Lost in Science

Dec 11 2024 503 ep. 1.1k

Lost in Science Podcast artwork

Entertaining news and discussion about research that has impact on society and providing a wide range of science and technology news. Distributed nationally on the Community Radio Network.

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New human species and Orangutan medicine

This week on the show, Chris dives into the groundbreaking discovery of Homo juluensis, a newly identified hominin species that’s shaking up the story of human evolution. Meanwhile, we delve int the archive to revisit fascinating research detailing the first documented case of an orangutan using medicine on its own wounds.

Historical climate & alternative weather

This week we welcome our new Lost in Science team member, climate scientist Linden Ashcroft, and learn all about her research compiling historical weather records to understand the patterns in our continent’s past (see lindenashcroft.com); and speaking of weather, Cat reveals some surprising ways to tell the weather, using crickets chirps, drying seaweed and moon haloes.

Fart charting & forever chemicals

This week, Claire lets loose on flatulence, what we know, and how you can Chart Your Fart in a new CSIRO citizen science project, https://research.csiro.au/cshw/projects/chart-your-fart/ And Stu tells us about the so-called forever chemicals PFAS, and new research into how to get rid of them.

Rhinopocalypse and how long is a piece of string theory

Cat explains why a changing climate might be changing peoples' allergies, and Chris unravels the reasons string theory has fallen out of favour

Uplifting Discoveries and Positive Science

This week on Lost in Science, we’re all about good news! Join us for a feel-good episode as we explore some uplifting innovations. We’ll uncover tree bark microbes munching on methane, affordable e-waste metal recycling, and the incredible reboot of Voyager 1. Science bringing a dash of the positive to the news!

Lightning Power and Alien Biology

In this spine-tingling Lost in Science Fiction special, Catriona channels her inner Doc Brown to explore if harnessing lightning could actually be a viable renewable energy source—just like Back to the Future! Meanwhile, Chris dives into the biology of the iconic Xenomorphs from the Alien universe, dissecting what makes these terrifying creatures tick. Tune in for a Halloween epi

Lost in Science Fiction rewind

Some classic stories from our annual Lost in Science Fiction specials from years gone by. Chris and Stu talk Star Trek with popular culture researcher Andrew Lynch, Claire gets stuck into a hearty meal of Soylent Green, and Catriona wonders aloud why we still don't have hoverboards and flying cars

Puberty blockers & smartphones on the brain

This week, Cat takes us through the science of puberty blockers, and how they can help young people sort out their gender identity; and Stu calls up the long list of research into the effects of smartphone use.

Gut Health, Chronic Disease & Space Junk

This week on Lost in Science, Claire chats with Dr. Matthew Snelson about how our diet affects gutmicrobiome health and the link with chronic diseases. And we dig into the archives with Chris to explore space junk—who's responsible for putting it up there, tracking it, and bringing it down.

Close call elections and more moony news

Is it just Chris or are elections getting closer and closer of late? He spoke to psephologist Adrian Beaumont and was surprised by what he was told. And Stu has been looking at the moon and finding out there's more discoveries about the moon all the time, and not just regarding our local satellite(s).