This week, Chris talks to rehabilitation specialist Professor Steven Faux about his new book on Long Covid, to find out what we know about it and its causes, and current best practice for treatment and recovery. We also speak to comedian Alanta Colley about the Sci Fight comedy debates, with the next event on 2 May 2024 discussing Elon Musk’s Neura…

This week on Lost in Science, Stu examines the invasive fire ant crisis and innovative control measures. Meanwhile, Chris explores bird evolution, spotlighting the Hoatzin, or "stink bird," known for its unique digestion and ancient traits. Tune in to discover how science is tackling ecological threats and unraveling avian mysteries.…

Even though we’re staying out of the Sun this week, we can’t stop thinking about it! Cat tells us all about the Sun’s corona, its crown-like atmosphere, and the solar wind of particles streaming out from it; and Claire runs us through the science and history of solar eclipses.By Claire Farrugia & Catriona Nguyen-Robertson

Chris looks into the energy costs and economics of AI and how wider use will affect them, while Stu looks into the science of some of the claims around the supposed forest communication networks some authors have described.By Chris Lassig, Stu Burns

This week on the show Catriona takes us into the realm of tuberculosis vaccines, describing the latest breakthroughs and how they diverge from conventional approaches. From novel formulations to enhanced efficacy, explore the promising advancements reshaping the fight against TB. Meanwhile, Stu delves into COVID-19 research, analyzing global data t…

We’re getting into hot and cold water this week, as Claire talks to Dr Jarrod McKenna about the importance of Antarctica and its wildlife, including plankton, whales and penguins; and Chris speaks to Dr Maya Srinivasan from James Cook University about the current mass coral-bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef, what causes it, how corals can r…

This week on Lost in Science, Chris asks the question are blueberries blue? And answers it with a question, what is colour anyway? And Stu looks to the skies to wonder why the sudden renewed interest in landing stuff on the moon, and whether anyone is having much success doing so.By Chris Lassig, Stu Burns

Join Claire and Catriona this International Women's Day for a special edition of Lost in Science! Catriona explores cutting-edge technology transforming breast cancer screening, enhancing efficacy. Discover the latest breakthroughs shaping the future of healthcare. Meanwhile, Claire spotlights two pioneering women at the forefront of Artificial Int…

This week, Catriona tells us about the brightest-known object in the universe, a quasar 12 billion light years away that’s in fact a supermassive black hole that gobbles an entire sun every day; and we replay Claire’s story about new evidence for another theorised cosmic event, the Moon’s formation through a collision of the early Earth with the Ma…

This week on the show Claire chats to CSIRO researcher Leo Joseph about the recent publication of the complete genome of the Night Parrot, the elusive nocturnal bird thought to be extinct for much of the 20th century, and what this means for conservation efforts for the bird.Also on the show, Chris asks the question, how can time fly without wings?…

This week on the show Stu looks at the science of the material asbestos in light of this dangerous substance being found in mulch in public areas in Sydney. Also on the show, have you ever wondered why moths and generally insects are attracted to lights? Chris talks through some new research that sheds some light on the matter.…

This week, Catriona celebrates Valentine's Day the science way, showing what research on monogamous prairie voles can tell us about how hormones like dopamine and vasopressin affect our craving for love and affection; and Chris shares new research that suggests the bacteria that causes Buruli ulcer is spread between possums and humans by mosquitoes…

The final Summer Series for the year, Chris talks Physics vs evolution, Claire talks about pathogens defrosting in long frozen ice and Stu discovers nematodes lurking everywhere, and some that can jump!By Claire Farugia, Chris Lassig, Stu Burns

This week on our Summer Series Claire speaks to Dr Kylie Cairns all about dingoes, and her groundbreaking research using new genetic tools that has changed the way we understand the lineage of dingoes, as well as discovering endangered dragons with Jo Sumners from Museum Victoria.By Claire Farugia, Stu Burns Guest: Jo Sumners; Kylie Cairns

This week on the summer series we reach back into the archives to hear from microbiologist Dee Carter about her research into the active antimicrobial and antifungal molecules produced by the honeypot ant.Also on the we revisit Chris's story, which explains the new clinical trial taking place in NSW using gene therapy to treat muscular dystrophy in…

This week on our summer series we bring back one of our favourite interviews with geologist Ashleigh Hood and her research studying the origins of life on Earth and how it has been sustained for billions of years. Also on the show Stu takes a look at the research showing that the humble seagulls might be a lot smarter than we give them credit for.…

It's the Lost in Science Summer Series, in which we replay some of our favourite stories from the past year! This week, Claire tells us why certain things, like fats and oils, leftover paint, flushable wipes, bamboo nappy liners and cat poo should not go down the drain or sewer; and Stu runs down research about how to prevent or pull people away fr…

Our last show for the year looks back at one of the big themes of the year, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning - it is having an impact on society, but what environmental impact does it have? And Chris tests our listening skills with an end of year quiz.By Stu Burns, Catriona Nguyen-Robertson, Chris Lassig

Stu looks at the sustainability of artificial vs real Christmas trees and why they might be an odd choice for Australia. While Chris looks into why the El Niño climate cycle is acting strange for us in Australia this year.By Chris Lassig, Stu Burns

This week, Claire tells us about new evidence for the leading theory of how the Moon was formed, through a collision of the early Earth with the Mars-sized protoplanet Theia; and Catriona updates us on where water can be found in our Solar System, and where it may have come from. Qian Yuan et al. 2023. Moon-forming impactor as a source of Earth’s b…

This week, Catriona tells us about the health dangers of sitting, and new research giving the good news that any alternative form of activity is beneficial; and Chris looks into why bats harbour such dangerous viruses, with a new study that predicts high virulence for viruses from them and a surprising other order of mammals.Blodgett et al. 2023. D…

This week on the show we speak to Dr Ellen Mather about the huge birds of prey that ruled ancient Australian skies, including the new discovery of an Australian vulture and giant eagle.Also on the show, Stu talks about the new research helping to protect potatoes against disease like the horrid potato blight.…

Chris looks into the new theory that supposedly bridges the potentially non-existent gap between physics and biology, and Stu talks to Jeremy Barr about his research into bacteriophages and what impact they may have in our own bodies.By Claire Farugia, Chris Lassig, Stu Burns Guest: Jeremy Barr

This week on the show we are going EXTREME (all caps needed) as we take a look at life living on the edge, at the extremities of existence. Stu talks about some of the weirdest plants living in the most extreme salinity conditions. And Cat chats us through how extremophile life around the world has surprised us and helped humans innovate new techno…

This week, Claire speaks to zoologist Julie Old from Western Sydney University about finding out more about wombat populations and the threats they face, through the citizen science project WomSAT, which you can join at https://www.womsat.org.au/. And Chris talks to ecologist Hannah Fraser from the University of Melbourne about her new study on res…

Chris looks into the unlikely origin of human brain cells, and Claire looks at the possibility of unlikely threats to our modern brainsBy Claire Farugia, Chris Lassig, Stu Burns, Catriona Nguyen-Robertson

This week on the show it's Lost in Science Fiction, our annual Halloween extravaganza where we deep dive into what's real and what's dubious in the scifi world. Stu brings us the years hottest topic, Artificial Intelligence, and how it has been treated by scifi cinema. And ever wondered if we could really travel to different galaxies faster than th…

This week Catriona looks up into the increasingly bright night sky and asks how much light pollution is coming from the new satellite constellations being launched by private companies, and Stu pulls on a thread about the origins of silk, what animals it comes from, how that might be changing, and why.…

This week, Chris introduces us to quantum dots, the nanoparticles whose discovery won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023 for Moungi Bawendi, Louis Brus and Alexei Ekimov; and Claire explains the story and significance of NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex mission that recently returned to Earth samples from the asteroid Bennu.…

This week on the show it's a double creature feature. Chris answers a question we have all wondered; why are dinosaurs so big, and looks at some new research along the way. And Stu delves into the world of hybrid species. You might have heard of a mule, or a liger, but why do some animals hybridise and some do not?…

Stu runs through the winners of the least most wanted prize in science, the Ignobel prize for 2023, and Chris takes a look at some new research about water on the moon which might help the numerous missions currently underway to find itBy Chris Lassig, Stu Burns

Neptune is too far from the sun to support life, apparently, but a recently discovered Neptune-like exoplanet has shown signs of life in recent surveys, what does this mean? Chris explains in this week's show. While Stu returns from a holiday with a tale of disease control measures and people who have a beef with them, and why they should think twi…

This week on the show Claire is joined by author and compost educator Kate Flood, aka Compostable Kate, to get down and dirty on the science of compost. Kate talks about some of the misconceptions of composting and how you can create a biodiverse ecosystem in your own home! Also on the show Chris revists one of our most hard hitting stories of all …

This week, Catriona tells us about exciting new developments in using chimaeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells against all forms of blood cancer; and Chris shares what physics can tell us about hand clapping, particularly the best way to clap for measuring acoustics.Wellhausen et al. 2023 “Epitope base editing CD45 in hematopoietic cells enables un…

This week on the show Claire takes a look at a controversial and hot topic - natural gas! Specically about some of the research that shows the adverse health risks of using methane to heat and cook at home. Also on the show, Chris revisits the latest research around the elusive room temperature superconductors. Could it be too good to be true? Only…

Gotta get back in time: one from the vaults this week, Chris talks to Mark Edmonds about topological switching, Claire chats to Catriona in her first appearance on the show about her PhD research and Stu talks to Adam Cross about Albany pitcher plants from WA in these flashbacks from 2019.By Claire Farugia, Chris Lassig, Stu Burns Mark Edwards, Catriona Nguyen-Robertson, Adam Cross

This week on the show Claire chats to Professor Dee Carter about an unlikely candidate in the fight against antibiotic resistance - the honeyant, and new research showing the unique antimicrobial activity of their honey.Also on the show, Stu gets historical and chats about some of the big mistakes of the past in zoology and botany, and how we are s…

This week, Claire talks to Tim O’Hara from Museums Victoria about his voyages on the RV Investigator, examining deep-sea creatures and mapping underwater landscapes, in the lead-up to his talk on Wednesday 16 August for National Science Week; and Chris takes a look at the theory that the unexpectedly bright galaxies in the early universe seen by th…

We've just finished the hottest month on record on earth, and melting permafrost and ice may release organisms that have not been active for millenia into the modern world. What does that mean for our ecosystems? Claire finds out on this week's show. Also Chris plugs into some super controversy surrounding claims of a new superconductor, which itse…

This week, Claire draws our attention to road kill, and the ingenious methods being developed to protect wildlife, including Australia’s gliders; while Stu freaks us out with tales of the omnipresent nematodes or roundworms, especially those that prey on insects, and use static electricity to attack them.…

This week on the show we are looking into the risks of artificial intelligence and artificial sweetener. Stu looks at the new research into aspartame, the artificial sweetener which has been classified as possibly carcinogenic and what does this really mean? Also on the show Chris takes a good hard look at artificial intelligence and some of the ri…

Chris (along with the rest of us) surfs waves of gravity so long they take a galaxy sized detector to measure, and Claire talks discovering endangered dragons with Jo Sumners from Museum VictoriaBy Claire Farugia, Chris Lassig, Stu Burns Guest: Jo Sumners

This week, Claire explains why certain things, like fats and oils, leftover paint, flushable wipes and bamboo nappy liners, and cat poo, should not go down the drain or sewer, even if it's very tempting; and Stu commemorates World UFO Day by telling us how despite people still reporting unidentified phenomena, the idea of aliens visiting Earth is s…

This week on the show Stu speaks to Dr Ellie Paine about her research showing that growing seaweed in the open ocean to draw down carbon dioxide from the atmosphere could be thwarted by a lack of iron. Also on the show this week Chris revisits the origin of Covid-19 and some new information that further rebukes the lab leak theory.…

This week on the show Chris reflects on why the universe seems so perfectly designed to support life as we know it, and asks is it actually that great? And Stu looks into the recent decision of one of the world's most populated countries to remove some basic tenets of science from national school curriculums.…

This week on the show Claire speaks to Dr Kylie Cairns all about dingoes, and her groundbreaking research using new genetic tools that has changed the way we understand the lineage of dingoes and in particular whether dingoes hybridised with feral dogs, or in fact are they a lot more pure dingo than we thought.Also on the show Chris talks to Dr Ell…

This week on the show Chris talks gene therapy and deep dives into some of the new developments and researchers which highlight the challenges of gene therapy Also on the show, when you think of smart birds, do you think of seagulls? Stu talks about new research suggesting these pesky chip eating birds are smarter than you think.…

This week Stu looks at some recent discoveries in our spatial backyard around the solar system, and Chris looks into new research that points to a cleaning chemical as a possible cause of Parkinsons diseaseBy Chris Lassig, Stu Burns

Claire talks about the deadly fungus Amanita phalloides, the Death Cap which kills more people than any other foraged fungus every year, and how an antidote might help bring that number down. Stu is back on the AI train, looking at some positives from medical research that may save time and give people more time by saving lives.…

This week, Stu explains how nitrogen-fixing bacteria convert the essential element into ammonia for biological use, and how new research transfers this ability to photosynthetic organisms; and Chris looks at scientific experiments into near-death experiences, including a recent study showing spikes in brain activity when the heart stops beating.Par…