Australian wildlife has been hit from all directions. Loss of habitat, fire, pests, and cats. The Australian Wildlife Conservancy is one organisation trying to save our native animals. Senior ecologist for the North West, Dr James Smith tells about how the AWC is helping to fight extinction. Interview by Rod
Humans can go deaf, but what about dogs? Like any other animal, their hearing can go. Especially when we meddle with their breeding. And did you know dogs lipread? Or perhaps that should be faceread. Recorded at the Living Green Festival, Canberra with Michelle from AustralianDeafDogRescue. Find them on FBook. Interview by Rod.
The Pokémon Go craze is sweeping the world, but its success relies on some serious physics and chemistry. Why do you owe your Eevee to Einstein and his theory of relativity? How did Volta and Galvani pioneer battery-powered devices like smart phones and Pokédexes? Can Pokémon Go players help real life Professor Willows monitor animal populations? We've got the answers for you! Brought to you by Siân (Team Valor), Jason (Team Mystic), and Eleanor (Team Instinct). This episode also features interv...
The list may seem strange, but it applies to our two featured women. Dorothy Hill was a pioneering Australian scientist who's field was coral paleantology. She also drove rally cars and had a pilot's license. Hedy Lamarr was a renowned Hollywood beauty. She invented secure frequency hopping radio transmission. Something like it is in your mobile phone. We look at a surprisingly simple way to make renewable energy reliable on the grid. And in today's Ask Fuzzy we learn about arthritis . Brought t...
Two guests spontaneously appeared today. Luckly they were intelligently designed. Lots of people talk about evolution, but lots of people don't really know about evolution. There are many misconceptions. Then there are those who prefer mythical explanations. What does that mean, and why does it matter? Dr Nick Matzke is an evolutionary biologist who's been mapping the large scale history of life (the phylogenetic tree ). Phil Hore is from the National Dinosaur Museum . Created by Rod. @FuzzyLogi...
What would it be like to find your vision was suddenly infected by strange apparitions? Lines, shapes, whole buildings, faces, and lizards crawling up the wall. All inventions of the condition called Charles Bonnet Syndrome . No, you're not going mad, these are tricks that the visual system sometimes plays. Rod interviews Scot Muirden, director of the Charles Bonnet Syndrome Foundation , and Ian Lawther who shares some remarkable stories of his experience with CBS. Charles Bonnet Syndrome is muc...
The third week of May is National Archaeology Week, and to celebrate, Mitchell and Eleanor talk about the art and science of archaeology. We chat about the media hubbub surrounding the Curse of Tutankhamun's Tomb, the grim details of the buried city of Pompeii, and the geothermal vents that the Romans exploited at bath-time. Also features curse tablets and local axes.
It's an obsession, it's a pollutant and it's a problem. On this weeks episode, Broderick looks at the problem with plastic. Featuring interviews with Heidi Taylor from the Australian Marine Debris Initiative, PhD candidate from the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security Karen Raubenheimer and Principal Doug Reckord from the Bournda Environmental Education Centre. Each of these scientists shares their passion and the story about plastic. These scientists will be joined by oth...
The ground has shifted, renewables are taking the wind out of fossil fuels. It's now cheaper to generate power with solar and wind. But is it an anti capitalist dream, only for when the sun is shining? Our guest today is a prominent pioneer of solar power technology, and an advocate for renewable energy. Professor Andrew Blakers is Director of the ANU Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems. Hosted by Rod. ........................................... Community radio has been hit with a budget cut o...
Science isn't just pretty pictures of cells and stars; it's a thing people do, and you can too. In this episode of Fuzzy, Siân, Mitchell and Eleanor talk about the scientific method and how we can apply scientific thinking to our own everyday lives. Features porridge alchemy, the Saturn Hexagon, and a ride on the dinosaur train. This episode originally aired on the 17th April 2016.
Are machines taking over? Or are they just plotting to ruin all our board game nights and become undefeatable Trivial Pursuit champions? Phoebe and Broderick answer these hard-hitting questions and more as they explore the science, technology and ethics of artificial intelligence. This episode was originally broadcast on 16 March, 2016.
This episode Broderick takes a look at the worrying levels of coral bleaching and what it means for our Great Barrier Reef. We also take a look at the latest in dinosaur news, allergy treatments and fingerprints in your skull.
Today we step outside our usual science to meet a rising figure in the Australian Labor party. Why would someone subject themelves to the brutal world of politics? We dicuss social capital, and the limits to growth. Is growth really what we need, and at what point to we say 'enough'? Dr Andrew Leigh is Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Federal Member for Fraser in the ACT. Interview by Rod, who discloses personal affiliations at the start of this interview.
In this pun-filled episode, Mitchell and Eleanor talk eggs. What are they? Where do they come from? Why are they egg-shaped? Does anyone truly know the answers to these questions?? Yes, they do, and you will too if you tune in. Features echidna custard, broody octopuses, and the funkiest podcast outro ever conceived.
Today's Fuzzy Logic is dedicated to Mary Anning, the remarkable woman who made a deep contribution to the emerging science of paleontology during the early 1800s. In spite of the bias of her time, Anning was widely respected and consulted by the great thinkers, and her work helped shape our modern understanding of evolution. Brought to you by Rod, and Phil Hore from the National Dinosaur Museum. Twitter us @FuzzyLogicSci
....down down. So goes the lyrics in today's Jimi Hendrix music break. It's hard to imagine what an aweful sight it would be to see your house burning. And spare a thought for the fireys. They take risks to save you and your property. To protect themselves, they wear 23 kg of gear. Add hoses and other equipment, and they could be carrying 50 kg. They're phsyically active. It's hot. There's a fire. Our expert guest today is Dr Anthony Walker, thermal phsyiologist University of Canberra, and a mem...
What makes us think? What makes us aware? What makes us alive? They say "cogito ergo sum"; I think, therefore I am. But is it that simple? In this weeks episode, Phoebe and Broderick are joined by Alyce to get deep and mix a little philosophy with science as they discuss consciousness.
Why is pain good for you? This week Broderick and Phoebe are joined by special guest paramedic Liam to discuss the good, bad and ugly sides of pain. There's even an ice bucket challenge between Broderick and Phoebe to see who can withstand the most pain. Listen in to see who is the ultimate pain master! Don't forgot Fuzzy Logic is also on Twitter! Tweet us @FuzzyLogicSci with any follow-up questions you might have or topics you'd like us to cover.
Rod spent the morning spreading ant poison in his brand new shed and got to wondering about the chemicals killing his crawling critters. Could they be doing him some harm too? Luckily, we had Associate Professor Colin Jackson from the Research School of Chemistry at ANU in the studio to answer his questions. Tune in to learn about Colin's research into neurotransmitter sensors and insecticide resistance. Hosted by Eleanor, who sometimes dreams about hedgehogs. (It's relevant, I promise.) Twitter...
It's hard to describe just how appealing the wombat is. They amazingly playful, affectionate animals. That's at least while they're young, but then they grow up, they get grumpy, so don't get too close. But that's all part of what makes them special. These are tough creatures that can survive in the Australian bush. Then, there are humans. Also the mange . Our handlers at Sleepy Burrows have dedicated their lives to caring for wombats. And, as we discovered, even their home! Interview by Rod, wi...
Last week, we talked about smart (and naughty) monkeys, and today we look more closely at what 'smart' means. Intelligent? According to our astrobiologist guest today, it's a human-centric notion. We sit at the top of the evolutionary tree. Or at least, that's we want to believe. And what of little green men, with sparkling intelligence? Then we look at alternative an theory on the origin of cancer. Dr Charley Linweaver and his colleague, Prof Paul Davies bring an outside perspective. Brought to...
If humans are supposed to be the clever ape, why do we keep eliminating other life on our planet? There's a long list of victims including the dodo, the moa, and the passenger pigeon. These are fairly well known examples, but what's this thing called Silphium? And why does it matter anyway? Our guest today has been seen recently around Canberra...with a dodo . Phil Hore is from the National Dinosaur Museum. Also Eleanor, and Rod....
What's it like to be near deaf for most of your life, and then be given a cochlear implant? The transformation is profound, and our guest today describes what that journey is like. Pete Halsey is CEO of the Deafness Resource Centre in Canberra, helping people with hearing problems. We live in a time and a place where this technology is available. It's made possible by pioneers such as Graeme Clark, and Peter Blamey who we interviewed recently. If you need practical assistance with hearing in the...
As we enter the silly season, Phoebe and Broderick explore whether there's any science behind the post-Christmas lunch nap and if scientists are studying hangovers just as an excuse to drink more. All the science and more on this episode of Fuzzy Logic.
Space is big. Really big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist, but that's just peanuts to space. Actually, the number as far as we can tell is about 13.8 billion light years. Or at least, that's the bit we can see. Trouble is, most of it's Dark. Today we hitchhike through the galaxy with Associate Professor Paul Francis from the Mount Stromolo Observatory. Listen to the wondrous sounds he generat...
This week on Fuzzy, it's 3D printing, but not as you know it! Eleanor is joined in the studio by resident dino-expert Mitchell, and by Ben, a biochemistry research scientist all the way from the University of Bristol, to discuss some new applications of 3D printing technology. Ben explains how they adapted a commercial 3D printer to print with stem cell "ink", and Mitchell tells us about how hidden fossils can be uncovered using the power of X-rays and 3D printing. As usual, we also discuss gees...
This week on Fuzzy Logic, Phoebe and Broderick talk about sleep! Don't hit the snooze button, listen in as they discuss how much sleep we really need and what happens to your sleep when you live in a cave. Open your eyes wide and listen in- no yawning!
Today we have a bit of history, a bit of salt. Where did that Ah Harrrrr pirate voice come from? Going to sea on a long voyage is a serious undertaking. How did they do it? Lots of things have to go well if you don't want a journey to the bottom, or be stranded on a hostile shore. Then we have a look at problems faced by our poor beloved wombats. We'll bring you more in a future Fuzzy, but meanwhile, visit http://www.sleepyburrows.com.au/ Our whiskery nosed friends need help. Brought to you by P...
Today on Fuzzy Logic, Phoebe and Broderick talk the nasal outbursts commonly known as sneezes. Why do we sneeze? Broderick discusses why hay fever makes him sneeze, while Phoebe discovers why bright lights make her sneeze. Tune in and bring a tissue or two! Bless you!
With population growth, global warming, and resource depletion, humanity faces a perilous situation. Our question today, is - can science save us? During National Science Week, Rod Taylor hosted a panel of prominent Australians, who spoke passionately about what we can do. Join Professor Will Steffan, Professor Hillary Bambrick, fomer Govenor General Michael Jeffery, Dr Stephen Bygrave, and Professor Clive Hamilton for this thought provoking conversation. Recorded at the Australian Academy of Sc...
