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 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!

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 tobacco advertising on non-smokers?
– What kind of effects have been discovered?
– Have the impacts on children been considered?
– What is being done to combat these psychological effects?
– What studies have been done to help us understand the situation?
– What legislation has been implemented based on these studies?

Featured in today’s episode are the listener of the episode (Nerida L), and letters from faithful fans.

Download MP3 of Ep 102

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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 getting from listeners for future shows have been fantastic. I have a list longer than my arm right now, and wish I had the time and resources to dedicate to finding the answers to every one of those questions in quick time.

Of course if you enjoy the show, you’re more than welcome to nominate the show for the Podcast Awards http://www.podcastawards.com/
or here for blog posts http://scienceblogs.com/clock/openlab09/

And a big thank you to everyone who has left your lovely thoughts and reviews on iTunes / Podcast Alley, and a special thank you to those who have supported the show and given a donation – it goes a long way.

Regards

OG

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

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! He
has offered his services free to register a Charity, which we have
decided to call “Never Forget Elephants”, to promote the conservation of
the Asian elephant. It would be great to involve you in the next
chapter of this ongoing story

Wonderful news from Professor Short – and many thanks to Glen for engaging in this effort. I hope that many listeners get behind this charity as well.

OG

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 if it came in closer to the sun?
– How likely are we to be hit by a comet?

We also talk about pink black holes – what ARE pink black holes? I also talk to Dr Francis about some of his novel ways of teaching critical thinking and scepticism / scientific thinking to his students through some unexpected methods. Listen in to find out how!

Featured in today’s episode are the listener of the episode, and feedback

Download MP3 of Ep 101

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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?
* What are the latest clinical advances?
* Can I bank my own stem cells and those of my children?

For information about stem cells, please go to the interview with Dr Orly Lacham-Kaplan on stem cells at:

Episode 072 – Stem Cells and Infertility