

The Science Show
ABC listen
The Science Show gives Australians unique insights into the latest scientific research and debate, from the physics of cricket to prime ministerial biorhythms.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 5, 2025 • 13min
Lab Notes: How do I avoid eating and breathing microplastics?
It's impossible to escape microplastics. They're in our food and water, and the air around us is teeming with them.So considering they're all around us, how can we minimise our exposure to tiny plastic fragments without resorting to living in a cave?

Aug 2, 2025 • 53min
Climatic changes everywhere as the world’s oceans become hotter
A 100-yr flood is now a more regular occurrence in the German town of Passau, bringing widespread destruction, another local impact of a planet getting hotter.

Jul 29, 2025 • 14min
Lab Notes: What's quantum mechanics ever done for me?
Tim Gould, a quantum chemist from Griffith University, unpacks the everyday magic of quantum mechanics. He highlights how quantum principles power everything from laser barcode scanners to the efficient LED bulbs we use daily. The conversation emphasizes the crucial role of quantum tunneling in USB memory sticks and the surprising ways quantum mechanics enhances photosynthesis, making plants more effective at energy conversion than solar cells. Gould’s insights reveal that quantum technology isn't just a buzzword—it's woven into the fabric of modern life!

Jul 26, 2025 • 54min
Tracing the 100-year history of quantum mechanics
Shelby Traynor, an expert on quantum mechanics, delves into the fascinating history of this scientific field. She discusses the iconic debates between Einstein and Bohr, revealing how their opposing philosophies on determinism versus probability have shaped modern science. Jeremy Leggett, a former CEO of Solar Century, shares insights on rewilding efforts in Scotland, emphasizing the crucial role of biodiversity in combating climate change. Meanwhile, historian Robin Ariane Rod highlights the cultural significance of science literature, bridging the gap between complex theories and public understanding.

Jul 22, 2025 • 14min
Lab Notes: Why some mums have all boys or all girls
If you've given birth to three daughters, what are the odds that your next child will also be a girl?One in two, right? Well … maybe not.The odds of having a fourth girl could be a fair bit higher than 50 per cent, according to a new study into families with single-sex sets of siblings.

Jul 19, 2025 • 42min
Australia's forgotten inventor brothers
Discover the story of a pair of brothers who invented an early electric scooter, humidicrib, fax machine, Olympic scoreboard — and much more! — in their South Australian workshop from the 1930s to the 60s.We also learn about a trial that's generated energy from the waves, and unearth two rare photographs of a long-lost bandicoot species.

Jul 15, 2025 • 14min
Lab Notes: Can bottom trawling be a sustainable way to fish?
A huge net, weighed down by heavy chains, swiftly sweeps across the ocean floor, scooping up everything in its path. This type of fishing, called bottom trawling, was illuminated in a new documentary, Ocean with David Attenborough. Bottom trawling is known for indiscriminately gathering all sorts of marine species, as well as damaging the sea floor. But with the practice producing around a quarter of the world’s wild-caught seafood, are there ways to make it more sustainable?

Jul 12, 2025 • 42min
The trees that harness lightning to kill their rivals
In an electrifying episode of the Science Show, find out how getting struck by a bolt from the heavens can help at least one species of tall tree not only survive, but thrive. Then step back in time to solve a tool-making mystery in Samoa and discover hidden treasures in centuries-old books — including a bubonic plague flea.

Jul 8, 2025 • 13min
Lab Notes: The telescope redefining the Universe
Laura Dreesen, a radio astronomer at the University of Sydney, discusses the groundbreaking advancements brought by the James Webb Space Telescope. She highlights its achievements in revealing distant galaxies and the early universe's secrets. The podcast dives into how infrared astronomy differs from visible light and the significant role it plays in cosmic discoveries. Dreesen also shares insights into exoplanet research, including the use of transmission spectroscopy to explore rocky, Earth-like worlds and expand our understanding of habitability.

Jul 5, 2025 • 41min
What does it take to bring back an extinct animal?
We hear from scientists who push the boundaries of creation, whether that's building wild and wacky snack flavours (successfully) or cloning extinct tropical frogs (unsuccessfully … so far). And since President Donald Trump retook office, the state of health and science research in the US has been precarious for many who work in those areas. But there is a silver lining. Other countries such as Australia are implementing programs to recruit US researchers looking to relocate.