Fuzzy Logic Science Show

The poor old cockroach, the insect everyone loves to hate. But there's a lot more to the humble roach. Did you know some varieties live for 15 years? Did you know some rear their young? And then there's another poor friend, the slug (no, not an insect).  Our guest today, Martyn Robinson from the Australian Museum reveals an unexpected way you might actually find them useful. They can do more than just eat your garden. Then we visit the NICTA research labs for a look at some some hi-tech projects. Foosball and Femtocells! Brought to you by Rod

We all use paper. Lots of paper. But we also love trees, and do we ever think about how many trees it takes to make our paper? And building paper pulp mills in Australia is very controversal. We talk to Dr Tom Rainey from the Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, QUT who's been looking at how we make paper, and sugar can bagasse as an alternative source for pulp. Interview by Kiri, Michael and Rod.

We avoided yesterdays apocalypse and managed to broadcast another episode of Fuzzy Logic.  Broderick & Pallavi discuss the psychology behind the apocalypse, dark energy and the genes for your teeth.  They are also joined by Australia's most respected amateur astronomer, David Reneke and Claire Grylls takes you into the wild with some scary animals.

Imagine your world without sight. What would it be like if you could not see? The artificial cochlea is a renowned Australian invention bringing some hearing to those who would be deaf as well as growing into a successful industry. The challenge is now to repeat this for the eye, but it is hugely complicated. Dr Chris McCarthy from NICTA and Dr Brendan O'Brien ANU are collaborating on the bionic eye. You may have seen this project on the ABC Catalyst program recently. Interview by Rod with special guests Erin, Luke, Simon and Alison along for the ride.

Last week we recorded Dr Fiona Wood at the ANU, talking about her life, her work, and her passion. Her energy, her skill, and her passion were evident, and I believe everyone in the room was moved by her words. It was also great to meet her after our phone interview a couple of weeks earlier. Not apparent to Fuzzy listeners was the fact that her phone was on the blink as we were trying to make the call. Ah, technology. But now we could have a good laugh about it.

How do you treat sleep apneoa? Here's are some intriguing cures you might not have heard of. Today we combine two personal stories, one on sleep apneoa, and the other hydrocephalus (literally "water brain") with expert commentary from Prof Lynne Bilston (check out her interesting bio). Plus a look at seatbelt and motorcycle helmet safety. (Note this podcast includes interviews with Debbie and Karl which were posted earlier). Interview by Rod

I never met Prof Frank Fenner, but by all accounts he was a generous and talented scientist. Rabbits however, would not mourn his passing. Find out why in this personal tribute by the current director of John Curtin School Medical Research, Prof Julio Licinio. In this wide ranging interview we also discuss obesity, deep brain stimulation, and what it takes to translate advances in medicine into real world results. Prof Julio Licinio interviewed by Rod and Pallavi.

We all like to make a difference, but some do more than others. Dr Fiona Wood, Australian Living Treasure, former Australian of the Year, known to many Australians for her work on treating burns.  She is best known for the 'spray on skin' treatment, but her work is much more extensive than that. What does a burn do, how does the body react, and how can we treat them?  Also an interesting look at what and why researchers need to dip into that strange world - commercialisation. Interview by Rod with special thanks to Margaret McIver. And we're on Facebook

To peer deeper into the bowels of the universe we need to take the next big step in radio astronomy.  How about one that's a square kilometer?  No, that's not the size of the paddock, that's the surface of the collecting area. We're talking about a big project. Think the Snowy Mountains scheme, think the Large Hadron Collider. Big. Australia is in the running to host the SKA. Special guests today, Prof Frank Briggs, and David Reneke.  Hosted by Rod with thanks to Annie Harris.

Ben and Broderick were a bit fuzzy this week and put together a bunch of science from a huge range of disciplines.  Online dating, trips to mars and Van Gogh's paintings make up the miscellaneous fun.  Special guest Claire phones in from Sydney to share some of her stories from the wild.

Ever wondered whether dark matter is really dark or how galaxy clusters are formed in a rapidly expanding universe wherby galaxies seem to be racing away from each other. Listen to Prof Ken Freeman from the Research School of Astronomy & Astrophysics, ANU, on fuzzy along with the weekly doze of other stories rocking the world of science.   Eamon and Pallavi present...

In this special collaboration between mental health show Transforming Perceptions and Fuzzy Logic, we talk about drugs and the mind. How are drugs used in psychiatry, what are cultural perceptions on mental health and treatment. Dr Jeffrey Looi, Research Centre for the Neurosciences of Ageing, ANU Medical School is our guest today. Interview by Aine, Rod, Fiona

What are the limits to life? If it does exist elsewhere, what might it be like? Carbon or silicon, two legs or three, and is intelligence really special. Dr Charley Lineweaver returns to Fuzzy for a fascinating discussion on the nature of life. Charley was recently in a documentary on SBS "My Mum Talks to Aliens". He questions the human urge to think we are the pinnacle of evolution. Interview by Rod. 29MB

How many senses do you have?  You might not have a sixth sense like in the movie, but you definitely have more than five!  Tune in and listen as Emily, Jill & Broderick discuss some of your lesser known senses.

In the final Fuzzy for 2010 we talk to material scientist Dr Darren Goossens about his research, how the shape or crystals change how they behave and some of the work at the Australian Synchrotron.  Eamon, Ben and Broderick are there for the interview and also bring you some highlights from the year of science. Dr Darren Goossens is the ACT Tall Poppy for 2010 which was awarded by the Australian Institute of Policy & Science.

We all have to cope with tragedy in our lives, but it's hard to imagine on a scale of the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean, and few of us ever encounter the dark results of violent crime. Fuzzy listeners will be well aware that shows like CSI don't really describe what foresnic scientists do, but here's someone to tell you first hand. Dr James Robertson is director of National Centre for Foresnics Studies, and has been guest on ABC Catalyst program. Also, why would you strip naked, don a hair net, and cover yourself with vaseline? Some sort of sexual gratification, or the perfect crime? Hosted by Rod and Broderick.

Does it hurt when you wee? Are you losing your faculties? Here are a couple of conditions we hope we never have: urinary tract infections and Alzheimer's disease. What are the symptoms, how do we get it, and what can we do about it. Research brought to you by University Canberra students: Carissa, James, Anh;  and Warsan and Veronika. Hosted by Rod.  Part 2 of 2. We're on FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fuzzy-Logic/201994992233 Pictures from this show at http://www.photoblog.com/FuzzyLogic/2010/11/07/uc-does-fuzzy-1.html

Is laughter good for you (of course), but should it be part of medicine? Should we harvest pig organs - not just for food, but for transplantation?  And what happens when the the Earth lets rip with a really big volcano. Our guests today are science communications students from the University of Canberra who'll bring you these topics. Laughter - Jaimee, Orleena, Yelena. Xenotransplantation - John, Tom, Tharindu.  Super Volcanoes - Trent, Morgan, Rosalind, Rachel. Hosted by Rod.  Part 1 of 2. We're on FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fuzzy-Logic/201994992233 Pictures from this show at http://www.photoblog.com/FuzzyLogic/2010/11/07/uc-does-fuzzy-1.html

A few weeks back, during the Australian Science Festival we managed to catch up with The Doctor (no, not that one). Funny thing how I managed to catch him. The media minder said no, he was not available to record a promo for us. But we thought oh, what the heck, we'll give it a go anyway. So I turned up at his public talk with voice recorder, and promo all scripted, and wearing my extremely stylish Fuzzy hoodie. Before it started I was wondering whether it'd all work out, and was washing my hands when.....well blow me down, who's that at the next basin?!! And yes, he said why not, so we stepped outside and grabbed this audio. Well how about that, a Dr Karl Fuzzy Logic promo! I think you'll like it.

What happens when rocks get grumpy? Anything from a minor grumble lava flow right up to a full explosive tantrum. Here's an insight into volcanoes from Dr Adele Bear, volcanologist from Geoscience Australia. Interview by Rod at the open day, 17 Oct.