Fuzzy Logic Science Show

Of all the effects of ageing, perhaps the most dreaded, is dementia. It's confronting for the person, their family, and everyone around them. The common perception is that there isn't much that can be done if you get it. That, however, is probably not true.

Tara is studying at the Centre for Ageing Research and Translation at the University of Canberra.

What was the world like ten, twenty or a hundred thousand years ago? What was the environment, the plants, the animals and the insects? And, importantly, how did these mesh into an ecosystem?

To answer these questions about deep time, we need, not just sophisticated techniques, but the skill and passion of people like our guests today. Dr Alex Wall and PhD Student Jalen Nalbant are paleoecologists.

In this interview by Sophia and Rod, we look at what that means and why it matters today.

You can help our paleoecology friends by putting a pollen trap in your garden. The samples you collect will be used to refine the models showing how pollen is distributed over an area. Simple & fun for both urban and rural.

https://www.jcu.edu.au/college-of-science-and-engineering/vegemap

Let's start with a big question: what are the pillars of civilisation?

There are a few possible answers, but our guests today might argue that the list should include soil. Humble, dirty dirt, crawling with larvae, fungus and bacteria is an under-appreciated champion because, without it, we would not be here.

To celebrate the magic of soils, Sophia Dacy-Cole has just submitted her PhD which includes an exhibition that celebrates soil (Instagram and website).

Joining us is Dr Alex Wall, a paleoecologist from the ANU. We want to know more about paleoecology; stay tuned.

Interview by Lucy and Rod.

Image source: https://physics.anu.edu.au/news_events/?EventID=457

One of the joys of science is delving into the deepest mysteries of the universe. What holds it all together? Part of the answer, of course, is gravity. That's the force that allows us to sit or stand without floating off into space. But it's much more than that, because without gravity, there would be no Earth and no Sun.

In this episode we enjoyed a conversation with Distinguished Prof Susan Scott from the ANU. Professor Scott is one of the key people involved with the first confirmed detection of gravitational waves by the LIGO detectors.

She is a passionate advocate for science and mathematics and promoting the cause of women in science.

Interview by Rod.

This Earth Science Week on Fuzzy Logic we chat with experts from Geoscience Australia about harnessing the power of space technology to tackle our biggest challenges. 

For fifty years, the partnership between Geoscience Australia and the United States Geological Survey has revolutionized our understanding of the Earth from space.  

Through the Landsat program, we’ve gained invaluable insights into our environment, from monitoring deforestation and urban growth to managing water resources and agricultural lands.  

Tune in to hear David Hudson, Medhavy Thankappan and Eloise Birchall from Geoscience Australia chat to Broderick about Landsat and Landsat Next.

A triumph of our civilisation are the things that go on under the covers without us even noticing. When you pour stuff down the sink or flush it down the toilet, where does it go? Luckily, we don't need to think about it...until somebody does the wrong thing.

That's when we should hail the invisible, unsung heroes of this story. That's right, these are the people that go down into the bowels - literally - of a city's plumbing to do what must be done.

We can do our bit, it's not difficult... think before you flush.

Here, Rod interviews Davina McCormick, General Manger Customer Engagement at ICON water.

If you're in Floriade this weekend (21-22 Sep), be sure to see their display. Gritty, but highly recommended.

A guest podcast from Valerie Albrecht.

This podcast offers reflective space to consider the relationship between sustainability and 

The race to net-zero is accelerating.   

Governments around the world are increasingly committing to achieve net-zero emission targets. But what does that mean and can clean energy help achieve this? 

Join Broderick as he discusses the move to net zero in Australia with Dr Andrew Feitz, Director Low Carbon Geoscience and Advice and Dr Marcus Haynes, Computational Geoscientist.

Thanks to Geoscience Australia for this week's guests.

Happy National Science Week!

This episode Broderick talks to two event holders for National Science Week. Heather Massie shares her story in bringing the life of Hedy Lamar to the stage through her one-woman play HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr. Then, Liz Lea and the Chameleon Collective share their experience telling a story of a reef through dance in the show Reef Up!

For more details on HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr and to book tickets head to www.HeatherMassie.com/Hedy 

For more details on Reef UP! and to book tickets head to https://www.thestellarcompany.com/

More National Science Week events can be found at www.scienceweek.net.au