Brains Matter

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 Monash University on the topic “Intelligent Life is Common in the Universe”. Ms Anderson argues for the positive, and Professor Lattanzio argues for the negative.

They both argue the topic using the latest information and theories about astronomy and the possibility of life existing in the Universe. In recent years we have found hundreds of planets outside the solar system. Surely intelligent life must exist somewhere. But why have radio searches revealed nothing yet?

Download MP3 of Ep 108

The presentations used during this debate:

Marion’s presentation for the positive argument
Prof Lattanzio’s presentation for the negative argument

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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:

- What are some of the effects of racism?
- How does racism affect health outcomes?
- What are the variations that have been found in racism in Australia and overseas?
- Some examples of racism
- The relationship between racism and self-destructive behaviour
- How does racism in Australia compare to the rest of the world?
- How has research into racism informed or changed public policy?
- We also discuss some of the work that Dr Paradies has done in building a framework to tackle racism
- Racism in the media
- How do we educate people and promote harmony?
- Where does racism come from?
- What IS race?

Download MP3 of Ep 107

Some other interesting links:

Challenging Racism: The Anti-Racism Research Project at UWS

Building on our strengths - the anti-racism framework that Dr Paradies mentioned in the interview.

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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 Western Australia about his research into this area.

- Who is most likely to get sunburned?
- What are the best predictors for skin cancer?
- What is the difference between SPF and the Ultraviolet Index?
- Is all exposure to UV bad? Is there a protective effect?
- What are people’s perceptions of the UV Index?
- What measures have been recommended to influence people’s perception of the UV index and help reduce the incidences if skin cancer?
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Download MP3 of Ep 106

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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, 380 Lygon St, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia

OG

The Brains Matter interview with Dr Allie Ford from Monash Uni (highlights version for 365 DoA) was featured on Diffusion Science Radio this week.

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 detect magnetic fields, despite the fact they are invisible?
- What is the relationship between magnetism and the formation of galaxies?
- How is magnetism related to the existance of life?
- Could we exist without magnetism?
- What does this mean for space exploration?
- Magnetism and Faraday Rotation
- The relationships between magnetism and sun spots

Download MP3 of Ep 105

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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 do genes help us understand evolution?
- What is a Hox gene?
- What are the different types of Hox genes?
- What do they do?
- What has been observed with Hox genes in research on insects?
- The Zen gene
- How the RNA interference technique is used
- An example of the technique can plants and animals use to get rid of viruses
- How do these genes affect the development of embryos?
- Where is the foundation or blueprint of the body made?
- What are some of the causes of embryos not developing properly?

… and a whole lot more! Listen in to find out.

Also featured in episode 104 are listener feedback, and a listener question answered by Monash University postdoc Dr Richard Stancliffe. The listeners of the episode are Ed from Melbourne and Sarah from the US.

Promo: ‘The Rise of Atheism - Global Atheist Convention’, Melbourne 2010

Download MP3 of Ep 104

Some further links:

Hox Genes: Descent with modification
Oncopeltus fasciatus zen is essential for serosal tissue function in katatrepsis
Extraembryonic development in insects and the acrobatics of blastokinesis

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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 considered in terms of reforming those laws.

- How did the English laws impact him?
- What does this mean for the reporting of science and medicine in general?
- Are Australian libel laws similar to the UK ones?
- What should we do about this?

There is also a campaign underway to promote reform. You can find the Libel Reform Campaign website here

Nick’s entry that he mentioned in the interview.

Also featured in today’s episode is the listener of the episode (Shelagh R)

Download MP3 of Ep 103

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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 at the end of the year two entries will be chosen based on their responses and will win a Google Wave invite. If you already have Google Wave, use the invite to pass on to a friend or loved one!

So start thinking!