Fuzzy Logic Science Show

How long can we continue living on borrowed money on a limited planet?  How long can prosperity rely on endless growth? If that's true, what can we do about it. Are we just at the mercy of larger forces. Theo Kitchener is an advocate of Doing It Ourselves. Your bank manager might not like what she says.

This week Alice, Blaire and Broderick talk about electronic music and the amazing science nerds that helped produce some of the coolest music.  They also discuss dung beetles, dog toys and more current science news.

Fuzzy Logic today was a 'scene of interest'.   Our guest today is head of forenscis at the University of Canberra, Professor Chris Lennard. How do we untangle the scene of a crime. Who was there, and when. What happened. Are crime scene shows realistic? We talk about fingerprints and superglue, and ear-prints, explosives, and the Bali bombing. Interview by Rod. Do you have a question for Prof Lennard? See your question answered in our Monday Canberra Times Ask Fuzzy column. Send your question to AskFuzzy Zoho.com   (if you don't get the Times, we'll send you a scan).

Today on Fuzzy we bring you some of our favourite moments from our archive. Inspirational Australian scientist and National Living Treasure Dr Fiona Wood talks about her breakthrough treatments for burns victims. Dr Wood is famous for having treated victims of the Bali bombings. Dr Ian Williams from the ANU brings in - get this - a piece of the oldest rock ever found on the planet. It was truly memorable to hold this during the show. Do you know what a (European) wasp can do to horse? Dr Phil Spradbury tells us the amazing story of a rider, a horse, and wasp nest. Hard to imagine this is possible. And,  but no means least, we talk to some college students about science. Why memorable? Because it shows what young, clever people are capable of. Brought to you by Claire and Rod. If you like Fuzzy, you might like to subscribe to 2xx, and help keep us on air.

This week Broderick talks to Dr Carolina Tallon about new ceramics developed for high speed flight and he discusses the health benefits of black carrots with Dr Anneline Padayachee.  He also takes a look at this year's Nobel Prize winners

How long can the world economy keep growing? How close to the limits are we? According to our guest today, we are nearing the end of cheap resources that have powered wealth creation, and it's time for us to power down to adjust to the new reality. Richard Heinberg's latest book is The End of Growth.   We caught Richard during his recent visit to Canberra (which we also podcast). Interview by Rod, with thanks to Jenny Goldie, Sustainable Popultion Australia. If you found this interview interesting, you might like to also visit Doing It Ourselves where you'll find an excellent video. Stay tuned for an interview we'll be doing with Theodore Kitchener from this group.

Can the world continue growing forever? Not according to Richard Heinberg, who says we have reached the limits of cheap oil and other commodities. Then there's debt which has become a proxy for genuine productivity. We are, in effect, printing money to maintain the pretence. Pile climate change on top of that, and we face a nasty brew that means we business as usual cannot continue. Richard Heinberg is Author of ten books, including The Party’s Over, Peak Everything, and The End of Growth. Stay tuned; we'll be broadcasting for our interview with Richard in the next few weeks. Recorded at the ANU, 21 Sept. Fuzzy on Facebook. If you found this interview interesting, you might like to also visit Doing It Ourselves where you'll find an excellent video. Stay tuned for an interview we'll be doing with Theodore Kitchener from this group.

What sort of population can Australia - and the world - afford? Do we need more people - or should we limit population? We interview federal MP Kelvin Thompson, outspoken commentator on population growth. And in a change of pace, we ask Kelvin to tell his story, of how he got into politics, and what it's like being in Federal parliament today. How does it feel to be monstered by the media and political oponents. Interview by Rod

This episode originally aired on April 1 and it became Fuzzy Fools Day. Your challenge is to work out what's real science and what is just a prank. Stuart, Rachel and Broderick fool around through a very entertaining episode. WARNING: Contains throat singing and bad Irish accents.

This week Fuzzy explores the lesser talked about and slightly confusing uncle in the science family: mathematics.  Dennis, Jamos and Broderick laugh their way through online auctions, error detection and some really amazing maths for detecting sarcasm. (I wonder if it picked that up?)

We've mapped the entire surface of the Moon and Mars, but we've only explored 1% of the Earth's oceans.  This week Fuzzy explores the depths of the ocean.  Broderick is joined by Jillian from the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre and Dr Chris Fulton from the Australian National University.  They're talking about marine parks, genetics in the ocean and biodiversity in the high seas.

This week Broderick & Alice talk to Gavin Young & Tim Senden, researchers from the Australian National University, about their exhibition "Old Bones, New Insights".  The exhibition includes fossils from Gogo, WA and Burrinjuck, NSW.  You can visit the exhibition at Canberra Museum & Gallery until February 26, 2012. Other topics covered this week include native species, cloning mammoths and belly button bacteria.

Do you find it difficult to follow conversations in pubs? People not speaking clearly? It may be that your ears don't work as well as the used to. There's a growing number of people across the planet who need help with hearing. It may be more than just a social inconvenience. Looking blankly at your boss is not good for your career. And did you know that if you let it go, you may permanently lose the ability to process some sounds. Today's guest on Fuzzy in an inspirational researcher and advocate for those who need help with hearing. Dr Elaine Saunders has a history with the pioneering cochlear implant project, and is now part of Blamey & Saunders. You may think of a hearing aid as just a small amplifier stuck on top of your ear, but for good hearing you need a lot than that. In this interview Dr Saunders describes new Australian technology  that strives to improve hearing for an affordable price. Interview by Rod

How do you sound to others? Your voice is one of your most important social assets. With it, you convey meaning, impressions, emotions, and the image you project. Our judgement of each other is heavily coloured by the sounds of our voice. Our guest on Fuzzy today is voice therapist, coach, researcher, Dr Cate Madill from the University of Sydney. Also joining us is fantasy writer KJ Taylor, with her own take on voices. Hosted by Rod

How can a pair of physicists / cosmologists have something new to say about cancer? Never mind that they are two luminaries in their field. Professors Paul Davies and Charley Lineweaver are exploring ideas that upend traditional views of why cancer occurs. Is it really just a case of rogue cells in a sort of internal Darwinism, or is it something else? And why did Rod drop a water bottle to illustrate a feature of fundamental significance to the universe? Does that sound like just a quirky stunt? No. To find out why not, check out this podcast. Prof Charley Lineweaver interviewed by Rod Correction:  Henrietta Lacks had cervical cancer.

Have you seen the classic movie Blade Runner? Philip K Dick was the quirky writer of sci-fi novels, and the author of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep. Imagine what it would be like to encounter the robotic-artificial intelligence reincarnation of PK Dick. This was the product of a collaboration between robotocists and AI researchers in 2005 when they built the animated replica. Unfortunately it was left in  the luggage locker on a US domestic flight, and has not been seen since. Today on Fuzzy we interview David Dufty, author of Lost in Transit, The strange story of the Philip K Dick android. Recommended as an excellent read from another great guest on Fuzzy Logic. Hosted by Rod.

How can we help prevent falls?  What are the real hidden dangers of home renovation?  Could we be eating algae meat anytime soon?  Emma, Jen and Broderick answer these questions and more.  Includes a special demonstration of Auto-Tune software turning Emma's speech into song!

We have a packed show today including special interview with Prof Tevor Ireland from the ANU who's in the news this week with results from the Hayabusa mission to collect dust from the Itakawa asteroid.  And what a story it is! The little spacecraft went on an extraordinary journey with lots of trials a tribulations along the way. Plus fresh from our visit to the USA we interview Prof Jean Brodie, UC Santa Cruz. We talk about dark matter, and the origin of galaxies. And we have tales from the USA, anecdotes and observations from the SW USA. Why does Vinnie suck his forearm? Also some bleak thoughts on how development is done in this part of the world. Brought to you by Michael and Rod

Things heat up this week as Fuzzy talks about how bushfires affect climate change, what HIV and dementia have in common, why bees honey is so good for you and who crows can recognise. Presented by Rachel & Broderick.   Originally broadcast on 03/07/2011.

In this episode of Fuzzy we learn why a sawfish has a saw, how plant gels could help people walk again, where bees travel around canberra and whether being a leftie really does make you smarter. Presented by Nat & Broderick.  Originally broadcast 12/06/2011.