For Science!
29 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 9 years ago -James Purser, Magdeline Lum and Maia Sauren chat each fortnight about the science stories of the previous fortnight and work out how they are going to affect "Real Life".
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Episodes
Episode 29 - Would you take a fecal pill?
October 22, 2014 10:26 - 46.9 MBSadly our original recording with Dr Katie Mack ended up as so much static due to a computer glitch, however Mags, Mel and James are back with another episode with topics ranging from the realities of a career in science, through fecal pills, nobel prizes and Killer whales that can talk to the Dolphins. Fecal Pills http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141011172138.htm Killer whales learn to talk to dolphins http://phys.org/news/2014-10-killer-whales-bottlenose-dolphins-cross-spec...
Episode 28 - Octomum devotion
August 18, 2014 11:03 - 38.2 MBIt's National Science Week, so we thought we'd bring out another episode, because there is no such thing as too much science. This episode we talk Ebola. What's happening, why is the media so bad with stuff like this and we ponder why Homeopaths without Borders isn't mucking in. We also have a look at two stories that look at different aspects of diabetes, true motherly devotion from a cephelopod, sleeping in space and crayfish who can regrow brain cells from their blood. New method of en...
Episode 27 - Rubber Ducky
July 30, 2014 10:34 - 36.6 MBOne day we'll be organised, promise! This episode we talk about: Rubber ducky shaped comets - http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2014/07/18/4048841.htm The spread of tropical species as the oceans warm - http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2014/07/09/4041782.htm Flapdoodle and the plight of the Redhead - http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/10/redheads-die-out-extinction-ginger-gene-bad-science-red-hair Someone left smallpox in an old samples fridge - http://www.theg...
Episode 26 - The silence of the crickets
June 08, 2014 03:06 - 33.5 MBThis episode finds the For Science! crew in a slightly less ranty frame of mind. This means of course that there are more science stories, and we even get philosophical at one point. Stories covered: New bill would loosen restrictions on offering seriously ill patients untested procedures - http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/jun/05/untested-treatments-could-be-used-on-seriously-ill-patients Chinas need for flat land leads to Mountain removal, and the problems that come with it - http...
Episode 25 - The Epic Rant
May 31, 2014 06:06 - 38.1 MBWhen we started this episode we were going to be talking a lot more science news than we ended up doing, all we can say is that the ranting is justified. Stories covered this episode: - Where did Mel go - How did Mags make a mushroom cloud in her classroom - Science funding / Medical Research Fund - Group crowd funds the recovery of a historic probe: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/05/20/space_hackers_prepare_to_reactivate_antiquated_spacecraft/ - Are we biased against single cell li...
Episode 24 - The dinosaur of lurvve
May 12, 2014 11:51 - 37 MBWhile Mel is swanning around western Europe, being all international scientist of mystery, ex regular and extremely welcome guest Maia has returned for an episode. This fortnight we're talking about: Why it's so hard threading a needle (and what it means for our understanding of vision) - http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2014/04/30/3984980.htm Blood protien helps rejuvenate mice muscle and brains (also Gothic Horror inspired acts of science) - http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2...
Episode 23 - The pitch drop disappointment
April 27, 2014 09:26 - 32.2 MBA mixed bag of stories this episode. We cover some ground, starting with bird life in and around Chernobyl, insect sex, new advances in biological printing and finally ending up somewhere in orbit. 28th Anniversay of Chernobyl disaster shows some bird species adapting quite well to the higher levels of radiation - http://news.sciencemag.org/biology/2014/04/scienceshot-some-birds-thrive-chernobyls-radioactive-glow UOQ Pitch drop experiment produces 9th drop since 1930 - http://www.newscient...
Episode 22 - Space heritage, Comet harpooning and goats
April 10, 2014 10:04 - 39 MBWe have defeated the gremlins and finally managed to record episode 22, and what an episode it is. We are joined by Doctor Alice Goreman to discuss a paper she wrote about the problem of preserving our orbital heritage, why we should be thinking about it, and how we might go about the task of preserving our history even as it orbits several thousand miles above our heads. We also talk about the following stories and papers: Botox as a treatment for Asthma: http://monash.edu/news/show/new-...
Episode 21 - Space Junk, Chicken Plungers and Zero G Surgery
March 15, 2014 10:02 - 31.6 MBIn this episode of For Science! Mags reveals the secret to excercise is the undead Chickens tell us how dinosaurs walked - Paper / Video Bacteria that "eats" electricity - Article Five second rule - Article Surgery in Space - Article
Episode 20 - Poo Sausages, Coal Fires and Space
March 01, 2014 09:53 - 34.5 MBWe're back! It's been a while but James, Mags and Mel have returned for 2014. Let's see, for this episode we're looking at: Why the Victorian Government withdrew funding for NICTA What's happening Space, including a promise from Mags to get closer to the SKA on her next trip to Perth Probiotic Sausages (with the probiotic bacteria sourced from baby poo) A fish that literally swallows swallows The coal fire at Morewell in Victoria Oh and "How Things Work" is now an official segment. T...
Episode 19 - Grants, Mole Day and Golden Trees
November 03, 2013 00:27 - 33.4 MBWell episode 19 is finally here. Many apologies for the lateness, this real life thing keeps getting in the way. Anyway, this episode finds Mel, Mags and James discussing the National Health and Medical Research Council Grants, what Mole Day means to chemists, how jelly's from space don't know up from down and gold in dem dar trees. Oh, and we talk about World Vasectomy Day (warning you may find out more about James than you wanted to know). Also, due to real life thing, How Things Work s...
Episode 18 - Nobels, Bees and Stupid patent tricks
October 17, 2013 11:43 - 47.6 MBIt's been a busy few weeks since the last episode of For Science! This episode Mags, Mel and James talk diesel and bees, water on mars (which Mags explains a whole lot better than James) and of course we talk about the Nobel Prizes.
Episode 17 - Martian methane, Self Brewing and Bohemian Gravity
September 29, 2013 08:06 - 34.5 MBWell it's been an interesting few weeks since the last episode of For Science! but we're slowly making our way towards episode 20. For episode 17, Mel, Mags and James talk about people who's digestive systems act like distilleries, the results of the search for methane on mars and the excellent "Bohemian Gravity" (a little of which you will hear in the show). Oh and Mags has a little rant about what it takes for effective engagement in schools. To hear the rest of Bohemian Gravity, just ...
Headbanging termites, Frozen Frogs and Brain to Brain
September 03, 2013 09:40 - 34.3 MBFor Science! returns with Dr Mel, Mags and James exploring everything from bacterial immune systems through termite warning systems and how frogs are able to survive deep freeze. We also talk about the passing of Professor John Mainstone, the curator of the famous Pitch Drop experiment at the University of Queensland and the sort of dedication that it takes to run an experiment for some 52 years. Here's the audio interview we mention during the episode: http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2...
Artificial meat, Why the Y? And Curiosity marks a year
August 12, 2013 11:07 - 26.4 MBFor Science! returns to the interwebs featuring James and Mags, once again joined by Dr Melanie Thomson to discuss some of the science news of the past few weeks. For episode 15 we have a look at the recent artificial meat announcement, tracing human history via the Y chromosome (and what may in fact lie in store for the Y chromosome in the future) and we celebrate the first earth year for the Curiosity Rover.
Science Surveys, IVF and Vibrating Moths
July 20, 2013 10:12 - 29.3 MBWe finally defeated the gremlins and managed to actually record episode 14 of For Science! For this episode Mags and James were joined by Dr Mel Thomson from Deakin University. Dr Thomson is a micro-biologist who's currently involved with a project looking at the effectiveness of using maggots as a debridement treatment for a particularly nasty bacteria. This episode we talk about: Three Parent IVF Techniques The ABC's Science Forum Using sugar instead of radioactive dies to detect tumo...
Episode 13 - Turtles, Mags Rant and Goodbye Maia
June 28, 2013 11:02 - 39.4 MBWell it's been a little while but we're back. In this episode we talk Robotic Pets, Turtle embryos (smarter than you think), micro batteries and Fairy Wrens who learn. We also introduce two new segments, Mags Rant where Magdeline sallies forth on things that make her passionate and Where's The Science At, where we try and keep you up to date with sciencey events coming up in the next couple of weeks. Sadly, we also say goodbye to Maia.
Episode 12 - Melting Mammoths, Dinobirds and Bitter Roaches
June 01, 2013 05:09 - 33.8 MBFor Science! returns to talking about the Science news in what turns out to be the second last episode featuring Maia (not sure what's going on? I blogged about it here) This episode we tackle: Whether it's possible that actual Mammoth blood has been found in Russia: http://phys.org/news/2013-05-russian-scientists-rare-blood-mammoth.html How cockroaches are evolving to deal with the threats posed by common household baits: http://www.sciencemag.org/content/340/6135/972 The ongoing discus...
Episode 11: How Not To Science
May 19, 2013 00:00 - 31.2 MBLast episode we had a look at what it takes to Science. From the basic process, to the importance of statistics to whether the annecdote has a legitimate place within science. This time round we decided to have a look at Schlock Science. Each of us has a look at what most bugs us about the world of crappy or psuedo science, whether it's dodgy "studies", Press Releases dressed up in lab coats or those who try to use scientific terminology to push their own ideological ends. Fun :)
Episode 10: How To Science
May 04, 2013 07:18 - 32.2 MBFor this fortnights episode we've decided to go back to basics and explore exactly what it takes to Science. I explain the basic process of science while Maia tackles stastics and Mags explores why anecdotal data still has a place in the scientific method, even if it's not where some people think it should be.
Episode 9: Larvae Space Suits
April 22, 2013 10:19 - 18.1 MB application/octet-streamAnother short one but a good one. We look at how fruit fly larvae can survive a vacuum using a nano shield made from detergent an charged ions, talk about the latest "Biggest Optical Telescope Evah!" and ponder, are we all living in a simulation? Show notes Nano suits for microbes: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/04/nano-suit-vacuum/?cid=co7211244 Are we living in a simulation: http://arxiv.org/abs/1210.1847 Giantest Optical Telescope (so far): http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/s...
Worm bots, printed circuits, clones from poo, and why is fog cloudy?
March 15, 2013 10:42 - 37.8 MB application/octet-streamEpisode 8 of For Science! has us on a bit of a life sciences bent (with a foray into robotics and electronics) First up we discuss the news of a child in the US who appears to have been functionally cured of HIV Then we have a look at the work being done by engineers at MIT to develop robotic locomotion with a difference (and there is a video you really should watch Completing our look at things technical we talk about the latest in circuits that can be printed directly onto skin. (Note, ...
Russian Meteors, Science Awards and Upulie talks Real Scientists
March 01, 2013 10:35 - 35.4 MB application/octet-streamFor our second episode of 2013 we were sans Maia, however we did manage to cover some interesting stuff. First up of course we had the amazing meteor over the Ural mountains in Russia. What has to be THE most video event of its kind certainly brought home to many of us that the Solar system may not be the empty void that we imagine. NASA Page for the Ural Meteor: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/asteroids/news/asteroid20130215.html Next we had a look at a couple of different sets of Scie...
Asteroids, Maia in New Zealand, Sharks and Awesome Teenage Scientists
February 15, 2013 02:20 - 27.1 MB application/octet-streamHere it is, the first episode for 2013. I have to admit we did have to shake out a few cobwebs but I think we did alright. We cover a whole range of different topics from shark fetuses that can detect predators outside of their eggs to an awesome 16 year old from Hobart who built her own system for voice controlling a wheel chair. We also talk about Maia's recent trip to New Zealand for the NZ Open Research Conference, and because we're talking Open Research we touch on the tragic case of ...
HIV helps to cure cancer, anti-aromatics and TURTLES!
December 23, 2012 00:22 - 35.7 MB application/octet-streamWell, episode 5 is the last for the year and I think we've got a pretty decent rundown for you. HIV used to help attack cancer Turtles! Anti-Aromatics TURTLES! Did you know they think there are two higgs bosons? Also here are a couple of links we promised in the show: http://atheistuniverse.net/photo/fnal-esiegel?xg_source=activity - A bit of a key for looking beyond the Atomic structure (Electrons, Nuetrons and Protons) and of course the excellent video produced by PHD Comics, expla...
Dissolving Snails, Zombie Parasites and how transformers work
December 09, 2012 10:20 - 38.3 MBEpisode 4 of For Science! brings us tales of the end of the world via Mayan Calendar mishaps (no, not really), water on mercury and did you know that zombies are actually quite common place? We also talk about a proposed year long study of astronauts on the International Space Station and Maia lets us in on the science of induced magnetism and how it drives our power delivery networks.
BYO cyborg roach, Mags on Sharks and nostril cells help a dog walk again
November 22, 2012 11:38 - 33.9 MB application/octet-streamTime got away from us last week, so we're a little late. However to make up for it, we have an excellent episode for you featuring: Invisibility Cloaks Mags on Sharks Mind Controlled Robots Faster Interwebs for all And more. Don't forget you can comment here, or on our Facebook Page, Google+ Page or on the twitters
How to eat a triceratops, Science Funding and the PM's Science Awards
November 03, 2012 00:28 - 37.8 MB application/octet-streamA little late and a bit longer than the last episode, here's episode 2 of For Science! This week we're discussing How To Eat A Triceratops, Science Champions, Science funding and the Prime Ministers Science Awards. Here are the videos from each of the PM's Science Award winners that we talk about: Ken Freeman Michael van der Ploeg Anita Trenwith
Nobels, Tesla Museum and Rescue Roaches
October 19, 2012 10:29 - 22.5 MBFor the first episode of For Science! We're going to dig through the winners of last weeks Nobel Prizes and try and explain what it was exactly that they won for, pay homage to the Oatmeal and the Tesla Museum project and explore the idea of Cyborg Cockroaches who can scurry into demolished buildings looking for victims to rescue.