Podcast
The Science Show
Hosted by ABC Australia · EN
The Science Show gives Australians unique insights into the latest scientific research and debate, from the physics of cricket to prime ministerial biorhythms.
44episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Lab Notes: Lead may be hiding in your clothing
May 2800:10:47Tap to summarizeEver wondered how your sweater became bright orange, or how your leather shoes were made? Chances are, at some point in the process, hazardous chemicals like lead or azo dyes were used. Jonathan Webb speaks to Ellen Phiddian, science reporter with Radio National, about whether these chemicals are dangerous to us, and if we should be worried about them. You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.Get in touch with us: labnotes@abc.net.auFeaturing:Ellen Phiddian, science reporterFurther information:Lead may contaminate our clothes but there's no requirement to test for itThis episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal, Ngunnawal and Ngambri people.
Transcribe →Sex testing at the Olympics: beware the exceptions
May 2200:54:36Tap to summarizeThe IOC will test athletes for a sex gene. But as Jenny Graves explains, human genomics is diverse. Some athletes may be genetic exceptions and will need to be handled with care and sensitivity.
Transcribe →Lab Notes: Giant dino discovery fulfils a childhood dream
May 2100:10:47Tap to summarizeA new giant dinosaur has been uncovered in Thailand: the largest ever found in South-East Asia.More than 100 million years ago, Nagatitan towered over the Earth — and has now been described by a team of researchers from the UK and Thailand. Jonathan Webb speaks with Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul, a PhD student at University College London who was part of the team that discovered and named this prehistoric behemoth.You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.Get in touch with us: labnotes@abc.net.auFeaturing:Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul, PhD student University College LondonFurther information:The first sauropod dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation of Thailand enriches the diversity of somphospondylan titanosauriforms in southeast AsiaThis episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal, Ngunnawal and Ngambri people.
Transcribe →Science and the budget, bird flu closer to Australia and a guide to pollination
May 1500:54:36Tap to summarizeBelinda Smith reports on the winners and losers in science following the federal budget brought down this week by treasurer Jim Chalmers.
Transcribe →Lab Notes: Can AI chatbots make you delusional?
May 1400:10:46Tap to summarizeStories of AI chatbot users drifting from our shared reality are increasingly common, often described as cases of AI delusions, delusional spirals, or AI psychosis.New research from Stanford University and the Human Line Project investigates the mechanisms behind these delusions, asking whether AI is making people more delusional or whether these chatbots are simply agreeing with delusional thinking.You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.Get in touch with us: labnotes@abc.net.auFeaturing:James Purtill, technology reporterFurther information:The Dynamics of Delusion: Modeling Bidirectional False Belief Amplification in Human-Chatbot DialogueCharacterizing Delusional Spirals through Human-LLM Chat LogsThis episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal, Ngunnawal and Ngambri people.
Transcribe →Celebrating David Attenborough’s 100th birthday and a new way of making vaccines
May 800:53:34Tap to summarizeThe much-loved naturalist David Attenborough is 100. And still working!
Transcribe →Lab Notes: What happens if a major ocean current … stops?
May 700:10:48Tap to summarizeThe Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a vast current that helps move water and energy right around our planet, from top to bottom. Scientists say it is slowing down — and might stop altogether, with dire consequences for the global climate if it does. So how do major ocean currents work, why is it slowing down, and what will happen if it collapses?You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.Get in touch with us: labnotes@abc.net.auFeaturing:Laurie Menviel, climate researcher at UNSWThis episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar people.
Transcribe →Australian science under strain
May 100:54:37Tap to summarizeAustralia’s research potential is not matched by funding. Belinda Smith speaks to scientists impacted and science minister Tim Ayres responds.
Transcribe →Lab Notes: AI data centres are coming to remote Australia
Apr 3000:10:48Tap to summarizeThe Kimberley region is more than 2000 kilometres north of Western Australia's capital city, Perth. The area is both extremely remote and extremely beautiful. So why is it the proposed location for Australia's biggest "AI factory"? Why do we need this massive AI data centre? And are these factories likely to be built in other remote parts of Australia? You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.Get in touch with us: labnotes@abc.net.auFeaturing:Jess Baker, ABC rural reporterMore information:Australia's biggest AI factory planned for remote WAThis episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar people.
Transcribe →Response to Australia’s ESO rejection
Apr 2400:54:35Tap to summarizeDespite the many benefits from a multi-country collaboration on a major astronomy project, Australia will not be part of the European Southern Observatory after 2027.
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