The Science Show - Separate stories podcast

ABC Australia
  • 3.0 (4)
  • Natural Sciences
  • Updated Weekly

The Science Show gives Australians unique insights into the latest scientific research and debate, from the physics of cricket to prime ministerial biorhythms.

  1. 23h ago

    Lab Notes: The 'Hail Mary' effort to rescue a telescope

    Right now, a high-stakes mission is underway to save NASA's Swift telescope before it falls back to Earth. There's just one problem… the rescue satellite has run into some issues. So who rescues the rescuer? Jonathan Webb and Dr Sara Webb launch into this issue to see what scientists are doing to get this satellite back on track, and whether it can save Swift in time. You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more. Get in touch with us: labnotes@abc.net.au Featuring: Dr Sara Webb, Swinburne University of TechnologyThis episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal, Ngunnawal and Ngambri people.

  2. 5d ago

    Australians smashing it at CERN

    CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is the world's biggest particle physics laboratory. Located near Geneva on the border of France and Switzerland, it uses massive particle accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider to smash particles together near the speed of light revealing the composition of the universe. And now, the famous accelerator is being renewed to smash at even higher rates. Shelby Traynor visits CERN and meets several Australian scientists there doing frontline work on atomic particles.

  3. 5d ago

    Vale botanist Peter Raven

    Peter Raven’s industry was staggering. He did a massive survey of plants in China; he advised several US presidents and the Dalai Lama; he rescued the Missouri Botanical Garden from neglect, bringing it world renown. His former student, Peter Bernhardt, sings his praises — in the interests of encouraging young people to study the vital discipline of botany.

  4. 5d ago

    Pollen grains reveal Australia's first flowering plants

    Australia is home to around 20,000 flowering plants. But when did the first flowers emerge? Vera Korasidis at the University of Melbourne is a palynologist — a palaeontologist specialising in pollen and spores. She analyses ancient pollen and says the oldest-known pollen has been dated to 125 million years. Pollen grains are coated with an extremely hardy compound allowing them to be preserved in rocks for millions of years.

  5. 5d ago

    Plants that trap insects

    Some of the most beautiful Australian native plants have spring-loaded traps that move faster than the blink of an eye. Jo Birch, curator of the University of Melbourne Herbarium, shows Belinda Smith examples of plants with extremely quick-moving parts that target insects, some snarling them with sticky goo and others with vacuum-powered traps.

  6. 5d ago

    Smelly feet attractive for nematodes

    Nematodes are microscopic worms. They are everywhere. Up to 40,000 species have been described. There may be as many as one million discrete species. Some live independently, others are parasitic. Some impact humans, penetrating broken skin and finding their way to the stomach. Infection can be asymptomatic. But it may bring gastrointestinal pain, malnourishment, cognitive impairment, or death for people who are immunosuppressed. Elissa Hallem is investigating infection pathways including their attraction to smelly feet!

  7. Aug 12

    Lab Notes: How do flowers know when to bloom?

    The last days of winter are here and already you may be seeing flowers blooming around you. Why is that? How do flowers know when to bloom, and is it always around springtime? Jonathan Webb digs into these questions with Dr Greg Moore to try and uncover the mechanisms behind flowering plants. You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more. Get in touch with us: labnotes@abc.net.au Featuring: Dr Greg Moore, The University of MelbourneFurther information: What is Australia's most amazing Wildflower? Vote nowDinosaur Died. No flowers at funeralThis episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal, Ngunnawal and Ngambri people.

  8. Aug 7

    Vale Bill Oddie

    The famous British comedian, naturalist, and TV host Bill Oddie known for his lifelong passion for birds died in July 2026. After rising to fame in the 1970s comedy trio The Goodies, Bill Oddie became Britain's best-loved birder, presenting popular wildlife shows such as Birding with Bill Oddie and Springwatch to educate millions about ornithology and conservation. We hear a short extract from Bill Oddie’s appearance on The Science Show in 1992.

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The Science Show gives Australians unique insights into the latest scientific research and debate, from the physics of cricket to prime ministerial biorhythms.

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