Debunks

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UPDATED WEEKLY

Debunks is your myth busting-guide to all the big science questions. We sort fact from fiction and tell you if something really is too good to be true.

03/04/2024

Screens: Should parents worry about kids screentime?

Excessive screen time is parents’ number one child health concern. But should they be so concerned? Let’s check the research. In this episode, Cosmos journalist Jacinta Bowler exceeds the screentime guidelines to chat with experts Anthea Rhodes, Taren Sanders and Luci Pangrazio to find out whether watching too many episodes of Bluey poses any real risk to young kids. This episode was produced by Petra Stock and edited by Andrew Wyrill. For more science news, visit cosmosmagazine.com and follow us on Instagram @cosmosmagazine Love the show? Let us know by rating and leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 min
02/26/2024

Screens: Is social media bad for mental health?

From girl dinner to fitspiration, there’s no escaping social media – its memes and hashtags - for today’s teens and young people. In this episode, Cosmos journalist Jacinta Bowler does some mindless scrolling. They also DM experts Associate Professor Ivanka Pritchard, Dr Danielle Einstein, Associate Professor Gemma Sharp, and Nicola Palfrey uncover the evidence for whether social media is bad for mental health? This episode was produced by Petra Stock and edited by Andrew Wyrill. Danielle Einstein’s website www.thedip.com has tips for dealing with devices, social media and anxiety. If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact: Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 ,36 Kids Helpline 1800 551 800, Headspace 1800 650 890 (in Australia). For more science news, visit cosmosmagazine.com and follow us on Instagram @cosmosmagazine Love the show? Let us know by rating and leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 min
02/19/2024

Screens: Is the rise of streaming platforms making us watch more?

Streaming has changed everything in television and movies, offering us more choice than ever before, even more than titles available at the local video store. In this episode, Cosmos journalist Jacinta Bowler tracks down one of the last video rentals in the country, and then fast forwards to experts Professor Amanda Lotz and Associate Professor Ramon Lobato to view the evidence on whether the rise of streaming and smart TVs has changed the way we watch. And veteran TV presenter Tony Jones tells us who's still watching the nightly news. This episode was produced by Petra Stock and edited by Andrew Wyrill. For more science news, visit cosmosmagazine.com and follow us on Instagram @cosmosmagazine Love the show? Let us know by rating and leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

23 min
02/12/2024

Screens: Does playing video games lead to violence?

Why is it that so many video games have violent content. And what is it about violent video games that makes them so popular? In this episode, Cosmos journalist Jacinta Bowler levels up by speaking with experts Associate Professor Michael Kasumovic, Associate Professor Jim Sauer and Dr Aaron Drummond to defeat the age-old question – does virtual violence in video games lead to real world aggression. This episode was produced by Petra Stock and edited by Andrew Wyrill. For more science news, visit cosmosmagazine.com and follow us on Instagram @cosmosmagazine Love the show? Let us know by rating and leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 min
02/05/2024

Vices: Is there a safe limit of alcohol you can drink?

For a lot of people, alcohol is associated with partying, celebrating and an all-round good time. But does this social lubricant have its downsides? Is there any truth to the idea that a little bit of alcohol is actually good for you? Or is there no safe limit at all? In this episode, Cosmos journalist Petra Stock pops open the bottle to take a swig of the science of alcohol. She is joined by Dr Michael Livingston, Dr Liz Temple, Dr Nicole Lee and Dr Sarah Callinan. Together, they get drunk on knowledge about what alcohol is and how it affects our bodies and minds. This episode was produced by Evrim Yazgin and edited by Andrew Wyrill. Theme music by Will Berryman. For more science news, visit cosmosmagazine.com and follow us on Instagram @cosmosmagazine Love the show? Let us know by rating and leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 min
01/29/2024

Vices: Should you avoid sugar?

Many of us love the sweet pleasure that comes with sugar. It brings joy to our taste buds in desserts, soft drinks and fruits. But could sugary goodness be doing harm to our bodies? In this episode, Cosmos journalist Petra Stock gets her bake on to investigate the science of sugar. Joined by Dr Felippe Oliveira, Dr Alexandra Jones and Dr Alan Barclay, they take a syrupy journey to find out if sugar should be avoided, or if a spoonful really does help. This episode was produced by Evrim Yazgin and edited by Andrew Wyrill. Theme music by Will Berryman. For more science news, visit cosmosmagazine.com and follow us on Instagram @cosmosmagazine Love the show? Let us know by rating and leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 min
01/22/2024

Vices: Is vaping better for you than cigarettes?

We all know that cigarettes are bad for our health. But now they’re old news - it’s flavoured puffs of white smoke that are on our minds instead. In this episode, Cosmos journalist Petra Stock puts her investigation hat on to find out what the science is on vaping. Joined by Professor Simon Chapman and Professor Matthew Peters, they coughtheir way through our understanding of vapes. This episode was produced by Evrim Yazgin and edited by Andrew Wyrill. Theme music by Will Berryman. For more science news, visit cosmosmagazine.com and follow us on Instagram @cosmosmagazine Love the show? Let us know by rating and leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 min
01/15/2024

Vices: Is coffee good or bad for you?

There’s not many of us who don’t wake up to a coffee or tea in the morning. But is this little ritual a good or bad thing for our collective health? In this episode, Cosmos journalist Petra Stock stocks up on caffeine to find out. Joined by Dr Crystal Yates and Kitty Pham, as well as the fantastic baristas at Heartattack and Vine in Melbourne, they grind down myths about coffee, tea and caffeine in general. This episode was produced by Evrim Yazgin and edited by Andrew Wyrill. Theme music by Will Berryman. For more science news, visit cosmosmagazine.com and follow us on Instagram @cosmosmagazine Love the show? Let us know by rating and leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 min

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TRAILER

Introducing Debunks

Welcome to Debunks! A podcast to serve as your myth-busting guide to the big science questions. From bushfires to electric vehicles, the science journalists at Cosmos sort fact from fiction on all the big topics to you let you know when you've been led astray. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

09/26/2023

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1 min

Debunks is your myth busting-guide to all the big science questions. We sort fact from fiction and tell you if something really is too good to be true.