Brains Matter ©

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 effect of […]

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 […]

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 to the original interviews by clicking on […]

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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 and being a skeptic? How does one become a […]

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 in a movie […]

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 we explain […]