Fuzzy Logic Science Show

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 disc...

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....

....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....

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 quest...

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 res...

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 dedica...

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 canc...

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 Dinos...

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...

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...

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 hidde...

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 meanwhi...

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 Profes...

On this week's episode, Kate and Broderick discuss the winners of this years Nobel prizes and the Ig-Nobel prizes.  It's a mix of science that's world class, science that makes you laugh and science that makes you think.

The cochlear implant and related hearing technology have made Australia world leaders. Not only in earning a profit, but helping people with hearing loss. How do they make their ideas work, and how did they turn them into a successful business? Peter Blamey is one of the pioneers of the cochlear implant, before becoming co-founder of Blamey and Saunders Hears . If you know someone who might have h...

Australia's hot dry center was once an ocean paradise for creatures great and small. In this episode of the Fuzzy Logic Science Show, Eleanor is joined in the studio by Mitchell Seymour and Phil Hore, both from the National Dinosaur Museum, to talk about the ancient Eromanga Sea and the incredible beasts that called it home, including the recently published Lightning Claw; Australia's largest carn...

History is littered with failed people and businesses who missed the trend. Sometimes it can be an entire country that fades when thinking becomes fossilised. The governement of countries like Australia are buried in the fossil past, burning coal to for electricty, when the future has moved on. Today we look at a future that makes sense for the economy and the environment. In this episode we get o...

With the release of Jurassic World recently in cinemas we talk about whether after 22 years of science since the first release of Jurassic Park, we are any closer to it becoming a reality. Why stop at Dinosaurs, what other cool animals can we bring back from extinction? What about Woolly Mammoths, the Tasmanian Tiger or Sabre-toothed cats? We discuss this and more in this very fun episode of the F...

It's It's a Ballroom Bioblitz.....In this episode of the Fuzzy Logic Science Show we talk about being a citizen scientist and how the Atlas Of Living Australia can make anyone around Australia a scientist in their own right, from kids to adults. Who knows you may even identify your very own new species. Joining the host Ian in the studio is the Atlas of Living Australia Communication Advisor Minky...

What was it that annoyed oil executives so much in 1956? That was the year when King Hubbert announced his findings, predicting the arrival of Peak Oil. Nobody likes being told the good times won't go on forever, which is perhaps why that even after the peak has passed, it barely gets a mention. Guest today is graphic novellist, Stuart McMillen , who tells rivetting story. We also talked about the...