Fuzzy Logic Science Show

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.

With footy grand finals being contested and the Commonwealth Games about to start, Fuzzy Logic decided it was time to look at some of the science behind sport. Join Pahia, Roof & Broderick as they investigate some amazing sports people and some questionable technologies in sport. Special bonus: our tips for the NRL & AFL grand finals!

Silly question, of course they should. But what do they do differently from male writers? Kathy Sullivan is from Broad Universe, an organisation with the goal of promoting women science fiction writers. I caught up with Kathy at Worldcon (aka Aussiecon4) in Melbourne. www.BroadUniverse.org Interview by Rod  5min.

Should we colonise the Moon? I've just been down to Melbourne, and dropped in at the science fiction / fantasy conference WorldCon. By chance I bumped into Chris Carson from the Luna Project (www.lunarcc.org).  Good thing, because I really enjoyed this interview. I think you'll find it fascinating too. What would we get on the Moon. How would we get there. What about the dust! And most of all, Why? Also some interesting tidbits about the Apollo 11 moon landing. Brought to you by Rod. You can see a picture of Chris on our Facebook.

Most of us love the taste of honey, but what does it take to keep bees? Our helpful little insect friends bring flavour to a slice of bread, and even us useful antibacterials.  But what does it take to keep bees? Interview by Eamon at the Australian Science Festival.

Here we are at the Shine Dome, The Australian Academy of Science for the Science Festival. What a day! Lots of great talks by top Australian scientists doing ground breaking research. Dr David Topping is Chief Research Scientist CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences. So you thought it was enough to eat less meat?  Hear the fascinating role of starch in our diet, and how the CSIRO is working to help us with their BARLEYMax product. Interview by Rod.  30MB, 30min See photos of the Handsome Fuzzy crew on Facebook.  More audio from the Shine Dome later.

Is it a good idea to ask a cosmologist about accounting?  Hear what happens in this interview with acclaimed astronomer, and lead on the Skymapper project at Mt Stromolo Observatory, Dr Brian Schmidt. We discuss the missing matter - dark matter in the universe, WIMPS, MACHOS, and black holes in the CERN collider. Gurarranteed to contain no election coverage. Hosted by Rod and Eamon. 52 min, 24MB