The Science Show

ABC Australia

4,8 (4)
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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.

−22 H

New idea for the origin of language

Conventional explanations for how humans became ‘the language animal’ focus on our need to cooperate to hunt, fight or make tools. Now, evolutionary biologist Madeleine Beekman suggests a new idea for origin of language: the need to share childcare.

55 min
−2 D

Lab Notes: Slip! Slop! Slap! SUCCESS!

Australia has the highest melanoma rates in the world — but there's some good news for Aussie kids. The presence of moles is a strong predictor of melanoma and researchers in Queensland have found that the number of moles found on children's bodies has halved in recent decades. 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: Nick Martin, human geneticist at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research InstituteExtra information: Halving of Australian children's naevus counts during 1992-2016 and change in sun behaviour Hopes for lower melanoma risk as study finds number of moles on children's bodies halved in 25 years This episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar people.

11 min
6 MARS

Astronomy and toxicology converge at Caltech

When raised lead levels were noticed in Los Angeles last year, a chemist — who usually examines asteroids — quickly saw that the fires that ravaged the region in January 2025 were to blame.

55 min
5 MARS

Lab Notes: Why air traffic won’t return to normal for months

Major international airports in the Middle East have been closed this week due to the war with Iran, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded. So, what happens after a major airspace closure? How do pilots know where they should fly? And how long will it take to get things back to normal? 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: Amy Briggs, science reporter Extra information: Air travel may be disrupted by the Iran war for months. This is whyThis episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal, Wurundjeri and Menang Noongar people.

11 min
27 FEB.

How the US came close to losing half its science funding

Robyn Williams reports from the 2026 annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

53 min
26 FEB.

Lab Notes: The surprising history of the backyard sprinkler

Backyard sprinklers have transformed the Aussie urban landscape. But their path to domination of our suburbs was haphazard — and hinged on the inventions of several knockabout tinkerers. Meanwhile with a rapidly drying climate, we may need to re-consider our reliance on this invention. 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: James Purtill, technology reporter Extra information: How the garden sprinkler conquered Australia This episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar people.

11 min
20 FEB.

Stories told by feet

An ancient human may be a new species, and extinct giant kangaroos - could they hop?

55 min
19 FEB.

Lab Notes: Why buying a star name is nonsense

A quick online search reveals multiple paid services for naming stars as commemorative gifts. You'll be provided with a certificate and a map for finding your star in the sky. But these names are not official and are not used by astronomers — or anyone else, for that matter. So what's going on, and how do stars really get their names? ‌Featuring: Laura Driessen, radio astronomer at the University of Sydney 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 This episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar people.

13 min

Visa alla (346)

Robyn Williams

Värd

4,8

av 5

4 betyg

Best science app

2017-06-23

MickJF

Fantastic presenter and interesting content. The best of scientific news in a great package.

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