Lost in Science

This week, Chris tells us about the work of Senior Australian of the Year, biophysicist Graham Farquhar, in understanding photosynthesis and the impact of a changing climate; Claire tells us whether bilbies have evolved to detect the presence of dogs or cats; and Stu tells us about a new theory about how the Moon may have been formed not from cheese, but from a giant space donut called a synestia.

Claire and Linden are taking over the airwaves for an International Women's Day special on Lost in Science to help you celebrate some inspirational #womeninSTEM! Special guests include two Superstars of STEM; Dr Linda McIver, educator and Founder and Director of the Australian Data Science Education Institute and Dr Karen Lamb, statistician and researcher at the Institute for Physical Activity and...

Where do eels come from, and where do they go? Chris attempts to explain why commonly found eels are actually scientific mysteries. Claire talks to Nathan Lo about the weird contents of a termite's gut, and how it helps them get more than wood out of... wood. And Stu explores the weird world of egg laying furry milk feeders, the monotremes - the last mammals of their kind.

This week, Claire tells us all about the first observed talking orca, aka killer whale; Stu thinks he has the answer to the question, which came first, the flower or the butterfly? And Chris has a bit of a rant about the discovery of Martian ice cliffs, and how none of us noticed that scientists no longer believe in liquid water on Mars.

Lost in Science is back for 2018! To kick off 2018 Chris introduces us to the Australian of the Year winner, physicist Professor Michelle Simmons and her research developing a quantum computer.  So this week, did you see the blue blood supermoon a little while ago? Claire looks at whether there is any science behind the old idea full moon brings on the female menstrual flow. And Stu talks about th...

It's the Lost in Science summer series, where we present tales from the Laborastory. This week, former WA Chief Scientist Professor Lyn Beazley tells the story of Australian geneticist and neurologist Pat Kailis; and comedian Jess Moir talks about the well-liked 17th century scientist, physician, alchemist and intellectual Katherine Boyle.

A Science Christmas Carol takes us to science past, where Chris looks at a trespass against science, which was happily corrected, Claire looks at the science of Christmas Present and what it means in Australia, and Stu looks to the future of Christmas in Space!

Do you like all things crypto-zoology? This week on the show Stu looks at the possible evidence of the cryptic Yeti of the Himalayas. Also, Manisha looks at the *scientifically proven* ways you can use your memory to the best of its ability using science. And Chris gives us an update on the recently described condition Aphantasia, or lacking a "minds eye", and how Australian scientists are finding...

On this sparkly, filthy, magical episode, we find out how come in the 21st century some water companies are still using dowsing or water divining to locate leaks, we learn that flies carry even more disease-causing bacteria than we thought, and we reveal how glitter is bad for the environment and we should all use bio-friendly but hopefully non-boring alternatives instead.

It's a big show this week: Manisha tells us all about the the New Zealand bird of the year, the Kea, and how intelligent it is. Also, Claire frightens us with news about paralysis ticks spreading allergy to red meat, as if paralysis wasn't bad enough. Stu explains how to use lasers to cool teeny tiny aluminium cans down to near absolute zero; and Chris finds out how and why crested pigeons make a...

This week on Lost in Science we hear from Dr Dominique Hes about house plants and a great new app that helps you green your home and clean the air. Also this week Claire takes a look at the newly discovered and described Orangutan, the first great ape to be discovered in over 70 years, and Chris talks about how physics and cosmic rays are helping to identify undiscovered chambers in the great Egyp...

Chris brings the story of striped feathered dinosaurs to life based on new discoveries of preserved pigments, and Claire dives deep into whaleontology to talk with Felix Marx, an expert on whale fossils and what they can tell us about their origins and spread throughout the world. 

Chris and Stu talk to PhD candidate Andrew Lynch about his research into genre fiction, including science fiction, and to screenwriter Sarah Dollard about her work on the longest running science fiction series in history, Doctor Who. 

This week, marine scientist Sophie Burgess tells us everything we want to know about scallops and how to predict their population, and microbiologist Tim Stinear explains why we shouldn't panic about Mycobacterium ulcerans, aka the flesh-eating bacteria that's causing Buruli ulcers on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, but how you can protect yourself nevertheless. DHHS website:https://www2.health.v...

After the announcement of a new Australian space agency, Chris looks back at Australia's forgotten history in space and what the future might hold. Meanwhile, Manisha tells us about how climate change may be causing Finnish owls to evolve more brown than grey plumage.