Lost in Science

A new disease on the block is cause for concern, but how much should we be worried about the erroneously named Monkeypox virus? Claire finds out more on this week's show. And Chris explains what the Hubble constant is, and how it should be able to tell us how fast the universe is expanding, but it may reveal potential flaws in the way we think about physics. Photo by Brett Ritchie on Unsplash

Claire speaks to Barkandji woman, researcher, storyteller and writer Zena Cumpston about the new exhibition Emu Sky at the University of Melbourne, which shines a light on knowledge systems informed by careful observation and scientific methodologies and understanding that have been a fundamental part of the how Aboriginal peoples thrive and shaped this continent continuously for over 65 000 years...

This week on the show Chris talks with the animals - dolphins in particular, and the new research showing how they communicate with each other verbally and with their urine. Also this week Stu looks at the scientific evidence around human overpopulation

This week on the show Chris talks with the animals - dolphins in particular, and the new research showing how they communicate with each other verbally and with their urine. Also this week Stu looks at the scientific evidence around human overpopulation

Claire tells us about new research finding that scarring of the retina from toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that comes from cats, is surprisingly common; and Stu reveals the amazing feats of some migrating animals, and others that seem to get lost along the way.

Do dog breeds have distinctive personalities based on their genetics? A study into Canis familiaris and their individual canine behaviour questions the assumption that not all dogs are equal. And Claire looks into some astounding discoveries around rocks found on earth that are older than the solar system, and what they might tell us about the origins of terrestrial biology. 

Stu reveals how one of Australia's best-loved and tiniest livestock animals is actually an invasive species that displaces native pollinators; and Chris discusses black holes and how what was believed to be the closest one to Earth is probably a vampire star instead.

Chris fills us in on the widely reported and misunderstood news about changes to physics as we know it, and Claire chats to Elodie Camprasse about the mass moulting of spider crabs in southern waters of Australia and how anyone can help better understand these creatures by joinging in a citizen science project to track their movements. 

This week on the show Claire chats to Dr Jarrod McKenna about the incredible Egypian Spiny mouse and why it is so useful as a model for human reproduction. Also on the show Stu digs into research just published that reportedly fungi can communicate with each other.

Chris continues his investigation into fraudulent, dodgy and mistaken science research, and Claire talks to Hazel Richards about the new exhibition at the Museum of Victoria featuring the world's most complete Triceratops fossil ever discovered. 

This week on the show Chris speaks to Professor Ben Mol about his research investigating fraud and misconduct in medical research and his claim that up to 20% of medical research trials are false. Also on the show Stu looks at some new research just released about an old issue, the hole in the ozone layer, and how climate change and catastrophic bushfires effects it.

Claire tells us about research from Cairns about which animals are most likely to have people go to hospital due to their bites, and what the outcomes are; and Stu explains how anaesthetics that work on humans can also affect plants too.

Claire talks about the recent outbreak of so-called Japanese encephalitis and how it spreads, while Chris takes a look at the greatest hits of global extinction events on earth. 

This week on the show it's our annual International Women's Day special as we celebrate, advocate and work towards a more sustainable and equitable world for women. Claire is joined by climate scientist Dr Linden Ashcroft and neuroscientist and gender equity advocate Dr Emma Burrows.

This week, Stu explains how new advice about feeding children allergens earlier seems to be slowing the as-yet unexplained rise in rates of food allergies; and Chris bring us more news from a controversial site with fossils supposedly from the impact that (probably) finished off the dinosaurs, suggesting the asteroid struck in the northern hemisphere spring.

This week on the show Chris investigates the recent change to the status of the koala. This now endangered national icon faces more threats than ever. What will it take to save the koala? Also on the show Stu uncovers some rotten truths behind one of Australia's most common supplements - fish oil, and why the research doesn't scale up on this one!

In our first episode for 2022, we catch on some amazing science from over the break. Claire brings us the full story of the first successful transplant into a human of a heart from a genetically modified pig, and Stu tells us how it's possible to get frogs to regrow amputated limbs, raising the possibility of humans also regenerating from damage.

This week on the summer series hear from Tom Fairman tell the story of how Mountain Ash has been reseeded into thousands of hectares after the black summer bushfires. Also on the show we revisit Stu's story explaining why some research about hum an cloning is not as it seems.

Our summer series continues with stories from the archive through 2021. This week Stu revisists the myth of sunscreen causing Vitamin D deficiency, Chris looks at new evidence in old finds relating to the role of women in ancient societies, and Claire poders the question of if she'd ratehr be a fish. 

Chris looks back on how the climate fared in 2021, and brings back two classic stories from the year: Claire speaks to biologist Christopher O'Bryan about the surprisingly high carbon emissions that feral pigs cause by disturbing the soil; and Stu looks at the impact of Elon Musk’s Starlink and other billionaires’ satellite networks, and how they’re contributing to concerns of increasing space jun...

This week on our summer series we revisit the tech billionaire space race, or is it the race to find the biggest ego? And did you know that the black summer bushfires of 2020 led to an algal bloom the size of Australia. We speak to oceanographer Christina Schallenberg about what her research shows about it and the ocean robots that helped discover it.

Another January edition of Lost in Science Summer Series where we revisit some stories from the past year. On this weeks' show, Chris investigates some research involving sex chromosomes and how one species is adapting to losing the Y chromosome that makes males of the species male. And Claire explains the science behind a bold project to reinvigorate the gene pool of an endangered species using c...

Chris looks back on some of his favourite stories of 2021, and we replay a couple of ornithological gems you may have missed: Claire tells us about the incredible mimickry abilities of birds, including a swearing musk duck that has to be heard to be believed; and Stu reveals how songbirds evolved in Australia and spread through the world, which we can tell by their taste for sweet things.