Fuzzy Logic Science Show

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 resistance. Hosted by Eleanor, who sometimes dreams about hedgehogs. (It's relevant, I promise.) Twitter: @FuzzyLogicSci

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 dedicated their lives to caring for wombats. And, as we discovered, even their home! Interview by Rod, with help from Katie, and impromptu appearance from Elliot, who skitters across the floor while we're talking! We're publishing this interview to coincide with Katie's feature article in today's Canberra Times. Fuzzy Logic is on Twitter: @FuzzyLogicSci

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 cancer. Dr Charley Linweaver and his colleague, Prof Paul Davies bring an outside perspective. Brought to you by Eleanor and Rod. We're now on Twitter:  FuzzyLogicSci.  You can tweet during shows, Sundays 11-12am Canberra time. Next week: chemistry with Dr Colin Jackson

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 Dinosaur Museum. Also Eleanor, and Rod.

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, and Peter Blamey who we interviewed recently. If you need practical assistance with hearing in the workplace, check the government Job Access program. We also recommend the support group Better Hearing Australia. Interview by Rod

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 Professor Paul Francis from the Mount Stromolo Observatory.  Listen to the wondrous sounds he generated from spectrographs. In this episode of Fuzzy Logic, the universe sings for us. Brought to you by Eleanor and Rod

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 hidden fossils can be uncovered using the power of X-rays and 3D printing. As usual, we also discuss geese.

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 meanwhile, visit http://www.sleepyburrows.com.au/ Our whiskery nosed friends need help. Brought to you by Phil and Rod.

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 Professor Clive Hamilton for this thought provoking conversation. Recorded at the Australian Academy of Science, 23 August. Fuzzy Logic is grateful for the support of National Science Week for this event. Read our companion article in the SMH.

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 hearing loss, we recommend the Speach Perception Test on the link above. In this interview, Peter tells us what happened when they first switched on the implant of one cochlear recipient. Interview by Rod, who has impaired hearing. You can read his story in the Big Issue.

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 carnivore.  Featuring cameos from Eric the Opalised Pliosaur, some prepubescent starfish, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Demon Duck of Doom. 

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 our hands on a model thermal solar power station, with Dr Stephen Bygrave, CEO Beyond Zero Emissions, Jodie Green, and Martin Powell. Hosted by Rod. Join us for a live event next week during National Science Week, at the Shine Dome in Canberra. We still have some tickets available for Can Science Save Humanity.

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 Fuzzy Logic podcast and also talk about how we can avoid more animals and wildlife from becoming extinct in the future and some awesome campaigns currently in train to stop this from happening, including Canberra's very own Bettong Bungalow. This episode is brought you by Ian and Eleanor.

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 Faber and Canberra Ecologist Dr Melissa Snape who give us more insight into this wonderful resource, how we can use it for fun and for research. Dr Snape also tells us about the recent Canberra Bioblitz of Black Mountain and just how fun and exciting nature observing can be - from tracking bats to seeing Bettongs hopping around at night. This episode is brought to you by Ian McDonald Find out more about the Atlas at www.ala.org.au (try it, you know you wanna)

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 incredible story with Australia's fuel security, and our absent government. Brought to you by Rod and Becca.

How much fuel does Australia have in reserve if our supplies were blocked? The answer is almost as staggering as the lack of political will to do something about it. Today, we recorded Air Vice-Marshall John Blackburn AO (Retired) on the subject of Australia's fuel security. Courtesy Jenny Goldie, ACT Peak Oil. http://www.mynrma.com.au/about/australias-liquid-fuel-security.htm