The Science Show - Full Program Podcast

What happened when three human species met in South Africa? What caused the biggest gravitational waves we’ve detected so far? Also, alligators on helium. That’s it. That’s the story. Science reporter Belinda Smith reviews her favourite stories from 2020 with science editor Jonathan Webb.

Could you survive for a month living off the land? And what’s the skyscraper-sized object found in the waters off Cape York? Also, everything you need to know about carbon accounting. Science editor Jonathan Webb speaks to environment reporter Nick Kilvert about his top stories from 2020.

Beatrix  Potter – author and amateur pioneer mycologist Peering through the looking glass at Lewis Carroll A tribute to Terry Pratchett A nod to Dylan Thomas

What do we know about the origins of the coronavirus? How promising are these new vaccines? And what’s taken the wind out of the sails of one of the most promising treatments for Alzheimer’s disease? Health reporter Olivia Willis speaks with science editor Jonathan Webb about the big health stories of 2020.

Portraits of two scientists who changed our view of the world - Rosalind Franklin whose photograph illustrated the double helix structure of DNA, and James Clerk Maxwell, who was up there with Newton and Einstein. He pioneered our understanding of the kinetic nature of gases, studied the rings of Saturn and described the importance of electromagnetism.

Radiation used to treat benign conditions up to the 1960s has led to illness and death Big push into nano medicine at The University of Sydney Children’s book celebrates pioneer of surgical osteointegration Australian trees growing all over the world Similarities between COVID-19 and climate change Space weather a risk for life The fine line for the scientific illustrator

The path towards reduced waste in Australia New technology for recycling composite materials Western Australian Museum opens after rebuild New theories about human origins Communicating science and health messages in Africa How humans have changed natural environments

More screen time increases risk of myopia Australian Museum Sydney opens following major transformation Rare monkey finally named NSW Premier’s Prize for battery research NSW Premier’s Prize for research and leadership in medical biological science Journey to Australia, then New Holland by Joseph Banks leads to the publication of hundreds of drawings of new plants and animals Henry the Flying Emu

Twenty years of climate extremes Barry Jones tracks changes since the 1980s How debating helped in the transition years The Carbon Club exposes those behind Australia’s toxic carbon politics

What is life? Revisiting the great Carlos hoax

Prime Minister’s Prize for Science awarded for discovery of gravitational waves. Celebrating Ruby Payne-Scott and the birth of radio astronomy.

Hope in Hell Working towards bigger, better lithium batteries Should scientists take a position in the US election? The Human Body Survival Guide

Fish of the eastern Pacific Wild fish catch easily replaced by aquaculture Barramundi breeding restocks our tropical northern rivers National Youth Science Forum boosts young people keen on science Fixing the climate emergency must start now - Johan Rockström part 8, final

2020 Nobel Prizes. Ten steps for best chance of climate stability - Johan Rockström part 7. Designing our AI future. New roles for robots. The Pilbara - test ground for NASA with school students keen to learn about their ancient land.

Lecture - Futures Past and Possible: Histories of and for Tomorrow

US west coast ablaze. The Amazon regulates the planet’s climate and we’re burning it - Johan Rockström part 4. Soils can play a major role in storing carbon. Conservation co-op provides connection to community and nature. Meteorites bring information about the early solar system.