Best Fizzics Podcasts (2024)

1
Coronavirus is here - How can you protect yourself? 18:57

4+ y ago18:57

18:57

Fizzics TWIST is back! This is the second episode in our series of podcast experiments. Let us know what you think! Coronavirus is here and it can be both scary and confusing. What even are viruses and what make coronavirus different? In this episode we conduct an experiment about how viruses can be transmitted from person to person, and how you ca…

1
Experimenting with Nuclear Science with ANSTO! 27:21

5y ago27:21

27:21

Fizzics TWIST is back! In this episode we're doing something a little different. Nuclear power has a pretty bad reputation right now, but it might be the energy solution that we need. But wait - how does it work? How does nuclear science work? In this episode we visit ANSTO to learn about nuclear science and build our own cloud chamber (a basic par…

1
Where's NASA heading to next? Destination MOON! 30:29

5+ y ago30:29

30:29

Fizzics TWIST is back! In episode 29 we discuss: Don’t Farm Octopuses: Scientists have warned that under no circumstances should we ever farm octopuses. The reasons are more numerous than their tentacles! Haha! Destination Moon: Under the direction of venerable dictator Donald Trump, NASA have announced they are going back to the moon. It’s been mo…

1
Why the UN has warned of biological annihilation (and how the dinosaurs really died) 30:04

5+ y ago30:04

30:04

Fizzics TWIST is back! In episode 28 we get very heavy and discuss: Biological annihilation: The UN has warned of a 6th global extinction event, but what does this really mean? Are we headed to certain destruction? Will the mosquitoes finally disappear? Quill deconstructs the story. 5th extinction fossils: Fossils have been discovered from the very…

1
What that fuzzy black hole photo really means 35:31

5+ y ago35:31

35:31

Fizzics TWIST is back! In episode 27 we get a little bit silly and discuss: Far out with Duncan: The first ever photo of a black hole has been released by the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration and while it’s an amazing feat it’s a bit hard to figure out what you’re looking at - Duncan looks past the event horizon to explain what’s going on. Ver…

1
Why the first all-female spacewalk never happened 29:53

5+ y ago29:53

29:53

Fizzics TWIST is back - with special guest Ben Newsome! Ben is the founder and director of Fizzics Education. In episode 26 we discuss: Why the first all-female spacewalk never happened The media went nuts recently about how a planned all-female spacewalk was canceled. It seems like patriarchy has reached even the ISS. But the truth is a little mor…

1
What is a Super Worm Equinox Moon anyway? 32:44

5+ y ago32:44

32:44

Fizzics TWIST is back! In episode 25 we discuss: What’s on, Watson?: It’s the day of the equinox AND a super moon, giving us a Super Worm Equinox Moon. That was not a Dune reference - that’s what it’s really called. We take a look at what an equinox actually is, and how the super moon got its name. On the Green with Quill: A new coral reef has been…

1
What does space sound like? How are clouds being cooked? How do we hunt HIV? 30:23

5+ y ago30:23

30:23

Warning: This episode of Fizzics TWIST contains discussion of HIV/AIDS from 16:00 to 26:30. If you or the person you’re listening with don’t want to hear about this then we suggest skipping that section. Fizzics TWIST is back!! In episode 24 we discuss: Far Out with Duncan: NASA have ‘sonified’ an image of space taken by the Hubble telescope. Is it…

1
Why do zebras have stripes? Pretty fly for a black and white guy! 32:06

5+ y ago32:06

32:06

Fizzics TWIST is back for 2019! In episode 23 we discuss: Huge if True: How a supernova caused a mass extinction including a very fierce animal you might have seen at the movies! ViralGram: Why do zebras have stripes? While they may look fly, it’s the flies they have to worry about! Read the article and see the pictures here: https://www.theatlanti…

1
International Women's Day 2019 34:51

5+ y ago34:51

34:51

Fizzics TWIST is back for 2019! In episode 22 we discuss: What’s on?!: It’s the International Day of Women and Girls in Science AND International Women’s Day - Kate joins us to talk about some groundbreaking achievements by women made in 2018. Far Out with Duncan: A little rover close to Duncan’s heart, the Opportunity Rover has been declared… dead…

1
Fun Festive Facts from Fizzics 30:47

6y ago30:47

30:47

Fizzics TWIST is back for Episode 21! This will be the last episode for 2018! In this episode we discuss: ViralGram: A wayward seal has been photographed with an eel stuck up its nose. It turns out this is not the first time this has happened... See the photo at https://www.instagram.com/fizzicstwist/ Huge if True: Mobile phones will be banned from…

1
Powerful Protests & Crafty Companions 38:50

6y ago38:50

38:50

Fizzics TWIST is back for Episode 20! In this episode we discuss: ViralGram: Students around Australia have staged protests against inaction on climate change. We applaud their efforts! In the Lab with Quill: Researchers from the University of Queensland (strewth) have discovered a DNA signature of multiple types of cancer. What on Earth does that …

1
Babies can be GMO too 30:43

6y ago30:43

30:43

Fizzics TWIST is back for Episode 19! In this episode we discuss: UnTwist: A Chinese scientist claims to have modified the genes of twin girls. We break down the science behind this case, and discuss the implications. ViralGram: Knickers the cow is a massive unit... but why? The answer is simple. Far Out with Duncan: Duncan explores his favourite t…

1
Wombats Poop Cubes 40:07

6y ago40:07

40:07

Fizzics TWIST is back for Episode 18! In this episode we discuss: UnTwist: In the future, all meat might be grown in a lab instead of taken from animals. Quill, who is a vegetarian and has a PhD in Hippietarianism, takes us through this high-steaks topic. On the Green with Quill: It turns out that apart from being cute and cuddly little units, womb…

1
Crusty Kilo-Glaciers 37:52

6y ago37:52

37:52

Fizzics TWIST is back for Episode 17! In this episode we discuss: Huge If True: How much does a kilogram weigh? No one seems to know! Watch this video about how the kilogram will be redefined: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo0jm1PPRuo On the Green with Quill: The world’s oceans are being eaten up, but by what? Where is the water going? Far Out wi…

1
Attack of the Clones 34:09

6y ago34:09

34:09

Huge If True: The 'Pando' Aspen tree system is dying. Or maybe it's just getting old? Fizzics TWIST investigates. On the Green with Quill: The EU has banned 10 types of single-use plastics. Quill, predictably, rants about it. What Year Is It?: Duncan's alter ego recounts what happened this week in past years. (PS check out the video of the Tacoma N…

1
Quit Rubbishing Pluto 25:20

6y ago25:20

25:20

You can't use your phone while driving, but what about using your phone while... learning? Quill's on the case. Pluto's a planet again! Hooray! Maybe! The Ocean Cleanup has been deployed. A giant plastic-eating machine has been set loose towards the Great Pacific Garbage patch. Hopefully it will tide-y up! Fact Of The Week! This week's fact is posi…

1
Reef Grief 23:08

6y ago23:08

23:08

We're talking about the Great Barrier Reef again! Now that pesky Crown of Thorns Starfish is being targeted by robots. Scientists have found a new coral reef off the east coast of the USA. How come we didn't know about it already? The International Space Station has sprung a leak! How does this happen and what does it mean? Fact Of The Week! It's a…

1
Bioluminescent neanderthals! 25:22

6y ago25:22

25:22

The lovely people of Jervis Bay get to go to a bioluminescence party. But will they light up the dance floor? Duncan updates us about the Opportunity Mars Rover, and it's not looking good... Lastly, some ancient human news - homo sapiens are not the only ape in town. Fact Of The Week! We get a lot of questions about rain, so it's time to separate f…

1
The Sun, the Moon, and Curry (feat. new Secret Sound!) 28:07

6y ago28:07

28:07

NASA are firing a spacecraft into the sun! But why, and will its intrepid crew survive? Just kidding it's a robot. The Moon has ice on its surface! Which means it has water! Humans need water, so could we live on the moon? TWIST investigates... Quill has found out about a type of ant that protects their nests by exploding with a delicious smell. Fa…

1
Special Edition: Mars Rover Magic 38:30

6+ y ago38:30

38:30

Welcome to this special edition episode of Fizzics TWIST! Water on Mars, alien life, cosmic farts, and planet-sized dust storms; the two active Mars Rovers, Opportunity and Curiosity, have been creating some huge news lately. So what exactly has been going on up there? Duncan tells the story of the Spirit, Opportunity, and Curiosity rovers and take…

1
The Right Koalifications 28:04

6+ y ago28:04

28:04

Flying electric spiders! Hooray! Everyone loves flying electric spiders! Koalas have a terrible, toxic diet of only Eucalyptus leaves, but those cute, fuzzy, icons seem just fine! How do they do it? That funnily-named planet between Saturn and Neptune is a bit wonky, and we found out why! Also listen to Duncan squirm while trying to avoid saying it…

1
Taxonomy Time 29:16

6+ y ago29:16

29:16

It’s tax(onomy) time! The CSIRO’s National Research Collections Australia has named 200 new species, almost all of them insects. Hurray, insects! A Japanese spacecraft is about to arrive at an asteroid and do some explodey experiments on it - Duncan loves this! Here are some photos: http://www.planetary.org/blogs/jason-davis/new-global-views-ryugu-…

1
Supernova stargazing 25:40

6+ y ago25:40

25:40

The Fizzics Secret Sound is back, with a TWIST! The ABC’s Stargazing Live has set a new world record for most people simultaneously stargazing! But how many people were involved, what was the previous record, and what did they find? The Blue Mountains’ Jenolan Caves are receiving a cash injection for some much needed upgrades, but what use would a …

1
Laurel vs. Yanny (The scientific truth comes out) 37:39

6+ y ago37:39

37:39

The whole world is going bananas for laurel vs yanny, but how does it work? We've come across some great explanations, and some not-so-great explanations, so we thought we'd clear the waters! Stick around for some other amazing audio illusions. Volcanoes are super cool (not literally though) but their lava can be destructive! We talk about differen…

1
Snails never forget 23:10

6+ y ago23:10

23:10

TWIST is back after our school holiday break! Don't forget to send us your science questions and we will consult the experts on your behalf, and make sure to have a guess at our secret sound of the week! In Episode 7 we discuss: The Great Barrier Reef receives a potentially lifesaving cash injection! Scientists have transferred a memory from one sn…

1
3D printed brains! 33:32

6+ y ago33:32

33:32

Fizzics TWIST is back after a short break! In Episode 6 we discuss: Single-use plastic bags are a destroying the environment and harming our marine life - what can you do to help? Oof owie! How much does sleep affect the healing of our boo-boos? Scientists have 3D printed brain cells. If you've ever seen a more futuristic headline let us know. A ty…

1
Finding SoFi 27:26

6+ y ago27:26

27:26

Finding SoFi: Steph traverses the uncanny valley of fish robotics. See a video of SoFi here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCsqaf4RNXk Scientists reckon they’ve discovered a new organ - but how, and why now? Money makes the water go round: How a cash prize stimulates innovation. Check out the XPRIZE here: https://www.xprize.org/ Space lasers: Yes…

1
Hawking Radiation 25:34

6+ y ago25:34

25:34

We discuss the legacy of the late, great Stephen Hawking. The last male northern white rhinoceros has died, but there may still be hope for the future of the species. How can 3D printing tech help to snuff out poaching? A giant space station is about to crash back down to Earth, so should you be watching out overhead? Read more about reentry here: …

1
International Women's Day 25:49

6+ y ago25:49

25:49

Rise of the machines: Fake news is spreading further and faster than ever before, but can online bots be blamed or are we, normal regulation humans, responsible? Australia is backed up and made a deposit! ...of plant seeds into the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, that is. It's International Women's Day! Women still make up less than one third of STEM u…

1
Bin Chicken 16:18

6+ y ago16:18

16:18

Brilliant scientists have made animal cells glow 1000 times brighter than ever before! Dr Quill guides us through how and why they did it. Mad scientist Barbra Streisand has cloned her dog! But at what cost?! Seriously though, how much does it cost? Dr. Quill investigates. As a large old person, Duncan wants to talk about other large, old things: T…

1
Winter Wonderland 29:29

6+ y ago29:29

29:29

Can you feel it? Can you feel it? CAN YOU FEEL IT? The rhythm that is! Science Education Officer Danny tells how your brain feels musical rhythms! What happens when there isn't enough snow at the Winter Olympics? Holly explains what cloud seeding is and how it works. How 'international' is the International Space Station? Why does the USA want out …

1
radiotherapy – part 2 0:01

12y ago0:01

0:01

Last week, the BBC broadcast a Horizon programme about new cancer treatments being trialled at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. The documentary followed three different types of treatment; robotic surgery, a genetically targeted drug and a radiotherapy robot. As we’ve discovered, standard radiotherapy treatment involves splitting the required …

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