http://www.brainsmatter.com Tue, 07 Sep 2010 08:44:01 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en-au In this episode, I talk to the Deputy Director for the Australian Collaboration for Accelerator Science. We talked about some of the work that has been done at the Australian Synchrotron since Dr Boland's last appearance on the show. - How will measurements take place at the LHC? - What is ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=291 The Amazing Bodies Exhibition is an exhibition that showcases bodies of all shapes and sizes - from reptiles, to land mammals, to whales, and even humans. The exhibition premiered in Melbourne, and will tour Australia and New Zealand. One of the most interesting aspects of the exhibit is ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=290 Out of frustration on not hearing enough about science and education in the 2010 Australian Election Campaign, I put together an open letter to every political party with questions that they should have all considered as part of formulating their education and science policies for the future. I received several responses ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=289 We have a curious situation in Australia. Members of society who commit offences can still be seen as “heroes” and end up in sporting Halls of Fame. All is forgiven in the name of sporting entertainment. And these individuals earn hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=288 Today's episode is the audio of the Brains Matter & Monash Science Centre's National Science Week live show, held on 15/8/2010. The topic was "From Slime to Dinosaurs", and I interviewed renown palaeontologst, Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich on: - How long the earth has been around - What are the geological processes ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=287 Steve Nerlich from Cheap Astronomy and I contributed the following episode to the 365 Days of Astronomy podcast Listen here http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=286 Professor Richard Wassersug is from the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology from Dalhousie University in Canada. Much of his research and study was and is in the area of herpetology, or the study of amphibians. I talked to Professor Wassersug about herpetology, and the importance of understanding this ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=285 The Brains Matter Podcast and the Monash Science Centre have joined forces to bring to the public a special National Science Week event on Sunday the 15th of August. PhD student Corin Storkey will give a presentation on the Chocolate, brazil nuts, antioxidants and the fight against free radicals - you ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=283 In episode 119, I talk to Corin Storkey, a PhD student at the Bio21 Institute at the University of Melbourne, about some of the research he is doing into cancer drugs, and targeting the immune system such that it may be able to self-heal. - What is cancer? - How do current ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=280 I speak to Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich, the Director of the Monash Science Centre and Personal Chair of Palaeontology at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, about palaeontology. Topics we covered included: - What is palaeontology? - What areas of science does palaeontology cover? - If you're interested in palaeontology, what should you consider ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=277 Here are some details for the Brains Matter / Monash Science Centre National Science Week Live Show! (Click on the picture to see it in full size) For those unable to be there in person, the show will also be simulcast live on the internet! For those on facebook, you can RSVP at ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=276 The first 10 people to send me an email will win a double pass to the movie "Farewell" screening in Melbourne on the weekend of the 26th! (This weekend) You must be in Melbourne, and able to see the movie. OG http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=275 Brains Matter has once again contributed to the 365 Days of Astronomy podcast. Who remembers second place? It's a problem that plagues anyone who isn't the biggest or fastest or shiniest. In today's episode of 365 Days of Astronomy, we look at the second largest object in the Asteroid Belt - ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=274 I speak to Dr Michael Brown, from the School of Physics at Monash University. Michael talked to me about the formation of galaxies, and specifically, research into Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) - What is the definition of a galaxy? - What makes up a galaxy? - What are some examples of galaxies ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=273 The Ordinary Guy from the Brains Matter Podcast has contributed to another episode of 365 Days of Astronomy: Hypervelocity Stars http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=272 In this episode I talk to Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich and we talk about the Monash Science Centre. - What is Professor Rich's background? - What inspired her to start up a Science Centre in Australia? - What are the main aims of the MSC? - When did the MSC open? - What were some of ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=271 Hi all, For those of you who have an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, you can now purchase and download an application specifically for Brains Matter at the iTunes Store. (Click on the above image to go to the iTMS) The first 4 people to email the show and tell me why you ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=270 What is Australopithecus Sediba? It's a newly discovered species of hominid that was discovered recently. I talked to Dr Robyn Pickering at the University of Melbourne, who was involved in this discovery to talk about Sediba. - Why was it called Sediba? - What kind of dating technique was used ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=268 In this episode, I talk to Corin Storkey, from the Bio21 Institute at the University of Melbourne. Corin is a synthetic organic chemist, and spoke to me about some of the research he was doing in synthesising compounds that may one day be used as pharmaceuticals to treat patients ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=267 Hi all, A couple of bits of news. Firstly, the Brains Matter podcast, along with the Monash Science Centre, will be joining forces during National Science Week 2010 and will have a live show to the public. The topic of the show will be an interview following the topic of "From ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=266 Maria is an editor, writer and attorney from Washington State in the US, and is well known in the Skeptics community in the US. She spoke to me about the Discovery Institute and the agenda they are trying to push in science classes in the USA. - What IS the Discovery ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=264 In today's episode, I talk to both Professor Roger Short and Evan Bittner from the University of Melbourne on several topics related to the Asian Elephant, including the recent "miracle birth" of the baby elephant at Sydney's Taronga Zoo. Topics we cover include: - Some of the latest news with Prof Short ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=263 In this episode, I continue my talk with Evan Bittner from the University of Melbourne in Brains Matter's continuing series on Asian Elephants. If you missed Episode 110, please go back and listen to that episode first. In this interview, Evan discusses: - What can we do to ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=262 In this episode, I talk to Evan Bittner from the University of Melbourne in Brains Matter's continuing series on Asian Elephants. Evan discusses: - Elephants and infrasound communications - Determining how to measure elephant reactions to elephant vocalisations - What are the meanings of some of the elephant behaviours we observe? - ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=261 Brains Matter has once again contributed to the 365 Days of Astronomy podcast. My six year old asked whether magnetism could crush a star. The following podcast is the result of trying to find the answer to that! Download the show here Link to the 365 Days of Astronomy website http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=260 Brains Matter has once again contributed to the 365 Days of Astronomy podcast. For this episode, the topic was on The First Astronomers - the Australian Aborigines. Download the show here Link to the 365 Days of Astronomy site http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=259 If you've always wanted to wear your Brains Matter pride, or have a BM mouse mat or something similar - well your wishes have been attended to. You can now buy BM merchandise from the Brains Matter website by going to the "Merchandise" tab on the right. ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=258 This episode is the audio of the first Brains Matter live show. The topic for this show is The Science of Attraction - what is attraction? - what attracts us to each other? - how does this compare to the animal kingdom? - how do physical features, and chemical signals play a role? - ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=256 A question that everyone asks at some point is - are we alone? We've all heard about the Drake Equation, and have had chats about our place in the universe with friends. In this episode, Dr Allie Ford hosts a debate between Professor John Lattanzio and Ms Marion Anderson from ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=255 In this episode I speak to Dr Yin Paradies, who is a senior research fellow at the University of Melbourne. Yin's research focuses on the health, social and economic effects of racism as well as anti-racism theory, policy and practice. In this interview, some of the topics we talk about include: - ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=254 (Carlton, Victoria, Australia) http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=253 We have all heard of the ultraviolet index in weather reports. What is it? What does it mean to the lay person? What is the average person's perception of the ultraviolet index? I talk to Dr Owen Carter from the CBRCC and Curtin University in ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=252 Hi all, The Brains Matter Podcast will have its first live show early next month. So if you're in Melbourne, Australia and want to come and watch and be part of the first live show, you're more than welcome to come along. Date: Saturday 13 February, 2010 Time: 14:00 Location: Borders Bookstore, ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=251 The Brains Matter interview with Dr Allie Ford from Monash Uni (highlights version for 365 DoA) was featured on Diffusion Science Radio this week. http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=250 In this episode, I speak to Professor Bryan Gaensler from the University of Sydney on the topic of Magnetism in the Universe, which was only discovered in the 20th century. - What is a magnet? - What objects in the universe are magnetic? - How are magnets detected in space? - How do we ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=249 In todays episode, I talk to Dr Kristen Panfilio is a Developmental Geneticist from the University of Cologne, in Germany. We talk about Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, or Evo Devo as it is sometimes known. Topics we cover include: - What is evolutionary developmental genetics? - Why is it useful? - How ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=248 Nick Miller is the Health Editor for The Age newspaper in Melbourne, Australia. Nick interviewed Simon Singh (who has appeared in episode 100 of Brains Matter), and was subsequently impacted by the English Libel laws. Nick talks to me about this incident, and what he feels may need to be ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=246 It's coming to the end of the year, and what a year of science, curiosities, and general knowledge it has been! Let me know what your favourite episode of 2009 has been and why (in less than 50 words) - post it on this entry at the Brains Matter website, and ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=244 In this episode, I talk to Dr Owen Carter, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer Control at Curtin University, on the topic of tobacco advertising. - What were the techniques used by tobacco companies in their advertising? - Does tobacco advertising actually affect smokers? - What is the ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=243 Hi all, October brings about a new milestone for the show - three years since the podcast first started publishing. September/October has been busy, and I have a bunch of great interviews coming up in the near future. I always enjoy hearing from all of you, and the ideas I've been ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=242 The 22/9/2009 episode of 365 Days of Astronomy was the fourth contribution by Brains Matter to the IYA podcast effort. In this particular episode, I talk about Ruby Payne Scott, an Australian physicist, who was the world's first female radio astronomer. Listen to the audio here http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=241 I just received this email from Professor Roger Short, who appeared on Brains Matter in episodes 73, 74, 77 and 78 on the topic of Asian Elephants and their plight: Thanks exclusively to Brains Matter, I was contacted by an Accountant, Glen Antonovich, who lives in Melbourne and is devoted to elephants! ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=240 In this episode, I talk to Dr Paul Francis from the Australian National University in Canberra on the topic of comets. - What are comets? - Where do they come from? - How big are comets in general? - What are they made of? - How big can comets be? - What would happen to Pluto ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=239 Monash University is hosting the 2009 Stem Cell Awareness Day on the 23rd of September. For more details, please go to www.stemcellawarenessday.com * What are stem cells? * What can and can't they do? * What are the ethical issues? ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=238 The 100th episode of Brains Matter coincides with National Science Week - and to celebrate both the 100th show and National Science week, in this episode, we cover a range of topics. There are two great new interviews, as well as highlights from previous shows. You can go ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=237 There was a problem with wordpress with this entry; please go to This entry http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=236 We've all heard of the word sceptic / skeptic. It is used in many contexts - and there is a worldwide movement of people who identify themselves as "skeptics". What does that entail? Who is a skeptic? What's the difference, if any, between being a sceptic ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=235 Hi all, As you know, the 100th episode of the show is coming up fairly soon. What has been your favourite episode so far? What genre or topics have interested you the most? Which episode made you stop and think "Wow, really? I didn't know that?!" ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=234 I talk to Dr Seth Shostak, from the SETI Institute, on the topic of science and the movies. We cover: - The portrayal and accuracy of science in entertainment - Seth's role as science adviser in the movie remake of "The Day the Earth Stood Still" - What does a science adviser ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=233 I talk to Dr Rosemary Mardling, an astrophysicist from Monash University on the topic of extra-solar planets. Topics we cover include: - What is an extra solar planet? - How do we find extra solar planets? - How do we estimate the size and form of these extra solar planets? - How do ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=232 I talk to Dr Ginger Campbell, the host of the Brain Science Podcast and Books and Ideas on the fascinating topics of - brain chemistry - what do we know about how chemicals may or may not influence us, - brain plasticity, learning languages or new skills and how to ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=231 Dr Andrew Prentice from Monash University continues his discussion with me about his theories of the formation of the solar system. In this episode, we concentrate on the Saturniun system, satellites such as Titan and some of the observations in comparison to his predictions, and conclude by reflecting back ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=230 I continue my talk to Dr Andrew Prentice from Monash University, extending on the discussion in part 1 of this interview series on Supersonic Turbulence, to talk about the Modern Laplacian Theory, and how it helps describe planetary and satellite formation, and it's weaknesses. The discussion on satellites, and ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=229 I talk to Dr Andrew Prentice on the topic of Supersonic Turbulence, a theory he proposed which helps in understanding his predictions on the objects within the solar system and formation of the solar system. Dr Prentice has also made some astounding predictions as has been documented here This is ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=228 A summary of the most recent episode on the expansion of the universe was featured for the 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast today. 365 Days of Astronomy - Brains Matter interview with Dr Brian Schmidt (summary) http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=227 We've all wondered about the creation of the universe - from the big bang onwards. What next? Is the galaxy going to slow down from the big bang? Will there be multiple big bangs and big crunches? The reality of the matter is astounding. ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=226 I talk to Dr Maria Lugaro on the topic of pre-solar grains. Topics we cover include: - What are pre-solar grains? - Do they only exist in our solar system? - How big are they? - How do we capture pre-solar grains on Earth? - How do we determine if grains are pre-solar? - How ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=224 Those of you who follow the 365 Days of Astronomy podcast will have noticed that todays episode is a Brains Matter production. Listen here http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=223 I talk to Dr Amanda Barnard, an expert in nanoscience, from the CSIRO on nanotechnology. We discuss: - What are nanoparticles? - What are nanorods? - What properties of a substance make it a useful nanoparticle? - What makes nanoparticles useful? - What do you need to know to understand nanotechnology? - What are some ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=222 I talk to Dr Daniel Price, Monash Fellow from the School of Mathematics at Monash University in Melbourne Australia, about how stars form. We discuss: - Star formation - What constitutes a star? - The first stars in the universe - Current star formation - For a given gas cloud, how many stars typically ... http://www.brainsmatter.com/?p=221