There's something about exploring that fires the imagination. And nothing quite so humbling and inspiring as the thought of delicate little spacecraft way out there in the blackness of space. Robert Brand has a finger in every imaginable pie in space communications, 'extreme' communications in mine tunnels, ham radio, missions to Mars and the Moon. Even amateur high altitude balloon flights. Robert and his son Jason take us on an enthusiastic ride. Web sites mentioned during this show are plusco...
Apr 16, 2013•52 min
Civilisation is the system that feeds us, houses us, and keeps us safe. It seems to work well, but embedded in it is a deadly flaw. There is no known system in nature that can expand indefinitely. Many economists live with the fantasy notion of curves on graphs that climb forever, while overlooking the drops on the other side. Somehow we've come to believe the bizarre assumption that resources are limitless. It's hard to know what we're going to do as cheap oil runs dry, because there's no obvio...
Apr 13, 2013•41 min
Fuzzy Logic is home to four Homo sapiens this week: Elise, Amy, Siân and Broderick. Together they discuss a wide variety of different species including Aphredoderus sayanus, Rheobatrachus silus and Homo neanderthalensis . What are all these strange species? Listen and find out!
Apr 07, 2013•50 min
Can rats share thoughts from brain to brain? Can we train robot brains? Expand your brain with a bit of science on Fuzzy Logic. This episode is presented by Jess, Phoebe, Dan and Broderick
Apr 07, 2013•52 min
Diabetes is a serious lifelong illness that affects many Australians. Imagine having to cosntantly monitor your blood sugar and inject insulin every day for the rest of your life. That's on top of possible side effects such as kidney damage, damaged eye sight, heart problems, and the risk of losing limbs through infection. While there are reasaonbly good ways of managing diabetes, it's obviously better avoided in the first place. Our guest today is Dr Charmaine Simeonovic from the John Curtin Me...
Apr 07, 2013•50 min
This week on Fuzzy Logic Dan, Martha, Siân and Broderick think about how it would feel to live on chemical smoothies rather than food- is it healthy? We also talk about movement in the moshpit and EPO doping.
Apr 07, 2013•56 min
With bush fires raging around the country, Fuzzy Logic takes a look at the science behind fires. Join Alice & Broderick as they discuss the past, present and future of fire science.
Jan 20, 2013•56 min
How long can we continue living on borrowed money on a limited planet? How long can prosperity rely on endless growth? If that's true, what can we do about it. Are we just at the mercy of larger forces. Theo Kitchener is an advocate of Doing It Ourselves . Your bank manager might not like what she says.
Dec 12, 2012•27 min
This week Alice, Blaire and Broderick talk about electronic music and the amazing science nerds that helped produce some of the coolest music. They also discuss dung beetles, dog toys and more current science news.
Dec 09, 2012•48 min
Fuzzy Logic today was a 'scene of interest'. Our guest today is head of forenscis at the University of Canberra, Professor Chris Lennard. How do we untangle the scene of a crime. Who was there, and when. What happened. Are crime scene shows realistic? We talk about fingerprints and superglue, and ear-prints, explosives, and the Bali bombing. Interview by Rod. Do you have a question for Prof Lennard ? See your question answered in our Monday Canberra Times Ask Fuzzy column. Send your question to ...
Dec 03, 2012•47 min
Today on Fuzzy we bring you some of our favourite moments from our archive. Inspirational Australian scientist and National Living Treasure Dr Fiona Wood talks about her breakthrough treatments for burns victims. Dr Wood is famous for having treated victims of the Bali bombings. Dr Ian Williams from the ANU brings in - get this - a piece of the oldest rock ever found on the planet. It was truly memorable to hold this during the show. Do you know what a (European) wasp can do to horse? Dr Phil Sp...
Nov 13, 2012•48 min
This week Broderick talks to Dr Carolina Tallon about new ceramics developed for high speed flight and he discusses the health benefits of black carrots with Dr Anneline Padayachee. He also takes a look at this year's Nobel Prize winners
Oct 21, 2012•45 min
How long can the world economy keep growing? How close to the limits are we? According to our guest today, we are nearing the end of cheap resources that have powered wealth creation, and it's time for us to power down to adjust to the new reality. Richard Heinberg's latest book is The End of Growth. We caught Richard during his recent visit to Canberra (which we also podcast). Interview by Rod, with thanks to Jenny Goldie, Sustainable Popultion Australia. If you found this interview interesting...
Oct 14, 2012•28 min
Can the world continue growing forever? Not according to Richard Heinberg, who says we have reached the limits of cheap oil and other commodities. Then there's debt which has become a proxy for genuine productivity. We are, in effect, printing money to maintain the pretence. Pile climate change on top of that, and we face a nasty brew that means we business as usual cannot continue. Richard Heinberg is Author of ten books, including The Party’s Over , Peak Everything , and The End of Growth. Sta...
Sep 23, 2012•58 min
What sort of population can Australia - and the world - afford? Do we need more people - or should we limit population? We interview federal MP Kelvin Thompson, outspoken commentator on population growth. And in a change of pace, we ask Kelvin to tell his story, of how he got into politics, and what it's like being in Federal parliament today. How does it feel to be monstered by the media and political oponents. Interview by Rod
Sep 12, 2012•35 min
This episode originally aired on April 1 and it became Fuzzy Fools Day. Your challenge is to work out what's real science and what is just a prank. Stuart, Rachel and Broderick fool around through a very entertaining episode. WARNING: Contains throat singing and bad Irish accents.
Apr 10, 2012•54 min
This week Fuzzy explores the lesser talked about and slightly confusing uncle in the science family: mathematics. Dennis, Jamos and Broderick laugh their way through online auctions, error detection and some really amazing maths for detecting sarcasm. (I wonder if it picked that up?)
Mar 25, 2012•53 min
We've mapped the entire surface of the Moon and Mars, but we've only explored 1% of the Earth's oceans. This week Fuzzy explores the depths of the ocean. Broderick is joined by Jillian from the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre and Dr Chris Fulton from the Australian National University. They're talking about marine parks, genetics in the ocean and biodiversity in the high seas.
Mar 18, 2012•50 min
This week Broderick & Alice talk to Gavin Young & Tim Senden, researchers from the Australian National University, about their exhibition "Old Bones, New Insights". The exhibition includes fossils from Gogo, WA and Burrinjuck, NSW. You can visit the exhibition at Canberra Museum & Gallery until February 26, 2012. Other topics covered this week include native species, cloning mammoths and belly button bacteria.
Feb 19, 2012•51 min
Do you find it difficult to follow conversations in pubs? People not speaking clearly? It may be that your ears don't work as well as the used to. There's a growing number of people across the planet who need help with hearing. It may be more than just a social inconvenience. Looking blankly at your boss is not good for your career. And did you know that if you let it go, you may permanently lose the ability to process some sounds. Today's guest on Fuzzy in an inspirational researcher and advoca...
Jan 16, 2012•47 min
How do you sound to others? Your voice is one of your most important social assets. With it, you convey meaning, impressions, emotions, and the image you project. Our judgement of each other is heavily coloured by the sounds of our voice. Our guest on Fuzzy today is voice therapist, coach, researcher, Dr Cate Madill from the University of Sydney. Also joining us is fantasy writer KJ Taylor, with her own take on voices. Hosted by Rod
Dec 12, 2011•58 min
How can a pair of physicists / cosmologists have something new to say about cancer? Never mind that they are two luminaries in their field. Professors Paul Davies and Charley Lineweaver are exploring ideas that upend traditional views of why cancer occurs. Is it really just a case of rogue cells in a sort of internal Darwinism, or is it something else? And why did Rod drop a water bottle to illustrate a feature of fundamental significance to the universe? Does that sound like just a quirky stunt...
Nov 20, 2011•54 min
Have you seen the classic movie Blade Runner ? Philip K Dick was the quirky writer of sci-fi novels, and the author of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep . Imagine what it would be like to encounter the robotic-artificial intelligence reincarnation of PK Dick. This was the product of a collaboration between robotocists and AI researchers in 2005 when they built the animated replica. Unfortunately it was left in the luggage locker on a US domestic flight, and has not been seen since. Today on Fu...
Oct 19, 20110
How can we help prevent falls? What are the real hidden dangers of home renovation? Could we be eating algae meat anytime soon? Emma, Jen and Broderick answer these questions and more. Includes a special demonstration of Auto-Tune software turning Emma's speech into song!
Sep 11, 2011•54 min
We have a packed show today including special interview with Prof Tevor Ireland from the ANU who's in the news this week with results from the Hayabusa mission to collect dust from the Itakawa asteroid. And what a story it is! The little spacecraft went on an extraordinary journey with lots of trials a tribulations along the way. Plus fresh from our visit to the USA we interview Prof Jean Brodie, UC Santa Cruz. We talk about dark matter, and the origin of galaxies. And we have tales from the USA...
Aug 30, 20110
Things heat up this week as Fuzzy talks about how bushfires affect climate change, what HIV and dementia have in common, why bees honey is so good for you and who crows can recognise. Presented by Rachel & Broderick. Originally broadcast on 03/07/2011.
Jul 03, 2011•43 min
In this episode of Fuzzy we learn why a sawfish has a saw, how plant gels could help people walk again, where bees travel around canberra and whether being a leftie really does make you smarter. Presented by Nat & Broderick. Originally broadcast 12/06/2011.
Jul 03, 2011•41 min
Today's guest with wonderfully eclectic range of topis, is pioneering neurologist Dr Colin Andrews. He works with leading edge treatments of neuro-diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinsons Disease. He was recently on the 7:30 Report after successfully treating an MS patient with a combination of chemo therapy and bone marrow replacement. Along the way we also talk about drugs, accidents, alcohol, and the movie Awakenings. Plus....a surprising use for botox! Hosted by Pallavi and Rod. We...
Jun 28, 2011•55 min
The poor old cockroach, the insect everyone loves to hate. But there's a lot more to the humble roach. Did you know some varieties live for 15 years? Did you know some rear their young? And then there's another poor friend, the slug (no, not an insect). Our guest today, Martyn Robinson from the Australian Museum reveals an unexpected way you might actually find them useful. They can do more than just eat your garden. Then we visit the NICTA research labs for a look at some some hi-tech projects....
Jun 20, 2011•52 min
We all use paper. Lots of paper. But we also love trees, and do we ever think about how many trees it takes to make our paper? And building paper pulp mills in Australia is very controversal. We talk to Dr Tom Rainey from the Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, QUT who's been looking at how we make paper, and sugar can bagasse as an alternative source for pulp. Interview by Kiri, Michael and Rod.
Jun 02, 2011•42 min
