Brains Matter ©

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 the links associated with that episode.

Interviews:
Dr Andrew Prentice — the first use of the telescope for astronomical purposes

Dr Djoymi Baker– The relationship between sci fi and mythology
Prof John Lattanzio – Element formation in stars
Dr Zachary Moore – Fundamentalism and evolution
Dr Adrian Gentle – Special relativity
Dr Roger Rassool – Physics and music
Prof Peter Doherty – Jokes and the Nobel Prize
Dr Mark Boland – Measurements in the synchrotron
Dr Pamela Gay – Naming the big bang
Dr David Karoly – The evidence for global warming
Adam Parker – Origins of robotics
Dr Orly Lacham-Kaplan – What are stem cells?
Prof Roger Short – Evolutionary evidence of the origin of elephants
Marc West – Cricket, maths and statistics
Dr Seth Shostak – Science and the movies

Dr Simon Singh – The wonder of maths and science, the decline of maths and science study in schools, and a discussion on pseudo science

I hope everyone enjoys National Science Week in Australia – and for those not in Australia – go out and enjoy some science today!!

I would like to thank everyone who have made contributions to this episode, including: Dr Andrew Prentice, Dr Simon Singh, Dr Allie Ford, Christian Wilson, Christopher Short, Dr Daniel Price, Dr Phil Plait, Dr Duncan Galloway, Erk, Daniel Viles, Jason Hameister, Dr Rosemary Mardling, Marc West, Kylie Sturgess, Derek Colanduno, Darryl Carlton, and Nigel Hedges

Thanks also to the following people for their feedback for the episode:

Julia Meaden, Catherine Ld, Christopher Able, Paulo Ricardo Savino, Gerardo Blanco, Jerome

Download MP3 of Ep 100

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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 skeptic, and how is it useful?

I visited a talk presented by the Australian Skeptics and after it had finished, I talked to Dr Rachael Dunlop, Dave the Happy Singer, and Richard Saunders – all well known within the Australian Skeptics movement.

Download MP3 of Ep 99

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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?!” Drop me a line and let me know!

OG

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 do?
– Why is Hollywood using science advisers more of late?
– How important is it to get the science right in movies?
– Society and its view of science versus other pursuits – the difference in attitudes between the west and the east
– Seth’s new book, “Confessions of an Alien Hunter”

Seth’s book:

Download MP3 of Ep 98

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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 the “Hot Jupiter” style planets that have been found?
– Most extra solar planets that have been found are short period – why is this the case?
– Is our solar system “normal”, or unusual?
– How do we determine if a system has more than one extra solar planet?
– What could finding extra solar planets mean for us here in our solar system?

Also included in this show are the listener of the episode, and listener feedback.

Apologies for the audio quality of this interview – it’s been cleaned up as much as possible.

Download MP3 of Ep 97

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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 keep yourself young and vital (we hope!), and
– brain imaging – and how this has been useful for the medical field and what it can tell us about our brains.
Dr Campbell also answers the all important question of which medical tv show is THE one worth watching.

Download MP3 of Ep 96

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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 on what was discussed in the previous two episodes.

This is the final part of a 3 part interview series with Dr Prentice. Please listen to episodes 93 and 94 first.

Download MP3 of Ep 95

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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 especially Titan, is fascinating.

This is part 2 of a 3 part interview series.

Download MP3 of Ep 94

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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 the first of a 3 part interview.

Download MP3 of Ep 93

Please vote for this podcast this month at

You can donate by clicking on the button above, and subscribe by subscribing in iTunes