

Dr Karl Podcast
triple j
Join Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Lucy Smith and their scientific guests, with a bunch of curious triple j listeners for a weekly injection of science, myth-bashing and answers!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 23, 2023 • 43min
Cortisol, histamine and toe nails
If I hold my nose when i sneeze, will my eyes pop out? Why can't we grow arms and legs back? Why do we cry?Dr Karl answers these questions and more, on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith & Dr Theresa Larkin, Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong.

Nov 16, 2023 • 40min
Christmas Beetles, Venus and farts
Discover why Christmas beetles are missing, the importance of preserving insects for the ecosystem, the relationship between gold rings and stars in eyes, the impact of Christmas beetles on grasslands, the temperature difference between Venus, Earth, and Mars, and the fascinating process of cell renewal and tattoo maintenance.

Nov 9, 2023 • 40min
Hibernation, fungus and foamy trees
Dr. Karl discusses bears' hibernation habits, the benefits of noise cancelling headphones, and the science behind atom bombs. The hosts explore the anxiety of network outages and the impact of airing out the bathroom on fungus growth. They also discuss the benefits of pickle juice for cramps and the phenomenon of weeds growing faster than other plants. Additionally, Dr. Karl explains the Bernoulli effect and the harmful effects of smoking and vaping during pregnancy.

Nov 2, 2023 • 42min
Transmitting from the moon, plant fires and twin dreams
Curious why flies seem to prefer humans over poop? Delve into the peculiar tastes of these insects! Learn about the captivating analog technology that made moon landing transmissions possible. Discover the mysteries of dark energy and its role in the universe's expansion, alongside the intriguing evolution of our anatomy due to modern habits. Plus, listen in on some hilarious family stories stirred by a vomiting bug. It's a mix of science, laughter, and unexpected insights that will pique your curiosity!

Oct 26, 2023 • 37min
Stargazing, rovers and Mars
Could we adapt to the climate on Mars? What is system inertia? How scientifically accurate is the 2015 film 'The Martian'?Our special guest this week is Dr Adrian Brown from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He and Dr Karl answer these questions and more, on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.

Oct 19, 2023 • 39min
Wind farms, kelp forests and jellyfish
Dr David Wachenfeld, marine scientist, talks about the impact of wind farms on marine life, the relationship between humans and jellyfish, and the unique characteristics of salps. Also discussed are genetic variations in fighting COVID, heat's effect on solids and liquids, and the sensory capabilities of sharks in detecting prey.

Oct 12, 2023 • 43min
Itching, black holes and dogs
Dr Karl and guest host Ash McGregor discuss various fascinating topics, including itch and pain, moon mining's impact on Earth, the relationship between strength, muscle mass, and energy expenditure in weightlifting, and the incredible tracking abilities of sniffer dogs.

Oct 5, 2023 • 43min
Whale hearts, ear wax and eyeballs
What causes colours in sunsets? Why can some people spin their eyes really fast? How much pollution is being emitted when a car sits at traffic lights? Dr Karl answers these questions and more, on triple j Mornings with guest host Pip Rasmussen.

Sep 28, 2023 • 41min
Radioactive ooze, dodging bullets and limitless brain
Dr Lucy and Dr Karl are joined by special guest astrophysicist Professor Geraint Lewis to answer all your science questions inspired by movies! What's the most accurate time travel movie? How fast do you need to move to dodge bullets? When will we get hoverboards?

Sep 21, 2023 • 42min
Varrora mites, El Nino and ocean salt
Can Metalcore clear your throat? Can you make alcohol out of paper? Discover how singing Polaris music while driving can help clear the throat. Explore the concept of nitrogen fixation and its importance for food production. Delve into the role of the cerebellum in tickling and a unique path to get wealthy. Learn about the origin and cycle of salt in saltwater oceans. Discuss the impact of Varrora mites and El Nino on agriculture and climate.