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!
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.
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. Choose from the category(ies) you want, and buy via the store there and you’ll be able to buy what you like from the Printfection store.
Enjoy!
Oh, and for those who get in quick, if you buy before Wednesday the 17th of February, and use the coupon code “4PFBDAY”, you will get an additional 25% off the price.
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?
– what influences our view of attractiveness?
– what kinds of jealousy do we feel?
– what is Valentines Day? What are some of the stories behind it?
and some random facts. Thank you to everyone who came along to the live recording, it was a lot of fun!
Please vote for this podcast this month at
You can donate by clicking on the button above, and subscribe by subscribing in iTunes 
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?
The presentations used during this debate:
Marion’s presentation for the positive argument
Prof Lattanzio’s presentation for the negative argument
Please vote for this podcast this month at
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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?
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.
Please vote for this podcast this month at
You can donate by clicking on the button above, and subscribe by subscribing in iTunes
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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Please vote for this podcast this month at
You can donate by clicking on the button above, and subscribe by subscribing in iTunes
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.
Or Australian dollars:
Cancel at any time you want!
