne's Science Communication program. Jessica and Niqi discuss the amazing communication styles of elephants, and try to quash bad news stories about ravens from around the world.
Stu talks to Ted Vanderfeen, a Palawa man from Peerapper lands in Northern Tasmania who has shifted his sights to space exploration. He tells us about his work in the US at the NASA jet propulsion laboratory through the Australian National Indigenous Space Academy and his current work on mechatronics with CSIRO.
This week, Chris speaks to climate scientist Michael E. Mann and vaccinologist Peter Hotez about how their common challenges with denialism and anti-science influences led to writing their new book, Science Under Siege: How to fight the five most powerful forces that threaten our world.
This week Linden talks to Clancy "The Bee Man" about native pollinators and how to look after them, while Stu finds out about how we can "Scan for life signs" in the 21st century without having to actually see any living things directly.
This week on Lost in Science, Claire speaks with researcher Saskia Gerhardy about her fascinating new work revealing that the critically endangered plains-wanderer has a much wider habitat than previously thought – including the discovery of a new population in South Australia.And from the archives, Chris revisits a conversation with animal reproductive biologist Jarrod McKenna, exploring the bold and controversial research that aims to bring the Tasmanian tiger back from extinction and into the wilds of Tasmania.
This week on the show we continue our Quantum for Dummies series, celebrating the International Year of Quantum. Claire takes the “dummy” seat once again, putting Chris, our resident quantum physicist, to the test with questions about the mysterious principle of uncertainty. Plus, we head into the archives to revisit Stu's interview with Dr Ellie Paine who researchers the role kelp could play in capturing and storing carbon from the atmosphere—and the challenges that stand in the way.
In this National Science Week episode, Linden unmasks some famous performers who also have a science background; and Chris shares some new research into how static electricity works, which is still unsolved after thousands of years. Sobarzo, J.C., Pertl, F., Balazs, D.M. et al. Spontaneous ordering of identical materials into a triboelectric series. Nature 638, 664–669 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08530-6
This week on Lost in Science, Linden explores fascinating new evidence that Homo naledi may have buried their dead 250,000 years ago—over three times earlier than we thought humans developed such rituals. What does this mean for our understanding of cultural evolution? Meanwhile, Chris dives into the curious world of convergent evolution—why do so many creatures evolve similar traits, like ant-eating habits? And what’s really the difference between slugs and snails?
Claire looks to the animal kingdom for leadership strategies, and Stu explores ancient creatures who developed their own version of something almost completely unlike feathers millions of years before feathers appeared
This week, Chris breaks down the latest experimental results from the Large Hadron Collider, which confirmed an asymmetry between matter and antimatter, but not enough to explain the imbalance seen in the universe; and Linden explains the power of clouds, and new research showing that how they respond to climate change can make it worse. LHCb Collaboration. Observation of charge–parity symmetry breaking in baryon decays. Nature (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09119-3 Tselioudis, G., Remillard, J., Jakob, C., & Rossow, W. B. (2025). Contraction of the world's storm-cloud zones the primary contributor to the 21st century increase in the Earth's sunlight absorption. Geophysical Research Letters, 52, e2025GL114882. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL114882
Claire talks to Dr. Jess Marsh abotu eyeless invertebrates under the Nullarbor, and Chris looks into the dark sky for a new interstellar visitor to our solar system
This week to celebrate International Year of Quantum, Claire gets all her most basic quantum questions answered by Chris - what is Quantum, why should we be celebrating, and when will quantum technology teleport pizza to my door? Also on the show we head back into the archives and a story from Claire on new research using gut bacteria to switch blood A and B blood types to 'universal'.
Linden talks about a recent study into the effect of generative AI use on cognitive function and Stu talks to Kim Dyball, Executive Manager of the Young Indigenous Womens' STEM Academy and how a Churchill fellowship is going to help improve outcomes for young indigenous women in STEM in Australia
This week, Claire reveals new research that discovered 20 unknown viruses in the kidneys of bats in China; and Stu digs into recent studies of how weight-loss drugs like Ozempic work in the brain, and what this tells us about how our appetites function.
This week on Lost in Science: Did you know the Andromeda galaxy is heading straight for us? Chris unpacks new research that pushes the expected Milky Way-Andromeda collision a few billion years further into the future. Meanwhile, Stu investigates cannonball fungi—tiny but mighty organisms that launch their spores over six metres! Find out how these fungal sharpshooters can stain your house and frustrate gardeners everywhere.
This week, Claire shares the great news that the critically endangered Leadbeater's possum, which is Victoria's faunal emblem, has been found living in NSW; and Chris explains the risks of sleep apnoea, and how the social media trend of mouth taping probably doesn't help.
This week on Lost in Science, Stu plunges into the cold truth about ice baths and athletic performance, while Claire revisits an interview with cave-diving palaeontologist Meg Walker, who searches underwater caves for fossils of Australia’s extinct megafauna – including giant wombats, marsupial lions and one-toed kangaroos.
Linden talks to radio astronomer Natasha Hurley-Walker about all things radio telescopy, and Stu brings a story about a new potential species that may not actually be alive.
This week, Linden talks to researcher Michael Wheeler about the dangers of too much sitting, whether it really is the new smoking, and how to aim for more exercise; and Chris updates us on the search for a ninth planet in our Solar System (not counting) Pluto, why some astrophysicists believe it exists, and a dot seen in old telescope data that may be the missing planet.
This week on Lost in Science Chris dives into the debate over seed oils—are they really toxic villains in your pantry, or just misunderstood kitchen staples? He unpacks the science behind the controversy that's spreading across social media faster than a hot fry in canola oil.Meanwhile, Claire swings back to a fascinating story about great apes and their surprising medical know-how. New research reveals chimpanzees treating each other’s wounds with medicinal plants—offering fresh insight into the roots of healthcare and the evolution of compassion in our species.
Linden Brings some good news about levels of rubbish on beaches and waterways in Australia, and Stu finds out about an exclusive club who have seen a colour nobody else has ever seen.
This week, Claire examines new data on the detection of a potential chemical bio-signature on exoplanet K2-18b, and whether it strengthens the case for alien life; and Chris responds to media reports of possible over-diagnosis and over-medication of ADHD by looking at the data and current research and best practice. Have We Been Thinking About A.D.H.D. All Wrong? - The New York Times
On this week's show Stu has a look at the impact of US science funding cuts on the Australian scientific research landscape, and Linden talks to Euan Ritchie about the hoopla around Dire Wolf resurrection... just in time for Easter?
In this episode of Lost in Science, Claire chats with Young Australian of the Year Dr Katrina Wruck — a groundbreaking green chemist working to break down harmful "forever chemicals." As the first Torres Strait Islander to receive an Australian of the Year award in any category, Dr Wruck shares her journey, the science behind her research and how she is working to improve environmental and health outcomes in remote Indigenous communities.
This week, Chris examines claims by Microsoft researchers to be building a fault-tolerant quantum computer chip using obscure physics, and why many are sceptical of it; and Linden speaks to tephrochronologist Saini Samim about using crystals in ancient volcanic ash to determine the age of fossils. Microsoft press release, https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/quantum/2025/02/19/microsoft-unveils-majorana-1-the-worlds-first-quantum-processor-powered-by-topological-qubits/ Microsoft Azure Quantum., Aghaee, M., Alcaraz Ramirez, A. et al. Interferometric single-shot parity measurement in InAs–Al hybrid devices. Nature 638, 651–655 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08445-2
This week on the show Cat Nguyen-Robertson regales the team with stories of her trip to Antarctica with Homeward Bound, a leadership initiative for women in STEMM.
This week Linden talks about methane as a greenhouse gas, and a new study showing that rivers with more waterfalls release more methane; and Stu runs us through the different parts of our immune system, including a recently discovered power of proteasomes within cells helping to attack invading bacteria. Rust, R.L., Frizzell, A. & Kessler, J.D. Waterfalls enhance regional methane emissions by enabling dissolved methane to bypass microbial oxidation. Commun Earth Environ 6, 140 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02060-3 Goldberg, K., Lobov, A., Antonello, P. et al. Cell-autonomous innate immunity by proteasome-derived defence peptides. Nature (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08615-w
In this week's Lost in Science Chris looks at a new drug transforming bodies in predictable and sometimes unpredicted ways, while Stu looks into the acceleration of the merging of human bodies with technology in completely different directions.
This week, we celebrate International Women's Day! Claire explores the global impact of breast cancer, a disease that affects millions of women worldwide, and talks about some of the latest research and challenges in the fight for better treatments and outcomes. Meanwhile, Linden shares the inspiring story of pioneering chemist and Isabel Joy Bear, who defied expectations to become a trailblazing researcher at CSIRO and identified the chemistry of the smell of rain - know known as petrichor.
This week on Lost in Science, Chris digs into the surprising miscalculations of toxins in black plastic utensils—should we be worried about what’s lurking in our plastic spatulas? Meanwhile, Linden takes us underground (metaphorically, of course) to explore the world of one of Australia’s most beloved marsupials: the wombat! How do we know where they burrow, and what can satellites tell us about their changing habitats?
This week, Claire comes out of the chrysalis to talk about metamorphosis, and how caterpillars turn into butterflies; and Chris looks into the risk of Asteroid 2024 YR4, which currently has about a 2-3% chance of hitting Earth in 2032. Keep up with NASA's latest risk assessment.
Back in action for 2025, we kick of our first show of the year with Linden talking about the scientific evidence supporting flossing your teeth, and why people got upset it was dropped from US dental hygiene guidelines some years ago. And Chris welcomes us all to the International year of Quantum, but what does it mean, and who is it for? Tune in to find out.
This week on the show we head back in the archives to hear Claire's interview with Profesor Dee Carter all about her research looking at the unexpected antimicrobial properties of honey ants, and how they could be solution to anitbiotic resistance challenges ahead.Also on the show Stu gets into some of the shameful history of zoology, and the Acclimatisation society of Victoria.
The summer series continues as we revisit stories from the archives. And this week Chris asks the question, how can time fly without wings? Or more specifically, is there is any scientific basis for feeling like time is passing quicker than each year? Also Claire chats to CSIRO researcher Leo Joseph about sequencing of the complete genome of the Night Parrot, the elusive nocturnal bird thought to be extinct for much of the 20th century, and what this means for conservation efforts for the bird.
Lost in Science summer series continues, Catriona talks about satellites causing problems for astronomers who can't see past them, and Claire explains how we can help native animals who can't necessarily see the danger in our roads.
Our summer series continues with stories from past shows, this week Stu looks into the basic chemistry of alkaline water and why it isn't a panacea for anything much at all. And Chris talks about two historical female figures of scintific importance who may not be the household names they deserve to be.
Chris tells us about an amazing new discovery of dinosaur tracks in Britain, then we continue our replay of classic stories from the archive: Catriona shows what we can learn about love and affection from the hormones of monogamous prairie voles, and Chris shares the formula for the frequency of flapping wings to fly, and uses it to calculate how fast a human would need to flap their arms.
This week on Lost in Science, dive into our summer series as we revisit stories from the archives. Claire explores the impacts of bird flu on wild and domestic birds, while Catriona delves into the science of inverse vaccines and how they could help the body "forget" harmful immune responses.
This week on Lost in Science, it’s our final show of the year! Chris challenges the team—and you—to a 2024 science quiz. Have you been paying attention to the biggest science stories of the year? Plus, Claire discusses some of the weird and wonderful research from 2024 worth celebrating. Join us for fun, facts, and a celebration of the science that shaped 2024!
For our Christmas episode, Linden speculates what Santa may see on his journey, such as changes in rivers as described in a recent study; and Cat crunches the numbers on how many houses Santa may need to visit, and how. Dongmei Feng, Colin J. Gleason ,More flow upstream and less flow downstream: The changing form and function of global rivers. Science 386,1305-1311(2024).DOI:10.1126/science.adl5728
This week on the show, Chris dives into the groundbreaking discovery of Homo juluensis, a newly identified hominin species that’s shaking up the story of human evolution. Meanwhile, we delve int the archive to revisit fascinating research detailing the first documented case of an orangutan using medicine on its own wounds.
This week we welcome our new Lost in Science team member, climate scientist Linden Ashcroft, and learn all about her research compiling historical weather records to understand the patterns in our continent’s past (see lindenashcroft.com); and speaking of weather, Cat reveals some surprising ways to tell the weather, using crickets chirps, drying seaweed and moon haloes.
This week, Claire lets loose on flatulence, what we know, and how you can Chart Your Fart in a new CSIRO citizen science project, https://research.csiro.au/cshw/projects/chart-your-fart/ And Stu tells us about the so-called forever chemicals PFAS, and new research into how to get rid of them.
Cat explains why a changing climate might be changing peoples' allergies, and Chris unravels the reasons string theory has fallen out of favour
This week on Lost in Science, we’re all about good news! Join us for a feel-good episode as we explore some uplifting innovations. We’ll uncover tree bark microbes munching on methane, affordable e-waste metal recycling, and the incredible reboot of Voyager 1. Science bringing a dash of the positive to the news!
In this spine-tingling Lost in Science Fiction special, Catriona channels her inner Doc Brown to explore if harnessing lightning could actually be a viable renewable energy source—just like Back to the Future! Meanwhile, Chris dives into the biology of the iconic Xenomorphs from the Alien universe, dissecting what makes these terrifying creatures tick. Tune in for a Halloween episode that’s out of this world!
Some classic stories from our annual Lost in Science Fiction specials from years gone by. Chris and Stu talk Star Trek with popular culture researcher Andrew Lynch, Claire gets stuck into a hearty meal of Soylent Green, and Catriona wonders aloud why we still don't have hoverboards and flying cars
This week, Cat takes us through the science of puberty blockers, and how they can help young people sort out their gender identity; and Stu calls up the long list of research into the effects of smartphone use.
This week on Lost in Science, Claire chats with Dr. Matthew Snelson about how our diet affects gutmicrobiome health and the link with chronic diseases. And we dig into the archives with Chris to explore space junk—who's responsible for putting it up there, tracking it, and bringing it down.
Is it just Chris or are elections getting closer and closer of late? He spoke to psephologist Adrian Beaumont and was surprised by what he was told. And Stu has been looking at the moon and finding out there's more discoveries about the moon all the time, and not just regarding our local satellite(s).
This week, Cat tells us what makes a moon, and how they can only orbit us temporarily like Earth’s latest mini-moon 2024 PT5; and Claire takes us underground and underwater as she speaks to palaeontologist Meg Walker about diving for megafauna fossils in South Australia’s limestone caves.
This week on Lost in Science, Chris investigates fresh research into the mysterious Wow! signal detected by the Big Ear radio telescope, and could it be evidence of a weird cosmic outburst? Meanwhile, Stu takes us on a journey through the sky—examining how microbes hitch a ride on atmospheric currents, traveling vast distances across the planet. How far can these tiny travelers go, and where do their limits lie? Tune in to find out!
How can a plant imitate the leaves of a plastic plant when it has no eyes, and no brain? How can a dead fish swim? Can animals breathe through their bums? These are the questions that have driven scientists and philosophers to insomnia and madness for centuries, but now, the Ignobel prizes has brought their answers to light. This week on Lost in Science
This week, Stu tells us about new research making animals invisible, or rather their tissue transparent, using a common food dye; and Cat tells us about how humpback whales make and use nets of bubbles as tools for hunting, and recently discovered secrets of their mating and birth.Zihao Ou et al. Achieving optical transparency in live animals with absorbing molecules. Science 385, eadm6869(2024). DOI:10.1126/science.adm6869Andrew Szabo et al. 2024. Solitary humpback whales manufacture bubble-nets as tools to increase prey intake. R. Soc. Open Sci.11240328http://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.240328Stephanie Stack et al. 2024. An observation of sexual behavior between two male humpback whales. Marine Mammal Science https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.13119Watch a video of the humpback whale heat run and birth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQPAgFH96mQ
This week on Lost in Science, we're taking a trip back in time to revisit two fascinating stories! First up, Chris dives into the curious world of cat taste—exploring why our feline friends are such picky eaters and the evolutionary reasons behind their unique palate. Then, Claire catches up with Dr. Julie Old to chat about the incredible wombat and the groundbreaking citizen science project, WomSAT - www.womsat.org.au. Discover how this initiative is making a difference for wombat conservation and how you can get involved.
This week, Chris speaks to virologist Assoc. Prof. Kirsty Short from the University of Queensland about their new online calculator which estimates your risk of adverse COVID-19 outcomes and Long Covid; and Cat tells us about how skyglow blocks our view of the stars and First Nations' Sky Country, and why it should be possible to fix.COVID-19 Risk Calculator: https://corical.immunisationcoalition.org.au/longcovid
This week on the show, Claire dives into an innovative strategy to protect freshwater crocodiles from deadly cane toad poisoning by, surprisingly, giving them a taste of food poisoning first. Meanwhile, Stu explores groundbreaking research into cellular aging, shedding light on what really makes us age and how we might slow down the clock.
This week, Chris talks to astrobiologist David Flannery about the discovery by NASA’s Perseverance Rover of potential biosignatures in a rock on Mars, and what’s needed to verify it; and Cat examines the question of whether the swimming pool at the Paris Olympics was really slower to swim in.
Stu looks at some name changes in the botanical world that may not change everyone's world, but could have a positive impact for some. Claire talks to Ollie Jones about the true risk of some chemicals that get a lot of attention from the media, but may not be as threatening as they are made out to be.
This week, Cat tells us about nanobodies, the smaller versions of antibodies that camelids like llamas and alpacas have, and how they could help combat HIV; and Chris clues us into the closest known black hole in our galaxy, and a much larger one thousands of times the mass of our Sun, hidden inside a star cluster.Jianliang Xu et al., Ultrapotent Broadly Neutralizing Human-llama Bispecific Antibodies against HIV-1. Adv. Sci. 2024, 11, 2309268. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202309268Kareem El-Badry et al., A Sun-like star orbiting a black hole, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 518, Issue 1, January 2023, Pages 1057–1085, https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stac3140Häberle, M., Neumayer, N., Seth, A. et al. Fast-moving stars around an intermediate-mass black hole in ω Centauri. Nature 631, 285–288 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07511-z
All we can do is step back in time. This week we go back to Claire's first ever story on the air about virgin births in the animal kingdom, and also listen back to Dr. Manisha Bhardwaj tell us about how bacteria may save bats from a dreaded fungal disease in her first story on the show.
This week on Lost in Science, are you an early bird or a night owl? How does your sleep preference affect your body? Stu delves into the latest research on sleep, uncovering fascinating insights and practical tips. Meanwhile, Cat takes us on a cosmic journey, exploring the health challenges astronauts face in microgravity. From space illnesses to the science of sleep, tune in for an out-of-this-world episode that’s sure to keep you awake and curious!
In our woolliest episode ever, Claire tells the tale of the woolly mammoth and new research on the last known individual, called Lonely Boy; and coincidentally Chris excavates a new study on the population dynamics of the woolly rhinoceros, and its extinction from climate change and human hunting.Dehasque et al. 2024. Temporal dynamics of woolly mammoth genome erosion prior to extinction. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.033Fordham et al. 2024. 52,000 years of woolly rhinoceros population dynamics reveal extinction mechanisms. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2316419121
Chris looks into a recent paper connecting cancer cases with tattoos to check the figures, while Stu talks to Dr. Adam Osth, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Melbourne about a recent study from Stanford which claims to show there is no continuum of brain function between genders.
This week, Stu looks at the effectiveness or not of platelet-rich plasma for treating musculoskeletal injuries in sports medicine, and for so-called vampire facials in beauty treatment; and Chris digs into a new study on the physics of flight and the surprisingly simple formula for the frequency of flapping wings, which he then uses to calculate whether a human could fly by flapping their arms.Jensen JH, Dyre JC, Hecksher T (2024) Universal wing- and fin-beat frequency scaling. PLOS ONE 19(6): e0303834. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0303834
Chris looks at how likely we are to find Dyson Spheres orbiting distant stars and Stu finds out whether plants can use complex molecules as nutrient sources
This week on the show, Claire delves into groundbreaking research showing orangutans self-medicating with pharmaceutically active plants, marking the first recorded instance of animals treating themselves this way. Meanwhile, Stu explores cannonball or artillery fungi, a type of fungus capable of shooting its spores over six meters, and discusses the havoc they can wreak on homeowners. Tune in for these fascinating insights into the natural world's innovative behaviours!
This week, Chris dives back into the murky world of research misconduct, to try to find out how much AI tools like ChatGPT are being used to write scientific papers, and how much of a problem it is; and Cat updates us on the search for planets orbiting other stars, including a pink, fluffy, fairy-floss planet.Andrew Gray 2024, ChatGPT "contamination": estimating the prevalence of LLMs in the scholarly literature, arXiv:2403.16887. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2403.16887Chris Stokel-Walker 2024, AI Chatbots Have Thoroughly Infiltrated Scientific Publishing, Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/chatbots-have-thoroughly-infiltrated-scientific-publishing/Weixin Liang et al. 2024, Mapping the Increasing Use of LLMs in Scientific Papers, arXiv:2404.01268. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2404.01268Barkaoui et al. 2024, An extended low-density atmosphere around the Jupiter-sized planet WASP-193 b, Nature Astronomy. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02259-y
Nothing is ever truly Lost in Science, we can always discover it again. This week Stu raids the archives of Lost in Science to find some stories from years gone by and presenters who have moved along. Chris talks about the oldest known fossils, Beth Askham talks about zombie bacteria and Stu talks bout the toughest substance known to animal kind, all stories from 2015!
This week, Chris gazes at the recent spectacular auroras, and explains how matter ejected from the Sun leads to pretty lights in the sky; and Stu digs deep to find out what the actual research says about the effect of social media and internet use on the mental health of young people.
Chris tries to figure out if the federal government's promise of a quantum computing centre in Brisbane is huge or a mere quanta, and Stu talks to Isaac Kerr from Flinders University about the discovery of 3 very large kangaroo-like fossil relatives of modern marsupials .
This week on Lost in Science, Claire explores revolutionary research that uses a gut bacteria enzyme to convert blood types, aiming to make all blood donations universally compatible. And Catriona discusses the latest in organ transplants, including a successful pig kidney transplant into a human facilitated by groundbreaking CRISPR gene editing. Tune in to learn how these innovative scientific breakthroughs could dramatically change the landscape of medicine.
This week, Chris talks to rehabilitation specialist Professor Steven Faux about his new book on Long Covid, to find out what we know about it and its causes, and current best practice for treatment and recovery. We also speak to comedian Alanta Colley about the Sci Fight comedy debates, with the next event on 2 May 2024 discussing Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain implants.Long Covid by Professor Steven Faux, https://www.murdochbooks.com/search?page=1&keyword=long%20covidSci Fight Science Comedy Debates, https://www.scifight.com.au/
This week on Lost in Science, Stu examines the invasive fire ant crisis and innovative control measures. Meanwhile, Chris explores bird evolution, spotlighting the Hoatzin, or "stink bird," known for its unique digestion and ancient traits. Tune in to discover how science is tackling ecological threats and unraveling avian mysteries.
Even though we’re staying out of the Sun this week, we can’t stop thinking about it! Cat tells us all about the Sun’s corona, its crown-like atmosphere, and the solar wind of particles streaming out from it; and Claire runs us through the science and history of solar eclipses.
Chris looks into the energy costs and economics of AI and how wider use will affect them, while Stu looks into the science of some of the claims around the supposed forest communication networks some authors have described.
This week on the show Catriona takes us into the realm of tuberculosis vaccines, describing the latest breakthroughs and how they diverge from conventional approaches. From novel formulations to enhanced efficacy, explore the promising advancements reshaping the fight against TB. Meanwhile, Stu delves into COVID-19 research, analyzing global data to uncover insights into mortality rates and the effectiveness of containment measures, including the astonishing tale of a German citizen receiving over 200 vaccine doses.
We’re getting into hot and cold water this week, as Claire talks to Dr Jarrod McKenna about the importance of Antarctica and its wildlife, including plankton, whales and penguins; and Chris speaks to Dr Maya Srinivasan from James Cook University about the current mass coral-bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef, what causes it, how corals can recover, and what needs to be done to protect the reef.
This week on Lost in Science, Chris asks the question are blueberries blue? And answers it with a question, what is colour anyway? And Stu looks to the skies to wonder why the sudden renewed interest in landing stuff on the moon, and whether anyone is having much success doing so.
Join Claire and Catriona this International Women's Day for a special edition of Lost in Science! Catriona explores cutting-edge technology transforming breast cancer screening, enhancing efficacy. Discover the latest breakthroughs shaping the future of healthcare. Meanwhile, Claire spotlights two pioneering women at the forefront of Artificial Intelligence, unraveling the mysteries of AI innovation. Tune in for a celebration of women in science, exploring advancements that impact lives and redefine the boundaries of knowledge.
This week, Catriona tells us about the brightest-known object in the universe, a quasar 12 billion light years away that’s in fact a supermassive black hole that gobbles an entire sun every day; and we replay Claire’s story about new evidence for another theorised cosmic event, the Moon’s formation through a collision of the early Earth with the Mars-sized protoplanet Theia. Wolf et al. 2024. The accretion of a solar mass per day by a 17-billion solar mass black hole. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02195-xQian Yuan et al. 2023. Moon-forming impactor as a source of Earth’s basal mantle anomalies. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06589-1
This week on the show Claire chats to CSIRO researcher Leo Joseph about the recent publication of the complete genome of the Night Parrot, the elusive nocturnal bird thought to be extinct for much of the 20th century, and what this means for conservation efforts for the bird.Also on the show, Chris asks the question, how can time fly without wings? Or more specifically, is there is any scientific basis for feeling like time is passing quicker than each year?
This week on the show Stu looks at the science of the material asbestos in light of this dangerous substance being found in mulch in public areas in Sydney. Also on the show, have you ever wondered why moths and generally insects are attracted to lights? Chris talks through some new research that sheds some light on the matter.
This week, Catriona celebrates Valentine's Day the science way, showing what research on monogamous prairie voles can tell us about how hormones like dopamine and vasopressin affect our craving for love and affection; and Chris shares new research that suggests the bacteria that causes Buruli ulcer is spread between possums and humans by mosquitoes, and how to protect yourself from it.Lim et al. 2004, Enhanced partner preference in a promiscuous species by manipulating the expression of a single gene, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02539Amadei et al. 2017, Dynamic corticostriatal activity biases social bonding in monogamous female prairie voles, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature22381Pierce et al. 2024, Nucleus accumbens dopamine release reflects the selective nature of pair bonds, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.12.041Mee et al. 2024, Mosquitoes provide a transmission route between possums and humans for Buruli ulcer in southeastern Australia, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-023-01553-1
This week on our Summer Series Claire speaks to Dr Kylie Cairns all about dingoes, and her groundbreaking research using new genetic tools that has changed the way we understand the lineage of dingoes, as well as discovering endangered dragons with Jo Sumners from Museum Victoria.
The final Summer Series for the year, Chris talks Physics vs evolution, Claire talks about pathogens defrosting in long frozen ice and Stu discovers nematodes lurking everywhere, and some that can jump!
This week on the summer series we reach back into the archives to hear from microbiologist Dee Carter about her research into the active antimicrobial and antifungal molecules produced by the honeypot ant.Also on the we revisit Chris's story, which explains the new clinical trial taking place in NSW using gene therapy to treat muscular dystrophy in children.
This week on our summer series we bring back one of our favourite interviews with geologist Ashleigh Hood and her research studying the origins of life on Earth and how it has been sustained for billions of years. Also on the show Stu takes a look at the research showing that the humble seagulls might be a lot smarter than we give them credit for.
Our last show for the year looks back at one of the big themes of the year, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning - it is having an impact on society, but what environmental impact does it have? And Chris tests our listening skills with an end of year quiz.
It's the Lost in Science Summer Series, in which we replay some of our favourite stories from the past year! This week, Claire tells us why certain things, like fats and oils, leftover paint, flushable wipes, bamboo nappy liners and cat poo should not go down the drain or sewer; and Stu runs down research about how to prevent or pull people away from beliefs in conspiracy theories.
Stu looks at the sustainability of artificial vs real Christmas trees and why they might be an odd choice for Australia. While Chris looks into why the El Niño climate cycle is acting strange for us in Australia this year.
This week, Claire tells us about new evidence for the leading theory of how the Moon was formed, through a collision of the early Earth with the Mars-sized protoplanet Theia; and Catriona updates us on where water can be found in our Solar System, and where it may have come from. Qian Yuan et al. 2023. Moon-forming impactor as a source of Earth’s basal mantle anomalies. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06589-1
This week, Catriona tells us about the health dangers of sitting, and new research giving the good news that any alternative form of activity is beneficial; and Chris looks into why bats harbour such dangerous viruses, with a new study that predicts high virulence for viruses from them and a surprising other order of mammals.Blodgett et al. 2023. Device-measured physical activity and cardiometabolic health: the Prospective Physical Activity, Sitting, and Sleep (ProPASS) consortium. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehad717Brook et al. 2023. Reservoir host immunology and life history shape virulence evolution in zoonotic viruses. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002268
This week on the show we speak to Dr Ellen Mather about the huge birds of prey that ruled ancient Australian skies, including the new discovery of an Australian vulture and giant eagle.Also on the show, Stu talks about the new research helping to protect potatoes against disease like the horrid potato blight.
Chris looks into the new theory that supposedly bridges the potentially non-existent gap between physics and biology, and Stu talks to Jeremy Barr about his research into bacteriophages and what impact they may have in our own bodies.
This week on the show we are going EXTREME (all caps needed) as we take a look at life living on the edge, at the extremities of existence. Stu talks about some of the weirdest plants living in the most extreme salinity conditions. And Cat chats us through how extremophile life around the world has surprised us and helped humans innovate new technologies.
This week, Claire speaks to zoologist Julie Old from Western Sydney University about finding out more about wombat populations and the threats they face, through the citizen science project WomSAT, which you can join at https://www.womsat.org.au/. And Chris talks to ecologist Hannah Fraser from the University of Melbourne about her new study on research reproducibility in which hundreds of researchers got different results after analysing the same sets of data. Read the study at https://doi.org/10.32942/X2GG62
Chris looks into the unlikely origin of human brain cells, and Claire looks at the possibility of unlikely threats to our modern brains
This week on the show it's Lost in Science Fiction, our annual Halloween extravaganza where we deep dive into what's real and what's dubious in the scifi world. Stu brings us the years hottest topic, Artificial Intelligence, and how it has been treated by scifi cinema. And ever wondered if we could really travel to different galaxies faster than the speed of light? Could hyperdrive be real? Chris takes a look at the maths and physics of it all.
This week Catriona looks up into the increasingly bright night sky and asks how much light pollution is coming from the new satellite constellations being launched by private companies, and Stu pulls on a thread about the origins of silk, what animals it comes from, how that might be changing, and why.
This week, Chris introduces us to quantum dots, the nanoparticles whose discovery won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023 for Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus and Alexei Ekimov; and Claire explains the story and significance of NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex mission that recently returned to Earth samples from the asteroid Bennu.
This week on the show it's a double creature feature. Chris answers a question we have all wondered; why are dinosaurs so big, and looks at some new research along the way. And Stu delves into the world of hybrid species. You might have heard of a mule, or a liger, but why do some animals hybridise and some do not?
Stu runs through the winners of the least most wanted prize in science, the Ignobel prize for 2023, and Chris takes a look at some new research about water on the moon which might help the numerous missions currently underway to find it
Neptune is too far from the sun to support life, apparently, but a recently discovered Neptune-like exoplanet has shown signs of life in recent surveys, what does this mean? Chris explains in this week's show. While Stu returns from a holiday with a tale of disease control measures and people who have a beef with them, and why they should think twice about why quarantine exists.
This week on the show Claire is joined by author and compost educator Kate Flood, aka Compostable Kate, to get down and dirty on the science of compost. Kate talks about some of the misconceptions of composting and how you can create a biodiverse ecosystem in your own home! Also on the show Chris revists one of our most hard hitting stories of all time, cat taste buds! That's right, our feline friends don't taste things like we do. But how do they taste, and what are some of the evolutionary reasons for the difference.
This week, Catriona tells us about exciting new developments in using chimaeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells against all forms of blood cancer; and Chris shares what physics can tell us about hand clapping, particularly the best way to clap for measuring acoustics.Wellhausen et al. 2023 “Epitope base editing CD45 in hematopoietic cells enables universal blood cancer immune therapy”: https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.adi1145(See also https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-releases/2023/august/an-immunotherapy-strategy-against-all-blood-cancers)Papadakis & Stavroulakis 2020 "Handclap for Acoustic Measurements: Optimal Application and Limitations: https://doi.org/10.3390/acoustics2020015Fletcher 2013 “Shock waves and the sound of a hand-clap – A simple model”: http://www.acoustics.asn.au/journal/2013/2013_41_2_Fletcher_paper.pdfMann et al. 2013 “The dynamics of audience applause”: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2013.0466
This week on the show Claire takes a look at a controversial and hot topic - natural gas! Specically about some of the research that shows the adverse health risks of using methane to heat and cook at home. Also on the show, Chris revisits the latest research around the elusive room temperature superconductors. Could it be too good to be true? Only science knows!
Gotta get back in time: one from the vaults this week, Chris talks to Mark Edmonds about topological switching, Claire chats to Catriona in her first appearance on the show about her PhD research and Stu talks to Adam Cross about Albany pitcher plants from WA in these flashbacks from 2019.
This week on the show Claire chats to Professor Dee Carter about an unlikely candidate in the fight against antibiotic resistance - the honeyant, and new research showing the unique antimicrobial activity of their honey.Also on the show, Stu gets historical and chats about some of the big mistakes of the past in zoology and botany, and how we are still paying them.
This week, Claire talks to Tim O’Hara from Museums Victoria about his voyages on the RV Investigator, examining deep-sea creatures and mapping underwater landscapes, in the lead-up to his talk on Wednesday 16 August for National Science Week; and Chris takes a look at the theory that the unexpectedly bright galaxies in the early universe seen by the JWST may instead be “dark stars”, enormous objects powered by dark matter.Wonders of the Deep Sea public lecture, online or in-person at Melbourne Museum: https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/whats-on/wonders-of-the-deep-sea/Ilie, Paulin & Freese 2023, Supermassive Dark Star candidates seen by JWST: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2305762120
We've just finished the hottest month on record on earth, and melting permafrost and ice may release organisms that have not been active for millenia into the modern world. What does that mean for our ecosystems? Claire finds out on this week's show. Also Chris plugs into some super controversy surrounding claims of a new superconductor, which itself may well change the modern world... if it turns out to be true!
This week on the show we are looking into the risks of artificial intelligence and artificial sweetener. Stu looks at the new research into aspartame, the artificial sweetener which has been classified as possibly carcinogenic and what does this really mean? Also on the show Chris takes a good hard look at artificial intelligence and some of the risks, both real and imagined that exist now and into the future.
Chris (along with the rest of us) surfs waves of gravity so long they take a galaxy sized detector to measure, and Claire talks discovering endangered dragons with Jo Sumners form Museum Victoria
This week, Claire explains why certain things, like fats and oils, leftover paint, flushable wipes and bamboo nappy liners, and cat poo, should not go down the drain or sewer, even if it's very tempting; and Stu commemorates World UFO Day by telling us how despite people still reporting unidentified phenomena, the idea of aliens visiting Earth is still very improbable.
This week on the show Stu speaks to Dr Ellie Paine about her research showing that growing seaweed in the open ocean to draw down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere could be thwarted by a lack of iron. Also on the show this week Chris revisits the origin of Covid-19 and some new information that further rebukes the lab leak theory.
This week on the show Chris reflects on why the universe seems so perfectly designed to support life as we know it, and asks is it actually that great? And Stu looks into the recent decision of one of the world's most populated countries to remove some basic tenets of science from national school curriculums.
This week on the show Claire speaks to Dr Kylie Cairns all about dingoes, and her groundbreaking research using new genetic tools that has changed the way we understand the lineage of dingoes and in particular whether dingoes hybridised with feral dogs, or in fact are they a lot more pure dingo than we thought.Also on the show Chris talks to Dr Ellie Sansom from the Desert Fireball Network about the recent fireball that was seen and videoed blazing across the Northern Queensland skies. Where did it come from, what do we know about it, and will we ever find any remaining rocks on Earth?
This week on the show Chris talks gene therapy and deep dives into some of the new developments and researchers which highlight the challenges of gene therapy Also on the show, when you think of smart birds, do you think of seagulls? Stu talks about new research suggesting these pesky chip eating birds are smarter than you think.
This week Stu looks at some recent discoveries in our spatial backyard around the solar system, and Chris looks into new research that points to a cleaning chemical as a possible cause of Parkinsons disease
Claire talks about the deadly fungus Amanita phalloides, the Death Cap which kills more people than any other foraged fungus every year, and how an antidote might help bring that number down. Stu is back on the AI train, looking at some positives from medical research that may save time and give people more time by saving lives.
This week, Stu explains how nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert the essential element into ammonia for biological use, and how new research transfers this ability to photosynthetic organisms; and Chris looks at scientific experiments into near-death experiences, including a recent study showing spikes in brain activity when the heart stops beating.Parnia et al. 2014 “AWARE—AWAreness during REsuscitation—A prospective study”: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2014.09.004Parnia et al. 2023 “Awareness During Resuscitation - II: A Multi-Center Study of Consciousness and Awareness in Cardiac Arrest”: https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4246760Xu et al. 2023 “Surge of neurophysiological coupling and connectivity of gamma oscillations in the dying human brain”: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2216268120Bush & Greyson 2014 "Distressing Near-Death Experiences: The Basics": https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6173534/
Chris talks to Julie McInnes about the work of the Macquarie Island foundation in restoring and protecting the ecosystem of an Australian Antacrctic island, and Stu looks into the use of human tissue in computing technology.
This week we celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in ICT with an interview with Linda McIver about gender representation and the worrying aspects of machine learning including the potential for implicit bias. Also on the show Chris takes us down to the local park and applies the scientific method to the humble playground swing! Can you apply physics to make you go higher?
Milk glorious milk... all mammals share one common trait, they all start their lives on a liquid diet, made possible by the wonder of the mammary gland. Claire has a look into the diversity of this gland that unites more than 6000 species of animal including humans. And Stu has a look at the scientific method and offers some questions to ask about claims that might sound sciencey, but really are not.
This week, Stu looks into research about how to prevent or pull people away from beliefs in conspiracy theories; and Chris reports on a recent study that detected sounds emitted by plants under stress.
This week on the show Chris delves into the weird and wonderful world of crystals and the science behind quasicrystals and time crystals. Also on the show Stu talks about new research that uncovers some of what we did not understand how cells double and then divide.
This week Chris touches on the ongoing search for an origin of covid-19, but also jumps back into the science of the multiverse, or at least one version of the hypothesis suggested by quantum mechanics. And Stu looks back into the history of IVF in human reproduction, and takes a look forward to possible future technologies in the field.
This week, Stu gives us the buzz on research into why mosquitoes bite some people more than others, so that hopefully one day something can be done about it; and Chris digs into recent claims of the discovery of superconductors that work at room temperature, and why many physicists are sceptical about it.
We're all diet conscious on this week's show, as Claire delves into the relative environmental credentials of various animal proteins to find out if feathers, fur or fins are doing the best by the earth as a protein source. And Chris looks at a health issue which has affected him personally and will affect many people in their lives, the risk of cardiovascular disease. How is it measured, what is the cause, and how it may potentially be avoided or reduced by dietary and lifestyle choices.
This week, Stu talks about a fossil discovery that overturns the existing theory of which species was the original vertebrate to evolve; and Chris looks into the sensational notion that supermassive black holes may be harbouring the dark energy that drives the accelerating expansion of the universe.
Chris takes a trip through the planet core to find out why news reports were telling that the core had stopped spinning, and Stu takes a look at the new technology of ChatGPT, what is it, what does it do, and is it the end of take home exams?
Claire returns to Lost in Science this week, to tell us what she’s learnt about her new baby, and how the needs of altricial human infants compare to other precocial animals that are ready to get up and go straight after birth; and Chris examines a new study into how the proportion of disruptive or paradigm-shifting research has declined across fields, and what may be the reasons for that.
A rerun of an interview from June 2022 with Barkandji woman Zena Cumpston, curator of Emu Sky, an exhibition which explores and illuminates Indigenous perspectives related to science, innovation, plant use, land management and agricultural practice. Her book was published in September 2022, co-authored with Michael Fletcher, Lesley Head and is called Plants Past Present and Future
It’s another Summer Series episode of greatest hits, in which we hear from immunologist and science communicator Catriona Nguyen-Robertson about her recently completed PhD research and direct personal experience of how the immune system's T cells can also target fats and oils; and Catriona also tells us about studies into pharmacological waste or medicines in our waterways, including Prozac (fluoxetine) and oestrogen, and the effect they can have on other species.
Summer series continues as we hear from Claire about close encounters of a monotreme kind, and how they are being saved in the wild. And also Claire looks into the detective story of figuring out how mammals became warm blooded animals and what it has to do with ears.
This week on the Lost in Science Summer Series, we replay our interview with climate scientist Professor Michael Mann about how not to lose hope about climate change, and Chris gives an update on how the climate is looking coming into 2023.
In our final episode for 2022, Stu gives a lightning overview of some of the many important science stories we didn’t have time to cover, and Chris runs back over the stories that have had updates since we last talked about them.
It’s a festive food episode, as Chris digs into the science of Christmas pudding, particularly how it’s cooked so differently to regular cakes thanks to physics and chemistry; and Stu digs even deeper into one of the chemical reactions involved, the Maillard reaction that makes cooked food brown and tasty.
Catriona investigates the origins of cat people, or more specifically where and when did cats become domesticated. And also, whether they are truly domesticated at all. Chris looks at a favourite insect, the colourful and seasonal Australian Christmas beetle, which many people think is disappearing, but a national citizen science project aims to keep tabs on the flying baubles.
This week, Chris talks to climatologist Michael Mann, creator of the famous Hockey Stick Graph, about his research into rising temperatures, and what we can do to continue reducing emissions and not give in to doom; and with World Soil Day upon us, Stu gives us a run down on the basics of soil and the new CSIRO website https://ansis.net/Tickets to see Michael Mann in May and June 2023 are available from Think Inc.
This week, Catriona tells us about research into pharmacological waste or medicines in our waterways, including Prozac (fluoxetine) and oestrogen, and the effect they can have on other species; and Chris examines the Younger Dryas Impact Hypothesis, an asteroid or comet strike some believe to have caused additional cooling at the end of the last ice age, and the status of attempts to prove it by finding a crater.
Stu talks to Professor Paolo Inglese, a world expert on olive oil on what has changed and what hasn't in the long history of olive oil.
Chris talks about the possibility of life on our immediate neighbour planets Mars and Venus based on observations of organic chemicals in their atmospheres, and Stu finds out whether rats really like the nightlife and got to boogie on the disco round...
This week, Chris examines some recent reporting on the hypothesis that COVID-19 originated as a leak from a laboratory in Wuhan, China, and finds that it’s based less on science than it is on reading between the lines in questionable translations of online documents; and Stu explains the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2022, which was awarded for the development of “click” and bioorthogonal chemistry.
Chris walks us through the 2022 Nobel Prize for physics which unravels quantum entanglement, and Stu talks to Emma Harding about her research into amphibian and reptile viruses and what they can tell us about virus evolution.
It’s our annual Halloween episode where we get lost in science fiction! Catriona explains how the hoverboards and flying cars in Back to the Future II (1989) could become real; Stu explores the practicalities of moving ecosystems to space as seen in the 1972 movie Silent Running; and Chris goes down the path of wormholes as mentioned in 2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder.
This week, Catriona tells all about the surprising success of NASA's DART mission, which tested a method of colliding a spacecraft with an asteroid to redirect it before it can threaten Earth; and Stu speaks to Tien Huynh from RMIT University about a plan to grow plants on the Moon as part of the project https://lunaria.one/
Two interviews from the archives, Claire talks to Joseph Schubert about Peacock spiders, and to Victoria Camilleri Asch about how sharks can smell in water
The Nobel prize for Physiology and Medicine for 2022 looks at the relationship between ancient homnids and modern humans, Chris talks abotu the research that won the prize. Stu looks at the relationship between the newest humans and their immediate ancestors, as science tackles exactly how to get babies to sleep.
This week, our special guest immunologist and science communicator Catriona Nguyen-Robertson tells us about her PhD research and direct personal experience of how the immune system's T cells can also target fats and oils; and Stu shares a new study using brain scans to find out why spending time in nature can reduce the stress of city life.
It's that time of year again when science recognises its most improbable research by awarding the 32nd First Annual Ig Nobel Prizes to ten research projects that "make you laugh, then make you think". Find out how researchers use ice cream to save the day (again) and why having your ducks in a row is scientifically a good thing.
This week, Stu shares new research that may explain why the most famous dinosaur, the T. rex, evolved such big heads, plus maybe why they had tiny arms as well; and Chris talks about reverse or anti lasers, which absorb light rather than emit it, and for that to make that sense he tries to explain how regular lasers work too.
This week, Claire talks to Dr Cathie Page from the Australian Institute of Marine Science about getting coral to spawn out of season in the laboratory; and Stu explains how the concept of alpha males does not in fact correspond to how wolf packs operate in the wild.
This week on the show Chris revisits the world of space junk, who is putting it up there, and where it comes down. And Stu informs us of a big discovery that is rocking the microbe world - a giant bacteria that you can see with the naked eye!
Claire talks about new research that links hearing with the evolution of warm blooded animals, and Chris fills us in on another possible case of academic misconduct linked to Alzheimers research.
Stu and Claire give us a run down of events in Melbourne, in Victoria, around the country and online for National Science Week (13-21 August 2022), including the schools program based on the International Year of Glass. And Claire gives a taste of questions for Lost in Science's annual trivia night on Monday 15 August. Find out more about National Science Week at scienceweek.net.au
Chris talks to PhD candidate Jennifer Ervine about her review paper of the mental health cost of unpaid domestic labour which is largely borne by women, and Stu checks out the winners of the 2022 Eureka Prizes for science from the Australian Museum.
This week on the show Stu talks us through the two new research papers on the origins of the spread of the covid-19 virus to humans from the wet market in Wuhan. Also on the show, do you think AI can become sentient? Chris looks into the spurious claims that the laMDA AI chat from google is actually a sentient being.
Chris talks about some of the discoveries the new JW space telescope has possibly discovered since booting up in the last few weeks, and Stu looks at a new technique for bringing dead skins back to life which may hold the key to genetic diversity in endangered animal populations.
This week we replay a couple of recent favourites: Claire reveals the surprising observation of parthenogenesis, aka 'virgin birth', in the endangered California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), and explains how this is possible, and why the chicks are male thanks to bird sex chromosomes being different from ours; and Stu tells us how it's possible to get frogs to regrow amputated limbs, raising the possibility of humans also regenerating from damage.
Claire talks to Dr. Jay Iwasaki about the invasive pest of honey bees the Varroa mite which was discovered in hives around Newcastle in NSW for the first time.
This week on the show Chris dives into the recent research about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, bringing us closer to understanding a biological cause. Also on the show, did you know it's International Year of Glass? Stu talks about why this humble material is so important in our lives, and for science.
Recycled cotton and polyester are often seen in clothing shops, but Claire tells us about the challenges to making it work, and how there are other ways to reduce waste; and Stu runs us through recent research showing much more common variations in human sex chromosomes beyond the XX and XY you might have learned at school (see more at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gim.2022.05.011)
This week on the show Stu speaks to researcher Chris Rinke about his fascinating research investigating how superworms, the larval stage of some beetles, can eat and digest polystyrene breaking it down into organic components. Also on the show Chris gets experimental again, this time showing how twisting threads creates enough friction to make incredibly strong twine and rope.
A new disease on the block is cause for concern, but how much should we be worried about the erroneously named Monkeypox virus? Claire finds out more on this week's show. And Chris explains what the Hubble constant is, and how it should be able to tell us how fast the universe is expanding, but it may reveal potential flaws in the way we think about physics. Photo by Brett Ritchie on Unsplash
Claire speaks to Barkandji woman, researcher, storyteller and writer Zena Cumpston about the new exhibition Emu Sky at the University of Melbourne, which shines a light on knowledge systems informed by careful observation and scientific methodologies and understanding that have been a fundamental part of the how Aboriginal peoples thrive and shaped this continent continuously for over 65 000 years and counting (see https://emusky.culturalcommons.edu.au); and Stu talks about what happens in hypnagogia and hypnopompia, the states of falling asleep and waking up, when people can experience dreamlike hallucinations.
This week on the show Chris talks with the animals - dolphins in particular, and the new research showing how they communicate with each other verbally and with their urine. Also this week Stu looks at the scientific evidence around human overpopulation
This week on the show Chris talks with the animals - dolphins in particular, and the new research showing how they communicate with each other verbally and with their urine. Also this week Stu looks at the scientific evidence around human overpopulation
Claire tells us about new research finding that scarring of the retina from toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that comes from cats, is surprisingly common; and Stu reveals the amazing feats of some migrating animals, and others that seem to get lost along the way.
Do dog breeds have distinctive personalities based on their genetics? A study into Canis familiaris and their individual canine behaviour questions the assumption that not all dogs are equal. And Claire looks into some astounding discoveries around rocks found on earth that are older than the solar system, and what they might tell us about the origins of terrestrial biology.
Stu reveals how one of Australia's best-loved and tiniest livestock animals is actually an invasive species that displaces native pollinators; and Chris discusses black holes and how what was believed to be the closest one to Earth is probably a vampire star instead.
Chris fills us in on the widely reported and misunderstood news about changes to physics as we know it, and Claire chats to Elodie Camprasse about the mass moulting of spider crabs in southern waters of Australia and how anyone can help better understand these creatures by joinging in a citizen science project to track their movements.
This week on the show Claire chats to Dr Jarrod McKenna about the incredible Egypian Spiny mouse and why it is so useful as a model for human reproduction. Also on the show Stu digs into research just published that reportedly fungi can communicate with each other.
Chris continues his investigation into fraudulent, dodgy and mistaken science research, and Claire talks to Hazel Richards about the new exhibition at the Museum of Victoria featuring the world's most complete Triceratops fossil ever discovered.
This week on the show Chris speaks to Professor Ben Mol about his research investigating fraud and misconduct in medical research and his claim that up to 20% of medical research trials are false. Also on the show Stu looks at some new research just released about an old issue, the hole in the ozone layer, and how climate change and catastrophic bushfires effects it.
Claire tells us about research from Cairns about which animals are most likely to have people go to hospital due to their bites, and what the outcomes are; and Stu explains how anaesthetics that work on humans can also affect plants too.
Claire talks about the recent outbreak of so-called Japanese encephalitis and how it spreads, while Chris takes a look at the greatest hits of global extinction events on earth.
This week on the show it's our annual International Women's Day special as we celebrate, advocate and work towards a more sustainable and equitable world for women. Claire is joined by climate scientist Dr Linden Ashcroft and neuroscientist and gender equity advocate Dr Emma Burrows.
This week, Stu explains how new advice about feeding children allergens earlier seems to be slowing the as-yet unexplained rise in rates of food allergies; and Chris bring us more news from a controversial site with fossils supposedly from the impact that (probably) finished off the dinosaurs, suggesting the asteroid struck in the northern hemisphere spring.
This week on the show Chris investigates the recent change to the status of the koala. This now endangered national icon faces more threats than ever. What will it take to save the koala? Also on the show Stu uncovers some rotten truths behind one of Australia's most common supplements - fish oil, and why the research doesn't scale up on this one!
In our first episode for 2022, we catch on some amazing science from over the break. Claire brings us the full story of the first successful transplant into a human of a heart from a genetically modified pig, and Stu tells us how it's possible to get frogs to regrow amputated limbs, raising the possibility of humans also regenerating from damage.
This week on the summer series hear from Tom Fairman tell the story of how Mountain Ash has been reseeded into thousands of hectares after the black summer bushfires. Also on the show we revisit Stu's story explaining why some research about hum an cloning is not as it seems.
Our summer series continues with stories from the archive through 2021. This week Stu revisists the myth of sunscreen causing Vitamin D deficiency, Chris looks at new evidence in old finds relating to the role of women in ancient societies, and Claire poders the question of if she'd ratehr be a fish.
Chris looks back on how the climate fared in 2021, and brings back two classic stories from the year: Claire speaks to biologist Christopher O'Bryan about the surprisingly high carbon emissions that feral pigs cause by disturbing the soil; and Stu looks at the impact of Elon Musk’s Starlink and other billionaires’ satellite networks, and how they’re contributing to concerns of increasing space junk in low Earth orbit.
This week on our summer series we revisit the tech billionaire space race, or is it the race to find the biggest ego? And did you know that the black summer bushfires of 2020 led to an algal bloom the size of Australia. We speak to oceanographer Christina Schallenberg about what her research shows about it and the ocean robots that helped discover it.
Another January edition of Lost in Science Summer Series where we revisit some stories from the past year. On this weeks' show, Chris investigates some research involving sex chromosomes and how one species is adapting to losing the Y chromosome that makes males of the species male. And Claire explains the science behind a bold project to reinvigorate the gene pool of an endangered species using cloning techniques.
Chris looks back on some of his favourite stories of 2021, and we replay a couple of ornithological gems you may have missed: Claire tells us about the incredible mimickry abilities of birds, including a swearing musk duck that has to be heard to be believed; and Stu reveals how songbirds evolved in Australia and spread through the world, which we can tell by their taste for sweet things.
On this week's show we get lost in Science Fictio-mas, as the presenters look at some of the science behind the blockbuster Sci-Fi of the season to find out how it balances with the fiction. Claire Digs into Dune to find out if Sand Worms are possible on alien planets, Chris takes multiple looks at multiverses to see how likely it is any of us could be played by Toby Maguire and Stu takes a trip into the Matrix to try and figure out if we could possibly know we were living in a simulation.
This week on the show Stu unravels the mysteries of how painkillers work, and what we don't currently understand and their effect on the body. Also on the show Chris investigates the what we know about water chemistry, there is much more to it than meets and wets the eye!
This week, Claire finds out what we know, or more accurately don't know, about the new Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with answers from epidemiologist Raina MacIntyre to some common questions about what it means for the COVID-19 pandemic; and then for a real scare, Stu introduces us to xenobots, manufactured organisms made from cells of the frog Xenopus laevis, which can move about and have acquired the ability to replicate themselves.
Stu takes a look at NASA's collaborative DART throwing efforts to see how well they can protect our planet, while Chris tries to unravel the mystery of sleep - why do we do it, and why can we sometimes not?
This week on the show Chris explains the science behind some of the anti-vaccination arguments and worries out there right now relating to pregnancy and heart disease. Also on the show Claire gives a timely PSA about the paralysis tick, where they are, what their lifecycle is and why you may need to be more alert for them this year.
This week, Claire reveals the surprising observation of parthenogenesis, aka 'virgin birth', in the endangered California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), and explains how this is possible, and why the chicks are male thanks to bird sex chromosomes being different from ours; and Stu dives into the alkaline water fad, why it won't help your health, and why the way a certain celebrity uses it makes even less sense.
This week on the show Chris catches up on the science award season, with the Prime Minister's Prize for Science winner Anthony Weiss, and his groundbreaking work genome sequencing the COVID-19 causing virus. Also on the show, Stu talks about some recently published research busting myths of how metabolism slows down as we age.
Chris spills the beans on what makes coffee jump out of our cup when you are carrying it, one of the mysteries of physics that is helping inform robot design, and Claire talks to Linden Ashcroft abotu what is under discussion at the COP26 conference on climate change in Glasgow underway right now.
Claire speaks to microbiologist Peter Timms from the University of the Sunshine Coast about clinical trials of a vaccine for chlamydia, which threatens Australia's already vulnerable koala populations; and Stu introduces us to UNESCO's World Science Day for Peace and Development, which takes place on 10 November every year.
Chris investigates a new X file as mysterious signals from the centre of the galaxy are detected in outback Australia, and Stu reopens a closed case, the mystery of the Atacama mummy. Not the origin of the tiny skeleton, but why some people won't accept the obvious answer. This week on Lost in Science!
This week on the show Claire speaks to researcher Tom Fairman about the huge effort to save Mountain Ash forests by reseeding thousands of hectares after the Black Summer bushfires. Also on the show Chris talks us through the science behind the Nobel Prize for Physics, and how explaining chaos has huge implications for our understanding of climate change.
This week, Claire speaks to oceanographer Christina Schallenberg about how smoke from the Black Summer bushfires led to an algal bloom bigger than Australia; and Stu explains how, contrary to colonialist assumptions, songbirds evolved in Australia and spread throughout the world, as revealed by their tastebuds.
This week on the show Chris takes a break from covid news to give us a history lesson on small pox and the similarities between vaccine hesitancy back then and now. And do you think a parrot is as smart as a primate? Stu talks about new research on a cockatoo that can make and use multiple different tools, including a spoon!
This week, Claire investigates the unlikely return from the brink of the Eastern Barred Bandicoot, an example of how sometimes going on the endangered list is a good thing, and Chris gives us a round up of his favourites from the annual Ig Nobel prizes for science that makes to laugh then makes you think.
This week, Claire looks at the incredible mimicry powers of birds, including recently unearthed audio of a swearing musk duck (Biziura lobata). And Stu tells us about new research aiming to alleviate osteoarthritis in knees using cartilage from an unlikely source.
With these rolling lockdowns we have all been spending too much time on the internet!Stu digs deep into just how big and scary "Big Pharma" really is and why you might come across the use of this term when dealing with Covid-19 internet conspiracists. Speaking of conspiracists, Chris looks at the worrying trend for conspiracies theories to spread and why this type of thinking discredits scientists and should be a concern for all of us.
This week Chris remembers the life and work of American theoretical physicist Steven Weinberg who passed away recently. Famous among physicists but little known among the general public, he was widely regarded as the one of the greatest physicists of his time. Claire looks into another little known area of science, that of indigenous weeds. In a country the size of Australia, it's not unusual to find plants which are native to the continent, but causing havoc where they are not wanted.
This week it's the COVID-testing episode, as Claire speakes to materials chemist Nicholas Kirkwood, whose lab normally researches better solar panels, but retooled in the pandemic to make magnetic nanoparticles for PCR tests; and with hayfever season on the way, Stu explains why you still need to get tested if you show any symptoms.
It's an invertebrate double creature feature! Chris brings us a creepy tale of giant centipedes that stalk and eat birds on Philip Island (not the Victorian Philip Island). And Stu chats about a very domestic spider we are all pretty familiar with, the Daddy Long Legs and the fascinating new research investigating the genes that give them their long legs.
It's Science week It's science week It's science week.. It's National Science week, and Claire brings us a roundup of the events that most interested her form around the country, many of them accessible from your own computer, (check the website scienceweek.net.au for further details) and Chris reports on the contents of the latest IPCC report on the impacts of climate change and what is (and isn't) being done to alleviate the problems.
Claire speaks to biologist Christopher O'Bryan about calculating the carbon emissions that feral pigs cause by disturbing the soil; and Stu explains why not to appeal to the authority of scientists stepping outside their domain of expertise, using the example of computer scientist Stephanie Seneff writing about glyphosate.
This week on the show Stu speaks to Gideon Meyerowitz Katz to revisit the use of Ivermectin to treat covid-19 and the dodgy scientific studies that skewed the data supporting it's recommended use. Also on the show, as a lot of the country is either in lockdown or coming out of lockdown we get the facts from Chris on new research looking at the health impact of lockdowns compared to the impact of the pandemic itself.
Part 2 of Claire's Dung Beetle interview, and Chris talks to Krystal Kostaglou from Deakin University about her research into Southern Masked Lapwings and their strange pre-hatching behaviour.
In our all-BS episode, Claire presents part one of her two-part interview with Valerie Caron from the CSIRO about her research on dung beetles, including the native beetles that feed on marsupial poo and the search for beetles from overseas to tackle the dung of introduced species. And Chris gives a rundown on the legal case of physicist Peter Ridd, who was dismissed from James Cook University for criticising his colleagues' research that showed threats to the Great Barrier Reef, and whose appeal was recently heard in the High Court. Why is it always the physicists?
This week on the show Stu talks us through the tech billionaires who, not unlike comic book supervillians, are trying as hard as they can to beat each other to space. Also on the show Claire speaks to PhD researcher Ebony Ciarrocci about her research investigating reproductive biology in the fat tailed dunnart, and her plan to figure out a way to develop IVF for marsupials.
Chris de-livers a story about a new CRISPR technique which may hold the key to gene therapies for adults with genetic conditions, and Stu has the gall to bring in a story about lumps and bumps on plants, (aka galls) and what causes them.
Claire explains how sheets of gossamer webs blanketing Gippsland are due to spiders flying away from the floods; and Stu tells us about how research into lifespan equality in humans and other primates shows that longevity may not be able to be extended, or ageing avoided.
Chris travels back in time to a 2013 paper about traveling back in time and discovers an issue with replication of results and publishing of science journal articles which he attempts to correct. Stu looks at an old vaccine that is offering new hope for auto immune treatment in a variety of conditions which started out as the solution to a major global killer.
Claire discusses the ongoing mouse plague and the ecological risk of some of the harmful rodenticides being considered with ornithologist Maggie Watson from Charles Sturt University, who also suggests some safer options. And Stu speaks to Tom Thumb about his book and blog "Science for Hippies", which reaches out to people who may be sceptical of science – read more at https://scienceforhippies.com/
Everyone remembers record players, in fact they are making a massive comeback. But what about quadrophonic record players? This week on Lost in Science Stu takes a trip back in time to explain the science behind what used to be cutting edge technology, how does it work, and why it never took off.Also on the show Chris investigates the science to tackle a question on the mind of many young parents; why do babies and children get sick so often and why is it that adults, with their mature immune system, catch these sicknesses as well.
This week on Lost in Science Chris looks into sex genes in mammals and finds out how some species can live with different arrangements of parental genes, and Claire dives deep into the behaviour of Zebra Fish to find out why they are one of the most studied species in the world, and how in many ways they are similar to humans.
This week on the show Lost in Science's resident paleontologist Adele Pentland stops by to talk about a pterosaur bone fossil that was later discovered to be into something different, changing what we know about Australian dinosaurs. And Stu answers the very current question of whether it is worth trying to correct people when they say things that aren't true on the internet. Whether you want to delve into internet arguments or not, Stu has the science that can help you make your case!
This week on Lost in Science Stu talks to Michael Braby about endangered butterflies and how they can represent whole ecosystems in need of protection and how you can help protect them by signing up here, and Chris talks about how both toads and phones can possibly protect people from earthquakes.
News on a different vaccine this week as Stu talks about some of the most recent breakthroughs in the malaria vaccine, and how it is related to the COVID vaccine. Also on the show Chris updates us on what NASA's em drive, which was previously heralded as a potential innovation in space travel despite the fact it defied the laws of physics.
It's all a bit Elon Musk this week, as Claire examines reports of his Neuralink company using brain implants to enable a monkey to play the computer game Pong with its mind (watch the video at https://youtu.be/rsCul1sp4hQ); and Stu looks at the impact of the Starlink satellite network, and how it's contributing to concerns of increasing space junk in low Earth orbit.
This week Claire speaks to Luke Jeffrey about his fascinating new research looking into trees that emit methane and the microbes in their bark that can eat the greenhouse! Also on the show Chris gives us the low down on what a muon is, and why it's measurements are making such huge physics news right now. Could this be big news that changes the way we understand particle physics?
This week Chris looks into the reports of blood clotting issues associated with one of the covid-19 vaccines to try and figure out if the large scale of the vaccine program is to blame for the appearance of the responses, and Stu has a quick look at the UN's International Year of Fruit and Vegetables and how science can play a role in getting people their apple a day, and convincing them to try things that are not apples.
This week Claire talks to Melbourne Museum's own Spider-Man about a newly discovered peacock Spider that looks like a cartoon fish. Chris explains how the moon helped solve a problem with international global shipping caused by a no float boat.
This week on the show Stu explains the actual research behind the headlines claiming that "scientists have cloned a human embryo" and why it isn't exactly what it seems. And Chris takes us into space to reveal the mystery behind our strangest pancake comet-like interstellar visitor 'Oumuamua!
Guess who's back? Back again! Chris is back, tell a friend... Yes Chris returns to the team this week with a story of ancient gender equality based on some interesting new finds which are prompting reinterpretation of gender roles in ancient societies. And Stu takes a trip to Ascension island in the mid Atlantic to look at an island-wide experiment that has been running for 160 years.
This week on the show we celebrate International Women's Day in 2021 with all women talking all science. Our guests on the show include Adele Pentland, who tells us the story of one of Australia's greatest palaeontologists Mary Wade and her work which spanned the ages. Also on the show Claire speaks with Manisha Bhardwaj about her current research as a field ecologist in Sweden and what happens when humans and animals come into contact and how we can use science to help.
On the show this week, Stu looks into the psychology of ideology, do our abilities influence how we think, or does the way we think affect what we can do? And Claire investigates the world first wild animal clone from North America which opens up new possibilities for conservation efforts
On the show this week, Stu finds out if there's any evidence sunscreen is making people vitamin D deficient, and Claire talks to Brendan Burns about space, life on Mars and what Perseverance can do for us.
This week Stu uses Valentine's Day as an excuse to research flowers, but not your average flower, the ones that bloom from parasitic plants! Also on the show Claire investigates what scientists understand about the booming population of insects and mice up and down the East coast at the moment, and what citizen science apps can be used to track these population explosions.
This week, Stu talks about a new development in making wood transparent which may revolutionise the way we look at the world (through windows), and Claire finds out how a new kind of Sputnik developed in Russia is helping fight covid-19
Welcome back for the first new show of 2021! This week on the show Stu shares some of the science stories that were keeping him interested over the summer period including fascinating research that shows how scientists have engineered spinach that email us if toxic chemicals turn up in the soil. Also this week Claire speaks to Elodie Camprasse and Cassie Speakman about their research and the Victorian Biodiversity Conference.
We will be back soon with all new shows, but in the meantime we are continuing our Summer Series where we look back on some interviews and stories from last year you may have missed. This week, Stu talks to Angela Pattison about her work in investigating indigenous grass species for potential as agricultural grain crops, and Chris talks to quantum physicist Kyla Adams about the quantum forces in ordinary liquids.
Lost in Science summer series takes you back to an interview with shark biologist Victoria Camilieri-Asch about how well sharks cam smell, and that time when Chris asked what anti-matter really is.
Another week of summer, another episode of our Summer Series. This week we have a listen to an interview from last year between Claire and Professor Marie Gerdtz about the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, and the continued relevance of nursing in the 21st century. Then Stu digs up a story of the pigs that returned to life, or at least parts of them sort of did. Nurses vs Zombie Pigs, this week on Lost in Science.
It's Lost in Science Summer Series where we revisit some of our favourite science stories of 2020. This week Stu talks about the La Niña weather pattern, what it is and how it affects Australian climate, and Claire speaks to Professor Sandra Kentish about how to engineer yourself a mask to protect against COVID-19.
In our final show for 2020 we look at some of the science we missed and what else would have been making the news if a particular virus hadn't rudely interrupted everything. Happy New Year!
It's Christmas time at Lost in Science! This week on the show Claire brings a new Australian native fauna version of the 12 days of Christmas, and Stu talks about what Santa Claus has to do with the most recent discovery that some Australian animals fluoresce under UV light. Also this week Chris returns to talk about what his what has been keeping him this occupied this Christmas - his twins - and the science of baby brain!
This week on the show we hear Part 2 of an interview with Agricultural scientist Angela Pattison about her collaboration with Aboriginal traditional owners on how to incorporate native Australian grains into agricultural production. Claire also talks with Australian PhD candidate Adele Pentland about her discoveries of Australian Pterosaurs, and why such finds are so rare.
Stu talks about new research which is helping to combat bacterial infections through the delivery of antibodies into the gut system by an unlikely courier, a yeast cell! Also on the show, Claire gets into the International Year of Plant Health and looks at the plants of the ocean - seagrasses! What are they, why are they so important, and did you know there are tiny invertebrate sea bee-like creatures that pollinate their flowers underwater?
A rewind back through the year to hear some of our stories you may have missed. Chris tackles the physics behind the tears of wine, and how they behave like a wave, Claire finds out how crafty conservation is saving an endangered bird in Tasmania, and Stu breaks the ice with a newly discovered form of solid water, it's hot stuff!
This week we are reminiscing about some stories from earlier in the yeah, Stu talks to Jen Sanger about a study which shows how bushfire frequency impacts forest regeneration, and Claire talks to David Baker-Gabb about the plight of the Plains Wanderer, a critically endangered bird of inland Australia.
This week on Locked in Science Stu talks awards again, with the announcement of the Prime Minister's prize for Science for 2020, and Claire talks to Olaf Meynecke about studying the humpback whale which just finished is migration along the east coast of Australia
This week on Locked in Science Stu brings us two new science stories - first one looking at the discovery of water on the moon, and the second highlighting the work of NSW scientist of the year Professor Edward Holmes, who worked to identify the genome of the virus that causes COVID-19. Also on the show Claire talks us through the malady that is seasickness, what is caused by and how science can help understand it.
This week on Locked in Science Stu looks at apps that claim to send you to sleep and how well they work according to science, while Claire reminds us that the annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count is here again in time for National Bird Week!
This week on the show Claire looks at research from the CSIRO looking at how long the virus causing Covid-19 can last on surfaces, and Stu delves into who has won 2020's Nobel prizes!
This week on Locked in Science Stu finds out why sometimes artificial flavouring might be healthier than natural flavours, and why some of them don't taste like we expect, and Claire takes a deep dive into inner space to find out some tentacular facts about octopods... octopi... octipides... octopuses!
This week on the show we are joined by science communicator and public health professional Alanta Colley as she gives us the update and low down on what is happening around the world with COVID-19 vaccine trials. Tune in to hear why the Oxford vaccine was paused, what new groundbreaking technology is being used to develop the vaccines, and why human challenge trials are the next big news, and why this raises so many ethical questions!
This week on Locked in Science Stu looks into ice that doesn't behave at all like ice, even though it's still made of plain old water, and Claire finds out who are the winners in this year's Ignobel Prizes, the annual awards for real science research that makes us laugh and makes us think.
This week on the show we talk to Space Archeologist Dr Alice Gorman about one of the biggest science stories of 2020 - the discovery of phosphine gas on Venus, why this means there could be life swirling around in the atmosphere of our neighbouring planet and how this could change the we understand life itself.
Locked in Science this week acknowledges National Endangered Species day on September 7th and looks at the fate of the Plains Wanderer, a ground dwelling indigenous bird whose grassland habitat is disappearing rapidly by talking to Dr. David Baker-Gabb, and Stu looks into Barley research that will help everyone get back on the beers in future
This week on the show Stu asks the question investigates the question of whether there are invasive worms living in our soils, and if so what effect do they have? Also on the show Claire talks about the breakthrough Australian research which has shown how highly effective an Australian innovation is at fighting dengue fever.
Claire tells us the story of how crafty researchers are protecting Pardalotes from prevalent problematic parasites, while Chris finds out if dogs are able to perceive the earth's magnetic field, and how we might be able to observe that in their behaviour.
This week on the show Chris talks through the evidence for the effectiveness of ivermectin to treat COVID-19, and Stu takes us back to 2019, a more simple time, when science stories about zombie pigs were the most terrifying thing being reported!
It's all about coronavirus testing this week on Locked in Science, as Stu fills us in on the two main types of tests currently used for COVID-19: the PCR test that detects genes from the virus in nasal swabs, and the blood tests for antibodies; meanwhile Claire talks to Anne-Lise Chaber and Susan Hazel about their new research training sniffer dogs to detect whether people are infected.
This week on Locked in Science, with National Science Week only a matter of days away, Claire gives us a rundown of events happening all over the country, many of them accessible online, and Chris fills us in on his covid caused absence from the show, and we hear from his partner who was hit hard with the illness, but is now recovering.
This week on Locked in Science, with National Science Week just around the corner Stu talks to plant scientist Dr Kim Johnson about an upcoming event called A Taste of Tomorrow exploring the future of foods - as part of the Possible Impossible online event series for National Science Week. Also on the show we bring you a story from the vault as Chris explores one of the great mysteries of the universe, why there is more matter than anti-matter!
This week on Locked in Science Claire turns to watch the skies and look at some different kinds of corona in space, and Stu looks at some science that has been brought to light by the coronavirus and some that looks like it might help slow it down.
This week on Locked in Science we speak to Biomedical Engineer Professor Sandra Kentish about the best way to effectively make yourself a mask to keep you and the community safe from COVID-19. Also on the show Stu updates us on the latest forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology for an increase likelihood of rain from the La Niña effect.
On Locked in Science this week, Claire learns how frozen sewage is being used to track the presence of viruses in big cities, and Chris looks at some of the science behind IVF fertility
This week on the show Stu investigates the MTHFR gene, a gene that helps the body to process folate, but is also at the centre of some dubious misinformation by the "Wellness Industry".Also on the show this week, Chris turns his mind to the Northern Hemisphere's summer, and the fires that are currently burning in the arctic circle - why is this happening, and what will be the effects!
This week in the spirit of the International Year of Plant Heatlh, Stu tells us about the arms race between brassicas – which include vegetables such as cabbages, kale, cauliflower and broccoli – and their pests and diseases; meanwhile Claire shares what it's like to get tested for COVID-19, and how recent research shows that "superspreaders" could be responsible for clusters of coronavirus outbreaks. Remember, if you're concerned you can get information at health.gov.au, which also has a list of testing locations.
This week on the show we delve into some controversial medical science. First up Chris revisits the research on Hydroxychloroquine, also known as Donald Trump's favourite COVID-19 medication, and the most recent research about this treatment that has come out, and subsequently been retracted. Also this week Stu brings us up-to-date on CRISPR and what medical advances are currently being made, and what could be done in the future using this incredibly powerful gene editing technology.
This week on Locked-in Science we confront some common fears, as Claire speaks to Victoria Camilieri-Asch about her research on shark brains to find out how well they can really smell; and Stu investigates rumours of flying spiders, with some surprising results.
This week on another episode of Locked-in Science, Chris talks to Pint of Science speaker Kyla Adams about research into the vortices of quantum fluids, and Claire brings us a story from water scientist Bradley Moggridge in his own words finding connections between his indigenous heritage and his scientific career.
This week on the show Stu speaks to Dr Jen Sanger from the University of Tasmania about her research which suggests that logging forests can increase the intesnity of bushfires. Also on the show, Chris shares some personal news, him and his partner are expecting twins! So in true scientific fashion, he has hit the scientific journals and brings us the most uptodate research into the science of twins.
This week's Locked-in Science brings us International Nurses Day in 2020, which is also the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, marking 200 years since the birth of Florence Nightingale. Clare talks to Professor Marie Gerdtz from the University of Melbourne about what has and hasn't changed since then, and the impact on nurses of the COVID-19 pandemic. And Stu brings a galaxy of space news, with comets, meteors, asteroids, black holes and unidentified flying objects.
On the show this week, we continue our Locked in Science show, with Chris looking into the (grape) pressing issue of why wine sticks to the side of your glass, and Claire explores the wild world of Sourdough.
This week on Locked in Science, Claire speaks to Paul Bertsch from the CSIRO about the successful detection of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in sewage in Brisbane, as a way of tracking infections. Also, Stu shares some science that's become possible due to people being in lockdown, and Chris tells us about Australia's rapidly updated guidelines for treating COVID-19, which can be found online at covid19evidence.net.au
This week on Locked in Science, our second socially isolated show Claire suggests some citizen science projects you can take part in while in isolation, some which could help find treatments for COVID-19, and some that will get your mind off it altogether. And now that we are all online shopping more Stu looks at what the relative carbon footprint is of online versus in store shopping. And Chris investigates the scientific research behind wearing face masks during the pandemic.
In our first remotely recorded, socially distant episode, we look at some of the research on the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the disease COVID-19. Claire tells us about a new study into how long the virus lasts in the air and on various surfaces, Stu explains what’s involved in developing a vaccine, and Chris dives into the controversy around possible treatment with chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, and how politics is getting ahead of the science.
Chris talks to epidemiologist Freya Shearer about the impacts of COVID-19 and how it's transmitted, Stu looks at how new viruses can appear, and Claire explains at how to look after ourselves if we self isolate during the pandemic.
It's the International Women's Day Lost in Science special with special guests Alanta Colley and Sarah Nagorcka joining Claire in the studio. This week on the show Sarah tells the incredible story of pharmacologist Gertrude Elion and her story of dedication and perseverance in the face of sexism. Also about how women in STEM around the world are increasing recognition of female identifying scientists one Wikipedia entry at a time. And Alanta gives us a sneak peek into her new show for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival On the Origin of Faeces all about current research around gut microbiome science.
This week, Chris ranks the biggest explosions ever in the universe, Stu reveals how 42,000-year-old nematodes are coming back to life from thawing permafrost, and Claire speaks to Ellie Michaelides about the Wild by Nature short film competition. Details at www.rememberthewild.org.au/wild-by-nature
This week on the show Claire chats to Professor Jared Cole from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science about how quantum mechanics is helping to create more efficient and sustainable solar panels and why this is so important. And Chris describes new research suggesting that global human body temperatures have been cooling over the last 100 years.
It's all physics this week on Lost in Science, as we replay our interviews with theoretical physicist Sean Carroll on the many worlds of quantum mechanics and the nature of time - for more see https://thinkinc.org.au/events/carroll - and astrophysicist Krystal De Napoli talking about 65,000 of Indigenous Australian knowledge of the stars and nature - see http://www.aboriginalastronomy.com.au
In this episode of our summer series we hear about the Victorian Biodiversity Conference happening in Melbourne from two early career researchers Ally Nance and Rachel Nalliah.Also this week, we revist a favourite story of 2019, when Chris introduced us to the Cat-fox of Corsica and whether science can provide the evidence to take it from folklore to fact.
The Russians tried to get people on the moon first, but they achieved a number of other amazing feats of space exploration instead. Stu fills us in on the space race and just how close it was in the mid 20th century with the help of Chris and guest Jacinta Bowler. Back on earth, Claire asks researcher Eliza Colgrave why not much seems to have changed for many women suffering Endometriosis, and what the future of research might be.
In this episode of the Lost in Science summer series, Stu talks all things small and delves into who are the world's tiniest animals. Chris brings the science to the studio by doing live experimentation looking at the science of how knots are formed. And Claire takes us back to the announcement of UNESCO heritage listing of the Budj Bim cultural landscape on the land of the Gunditjmara people of west Victoria.
In this episode of the Lost in Science summer series, Chris explains the holographic principle, where physicists claim that our three-dimensional universe could be a two-dimensional illusion. And we look back on another highlight of 2019, when Claire and Stu discussed a grisly mystery in Western Australia that led to a benefit for Australian ecology.
In this episode of the Lost in Science summer series, Chris gives a run down of some basic points about climate change science. And we look back at Claire's story from December about scientists' plans to save koalas from bushfires, and Stu's tale of two elements, tellurium and selenium, that are significant for producing solar cells.
A look back at some of the stories covered in 2019, on this episode Claire talks to Dr. Gabriel DaSilva about air quality around the world, then hear from Dr. Linden Ashbrook about the details of the IPCC report on climate released late last year.
The team wrap up another year of science, Stu looks back on some stories we loved, Claire looks back on stories we miseed, and Chris explains one last mysterious science discovery of the year, the X17 particle.
We answer some questions from the kids at Coolbinia Primary in Western Australia, and Chris tells us how to win (almost) every time when cracking Christmas crackers!
Chris shows us the surprising similarities between music from different cultures around the world (find out more at www.themusiclab.org); Claire shares how bushfires have devastated koala populations, and how some scientists hope to preserve them; and Stu tells us about efforts to create chimeras combining different species for organ transplantation.
This week on the show Chris speaks to world renowned theoretical physicist Sean Carroll about multiple worlds, the possibility of time travel, and whether the last Avengers film got the science right.Also, Claire chats to geochemist Hayden Dalton about his research looking at the chemistry of diamonds that have travelled from the mantle to the surface via volcanic explosion, and what these can tell us about what our planet is made from.And Stu reports about the long awaited breakthrough for a male contraception that is both easy to use and highly efficient.
Claire talks to Dr. Krystal de Napoli about what thousands of years of indigenous understanding of astronomy can teach science, and Stu investigates the chilling case of the Atomic Bunker Cannibals!
Chris fills us in on the discovery and identity of the mysterious, semi-mythical cat-fox of Corsica; Claire frightens us all with the highly venomous Irukandji jellyfish from northern Australia, which threatens to become more dangerous due to climate change; and Stu tells us about how it's possible to incept zebra finches with false memories of songs.
This week on the show Claire talks about how the bin chicken was a sacred bird in Egypt, and the Australian genetics research helping to tell this story. Chris looks at things in black and white and striped all over, by reviewing the research around why zebras have evolved stripes. And Stu discusses where DNA and RNA evolved from, and how German scientists are recreating primordial RNA creating soup!
Stu finds out why some German neuroscientists put algae in a frog's brain, Claire investigate's an eagle's massive phone bill, and Chris looks into a new story of human origins in Africa.
It's our annual Lost in Science Fictions special! In celebration of the lunar landing 50th anniversary, Stu gives us the rundown on fictional voyages to the Moon throughout history, Chris fact-checks David Bowie's Space Oddity, and Claire gives a spoiler-filled science review of the movie Ad Astra.
This week we honour the winners of the 2019 Nobel prizes in the science categories, and Stu takes a trip to space to explore some new discoveries, and mark the passing of a space pioneer.
This week, Chris speaks to palaeontologist Hazel Richards about the bizarre features of extinct Australian marsupial megafauna, the Palorchestids; and Stu tells us about a mind-controlled cyborg exoskeleton that's given a Frenchman with a spinal cord injury the ability to move again.
Stu investigates a bacterial disappearing act that has impaired doctors treating chronic infection patients, Chris Talks about how science really advances based on a study of changes in biomedicine after researchers die, and Claire fills us in on a new super oyster that can handle changed water conditions and how they might be useful in the future.
Claire and Stu discuss a grisly mystery in Western Australia that leads to a benefit for Australian ecology, and Chris tries to untangle the mystery of why headphone cables get tangled up in your pocket.
This week, Chris explains how recent media reports about a possible higher stroke risk for vegetarians missed the big news of their lower rates of heart disease; Claire shocks us with the discovery of new, high-voltage species of electric eels – sorry, "knifefish"; and Stu tells us about research into developing an anti-ageing pill that targets the thymus gland.
It is the Eureka Prizes once again, Australian Science's night of nights, and Claire catches us up on the who the winners were! Chris takes us to Scotland and to the science making headlines to uncover Lochness Monster DNA. And ever wanted to clone your beloved dog or cat? Stu talks about the costs, the science, and the progress of the pet cloning industry.
Claire talks to Linden Ashcroft about the recent IPCC report on climate change and what it means, and Stu tries to see what is the smallest animal on earth.
This week, Chris tells us how online hate networks follow the same physics as milk curdling, and this could help us fight them; Claire speaks to chemical engineer Gabriel da Silva about air pollution, its health impacts and how bad it is in Australia; and Stu shares the disturbing but potentially useful idea of growing teeth on tongues.
This week on the show we hear from Chris and the impactful Australian discovery of feeding pink seaweed to cattle reduces methane emissions by up to 90%.Also on the show Stu draws our attention back to the periodic table of elements, this time to Selenium and Tellurium - two elements named after the moon and the Earth, and which have a special significance in the production of solar cells.And Claire takes a look at the humble spiderweb, we know it is stronger than steel, but did you know that some spiders can form up to 7 different kinds of web, all which have the potential to be utilised for biomimicry purposes?
Chris looks at the recently awarded Breakthrough Prize in Physics and why some physicists are doubtful of its merit, and Stu talks to the conductor of the Victorian Youth Symphony Orchestra about their upcoming performance with the presenters of the Curiosity Show
On this special episode for National Science Week, Stu gives us a run-down of events around the country; Chris speaks to Melbourne Museum fish expert Dianne Bray about the research she'll talk about at their events; and Claire speaks to Tilly Boleyn, curator of Science Gallery Melbourne about their new program called Disposable. Find out about this and other events at scienceweek.net.au
This week, Claire tells us where to find bacteria in apples, Chris looks at a near miss from an unexpected asteroid and what the chances of one hitting us are, and Stu finds out how to make liquid magnets. No, not this stuff: https://youtu.be/ensd-258iGQ
Stu finds out about Elon Musk's latest plans to tap into peoples' brains directly, Chris looks into the science behind the search for alien life and guest Jacinta explains how meteorites are valuable in terms of money, but also to scientific research.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Moon Landing, we go full moon: Chris looks at the science of getting to the Moon and what we learnt from it; Stu takes us back to the Space Race with the competing Soviet missions; and Jacinta introduces us to the amazing Moon Trees from Apollo 14, which are still alive today.
This week on the show Claire talks about Australia's ancient Indigenous eel aquaculture site in South Western Victoria - Budj Bim, and its recent UNESCO World Heritage status. Chris has another anniversary on his mind, 100 years since the Spanish Flu epidemic started in Western Europe, killing over 50 million people world wide. And Stu introduces us to the recently discovered oldest multicellular fossil which is almost a one billion year old fungi.
Stu discusses the advantages of New Zealand's geothermal activity, and some of the more immediate disadvantages, Claire finds out why some animals eyes shine back in demonic ways in the dark, and guest Jacinta Bowles talks about how some players of card game Magic: the Gathering have used it to build unpredictable algorithms to trap other players.
This week, Claire speaks to medical researcher Eliza Colgrave about endometriosis, what it is, how common it is, and what science is telling us about causes, diagnosis and possible treatment; and Chris tells us about how 30 years since the controversial claims of cheap energy from cold fusion, the topic is being reexamined by Google.
This week we look into technology, being used for good and... less than good. Claire looks at how drones can impact the lives of wildlife Chris looks at how disruptive technologies can disrupt our lifestyles, and Stu looks at how science is begin gamified to solve some heavy number crunching science problems In games like Fold It, EteRNA and more.
This week on the show Stu talks macadamia nuts with Dr Chris Hardner from the University of Queensland and the incredible new research just published suggesting most of the world's commercial macadamia nut stock may come from one tree in Australia.Also on the show Chris pays tribute to Murray Gell-Man, whose groundbreaking research investigating particle physics led to the discovery of none other than the quark, and a fundamental shift in our understanding of our world.
This week, Stu tells us about the life of Australian spider expert Barbara York Main, who among many other things recorded the longest-lived spider in the world; and Claire talks to Dr Kiri Beilby about how age affects fertility in both women and men, and getting reliable information from sources like yourfertility.org.au
On this week's show, Stu talks to Dr. Sarah Piper about the possibility of using bacteria to deliver targeted insecticide, Claire finds out if all animals taste in the same way as people, and Chris looks into the problem of plastic pollution.
This week on the show Chris asks the question "How do carnivorous plants get pollinators if they eat insects?", Stu talks about the essential element Phosphorus, and we hear all about the best of the best science films that made the grade for the SCINEMA the International Science Film Festival in 2019, happening in a city or regional centre near you!
This week, Chris looks at how measuring elements in samples brought back from asteroids could reveal where the Earth's water came from; Stu asks Greg Neely from the University of Sydney about his research into how box jellyfish cause pain, and how that could lead to an antidote; and Claire talks to Elodie Camprasse about scientists speaking about their work in pubs around the country for Pint of Science, pintofscience.com.au
Chris looks into claims of sexual harassment in the physics labs of the world, Claire talks to Kit Prendergast about the status of Australian native bee species, and Stu investigates the development of ionic flight, a means of propulsion that relies on no moving parts to fly a plane.
This week, Chris looks at a discovery that perhaps too sensationally claims to show the moment the dinosaurs went extinct; and Claire speaks to Dwan Price from Deakin University about why some substances, such as peanut allergens, can get through our guts to cause an allergic reaction.
On this week's show, Claire finds out when to be wary of the Cassowary, and why they might be likely to attack people, Chris looks into the science behind the recent Black Hole Picture, and Stu finds out how to replace a broken heart, at least possibly in the future.
This week on the show Claire speaks to immunologist Catriona Nguyen-Robertson about the link between exercise and immune function. Chris explains the new controversy surrounding the Night Parrot, and Stu looks at a medical case of a real life woman with super powers that are now helping others.
This week it's all about Australian species and the threats they face. Stu talks to Adam Cross about the native Albany pitcher plant threatened by poaching and loss of habitat; Claire visits the Australian sea lions at Kangaroo Island, at risk from gillnet fishing; and Chris counts down Australia's top ten invasive species as measured by how many species they threaten.
Stu fills us in on his favourite Anning, Mary Anning: Fossil Hunter, Chris talks to Alanta Colley and Ben McKenzie about their upcoming science comedy show "You Chose Poorly" and we also try out an experiment in our microwave to see if we can get sparks to fly from a grape!
This week on the show we catch up from Ellie Michaelides and Cathy Cavallo from Remember the Wild and hear about the Connected to Port Phillip Initiative to bring awareness and connection to the unique diversity of Port Phillip.Also on the show, comedian Seam M Elliott talks about his new comedy show playing at the Melbourne Interantional Comedy Festival Tesla: Deathrays and Elephants
This week, Stu looks at reports that insect populations are falling, and finds out that the threat may have been exaggerated. Meanwhile, Chris goes on a citizen science expedition and takes part in a flying-fox fly-out count, to find out how populations of these megabats are faring. If you're interested in joining the fly-out count, go to https://megabatcount.wordpress.com/
For International Women's Day, we bring you the stories of three incredible women: Maria Sibylla Merian, whose science and illustrations gave us an understanding of the lifecycle of insects; Lise Meitner, one of the physicists who first acheived nuclear fission, but missed out on the Nobel Prize; and Margaret Wu, one of many women whose calculations made great contributions to science, but didn't receive the credit they deserved.
This week Stu talks about other lost explorers on planets in our solar system, Claire finds out if a spoon in your champagne bottle keeps the bubbles inside, and Chris finds out if gravity could help propel spacecraft to other stars
This week, Chris exhausts everyone with a heap of listener questions about fundamental physics, Stu tells us about an ambitious plan to turn South Australia's Yorke Peninsula into a wildlife sanctuary, and Claire speaks to comedian Alanta Colley about the Transitions Film Festival and its stories of sustainability and improving the world. Find out more at https://www.transitionsfilmfestival.com/
Claire tells us about research at RMIT University into making bricks out of biosolids, aka treated sewage; Chris looks at how science is used or not used in managing water flows in the Murray-Darling Basin; and Stu brings us another element, the bizarre, unique gallium that melts in your hands.
Stu celebrates the International Year of the Periodic Table, Chris talks to Dr. Mark Edmonds about his research into topological switching which will relax some of the boundaries to computing, and Claire finds out what a sustainable and healthy diet will really look like in the future.
In the last of our 2019 summer series of tales from the Laborastory, stem cell researcher Megan Munsie tells the story of cloning pioneer Sir John Gurdon, and comedian Jess Moir talks about anthropologist Ruth Benedict.
This week our tales from the Laborastory feature comedian Alanta Colley with the story of everyone's favourite primatologist, Jane Goodall, as well as Lost in Science's own Chris Lassig talking about experimental particle physicist Chien-Shiung Wu.
This week our tales from the Laborastory feature comedian and game designer Ben McKenzie talking about Australian computer scientist Veronika Megler, creator of a revolutionary interactive adventure game in 1982; and reproductive scientist Kiri Beilby telling the story of English biologist Christopher Polge, pioneer of freezing sperm for artificial insemination.
It's the Lost in Science summer series, featuring tales from the Laborastory! This week, dietitian and molecular biologist Matt Snelson tells the story of Henrik Dam, who discovered vitamin K; and ecologist and science communicator Lynette Plenderleith tells the story of herpetologist Grace Olive Wiley.
Claire find out that some humans have mitochondria from their father as well as their mother, Stu Listens to the music of the planets, and Chris finds out the science behind the sensation of having an answer on the tip of your tongue
This week, Chris digs into the controversy over the claim of babies born with genes edited by a rogue scientist using CRISPR technology; and Stu answers the question of why the side of the Moon facing us has so many craters with the Earth in the way.
This week we look to the skies for mutating space bacteria, delve in the deep with mysterious local sea creatures, and wonder what it's like to wonder when you're a brain in a jar.
Claire tells us how the tiny crustaceans that are Antarctic krill may be more resistant to ocean acidification than thought; Stu explains the change to the definition of the kilogram that has just been agreed; and Chris shares the revelation of how wombats produce cubical faeces.
This week, Claire speaks to ecologist Erinn Richmond from Monash University about pharmaceutical drugs entering our waterways and the effect they may have on the environment; Stu tells us about the interstellar object ʻOumuamua and the chance that it's aliens; and Chris shares the startling discovery that gut bacteria may be living in our brains.
Stu talks about a potential way to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide in minerals that doesn't take the usual thousands of years, and Claire talks to Vicki Hallett about her work in acoustic ecology.
Our annual Lost in Science Fiction episode takes us back to the 70s for Soylent Green, Back to the 60s for 2001 a Space Odyssey, and back to the incorrectly identified Jurassic period for some more Jurassic World science.
This week, Chris reads yet another of Stephen Hawkings final papers, this one on the black hole information paradox; Claire speaks to Amelia Formby, who is planning a micro-light plane journey in honour of migratory shorebirds; and Stu tells us about astronomer Cecilia Payne, who worked out what stars are made of but didn't get enough credit for it.
Stu talks about Donna Strickland, winner of the 2018 Nobel Prize for Physics, and the third female winner of that prize in history. Claire talks to Chris Gerbing about the upcoming Environmental film festival, and Chris examines the governments latest greenhouse gas emissions figures and finds they are way off target.
This week on the show Claire checks in with the biggest lizards in the world, The Komodo Dragon and gives the low down on the weird and wonderful dragon science. And with the recent landmark USA ruling over the possible link between the herbicide RoundUp, also known as glyphosate, and cancer, Stu looks more closely at the recently published research claiming glyphosate has a negative impact on honey bee gut bacteria.
This week, Chris tells the stories of two great but under-appreciated women of science: Émilie du Châtelet, who brought Newton's work to Europe, and Mary Somerville, 19th century polymath and technically the world's first scientist. And Stu finds out how ivory poaching is putting selection pressure on African elephants causing them to evolve to be smaller in size and tuskless.
Claire looks into new research abotu probiotics which tests their claims of health benefits, while Chris and Stu take a trip to the 28th 1st annual Ig Nobel prizes to find out who are their favourite winners from this year.
This week, Chris finds out how venomous animals like snakes and poisonous animals like the poison dart frog avoid harm from their own toxins; and Claire speaks to science communicator and bat whisperer Micaela Jemison about vampire bats, naked mole rats and other marvels at the Smithsonian Institution.
This week on the show Claire gives a round up of the highlights of the Eureka Prizes for science, or as we like to affectionately call them, the 'Archies'. Chris brings a tasty scientific question into the studio that has been plaguing physicists for years - why does spaghetti break in 3 parts? And Stu talks about a new neuron that has just been discovered, the rose-hip neuron!
This week Claire talks to David Farmer, a neurophysiologist at the Florey Institute about the brain stem and how it keeps us going, and Stu brings National Threatened Species Day on the 7th of September to the table to talk about why it's important.
This week, Chris talks about how artificial intelligence and deep learning so complex that researchers have to do experiments to figure out how they work; Stu tells us about a new theory that our hominin predecessors, Homo erectus, may have gone extinct due to laziness; and Claire shares the discovery of ancient Egyptian cheese that's over 3 thousand years old and probably poisonous.
It's another Lost in Science Triple Creature Feature! Claire talks to Vincent Raoult from the University of Newcastle about using magnets to repel sharks and rays from fish traps. Stu tells us about the fungus Massospora cicadina, which uses psychedelics to hijack cicadas before replacing their abdomens (pictures at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-19813-0, but be warned, they're disgusting). And Chris explains how wolf spiders in the Arctic could be helping to fight warming by changing their diet.
Our Lost in Science Week special to connect listeners to science week eventa all around the country, we talk to ethicist Chris Gyngell abotu the Humans 2.0 event, as well as cover other events all over Australia. To find events near you go to the Science week website and put in your postcode to discover something in your neighbourhood.
This week, Chris shares how physicists have finally explained why water makes a plinking sound when it drips, and potentially how to stop it; Stu tells us about the discovery that the galaxy is filled with organic grease molecules; and Claire looks at new research into how bacteria spread on public transport, and how they get more mixed up throughout the day.
This week on the show Stu interviews Dr Paul Carnell about the testing he has just done on Victorian wetlands and why they are so good at capturing carbon from the atmosphere. Also this week Claire looks at the science behind community green spaces. Do they just look good, or are they good for health as well?
Stu looks at new analysis of past warm periods on earth to figure out how climate change may affect us in future.Claire asks why we haven't returned to the moon in 45 years.Chris looks further into space to find out about PDS 70 a recently discovered exoplanet and what it can tell us about our own solar system.
This week, Chris talks about the controversial career of William McBride, the Australian doctor known for alerting the world to the dangers of thalidomide; Claire tells us all about a newly discovered sauropod dinosaur Ingentia Prima, 30 million years older than its relatives; and Stu explains how Koko, the famous signing gorilla, probably wasn't really able to communicate with human language.
This week on the show Claire takes a look at IVF babies with three genetic parents; two parents for the nuclear DNA, and a different parent passing down their mitochondrial DNA. This new technology is assisting couples with mitochondiral diseases to have healthy babies. Also on the show this week Chris goes to the fringe of physics and takes a closer look at Modified Newtonian Dynamics; a theory some scientists think may explain the way galaxies move and interact without relying on dark matter to balance the equations. Do you put yourself at risk on a daily basis? You may be. Turns out humans aren't that good at estimating risk, which can be more accurately measured by a unit called "micromort", or a one-in-a-million chance of dying. The results might surprise you...
Stu looks at why saline is used as as temporary blood replacement, and how much can be used at one timeClaire finds out why allows Bogong Moths to travel such massive distances to their summer homes. Chris looks into the famous Stanford Prions Experiment and finds that all is not as it seemed.
This week, Chris goes to Mars - metaphorically - to investigate the discovery of organic molecules. And Claire speaks to Jack and Pauline from Campfires & Science (@campfirescience) about doing citizen science and finding rare species out in the bush.
Chris explains hwo close a supernova star would need to be to have an effect on earth, Claire looks at the recent decision of the NSW government to ignore scientific advice on feral animal control, and Stu revisits the marshmallow test, a standard psychology paper on will power which has been questioned in a recent repetition.
Claire discusses the hot topic of volcanoes and the longest volcano chain in the world in Australia! Stu looks at the placebo effect, does it actually exist or is it all in the statistics. And Chris pays homage to the late, great Stephen Hawking by explaining his very last published paper.
On the show this week Claire speaks to Agronomist, climate change activist and protagonist of an award winning documentary, Guy Webb about his grassroots approach to combating climate change using a humble fungi to capture carbon from the atmosphere and sequester it in the soil. Catch the film, aptly named Grassroots, showing as part of the SCINEMA international film festival between May 31 - June 16 across Australia. Also on the show this week Chris experiments live with his own voice! Settling the Laurel/Yanny debate once and for all.
This week, Chris speaks to biologist Dr. Gregory Crocetti about a new strain of antibiotic resistant typhus, and Stu looks into the carbon footprint of international travel: it's higher than anyone thought.
This week, Chris speaks to visual ecologist Aviva Reed (www.avivareed.com) about communicating science with art; Stu tells us all about the indigestible starch inulin and its source, the Jerusalem artichoke, aka the sunchoke, aka the fartichoke; and Claire brings us news of the transfer of memory between two sea snails via RNA.
This week on the show we hear from Brewer Jon Seltin, who gives us the low down on a science story that is taking the beer world by storm! Researchers have recently used CRISPR to modify brewer's yeast to make it taste like hops, and brewed a craft beer from this modified yeast that has beer judges swooning! Also this week Chris poses the question "How big is the universe?", and then attempts to answer it with crockery metaphors.
Stu reports on a new hybrid insect pest in Brazil which the CSIRO have been researching, Claire brings in the latest in fruit fly sexual gratification research and Chris answers the eternal questions: Are coffee, booze and chocolate actually good for us?
This week Claire updates us on the flesh-eating Buruli ulcer epidemic and research into how it's spread; Stu tells us all about rare earth metals that are used in modern technology and how they're not so rare any more; and Chris looks at the PFAS chemicals behind the water contamination in Bundaberg and other places in Australia (for updates see www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/pfas).
This week on the show we talk to Jess Snir about research looking at the medicinal quality of plants in the Israeli desert, and how traditional Bedouin knowledge has been informing the scientific research. Also this week Stu explaing how deciduous trees know when to start flowering after winter, and how scientists can work this out using something called a "chill unit".
Stu talks about the Chinese Space Station, Tiangong 1, crashing into the Pacific, and the future of space stations, Claire explains how a pest problem in New Zealand led to the unextinction of an Australian native animal, and Chris looks into the Interstitium, the latest organ claimed to be discovered in the human body.
Claire speaks to Tom Fairman about the effect of more frequent bushfires on Australia's eucalypt forests. Read more at https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/recurring-fires-are-threatening-the-iconic-snow-gum Chris tells us all about the amazing properties of liquid helium, a superfluid with zero viscosity. Here's a short video from the BBC showing some of the amazing properties:And a classic 1963 video from Alfred Leitner (37 minutes):
This week on the show we are joined by comedian Alanta Colley to talk about her new science comedy - Days of our Hives. Stu looks at new research using genetics to determine Indigenous Australian migration throughout Australia 50 000 years ago. Claire introduces us to NASA's identical twin brothers who are taking part in an experiment to find out what happens to the body in space.
This week, Chris tells us about the work of Senior Australian of the Year, biophysicist Graham Farquhar, in understanding photosynthesis and the impact of a changing climate; Claire tells us whether bilbies have evolved to detect the presence of dogs or cats; and Stu tells us about a new theory about how the Moon may have been formed not from cheese, but from a giant space donut called a synestia.
Claire and Linden are taking over the airwaves for an International Women's Day special on Lost in Science to help you celebrate some inspirational #womeninSTEM! Special guests include two Superstars of STEM; Dr Linda McIver, educator and Founder and Director of the Australian Data Science Education Institute and Dr Karen Lamb, statistician and researcher at the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition at Deakin University.
Where do eels come from, and where do they go? Chris attempts to explain why commonly found eels are actually scientific mysteries. Claire talks to Nathan Lo about the weird contents of a termite's gut, and how it helps them get more than wood out of... wood. And Stu explores the weird world of egg laying furry milk feeders, the monotremes - the last mammals of their kind.
This week, Claire tells us all about the first observed talking orca, aka killer whale; Stu thinks he has the answer to the question, which came first, the flower or the butterfly? And Chris has a bit of a rant about the discovery of Martian ice cliffs, and how none of us noticed that scientists no longer believe in liquid water on Mars.
Lost in Science is back for 2018! To kick off 2018 Chris introduces us to the Australian of the Year winner, physicist Professor Michelle Simmons and her research developing a quantum computer. So this week, did you see the blue blood supermoon a little while ago? Claire looks at whether there is any science behind the old idea full moon brings on the female menstrual flow. And Stu talks about the new research to come out of China detailing new methods of cloning our primate cousins.
It's the Lost in Science summer series, where we present tales from the Laborastory. This week, former WA Chief Scientist Professor Lyn Beazley tells the story of Australian geneticist and neurologist Pat Kailis; and comedian Jess Moir talks about the well-liked 17th century scientist, physician, alchemist and intellectual Katherine Boyle.
A Science Christmas Carol takes us to science past, where Chris looks at a trespass against science, which was happily corrected, Claire looks at the science of Christmas Present and what it means in Australia, and Stu looks to the future of Christmas in Space!
Do you like all things crypto-zoology? This week on the show Stu looks at the possible evidence of the cryptic Yeti of the Himalayas. Also, Manisha looks at the scientifically proven ways you can use your memory to the best of its ability using science. And Chris gives us an update on the recently described condition Aphantasia, or lacking a "minds eye", and how Australian scientists are finding ways to test for this condition.
On this sparkly, filthy, magical episode, we find out how come in the 21st century some water companies are still using dowsing or water divining to locate leaks, we learn that flies carry even more disease-causing bacteria than we thought, and we reveal how glitter is bad for the environment and we should all use bio-friendly but hopefully non-boring alternatives instead.
It's a big show this week: Manisha tells us all about the the New Zealand bird of the year, the Kea, and how intelligent it is. Also, Claire frightens us with news about paralysis ticks spreading allergy to red meat, as if paralysis wasn't bad enough. Stu explains how to use lasers to cool teeny tiny aluminium cans down to near absolute zero; and Chris finds out how and why crested pigeons make a whistling noise when they take off.For more about the allergies spread by ticks, see the Tick Induced Allergies Research & Awareness website, www.tiara.org.auAnd here are a couple of excellent videos showing just how smart keas are:
This week on Lost in Science we hear from Dr Dominique Hes about house plants and a great new app that helps you green your home and clean the air. Also this week Claire takes a look at the newly discovered and described Orangutan, the first great ape to be discovered in over 70 years, and Chris talks about how physics and cosmic rays are helping to identify undiscovered chambers in the great Egyptian pyramids.
Chris brings the story of striped feathered dinosaurs to life based on new discoveries of preserved pigments, and Claire dives deep into whaleontology to talk with Felix Marx, an expert on whale fossils and what they can tell us about their origins and spread throughout the world.
This week, marine scientist Sophie Burgess tells us everything we want to know about scallops and how to predict their population, and microbiologist Tim Stinear explains why we shouldn't panic about Mycobacterium ulcerans, aka the flesh-eating bacteria that's causing Buruli ulcers on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, but how you can protect yourself nevertheless.DHHS website:https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/about/news-and-events/healthalerts/bairnsdale-buruli-ulcerhttps://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/infectious-diseases/disease-information-advice/mycobacterium-ulceranshttps://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Buruli-ulcer
After the announcement of a new Australian space agency, Chris looks back at Australia's forgotten history in space and what the future might hold. Meanwhile, Manisha tells us about how climate change may be causing Finnish owls to evolve more brown than grey plumage.
Claire looks into the future of Ethiopian coffee growing as climate change pushes coffee growers further up mountainsides for the best coffee. Chris runs through the winners of the 2017 IgNobel prizes for scientific research that makes you laugh, then makes you thinkStu talks to Cara Penton from Charles Darwin University who is researching the decline of indigenous mammal species in response to changing fire regimes.
This week, Chris looks at inflammation, which is the immune response that leads to cold symptoms and which is also the subject of much research because of its connection to other conditions. Also, Claire talks to physicist Gail Iles about training astronauts, flying in microgravity, making magnetic nanoparticles and designing cubesats.
Associate Professor Jochen Brocks talks to Stu about the algae explosion that happened 650 million years ago, and offers answers as to how and when animals evolved. Also this week we take a look at Australian science's "night of nights" the Eureka Prizes, and the innovations of some of the winners.
Stu looks at what causes hiccups and if there is a surefire cure, while Chris answers the question "Magnets, how the fudge do they work?"
This week, Claire talks to bone marrow donor Ollie Barrand about what happens in a donation and how it saves lives. To find out more about joining the Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry, go to www.abmdr.org.auAlso, Chris asks marine biologist Genefor Walker-Smith all about the flesh-eating amphipods that attacked a Melbourne teenager.
This week on the show Chris explains the science and reliability of ancestry DNA kits.Claire talks to Tilly Boleyn about how are women and their innovations and stories are represented in museum collections.Stu ponders whether there are any undiscovered elements out in the universe.
Stu catches up with the Cassini probe's planned final days in orbit around Saturn, Claire looks at how sex is determined in animals, and Chris talks to Alan Duffy and Cara Santa Maria about their upcoming show in November, Beyond the Eye.
This week, Chris tells us about an impending redefinition of the kilogram, Claire reveals a glue made from sticky slug excretions, and Stu looks at the lack of good science associated with gender testing in sporting competitions.
This week on Lost in Science Stu looks at the buzz around bees and pesticides, specifically one group of pesticides, the neonicotinoids. Is it all gloom and doom as the internet would have us think?Manisha looks at the phosphorus cycle and how megafauna poop plays a bigger role than expected in keeping our soils high in this essential nutrient. And did you know National Science Week is just around the corner? Claire talks us through some of the events celebrating science around the country from August 12 - 20, and some of the ways you can throw a big science party in your neighbourhood too.
Manisha looks into research that further shows we should be concerned about how intelligent ravens might be. Claire talks to Tilly Boleyn about current exhibits at the Powerhouse museum in Sydney. Chris looks into research around Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and finds that long standing advice is ignoring the cause of the illness.
This week on the show Claire talks about the best drummers in the animal kingdom, Palm Cockatoos! New research published recently in Science Advances shos Palm Cockatoos to be the only animal to make a rhythmic beat using sticks as drumsticks and tree hollows for a drum. Also on the show Stu takes on the Flat-Earthers and shares experiments of the past, and ones you can do at home to prove the curvature of the Earth's surface.
Chris goes on a journey in search of the lost planets of our own solar system. Manisha looks into a difference kind of space in an effort to understand how PTSD may be treated, and Stu talks to Dr. Renaud Johannes Boyau about new discoveries regarding the origin of the human species.
This week Claire talks to Melanie Mackenzie from Museum Victoria about an expedition to the deep sea abyss and the collection of weird animals like zombie worms, sea cucumber herds, and faceless fish (currently on display at Melbourne Museum).Also this episode, Manisha talks about studies showing the mental health problems experienced by farmers and investigating some of the possible causes.
Dust is a part of our lives, but how much do we know about it, and what it is made up of? Claire investigates this seemingly innocuous part of life.Also this week, Stu introduces us to geneticist George Price, whose equation is used by evolutionary genetics to predict how useful a genetic trait will be for a population.And Chris speaks to physicist Dr Magdalena Zych about her research designing a quantum update of one of Galileo's famous experiments.
Senator Malcolm Roberts has called for scientific proof of climate change, but he misunderstands the meaning of proof in science by doing so, and also misunderstands how scientific consensus is reached. The brush turkey seems to be coping well with a changed environment, and newly discovered fossils show its ancestors were also adaptable to changes in their environment. Why has medical advice on peanut allergies changed so much? Because ina classic science response, new evidence has shown it was wrong, so conclusions have changed.
This week, Chris looks at a weird way quantum physics could let you take a picture of something without looking at it, Claire chats to the Vichyper team who are working on supersonic vacuum tube transport, and Stu speaks to Dr Ray Steptoe about curing allergies.
This week on the show we speak to Lisa Bailey from Australia's Science Channel about SCINEMA the International Science Film Festival.Stu talks about new research looking at monkey brains, which shows how our brains react to see and recognise different faces. And Chris deep dives into the Cochrane Library to gatehr evidence for the Salt Wars. Not the actual Salt Wars, but looks at the evidence for and against whether too much salt is bad for us.
Is it true that some people don't get hangovers? We look at some research into why that might be. Also, everybody knows that salt makes us thirsty, but new research suggests that may not actually be the case. And Chris talks to Musician Charlie Marshall about his new album of science related songs, and how science can give a deeper understanding of the universe.
Could declining insect populations be the reason windscreens don't seem to be as bug-splattered as they used to be? Two recent publications in Science—an article in 2014 and another in 2017—suggest that's the case. This may also relate to the decline in House sparrow populations overseas—see work by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the British Trust for Ornithology.(If you're interested in local bird numbers, you could take part in a survey like those run by the Friends of Merri Creek—see their website www.friendsofmerricreek.org.au).How about social media, is that good or bad for your mental health? Well, according to psychologist Peggy Kern from the University of Melbourne, it depends.Alright then, should you be worried about nematode worms in your sushi? Not as much as you should worry about bacteria such as Salmonella and Bacillus cereus!
Dogs may be our best friends, but they are one of the more ecologically destructive species we don't talk about.Microwaves, how do they work? We find out how they warm up your food, and why it isn't a good idea to stick foil in them.And we speak to Professor Stewart Frusher from the University of Tasmania about how our already changing climate and warming waters are changing where we find species, and what this means from a social, political and economic point of view.
How does a worker's daily commute impact their risk of cancer and heart disease? Researchers in Glasgow wanted to find out. Claire finds out from Dr. Oliver Jones what parabens are, and whether we waqnt them in our cosmetics or notManisha discusses the impact of roads on the natural environment.
Claire speaks to Anna Sexton about the Pint of Science events happening in pubs around the country on the 15, 16 and 17 May 2017. Find out more at pintofscience.com.au.Also, Chris spots a mention of a bizarre but profound physics concept hidden in a blockbuster movie, and Manisha speaks to the people about why they chose to March for Science on 22 April.
Claire gives the inside scoop on the Naked mole-rat. Although it is a mammal, the naked mole-rat lives in a social structure comparable to an ant, thermoregulates like a reptile, and now researchers have found it can survive in very low oxygen environment using a plant-like pathway. Also this week, Chris asks the question - what is negative mass? This comes after claims that scientists have created a fluid that defies the laws of physics and exhibits the bizarre and mysterious characteristic of negative mass.And have you read a headline recently that suggests a causal link between artifical sweeteners with dementia and stroke? Well Stu takes a much closer look at the research that has sparked ill conceived click bait headlines everywhere, and why both readers and scientists need to be more prudent about how to communicate their research conclusions.
Stu Looks into the science of running a marathon, and whether there are any health risks with thsi increasingly popular race. Manisha finds out more about a common and sometimes deadly parasite Toxoplasma gondiiChris looks into a commonly quoted psychological study and finds it is often used in an ironically incorrect way by those using it as evidence.
In this episode, Chris speaks to James Cook University's Dr Sandra Abell, who is conducting a scientific search for a Thylacine, or Tasmanian Tiger, in Far North Queensland.Also, Claire explains how the smartphone assistant Siri can understand human and possibly cat speech, and Manisha tells us about her PhD research on how wildlife deals with urbanisation, or why did the bat cross the road.
This week on the show climatologist and weather data rescuer Dr Linden Ashcroft talks about her research discovering old (and often lost) Australian weather records to get a better understanding of what our climate was like before we had a bureau of meteorology taking standardised measurements. We chat about how historic weather data is hugely important for understanding weather events today and future climate change, and hear some crazy unusual weather events she uncovered in her research.Also on the show Stu talks about palaeontology research that has just been published on the very big and the very small. Huge dinosaur footprints found in Western Australia, and tiny algae fossils from 1.6 billion years ago!
This week on the show Claire uncovers what is really going on with those felshy melon shaped protrusions on the side of male orangutans faces, and why do only some males have 'em? Manisha talks about new research into how climate change caused dwarfism in mammals based on data and fossil records from over 50 million years ago.And a truly cerebral moment as Chris goes head to head with science comedian Alanta Colley sparring grey matter facts, it's Brain Science 101 on your radio.
Can you believe the many, many news reports that tell you certain foods can cause or prevent cancer? A 2013 paper analysed the evidence for 50 common ingredients to find out whether the claims stack up.We also dig up a new discovery of fossils of mysterious human ancestors in China, and we find out why kale is so nutritious and different from other members of the species Brassica oleracea.
The unusual Velvet worm may be a mystery to many, but this weird creature has been around for 500 million years, hiding in the undergrowth. Find out what sets it apart from most other animals. How does the blood of Komodo Dragons offer the promise of a new kind of antibiotic? Claire finds out. And the Great Molasses Flood of 1919, how did it happen and why did it cause so much havoc? Chris explains.
Another Earth moving episode of Lost in Science! This week Stu talks us through how digging holes and damming rivers is fundamentally changing the Earth's geology and seismic activities. That's right - more frequent Earthquakes from human activities.Also Claire gives the lowdown on the new continent in town - Zealandia. It might be 94% under water but Zealandia stands up to scrutiny when pitted against the other continents.And finally this week Manisha gives her final tip on how to maximise your chances of fulfilling New Year’s resolutions using science. This week is all about evaluating your processes when something goes wrong, or when something goes right!
This week, Chris reveals why we're so sure black holes exist, Manisha explains how to use visualisation to achieve your goals, and Claire reports how scientists can make tomatoes tasty again.
Why is Australia's landscape so susceptible to fire, and how will a changing climate alter the risk of bushfires? Stu talks to Dr. Trent Penman a forest scientists with the University of Melbourne to find out. Chris describes the non-newtonian characteristics of frog spit and how it helps them catch their dinner. Manisha continues her series on the psychology of keeping resolutions by looking at decision fatigue.
This week we talk to Dr Matthew Currell about how manufacturing in China has led to unprecedented water pollution throughout thw entire country. This is now causing widespread health effects including a phenomenon known as cancer villages - which are small communities in China close to polluting factories where cancer rates are far above the national average. You can read more about the water pollution crisis in Dr Currell's publications; The Global Drain: Why China's Water Pollution Problems Should Matter to the Rest of the World and about the problems China faces in combating this issue in Deep challenges for China's war on water pollution. And if you want to learn more about what corporations are doing to clean up their manufacturing practises in China, you can find reports through the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs.Also this week one for the chocolate lovers. Everyone knows we need bees to pollinate our favourite fruit and vegetable plants. But did you know chocolate is actually pollinated by sandflies, or midges? We talk to Samantha Forbes about her research which looks at ways to increase midgie populations and in turn increase chocolate yield in northern Australia. And Manisha delivers her second tip on how to keep those new years resolutions strong using science. This time using the if-then planning technique to change your habits and kick some goals.
In our first episode back for 2017, Chris finds out which venomous Australian animal causes the most harm, Stu calculates the unlikeliness of keeping conspiracies secret, and Manisha gives a science-based tip for keeping your New Years resolution by setting smaller goals.
Lost in Science Summer series: We hear from speakers at Laborastory, a monthly event in Melbourne where people share stories of their science heroes and science villainsThis week we hear from Alanta Colley about the good and evil ways of birth control pioneer Marie Stopes; while Dani Measday digs up the dirt on the long running and melodramatic rivalry between palaeontologists Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope
Lost in Science Summer series: We hear from speakers at Laborastory, a monthly event in Melbourne where people share stories of their science heroes and science villainsArjun Chalal gives us an insight in to one of the most famous unknown players of 20th century medicine, the immortal Henrietta Lacks, and Jessica Snir looks back on the somewhat grotesque achievements and unfulfilled plans of Russian scientist Ilya Ivanovich Ivanov.
Lost in Science Summer Series continues this week with more stories from the Laborastory, a monthly event in Melbourne where speakers talk about their science heroes (and the occasional villain). This week Anna Sexton explains about the time malaria was a good thing, and Nicholas J. Johnson talks about amateur Everythingologist Charles Dawson, and his quest to find the Missing Link.
Lost in Science Summer series showcases stories from the Laborastory, a monthly event where science enthusiasts share stories of their science heroes, and occasionally science villains. This weeks we hear from Lost in Science hosts Chris Lassig on would-be time traveller Dr. Ronald Mallett, and Stu Burns recounts the story of the villainous hero, Dr. Fritz Haber.
The end of year wrap up for Lost in Science, including tributes to scince names who passed away over 2016, introducing two new frogs discovered during the year, and a science quiz of major science events on 2016. See if you can do better than the Lost in Science crew!
The holiday season episode of Lost in Science is full of festive science facts, including the British Medical Journal's annual cracker jokes, the shocking truth about the most famous Reindeer, how much weight do people put on over Christmas, and why do we get sleepy after a Christmas feast?
This week we examine the plausibility of the impossible space engine, the EmDrive, and we talk about how and why the number of Australian students enrolling in science is decreasing.
Claire takes a look at the science behind all this marketing of A2 milk you see on the supermarket shelf.Manisha talks about plant defences.Chris introduces us to the other lesser known dwarf planets in our solar system. It isn't just Pluto out there, you know.
Stu Burns finds out how putting fitbits on Echidnas helped us understand how important they are ecologically by talking to researcher Christine Cooper. Chris asks "LASERs, how do they work?"And Claire talks to Anna Sexton about her PhD research into Malaria.
This week, Claire tells us all we need to know about the nutritional value of soy and nut milks vs cow, and Stu speaks to Scott McAdam from the University of Tasmania about his discovery of a gene that determines the sex of ferns and is also the key to drought tolerance in flowering plants.
This week, we look at the new findings showing the oldest evidence for aboriginal habitation in arid Australia is actually 10 000 years previous to what was previously thought.Also, Chris takes us into the mind of the bumble bee to shift our thinking on how we see animal intelligence. Can bumblebees really learn and teach?And what is your will power like? Stu takes a look at the psychological studies figuring out will power - do we have as much control as we think?
Ever wondered what histamines are, and why some people are anti-histamine? Stu finds out why histamines are actually important and why stopping them permanently might be a bad idea. Chris looks at a new review questioning the very existence of the placebo effect. And Claire discovers that South Eastern Australia is undergoing a mosquito plague of biblical proportions, and wonders if it's a bad thing or not.
This week we look at some more science projects from Silicon Valley billionaires, including efforts to travel to other stars, cure all diseases and destroy the universe.We also hear some optimistic news about Tasmanian Devils evolving immunity to the deadly facial tumour disease, and we learn about the NaturalCycles app that can apparently accurately and successfully predict a woman's fertility cycle.
Hallucinations have been recorded for centuries both arising from illness and from consumption of certain substances, but what exactly are they? On the show this week we talk to Associate Professor Joel Pearson from UNSW about recent research that characterises hallucinations in a way that shows their origin, and a way to quantify them so they can be studied with greater accuracy. Here's a link to the video used in the study, WARNING: people who are at risk of seizures should not view this video. Claire talks about one of the suckiest invertebrates around, the haemophagic leeches.
This week on the show we discuss the winners of the Nobel prizes for science this year. Prizes were awarded for Medicine and Physiology, Chemistry, and Physics. The winner for the Medicine and Physiology prize won for his work explaining the means by which cells recycle components, known as autophagy.The Chemistry prize was shared by three scientists who contributed to the technology of molecule sized machines.And the Physics prize went to three researchers who explained the properties of materials using three dimensional topography.
We mark the demise of the Rosetta spacecraft and what it's taught us about comets, zoologist Rosie Hohnen tells us about the increasing impact of feral cats in northern Australia and how some native animals find shelter in rocky areas, and we find out about the incredible intelligence of corvids—that's birds like crows, ravens and Eurasian magpies.Watch some videos of these amazing birds below:
This week Stu finds out about a novel new treatment for antibiotic resistant bacteria from Professor Greg Qiao.Claire talks to Professor Sharon Bell presenter of the Ruby Payne Scott keynote address at the recent Women in STEM symposiumChris looks at how Malaria was eradicated from Sri Lanka.
Our guests this week are Rachel, Chris and Leo from Wild Melbourne - a group of scientists, writers and educators who are doing an amazing job of connecting local communities with the natural environment through stories & articles, events, social media and photography. Hear all about what they are doing and how you can get involved to become part of the Wild revolution! Find Wild Melbourne on twitter @WildMelbourne, instagram @wildmelbourne, and Facebook. Also this week Stu looks at an issue that strikes fear into banana eaters everywhere - Bananageddon! The news has recently reported that bananas could go extinct in 5 years, but is there really cause for panic or is this story unreal banana peel?
This week, we ask why and how the chicken crossed the Pacific, we find out about the players in the new Space Race, and for spring we learn the reasons why the seasons should be changed.
Chris reveals he has been experimenting on his workmates all footy season tipping competition. A bold move, but one that might pay off. Can science and the wisdom of the crowds help him win, and more importantly how do his efforts stack up against the experts?Stu looks into the recent FDA ban on antibacterial agents in household soap. What are the compounds, why have they been banned and will Australia follow suit?Did you know that figs are actually creches for wasps? Claire looks at the strange symbiotic relationship between wasps and figs and why this relationship is so important to keep tropical rainforests productive all year round.
The annual Eureka Prizes for science research and communication were recently held, Claire fills us in on some of the winners on Science's Night of Nights. Calcium is important for bones, but has even more important uses in the body, Manisha explains the importance of enough in the diet. Associate Professor Nerilie Abram from ANU was lead researcher on a recently published collaborative study published in Nature on early response of the climate to elevated carbon dioxide levels, much earlier than previously measured.
We look at recent research that says you need to do five times the recommended exercise to stay healthy, and at some criticism of this study.Also, we find out how some plant viruses may actually benefit their infected hosts, and we learn about human ancestors and inbred lions in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Africa.
The Dunning-Kruger effect, or the know-it-all effect, makes people unaware of their own incompetence.Finches are behind some of the biggest scientific discoveries! New research shows zebra finches sing to their eggs so they can adapt to warm weather.And eyelashes, they are right there on your face? But did you ever wonder why we have them, or how they work? Finally, mechanical engineers may have the answer!
Cockroach milk is unlikely to be a superfood any time soon, but it may have other uses we can take advantage of. Chris updates us on some particles that were thought to be discovered which it turns out don't really exist. Manisha fills us in on the loss of the Bramble Cay Melomys, the first mammal extinction attributed to anthropogenic climate change.
Chris explains the maths and physics of successfully skydiving without a parachute, Manisha talks about how Australia's tectonic plate is splitting and moving faster than expected, and Claire speaks to analytical chemist Oliver Jones about drugs in sport.
You might have missed it but late 2015 Australia saw unprecedented large-scale mangrove die-back in the Gulf of Carpenteria. This week we hear from Professor Damien Burrows from James Cook University about the mangrove die back event; what caused it and what we know about it. Also, a new report produced by the Foodprint Melbourne Project estimates that Melbournians generate over 200kg of food waste per year. Claire looks at some of the ways local governments are making changes, and how we can all try to keep our food waste to a minimum including using apps like cloudfreezer!And Manisha takes a look at iron. Why do we need and what happens if we don't have enough of it.
Tasha Stanton from the University of South Australia talks to us about her research into chronic pain and how our perception of our body can change our reactions to it.Manisha finds out if urban birds are more agressive than their country cousins, and why there is a difference.Julie McInnes from the University of Tasmania talks to Chris about the changing diet of the Albatross, and how researchers figure out what is on their menu.
This week, we find out whether science can settle the question of whether saturated fat is good or bad for you, how colour works and the discovery of an unusual new blue pigment, and about bioengineering of spider web from silk worms.
This week Stu looks at morphine, a drug commonly known for its potent analgesic effects and the new research suggesting that it might not have the effect we think it does.Also special guest meteorologist Nate takes us through the difference between weather and climate and talks about two climate science papers published in the same week one good news, one bad news. And Chris concludes his series on medical research with what can only be described as a very solidly grounded in evidence "expose" on randomised controlled trials. Why are they done and are they effective?
This week, Chris talks to alcohol researcher Michael Livingston about the surprising decline in youth drinking, Claire finds out whether vitamin C prevents the common cold, and Stu reveals the mechanical innovations nature beat humans at.
Politics and batsWhere does each major Australian party sit on science policy?Manisha continues her story about bats, pollination and climate change
The vulnerable Lesser long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae) pollinates cactus flowers and the cactus flowers feed the bats. A nice, win-win arrangement, but what happens when climate change changes their schedules?You may have heard about a recent study claiming potatoes cause high blood pressure. But should you believe it? Should you believe any diet science news?We also talk to Lisa Bailey from Australia's Science TV Channel about the SCINEMA International Science Film Festival. Find out where to see it at scinemafestival.riaus.tv.
This week Chris gives us the lowdown Genetically Engineered Crops; Experiences and Prospects, also known as the National Academy of Sciences recently released 400 page report assessing the safety of genetically modified foods. If this leaves you hungry for more the report is available for download here.And speaking of hungry, if you have a Labrador or Retreiver that's always famished, you are not alone. Hear about the latest research suggesting a genetic reason why these breeds just can't stop eating, and how this relates to why they make great guide dogs.And finally, our occasional segment In Our Element spotlights a metal often mistaken for Magnesium. This amazing metal is in the top 5 most utilised metals in the world but you probably know nothing about it.
Chris talks about two problem species: carp, which is about to be given herpes by Barnaby Joyce, and Noisy miners, which are native birds that drive out other species. Also, Manisha talks about the recent Canadian wildfires that are so big they create their own weather systems, and Stu interviews microbiologist Paul Fisher who works with a team at Latrobe University including Dr. Sarah Annesley and Dr. Danuta Loesch, about finding mitochondrial biomarkers for early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.http://minister.agriculture.gov.au/joyce/Pages/Media-Releases/cleaning-australia-waterways.aspx
Chris talks about the phenomenon of Aphantasia, where some people can't picture things in their minds.Claire discusses a new potential treatment for tasmanian evil facial tumour disease. Manisha talks about the recent Eta Aquarid meteor shower visible in the Southern Hemisphere each year.
This week Manisha puts her fears to one side to give us an insight into saltwater crocodiles. Did you know that saltwater crocodiles 20 different vocalisations they can make with one another.Also, we all know that Japan is prone to natural disasters, but they also have contingency plans to deal with them.Stu celebrates the birthday and the Nobel prize winning work of occasionally controversial British scientist Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin
Can ugly animals compete with the good and the bad for research and conservation funding? Manisha discusses a recent article in Mammal Review.Chris looks at whether insects have a unique view of the world and what this tells us about the evolution of consciousness.And Stu combines the concepts of studying insects and researching pest animals, and talks to Ernie Steiner from the WA Department of Agriculture about breeding sterile fruit flies.
The Great Barrier Reef is being devastated by a coral bleaching event caused by rising temperatures. How bad is it, what's being done and what can we do? We talk to James Kerry, project manager of the National Coral Bleaching Taskforce, to find out.Speaking of symbiosis, we talk to Gregory Crocetti, one of the creators of the new graphic novel The Invisible War, about the life and death battle fought by bacteria inside an Australian nurse, while World War I rages around her. Find out more, read a free copy (if you're a schoolteacher) or pre-order a print copy via Pozible at theinvisiblewar.com.au.Speaking of stories with a cast of thousands (or millions), who is the main character of the fantasy book and TV series Game of Thrones? Some mathematicians think they've figured it out, and they've published their results in a paper in the journal Math Horizons.
We look at the bystander effect, the psychological phenomenon where people ignore those who need help, and what can be done to overcome it.We also examine the so-called "wanderlust gene", aka DRD4-7R, said to be associated with the urge to travel and the desire for novelty.And we find out whether the phytoestrogens in your soy and linseed are good for your health.
New Evidence about early hominin known as the Hobbit (Homo floresiensis) show it may not have been a contemporary of modern humans.The new Tesla 3 from Elon Musk might be the electric car people are waiting for, or it might not.Lost in Science regular Manisha fills us in on her recent field work studying Australian Microbats.
This week, Chris talks about WD-40 and its secret formula of hydrocarbons, Stu celebrates the birthdays of René Descartes and another scientist whose name is found in most laboratories, and Claire tells us about the discovery of a pregnant Tyrannosaurus Rex and the world's largest dinosaur.
This week on Lost in Science we investigate the ethics and opportunities of Sci-Hub - Pirate Bay for scientific journal articles. This website was created in 2011 by scientist Alexandra Elbakyan, from Kazakhstan, in reaction to the high cost of scientific research papers behind paywalls. And did you know that all cold and flu tablets are not created equal? Stu looks into the chemistry and pharmacology of two different active ingredients in cold and flu tablets and why we may be getting short changed on over-the-counter drugs. For the cat lovers amongst us, we purr-use the newly described Big Five personality traits for cats and how they differ from human personality traits? These have been the findings of a citizen science program in South Australia called Cat Tracker, which collects GPS and personality information about household cats.
This week, Chris exposes rumours of new particle discoveries, Claire tells us about Australia's only female Nobel Prize winner, medical researcher Elizabeth Blackburn, and Stu gives us an estimate of how long we've got till the end of the universe.
The design of a phase one drug trial in France is being widely questioned after one participant died after administration of a new drug.Countries with insufficient landfill space are using rubbish as a fuel source to generate energy.Rabbits have caused problems in Australia for agriculture and the natural environment since the 19th century, but removing them has shown positive results for native species.
For this special edition of Lost in Science we speak to three women at different stages of their career in science and technology about their research, what drives them, and who inspires them. We hear from Mechantronics Engineering student Alex Ware about her experiences and why Ada Lovelace is inspiring a new generation of women in technology. Also Maddy Yewers, PhD candidate and advocate for mentoring in science talks to us all about her research on the Tawny Dragon Lizard (Ctenophorus decresii) in the Flinders Ranges. And we speak to Principal Investigator Dr Therésa Jones from the Behaviour and Evolution Group at the University of Melbourne about how artificial light could be effecting immune function in insects and her research into gender inequity in science and what Australia is doing to increase the number of women in senior research positions in science.
Everybody's excited about gravitational waves, but why? What do they mean? How were they found, with lasers? How can we possibly know they came from two black holes a billion years ago? How can a whole sun's worth of energy have been used up? How can gravity "wave", as it were? What do colliding black holes sound like? (Much more musical than you'd expect, it turns out.)Claire has some questions, and Chris has... Well, Chris has a chat with astrophysicist Katie Mack, of @AstroKatie fame, and she has the answers.
Flossing teeth: we all do it—or think we should do it—but is it scientific? Numerous scientific studies say flossing your teeth won't prevent tooth decay, and mouthwash may be just as good or better.Asexual organisms (that got your attention) are subject to the Meselson effect, in which genes on separate chromosomes evolve separately. And this could eventually cause Trypanosoma brucei gambiense—the parasite that causes African sleeping sickness—to go extinct.Speaking of diseases to worry about, we talk to virologist Ian Mackay about the mosquito-borne global health emergency, the Zika virus. Is it time to panic? Eh...
Maybe you have heard the buzz about a new planet in our solar system? This week Chris gets the scoop from Astronomer Dr Jonti Horner from the University of Southern Queensland about whether it exists, and importantly what will it be called.Exciting news on the fight against bacteria with British researchers publishing research looking at a new antibiotic developed from proteins isolated from human breast milk. Will this be the solution we need to solve the antibiotic crisis?And did you know that some of you may have formed in the big bang? We go way back in time to look at how each element in the solar system was created, and also welcome the four new elements to the periodic table.
Announcements of Spiders from Mars may have had Bowie fans pricking up their ears, but the spring time Martian phenomenon happens every Martian year, and has been photogrpahed by the Mars recconnaissance orbiter.The sun is a mass of incandescent gas, but actually that's not entirely accurate as you can hear here. The sun is the most important star to all life on earth, but do you know what colour it is?And if you have failed in the past to keep your New Year's resolutions, listen up for some research based ways to keep your will strong all year.
Our summer series comes to an end, with a final classic tale from the science storytelling event, the Laborastory.Museum conservator Dani Measday tells us all about the pioneer palaeontologists Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope, whose bitter, competitive rivalry led to the Great Dinosaur Rush, aka "Bone Wars", of the 19th century.And for something different, we preview an extract from Chris's upcoming podcast with science communicator Michael Patterson on the science of superheroes. They speak to aspiring Mars astronaut Josh Richards about whether travelling to other planets could give you superpowers.
Summer continues, with our feature classic tales from the science storytelling event, the Laborastory.Pathologist and Doctor Blake's medical advisor Clare Hampson tells the story of Scottish anatomist and surgeon Robert Knox, and his connection to the notorious body-snatching murders of Burke and Hare.And actor, comedian, rogue nerd and ginger Ben Mckenzie talks about inventor and Hollywood actress Hedy Lamarr.
This summer (2016!) we're featuring classic tales from the science storytelling event, the Laborastory.Astrophysicist Katie Mack tells us what it was like to encounter the famous Stephen Hawking, but she also reveals her true science hero: her grandfather, Captain Sam Houston.Then, Lost in Science's own Chris Lassig speaks at the Laborastory's annual Halloween special of science villains, with the tale of the father of the hydrogen bomb, Edward Teller.
This summer we're featuring classic tales from the science storytelling event, the Laborastory.First up, science communicator Cobi Smith tells the story of American biologist Rachel Carson, whose writings about DDT—including the book Silent Spring—made her a villain to some and a hero to many.And then, mathematician Daniel Horsley explains how Georg Cantor's ideas about infinity, although eventually vindicated, made him unpopular in his time too.
This year, why not have a rational festive season and celebrate the great science people and theories born in December?Like every physicist's favourites, Maxwell's equations, first presented 8 Dec 1864 (but published 1865—150 years ago!).Or Ada Lovelace, the world's first computer programmer (for a computer that hadn't even been built yet), born 10 Dec 1814.How about James Prescott Joule, master of energy both electrical and mechanical, born 24 Dec 1818?Don't forget Sir Isaac Newton, discoverer of gravity, leader of the scientific revolution, alchemist, detective, somewhat of a jerkface, born 25 Dec 1642 (actually 4 Jan 1643 by today's calendar, but no one's going to argue with him)!And Clara Barton, patent clerk (and one of the first female public servants in the US), Civil War nurse and founder of the American Red Cross, born 25 Dec 1821.And finally, Louis Pasteur, friend to vaccines, wine and milk, scourge to pestilence and spontaneous generation (look it up, it's a hoot), born 27 Dec 1822.Raise a glass of pasteurised wine to our science heroes, and have a Happy Sciencemas!
This week scientists have found that when it comes to taste, our tongues aren't as important as we thought. A new study published in Nature shows that although our tongues can detect certain chemicals it is atually our brains that percieve the flavour. Have you ever wondered why do birds fly in a V formation? And when it comes to flying in a flock, how do they pick a leader? Surely not by democratic election. We explore the answer that will delight biologists and physicists alike. Finally, while the world leaders talk it out in Paris we bring you some homegrown citizen science programs to that you can get involved in including a Melbourne Birdlife program and CSIRO social pinpoint.
This week: the recent discovery on a Chinese intensive pig farm of bacteria resistant to a last-resort antibiotic; Swedish scientists who've grown roses with embedded organic electronic circuits; and we talk to ecologist Inka Veltheim, who's using taxidermied brolgas to lure and track live ones.http://www.ozcranes.net/research/inka.htmlhttp://www.liu.se/forskning/forskningsnyheter/1.660308?l=enhttp://advances.sciencemag.org/content/1/10/e1501136.full
Why do people talk about Mars so much, when Venus is way closer to Earth in both distance and size? Possibly because it's a hell planet that would destroy all life.In other astronomy news, you ought to know the story of Caroline Herschel (1750–1848), discoverer of comets and the first woman to be paid for her work in science.And brewer Jon Seltin tells us about the strange and complex bacterial processes that produce the unique tastes of Belgian lambic beers, and how they need to get sick before they get better.
This week we look at confronting health science, controversial paelontology and confusing physiology.You may have heard of the World Health Organisation's landmark study which puts processed meats such as bacon, sausage and ham alongside tobacco and asbestos as a class 1 cancer causing substance. But what what does this classification really mean for lovers of small goods and what other scientific studies can help inform whether to choose an extra side of bacon at brunch?Also this week, we take a second look into the discovery of Homo naledi, but this time the controversy surrounding the discovery. Unlike some paeleontologists who jealously guard their work, Lee Berger published quickly to an open source journal, and has made the 3D model of Homo naledi's fossilised skeleton available for download around the world. But not everyone in the field agrees with his modern approach to this prehistoric science. And finally, did you know Willy Wonka's oompa loompas are a reality for some people who eat too many carrots? We look at how vegetable pigments can change your colour from the inside out.
Widespread reports of cheese addiction are misinterpreting a psychology study regarding addiction-like behaviour related to foods with high fat and sugar concentrations.Common knowledge of sibling birth order affecting personality are based on old ideas from early psychological theories, now discredited by new research.Chris talks to the author of a new book Resurrection Science about the ethical and technical issues surrounding de-extinction of animals.
Celebrate Halloween the Lost in Science way with our annual Lost in Science Fiction episode!SPECULATE on the science of the Force and whether, being a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, we could actually watch Star Wars: Episode VII—The Force Awakens if we had a powerful enough telescope.PICK APART the feasibility of memory erasure as seen in Michel Gondry's romance/sci-fi/comedy/drama Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.WEIGH UP what Back to the Future 2 got right and wrong about the far off distant future present recent past of 21 October 2015... Do people today actually wear two ties at once?
The Nobel Prize for medicine was awarded to three researchers for groundbreaking work on parasitic diseases of the developing world.The winner of Engineer of the year, Dr. Nicky Eshtiaghi, discusses her work investigating new ways to use human waste generated by growing citiesAnd we ponder why silver is only ever second prize when it's so useful.
Extremophiles are the toughest organisms on the planet, able to thrive in extremes of hot, cold, acid, alkaline, pressure and even deep underground inside rocks. The champion is the deceptively cute tardigrade or waterbear, which can even survive the vacuum of space (if you missed it, go listen to Mal Webb's Waterbear song).Possibly even more extreme are supermassive black holes, which are expected to distort space itself when they meet in colliding galaxies. Except that a recent experiment to detect the gravitational waves given off by these binary pairs failed to find any—astrophysicist Ryan Shannon tells us what that means for our understanding of the universe.And Brant Gibson from the Centre for Nanoscale Biophotonics explains what those words mean and how they'll help shape the future of personalised medicine. He'll also be talking about this research in Melbourne Knowledge Week on 20 October 2015, at a breakfast event called Up Close and Revealed: Life at the Nanoscale.
We talk to Dr. Juan Nunez-Iglesias about how teaching a supercomputer how to see is helping us figure out how we see.We discuss the history and implications of finding liquid water on Mars.We find out how a "Terminator" poison injecting robot is leading the way in Star wars on the Great Barrier reef.
If you see a shooting star, don't just make a wish, report it! You can record your sightings using the Fireballs in the Sky citizen science app and help Curtin University's Desert Fireball Network figure out where they came from—and possibly where they landed. Find out more at fireballsinthesky.com.au.It's also the time of year when science's greatest prizes, the Ig Nobel Prizes, are awarded to research that makes you laugh and makes you think. We look at some of the winners, including Australian contributions to unboiling an egg and discovering that "huh?" is a universal word.We also hear about some research that suggests dried plums could help reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Amelia Johnston from Latrobe University talks to us about Cachexia, a wasting disease commonly associated with cancer which often puts an end to treatment, and how their new research has shown it may be possible to reverse it. We learn about the discover of thousands of bones of a previously unknown human ancestor, Homo naledi, in a cave in South Africa, and how it they cast doubts about existing theories of human origins.We hear from Andy Greentree, a quantum physicist and researcher at RMIT who is investigating ways to look at living organisms on a sub-microscopic level to better understand the processes of life.
Songbirds in the city, such as the Great Tit (Parus major), are learning to sing their mating calls at a higher pitch to cut through the urban clamour. But while this may help them be heard, the different tune may hamper their mating success.Sugar is today's popular dietary villain, but does it make sense to demonise a single nutrient? Dr Alan Barclay from the Dietitians Association of Australia explains why we shouldn't just follow the latest fads.Just because a scientific study gets a result, that doesn't mean it's true. The Reproducibility Project tried to replicate 100 psychology papers, and only 36% got a significant result (consistent with a recent high-profile retraction of a paper about canvassing support for same-sex marriage). As John Ioannidis pointed out in 2005, most published research findings are false, and the best way to improve this is to try to remove bias and do larger studies with more statistical significance.
The cane toad, Bufo marinus, is arguably the most hated pest in Australia (although some argue for the Common Myna), but how did it get here? Find out how it was introduced as a misguided attempt at a biological control, and why that went horribly wrong.To balance them out with some more attractive animals—or at least, animals trying to be attractive—we take a look at some bizarre courtship displays, such as those of the satin bowerbird, the Adélie penguin, Anna's hummingbird, the kakapo (although they sometimes prefer zoologists), the marine flatworm and the giraffe. Um, NSFW, I guess.Finally, we talk about the life and work of Helen Quinn, possibly the most important theoretical particle physicist to come out of Australia, and whose theories may be the solution to dark matter.
That stuff pictured above is aerogel, aka "solid smoke", which was used on NASA's Stardust probe to capture dust from comet Wild 2 and return it to Earth—along with a handful of precious samples of interstellar dust, giving a rare glimpse of material from outside our Solar System.In this show, Stu also talks to British scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock, host of the long-running astronomy TV show The Sky at Night, and who's also known for answering important questions like, do we really need the Moon?
Sean Harris from UNSW was part of the Australian team who competed in the RoboCup, the world soccer Robot championship in China this year, he explains how his team won.We discover how music is considered as important as eating and reproduction according to our brains' response to musical cues, and why that may be an evolutionary advantage. Yvette d'Entremont is a well known skeptical blogger who goes under the nom de plum SciBabe. She joins us to discuss skepticism and critical thinking.
Everything gets a little more sciencey in National Science Week, on from 16-23 August. We do a round-up of some of the top events around the country, and take a look at this year's theme for the International Year of Light.We also talk to lung cancer researcher Kate Sutherland about Science in the Square, celebrating 100 years of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) and ask: will there ever be a cure for cancer?
Amanda Bauer is a research astronomer who studies the formation of stars and why galaxies stop forming stars as they get older, and tells us about the upcoming Space Jam event at the Powerhouse museum in Sydney for Science WeekThe cause of a mystery illness in a town called Kalachi in Kazakhstan remains difficult to pin down.Italian Maremma dogs have been used for years to guard livestock, but in Warrnambool they are beings used as guardian dogs of the wildlife galaxy, protecting endangered Penguins.
Carnivorous plants aren't always scary: some form mutually beneficial symbiotic relationships with animals. The Fanged Pitcher-Plant from Borneo, Nepenthes bicalcarata (yes it actually has fangs), provides a home for carpenter ants, Camponotus schmitzi. And another species, Nepenthes hemsleyana, "communicates" with bats to encourage them to roost inside it, then feeds off their poop.Kathleen Garland, from the Weisbecker Lab at the University of Queensland, has been measuring bandicoot forelimbs, which are more diverse than those of other marsupial species. She explains how this supports the theory that marsupial forelimbs evolved to help them climb into their mother's pouch, because bandicoots are the exception to the rule.We also give a shoutout to Heteropoda davidbowie and Wunderpus photogenicus as we look at some odd species names. This includes those named to insult people and tautonyms, i.e. those with repeated genus and species names (e.g. Rattus rattus, Bison bison and Gorilla gorilla gorilla), which is similar to the linguistic phenomenon of contrastive focus reduplication, as described in the famous Salad-salad paper ("It's tuna salad, not SALAD-salad").
The unfortunately named Hagfish or Slime Eel reveals a lot about how fish evolved, remaining fairly similar to its form 300 million years ago. It has gills, but doesn't need them to breathe, so what are they for?Rewilding is the protection of natural habitat by reintroduction of native plants and animals and exclsuion of exotic species. But will it save our ecosystems?The Astronomy and Light Festival at Scienceworks in August is part of Science Week and the International Year of Light. Find out more by listening in to the show.
Feeling itchy? You will be soon as you listen to our tale of body lice, Pediculus humanus corporis. These blood-sucking insects are believed to have diverged from head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis, when humans started wearing clothes—which evidence suggests could have been as long as 170,000 years ago.We also talk to astrophysicist Cleo Loi, who discovered giant plasma tubes in the Earth's magnetosphere while an undergraduate at the University of Sydney. You can see her talk about these cylinders of ionised gas in the video below:But this also wasn't Cleo's first discovery—she previously helped identify a supernova remnant in our own galaxy, which exploded about 2500 years ago.Finally, combining scratching and history, we find out about the evolution of Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that caused pneumonic and bubonic plague, aka the Black Death, and probably also the Justinian plague from 800 years earlier.And for a musical tribute to Yersinia pestis here's a cover of Gwen Stefani's Hollaback Girl, by the Historyteachers:
Claire fills us in on the life of the Basking Shark, which has been found in Victorian waters for the first time in over 80 years near Portland.Manisha explains details about a program in Africa to prevent Rhinocerus horn poachers by dying and poisoning their horns.And Stu wishes the Hubble Space Telescope a (belated) Happy 25th anniversary in space.
Did you know that the phrase "mad as a hatter" comes from the use mercury in millinery? And that burning coal is the source of most mercury pollution? And that red mercury, a feared and much-sought ingredient of nuclear weapons, probably doesn't exist? Find out the truth about mercury, aka quicksilver, aka hydrargyrum, the only metallic element that's liquid at normal temperature and pressure.Speaking of hoaxes, you may also have seen articles circulating on social media claiming "Scientists blow the lid on cancer & sunscreen myth". We bust the myth of this myth: the original article, published on Natural News, is based on a Swedish study published in May 2014, which highlights the need for people in Scandinavia to get enough vitamin D. At the same time though it confirms the link between sun exposure and melanoma, and actually says the rules are different in Australia.The moral of the story? Follow the Cancer Council's SunSmart guidelines (which take vitamin D into account) and always check sources for scientific claims.
All clocks are an analog of the earth spinning on its axis, which we divide up into minutes and seconds to tell the time. But the earth's rotation is not constant, and changes speed over time. The International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service decides when we need to add an extra second here and there to keep our clocks in sync with the actual length of a day. Chris explains more. While many of us have heard stories of virgin births, in reality they are far more common than we might think. Claire Farrugia explains how in nature, parthenogenesis can help keep some species from falling into extinction when numbers drop below a critical level.
Guest presenter and bat expert Manisha Bhardwaj tells us about a bacteria that helps fight white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that's killing American bats, and how it's now being tested in the wild.Bacteria also contribute to medicine by producing drugs, e.g. genetically modified Escherichia coli is used to manufacture insulin for treating diabetes.Now American and Canadian scientists have found a way to use yeast to synthesise a precursor to opiates—which include drugs like heroin, morphine and codeine—so that they can be made in the laboratory instead of from opium poppies.If that wasn't enough to turn you around, think about which is more real: centrifugal force, which throws you outward when you're turning in a circle, or centripetal force, the inward-pointing force that keeps you rotating?Turns out it's all relative... As is the Coriolis effect, which causes cyclones to rotate differently in the northern and southern hemispheres—which you can see demonstrated at www.smartereveryday.com/toiletswirl.
Continuing our investigation of the science of so-called unconventional gas extraction, we turn to Australia where coal seam gas is driving community and environmental concerns.Although fracking is rarely used here (see the latest industry statistics), and the entire vast Great Artesian Basin is unlikely to be depleted (see the image above), some local water supplies have been contaminated by leaks of waste from drilling, for which the companies responsible have received insignificant penalties (see for example in 2011, 2014 and 2015).Gas's usefulness as a low-emission fuel is also thrown into question by fugitive emissions of methane from the majority of wells (according to a federal government study), although health risks from gas leaks are hard to verify (see the Queensland government report of health impacts on the town of Tara).But don't let that get you down too much, as research as shown that optimism and a positive attitude is associated with lower rates of coronary heart disease in both women (2009) and men (2001), less likelihood of death (2004) and better health overall (1988).
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek was a Dutch fabric salesman who made his own microscopes. They were so powerful he saw things nobody had seen before: a world of microscopic "animalcules" invisible to the naked eye.Initially nobody believed his reports, but he went on to document many microscopic life forms for the first time in history. And when people say fracking, what do they mean? Non-conventional gas extraction sometimes involves the use of a "fracturing" process, but not always. So is fracking always a bad thing?In part 1 of a series, we find out why there is such opposition from the US to fracking, and whether natural gas leaks are a big problem. Next week we will talk about the Australian industry.
This week we find out that violet appears to be between blue and red due to the complicated way we see colour (see below).We also hear how scientists have turned chicken beaks into crocodile snouts in order to understand how birds evolved, and we take a look at poor, neglected dwarf planet Pluto, to be visited this year by the New Horizons spacecraft.
Measles vaccinations may indirectly prevent other communicable illnesses by protecting the immune system from damage, especially in children.Psephology is the scientific analysis and evalation of elections, but in modern times it faces some problems. Is there a crisis in psephology? Also, how much have our weather predictions improved in recent times?Dr. Hannah Brown studies the relationships of embryos and their environment, and talks about the Chinese research into human embryo DNA editing.
This week we bid farewell to the MESSENGER spacecraft and everything it's revealed about the smallest and closest planet to the Sun, Mercury.We also learn that caffeine is the world's most widely used psychoactive drug, and that scientists are using zombie bacteria stuffed with silver as an antimicrobial Trojan horse.
This week on Lost in Science, Beth talks to Phd candidate April Boaden about her research into the impacts of fishing on the Great Barrier Reef. Stuart looks at the impacts of LEDs and what they are, and Chris finds out that the mysterious shapes found in ancient Western Australian rock are not ancient fossils, but minerals in the rock.
On this week's show, Chris discovers why red is a common colour in autumn among the plants. Beth discovers that antibiotic resistance in bacteria has probably been lurking for a very long time. And Stu reports on recent developments in human gene manipulation in living embryonic cells.
A recent paper suggests that there is no discrimination against women at the hiring stage of a science job. We discuss what these findings might mean and talk about other reasons why women choose not to go further in science careers. With the centenary of World War l upon us, Stu talks about why this war is called the chemists war and the chemical processes and poisonous gases that were used at this time. We talk to researcher Dr Alice Gorman from Flinders University who is a space archaeologist. She talks about how you can participate in a crowd-naming campaign to name features on Pluto. Alice talks about her favourite names suggested for Pluto's features, including a Yolngu word and a Monkey Magic reference.
The Brontosaurus is a well known dinosaur, which was soon after discovery relegated to an incorrect synonym: its species had already been described elsewhere and named Apatosaurus. But new evidence suggests that the Brontosaurus is a genuine species of Diplodocid, and is once more recognised as a valid taxon for a real exitinct species.Mice are certainly not extinct, and while we may have been taught that to be really quiet is to be as quiet as a mouse, but they certainly make enough noise to attract the attention of other mice. Ultrasonic songs inaudible to the human ear vary between mouse breeds, and in certain circumstances. Male mice call to female mice with songs of varying duration and complexity depending how far away they are.And back to the subject of extinction, Tamsania's Swift Parrot is in danger of being wiped out due to habitat loss in its natural territories. We find out how we can donate directly to a program to help reverse their decline.
Lost in Science talks up Nitrogen, where would we be without it? We take a look at a theory of the beginning of the Universe and if it holds up to scrutiny. We then take look at language acquisition in bats and the take a listen to the kind of music that cats like to listen to.
Chris talks to John Gooderham at launch of The Waterbug App (www.thewaterbugapp.com), which helps you measure environmental health by identifying freshwater macroinvertebrates—like the ferocious water tiger pictured above.Meanwhile, Beth talks some more to Linda Blackall about the helpful symbiotic microbes on which we and other organisms depend, and Stu digs into a study from the journal PLOS ONE that found threats to people's social identity can motivate them to try and discredit scientific research through online comments.
The team is joined by a couple of funny scientists with a show in the Melbourne International Comedy festival about the human body, we also discuss the implications of a study showing that pairs of people reach a consensus even when it's obvious a group member is more or less skilled than the other member in the group, and we talk to Dr. Linda Blackall about the importance of microbes.