Einstein A Go-Go

Dr Shane is joined in the studio by Dr Jen and Dr Euan, sharing their science news of the week. This week’s guests are Renee Grace Key, a PhD student from Swinburne University, talking about dark matter and if it really is Stephen Hawking’s prediction of a tiny black hole; Jack Atkin-Smith, a veterinary surgeon at Swan Hill Vet Clinic talks about blood transfusions for dogs; and Jacinta Agius, a PhD candidate from La Trobe University, discusses research on anti-viral strategies against Haliotid herpesvirus in Australian abalone.

Presenter Dr Shane is joined by Drs Linden and Hayley for the latest science news. Dr Francesco Ricci from the Department of Microbiology at Monash University discusses how scientists work to understand how life adapts to extreme environments and how life that thrives in these environments can help save the Great Barrier Reef. Professor Nicole Bell, President of The Australian Institute of Physics and researcher at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics at The University of Melbourne shows us how research into neutrinos and dark matter helps us understand our universe, and that Australia is heavily involved in this work.

Remember, “Science is everywhere”, including:

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Dr Shane is joined in the studio by Dr Laura and Dr Ray, who share news on beef-flavoured rice grown in the lab and shocking findings by European researchers that microplastics penetrate so deeply into lake sediment that they enter layers laid down before plastics were even invented.

Dr Shane interviews three guests:

Dr Mehrnaz Shoushtarian from the Bionics Institute shares her research leveraging light-based brain imaging and machine learning to detect tinnitus-related brain changes. This could help to measure effects of new treatments for tinnitus and better identify different types of tinnitus to tailor the treatment.

Dr Jayden Newstead from University of Melbourne's School of Physics shares his research, which aims to develop new techniques to detect less frequently occurring types of dark matter.

A/Prof Nadia Zatsepin is an ARC Future Fellow from La Trobe University, and her research uses X-rays to image molecules in real time, creating "molecular movies" to better understand the mechanics of certain proteins.

Dr Shane is joined by EAGG regulars Dr Suzi, Chris KP and Dr Scarlett, Alongside them this week are 3 amazing guests.

Dr Chris Freelance Biologist, Science communicator and Manager of the Melbourne Histology Platform, shares insight into Histology and the research and analysis underway examining microanatomy.

Jacinda O’Connor PhD Student – Monash University, discusses the Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF) project, and data surrounding climate change related rising sea levels.

Dr Samantha Mooney Obstetrician and Gynaecologist from the Julia Argyrou Endometriosis Centre at Epworth, discusses Endometriosis and an important upcoming Endometriosis symposium.

The team share other science news relating to time travel, climate change, classical music and mathematics, and the science of experience.

Dr Susie, Dr Euan and Dr Shane talk to guest Dr Paul Gurr from the Dept. Chemical Engineering at the University of Melbourne about the delicate task of cornea surgery. Currently only 1 in 70 patients with corneal disease receive the necessary surgery. Bioengineers are develop a fully synthetic cornea to address the short supply of cornea in Australia and worldwide.

The team then talk to Dr Sophie Holland about SAEF: Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, who's current project focuses on how microbes in Antarctic soils meet their energy, carbon and water needs, and how these microbial communities are influenced by climate change. Sophie is particularly interested in aerotrophs - bacteria that can “live on air” by harnessing energy from trace gases in the atmosphere.

Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, and Minister for Ambulance Services discusses the Inquity into Women's Pain; Dr Madison Paton, Senior Research Fellow at Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA) talks about new stem and cell therapies for brain protection in babies and children to prevent Cerebral Palsy; and Associate Professor Stephanie Filbay, Principal Research Fellow - Health, Exercise & Sports Med Physiotherapy at University of Melbourne on new treatments for damaged AC joints, the main stabilising ligament in the knee.

Program page: Einstein-A-Go-Go
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Twitter: Einstein-A-Go-Go

Associate Professor Fabio A. Capitanio, School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, Monash University, tells us all about his research into mountain belts and the large earthquakes they host; Dr Harshini Weerasinghe and Dr Francios Olivier, Monash University discuss their research into new ways to combat the threats posed by fungal pathogens in the future; plus, in weekly science news, the team discusses concerning pollution levels of deep sea plastics, the last flight of the Mars helicopter and a reproduction study of fruit flies. With presenter Dr Laura, Dr Scarlett and Dr Ray.

Program page: Einstein-A-Go-Go
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When Dr Shane is away… the show goes on as normal because it’s very well organised!

This week Chris KP and Dr Susi discussed how an acid in our blood helps determine the construction of our retinal cones, plus Dr Emma Bennett from School of Biological Sciences at Monash University shared her work looking at the impact of wind farms on micro-bats and other wildlife.

Michael Mews from the School of Physics, University of Melbourne, went deep into his subterranean experiments using sodium-Iodide with active background rejection to better understand dark matter. We also spoke to Rebecca Russell Saunders from Wesley College to tell us about her students designing space settlements at the University of Queensland, as part of the Australian Space Design Competition.

Program page: Einstein-A-Go-Go

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Science is vastly more impactful if it is shared, and this week Dr Euan, Dr Jen, and Dr Shane look at the connections between policy, science, and community. Have you ever wondered how science is translated into interactive, inspiring exhibitions? Melbourne Museum’s Experience Developer Mei Liu joins the show to expand on the intersection of science and experience (while also previewing her latest project: Air Playground at Scienceworks).

If that doesn’t get you out of bed, imagine if you medically couldn’t.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or what's named 'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome' has been met with stigma and controversy since its discovery. In fact, recent studies show that even doctors can have negative attitudes about it. Professor Ros Gleadow (Head, Plant Ecophysiology Research Group) and her daughter Eliza Charley (who lives with the condition) have teamed up to identify knowledge gaps; investigate treatment options; and highlight this very underfunded area of research.

Program page: Einstein-A-Go-Go
Facebook page: Einstein-A-Go-Go
Twitter: Einstein-A-Go-Go

Dr Shane is joined in the studio by Dr Ray, Dr Linden and Dr Susi, who share some science news about microsleep in penguins, the resilience of redwood trees after bushfires and dolphins detecting electric signals to hunt prey. They are joined in the studio by Dr Susan Christo, a Postdoc in Dr Laura’s lab at the Doherty Institute, talking about their recent publication in the journal Science. Their research looks at T cells in the skin and how they can distinguish between problematic T cells that can cause autoimmune disease and protective T cells, which we need for our immune system. Finally, Dr Susi shines some light on the amazing properties of bats and how their long lifespan and adapted immune system could hold the solution to a lot of viral disease humans face.

Remember, “Science is everywhere”, including:

Program page: Einstein-A-Go-Go

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and live every Sunday at 11:00a.m AEST on RRR 102.7mHz FM.