Scientists protest in Adelaide
Scientists fear research will be hit in proposed changes at the South Australian Museum
Episodes
The Science Show
The Science Show gives Australians unique insights into the latest scientific research and debate, from the physics of cricket to prime ministerial biorhythms.
Episodes
Two inspirational books and new powers for Parkes dish
Two inspirational books for younger readers show an intruiging world and the thrill of chasing a dream.
The science of friendship
Friendship led ancient humans to cooperate and gain an edge over predators. Compassion is seen among 25 primates and other animals. Today we explore these qualities and meet scientists investigating the role of friendship in our evolution and our lives in the modern world.
The amazing world of alpine plants
Today we meet the people at the forefront of studying alpine plants - including how trees and plants survive in deep snow and ferocious winds. We visit the mushroom lab to discovery why fungi are essential to life on earth and find out what seed collection in the Colorado mountains is teaching us how to adapt in a changing climate. And while we're talking plants - Professor Peter Bernhardt of Missouri describes the thrill when the seventh millionth species was revealed and listed at his own form...
Meet the man who changed the world forever
Sir Mark Oliphant of Adelaide was the main person missing from the film Oppenheimer. It was Sir Mark who carried the letter from European scientists to New York to convince the American President that Hitler was trying to make an atomic bomb and needed to be beaten to the chilling quest. It led to the Manhattan Project. Mark also gave us microwave power, initially to equip planes, later to give us microwave ovens; he helped establish the ANU; was the first President of the Australian Academy of ...
Big things
The Iter Tokamak nuclear fusion reactor is due for completion next year. In the US, a smaller cheaper reactor is also gearing up.
US National Center for Atmospheric Research
Join Robyn Williams and meet scientists at one of the world’s centres for the study of climate and weather.
Microorganisms support all life, and plastic in creatures’ guts
Microplastics are everywhere and impacting ecosystems.
Supernova!
A supernova has been observed in great detail just 3.5 light years from Earth… and that’s close!
The Science Show
They’ve lived since the time of the dinosaurs. But the outlook is grim for Tasmania’s Maugean skate.
How Chinese science was revealed to the world
A great range of scientific and technical achievements were made in China hundreds of years earlier than in Europe.
Improved photosynthesis may increase crop yields
More efficient molecules inside plants could bring a big increase in crop yields.
Climate forces change to traditional lifestyles in PNG
Failing crops and dwindling water supply are forcing change to the traditional lifestyles of PNG highlanders.
The Science Show’s Top 100 Australian Scientists
People know their sports stars, and their rock stars. Why don’t they know the stars of science who have helped shape our world? The Science Show’s Top 100 Australian Scientists hopes to generate discussion and raise the profile of Australia’s world class scientists.
Science Extra: Aspects of psychology: ADHD diagnosis explosion—and singing to babies
Aspects of mental health and psychology. Diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) doubled over the past year, and the cost of doing that increased substantially too. And why do parents take so readily to singing to their babies—especially when it's time to change the nappy? With Presenter of All in the Mind Sana Qadar and Investigative Journalist Ange Lavoipierre Hosted by Science Editor Jonathan Webb
H. G. Wells – father of science fiction
He imagined the atomic bomb, believed in a world government, wrote books about science and science fiction and was the first popular communicator of scientific ideas. Today we commemorate the life and achievements of Herbert George Wells.
Science Extra: falling antimatter, chimps, Beethoven's hair, Jupiter, and that telescope
Clearly, there's no such thing as too much AI, you can't escape it; and we can't ignore avian 'flu, or 2023 being the hottest year on record; But, meanwhile ... CERN measured the dynamics of falling antimatter; primatologists measured menopause in chimps; Jupiter got new moons, Beethoven's hair gave up genetic intel, and the James Webb telescope filled in some knowledge gaps. We're with Science Journalist Genelle Weule and Science Reporter Belinda Smith...
Portrait of Isaac Newton
He developed laws of motion, gravitation and mathematical calculus. But with his genius came myths and legends. Sharon Carleton presents a portrait of Isaac Newton.
Science Extra: One semaglutide please
If there’s one medication that’s got everyone talking it’s the antidiabetic medication semaglutide. The drug is often better known by one of its brand names, Ozempic, and it’s exploded in popularity mainly because of its weight loss effects. So what’s happened due to the popularity and what could be coming next? Also, while COVID has become less relevant in everyday discussions it certainly hasn’t gone away. We haven’t seen the rise of a major new variant, but SARS-CoV-2 hasn’t been sitting stil...
What to do when science doesn’t cut through
Tim Flannery and Robyn Williams discuss how to communicate in a world of denialism, disinformation, and deep fakes.
Science Extra: The rise of the thinking machines
The hottest tech story in 2023 has been the rise of artificial intelligence. ChatGPT burst onto the scene and became the fastest-growing internet app of all time, reaching more than 100 million users in only a few months. So what has been the result of ChatGPT and other generative AI?
The Anglo-Australian Telescope – approaching 50 years
Robyn Williams visited the telescope site prior to its completion in 1974. In 2014 he returned as astronomers celebrated 40 years.
Science Extra: It's gettin' hot in here
It’s been a big year for environment news: records broken, a new El Nino, and dire forecasts for a hot summer. In this bonus episode, we’re diving deep into what happened in environment news in 2023, including ... the next frontiers of mining and potential environmental outcomes, possible good news about Amazon deforestation, and very worrying news about black swans.
The bigger Australian story - Odyssey down under
Historian Tom Griffiths says a new kind of history is called for in the year of the Voice referendum. He wrote his essay Odyssey down under for Inside Story.
Transitions
At the age of 87, award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster David Suzuki has stepped down as host of CBC TV’s The Nature of Things. In May, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto hosted an evening with David Suzuki - Reflections of an Elder.
The Future Is Now
Carbon dioxide emissions continue to rise. Antarctic ice shelves melt and the Amazon burns. Bob McDonald says the future is now.
2FC now Radio National celebrates 100 years
We revisit a bold new Sunday night program in 1975, and coverage of the Apollo missions.
The Bragg Prize for Science Writing, and we remember Sir Clarence Lovejoy
Nicky Phillips has won this year’s Bragg Prize for Science Writing.
The Science Show
They were close to extinction. Now seashorses in Sydney Harbour may have survived.
Getting your rocks off
Landscape may be an important unrecognised contributor to climate change.