Science on the Table

“Revenge of the Microbes” Humanity really looked at bacteria and said, “Skill issue,” after inventing antibiotics… and the microbes took that personally. In this episode of Science on the Table , Dr Thabo Hamiwe helps us dive into the terrifyingly impressive world of antimicrobial resistance — where bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites are evolving faster than we can make drugs to stop them. Ba...

On this episode, we are joined by Jo who guides us through the Neuroscience of Sleep and Consciousness. What really happens in the brain when we drift off—and where does consciousness go when we’re asleep? In Between a Yawn and a Hard Place, we unpack the neuroscience of sleep and consciousness, exploring how the brain cycles through different states of awareness. From the rhythms of brain waves t...

What happens when you ask thousands of endurance runners to jog a small country’s worth of distance… in the South African sun? In this episode, we turned the thermostat up with Dr Henno Havenga, environmental scientist, and explored what really happens when ultramarathons meet serious heat. Using a thermal stress index, we map the temperature conditions runners faced along the route—because someti...

This week’s episode dives into the wonderfully chaotic world of ADHD in kids and teens—where attention span isn’t “short” so much as “selective,” executive functioning is like a WiFi signal that keeps dropping, and dopamine is the mischievous chemical running the show. We unpack neurodivergence in real, human language, from high masking (especially in adolescents) to that internalised paralysis th...

Even the most resilient plants have their weak spots. In this episode, Professor Jacquie van der Waals delves into the science of Plant Pathology — where microscopic foes meet macro-scale consequences. From the citrus groves battling canker to potatoes facing down late blight, we explore how plant diseases emerge, spread, and reshape agriculture. It’s a story of spores and survival, where each inf...

In this episode, Shane and Caitlin sit down with Sister Jenni Clarence , an experienced midwife and passionate advocate for maternal and newborn health. She shares her journey into midwifery, the challenges and joys of the profession, and the vital role midwives play in supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

In this episode, Dr. Chia spills the tea on her latest science adventure — hunting for bacteria that might one day give mosquitoes a bit of a gut makeover. That’s right, she and her team have been busy screening a bunch of bacteria to see which ones could potentially turn these tiny vampires into malaria-fighting machines. The idea? Find the friendly bugs that could boost the mosquitoes’ immune sy...

Special guest, Janine Bezuidenhoudt, unpacks the Mpox virus (originating from the monkey pox virus). This viral disease has been making headlines around the world. No longer just a distant concern. It's real, it's here, and understanding it is key. Visit scienceonthetable.co.za for more

In this episode, Shane and Caitlin introduce themselves and dive into the molecule that defines who we are— DNA . We untwist the double helix and break it down for you. Whether you’re new to molecular biology or just curious about what makes us… us , this episode is your primer on the code of life. Tune in, learn something new—and don’t forget to share this episode with your fellow science lovers!...