Shirtloads Of Science

Dr Karl & Prof G. Lewis discuss the gaps and guesses that string together our understanding of the Cosmos. So what happens if we find a mistake in one of Einstein's predictions ? It's one of the discussion points in Geraint Lewis' latest book written with Luke Barnes. https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-cosmic-revolutionary-s-handbook-luke-a-barnes/book/9781108486705.html drkarl.comhttp://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gfl/

It's part two of the Neutron star exploration with Professor G. Lewis. He takes Dr Karl layer by layer down to the core. Things are so squashed in there that quantum physics takes over. Escape from the lockdown inside a star where things go subatomic. http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gfl/

What happens when you squeeze a star ?  Dr Karl gets inside one with Professor G. Lewis. They travel from the subatomic level up with the latest on Neutron Stars. Trigger Warning - Quarks and Bosons are mentioned . It's part one with more from the Neutrons next time.   http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gfl/

To study the stars, look to the ocean. Water ebbs and flows under the influence of gravity. Astronomers see tides in moons, stars and around black holes. Dr Karl talks with two astrophysicists who recently measured a bulging star with earth-like tides.   

A perfect poo has metrics. Dr Clare and Dr Karl describe the best solid expressions. Length, thickness, mass and diet. What makes the perfect poop ?  https://theconversation.com/had-constipation-here-are-4-things-to-help-treat-it-123364

Seventy-five percent can be described by Einstein. The remainder? It drove Albert to question his work till his dying day. Dr Karl and Dr Lewis discuss evidence for the missing theory .  http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gfl/

They're back ! Dr Karl on why carbon dioxide is so insidious in the atmosphere. Dr Alice Motion on the best Instagrams yet of our sun and Dr Jessica Bloom on the rise of bio-robots. The original shirtloads gangsters are in the lab.

American climatologist  Michael Mann drew a chart  back in 1999 .   It's called "The Hockey Stick Graph" because of the way it shoots up.  There was no new information in it and it drew on agreed international temperature data.  Like Charles Darwin, Dr Mann dared to publish. His "hockey stick" still makes him a target for fossil fuel lobbyists.  So what happens when a scientist is taken on by powerful interests ?  Dr Karl asks him about the experience.

One star, observed in outback Australia, may hold new clues to dark matter and black holes. It's a milky way neighbour but moving very fast. Prof Geraint Lewis takes Dr Karl on his quest for answers. http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gfl/

The Young Australian of the Year Award recognises 16- to 30-year-old Australians. It rewards their achievements and contributions. Dr Karl meets Corey Tutt, the NSW winner for 2020. Corey has already made an extraordinary difference with his Deadly Science initiative.

The Hubble Space Telescope launched in 1990. It is named after the American astronomer who found our universe was expanding. Ninety years on, with much better kit, Hubble’s ideas still hold. The question is how fast are we inflating? This is the Hubble tension and Prof Geraint Lewis leads Dr Karl through the deep space discussion. http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gfl/

What is the science behind warning pregnant women to stay away from cat faeces ? It involves a parasite (called "Toxo" for short)  that migrates between humans and their cats. The risk to unborn children is real and world renowned expert, Professor Justine Smith, takes Dr Karl through the life cycle from Kitty Litter to the eyeballs.https://www.flinders.edu.au/people/justine.smith

A dietary study in Europe reveals a connection between processed foods (and drinks) and cancers. 8 years of research they tried to eliminate factors such as socioeconomic and diet preferences from the data but the link remains strong. What does it mean for you ? Doctor Karl and Professor Claire Collins discuss.  https://theconversation.com/research-check-will-eating-ultra-processed-foods-give-you-cancer-91984  

Dr Kyra Sim treats takes Dr Karl through The benefits of exercise - after eating. @kyrasim

We are officially in an interglacial period - between ice ages. Dr Karl talks with Australian Glaciologist Dr Tas van Ommen about the times when Ice sheets were a kilometre thick. What caused them and how long did they last. Understanding our climate history is our best chance for anticipating its earth's future. Recorded in Antarctica

Dr Karl and AI expert Dean Blumenstein from UTS Sydney discuss the application of drones being deployed on Australian beaches. Can deep learning improve on helicopter surveillance ? Could a drone save someone faster than lifeguards ? How safe in are we in the hands of AI ? 

Guardian Australia's 2017 bird of the year was the Magpie. They are notorious for swooping and pecking bike riders so why are they so popular ? Dr Karl joins Prof Kaplan in the cradle of bird life. Australia saved the birds and some of the smartest ones are still here. https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781760554200/

Dr Nick Fuller investigates the claims behind fasting diets and why today, most of us will end up where we started and feeling Hangry. He and Karl go through a recent study to show how deceptive it can be. It's not willpower that lets us down but something much deeper.  There are proven long-term plans - fasting is not one of them. Twitter: @drnickfuller Website: www.intervalweightloss.com.au

Marine Biologist Dr. Daniela Ceccarelli has been studying the Great Barrier reef for around 20 years. She lives and works there and has uncovered some of the complex relationships between seaweed, algae, fish and coral. One of her surprising discoveries involves the humble Damsel fish. Dr Karl talks to her on Magnetic Island about her research and containing the damage that agricultural run-off and sea temperatures are having on reefs.

What controls our sex life ? Dr Amee Baird has a tremendous insight into this. As a clinical neuropsychologist, she has studied many people whose sexual behaviour suddenly changed. It remains a taboo subject for many, and so she has written a book about what she has learned. Dr Karl spoke with Dr Amee Baird  in Sydney about her book "Sex in the Brain". https://newcastleneuropsych.com.au/dr-amee-baird/