The Science Show - Separate stories podcast

ABC

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.

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Lab Notes: Why do whales strand en masse?

Every now and again, dozens or even hundreds of perfectly healthy looking whales strand themselves on a beach. And despite people's best efforts, many — if not all of them — will die. So why do whales strand themselves, and why do they seem to do it at the same locations? This episode was first broadcast in August 2025. You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science journalist and presenter Belinda Smith 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: Kate Sprogis, marine mammal ecologist at University of Western Australia More information: Cause of mass pilot whale stranding at Cheynes Beach still no clearer one year on This episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Menang Noongar people.

14 min
12/23/2025

Lab Notes: Tips to reduce microplastics exposure

It's impossible to escape microplastics. They're in our food and water, and the air around us is teeming with them. So considering they're all around us, how can we minimise our exposure to tiny plastic fragments without resorting to living in a cave? This episode was first broadcast in August 2025. You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science journalist and presenter Belinda Smith 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: Cassandra Rauert, microplastics researcher at the University of Queensland More information: Microplastics are in our food, water and air. How can we minimise our exposure to them? Human exposure to PM10 microplastics in indoor air Average household dishwasher releases 33 million nano and microplastic particles per year, research finds Laundry is a top source of microplastic pollution — but you can clean your clothes more sustainably This episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Menang Noongar people.

13 min
12/19/2025

Searching for a new source of collagen – from crocodiles

Rina Fu’s research and teaching is across three universities. She is a recent recipient of awards including the Western Australia’s Premier’s Award for Science Communication.

9 min
12/16/2025

Lab Notes: How is sunscreen SPF tested?

Australia's known for having some of the world's toughest sunscreen standards, but in June, that reputation was rocked. Independent testing of 20 sunscreens found 16 did not meet their advertised SPF50 rating, including three children's sunscreens and three sold by the Cancer Council. So how are sunscreens tested, and what can we learn from these recent SPF revelations? This episode was first broadcast in September 2025. You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science journalist and presenter Belinda Smith 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: John Staton, scientific director at SciPharmMore information: What is SPF, and how is sunscreen's sun protection factor tested in the laboratory? Choice report finds popular Australian sunscreens fail to meet SPF claims on label This episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Menang Noongar people.

14 min
12/09/2025

Lab Notes: How maths explains nature's weirdness

A huge cold blob of air above Antarctica and bushfires spreading along ridgelines don't appear to have anything in common, yet the strange behaviour of these natural phenomena — and many others — can be understood and explained by mathematics. You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science journalist and presenter Belinda Smith 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: Chantelle Blachut, mathematician at UNSW Canberra

14 min
12/05/2025

Prove It!

Elizabeth Finkel deploys scientific evidence to show that President Trump’s claim that Tylenol, used by pregnant women to relieve pain, is a cause of autism, is false.

20 min
12/05/2025

Science was always present for novelist Terry Pratchett

Next week we celebrate the English author of fantasy novels Terry Pratchett who died in 2015. Physicist Len Fisher presents this tribute and says the scientific references and thinking in Pratchett’s novels are too often overlooked.

7 min
12/05/2025

Genetic rescue helps struggling native plant species

Chantelle Doyle moves pollen between locations hoping to establish new plant populations and increase genetic diversity giving struggling species a boost.

8 min

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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.