Ockham’s Razor

Would you rather have rat, shark or snail teeth? 

Turns out, they all have characteristics that could be used as inspiration for human dentistry. 

Dentist Greg explores the future of dentistry and what we can learn from the animal world.

The next Ockham's Razor live show is in Perth in February! You can find details and tickets here.

How do you organise a community health program when no one speaks the same language? 

When researcher Renly was faced with this question, she worked on a creative solution. 

This week, Renly Lim explores using theatre to communicate science. 

The next Ockham's Razor live podcast event is coming up soon! We'll be in Perth in February. You can find details and tickets here. 

Susan Woods wants you to put her out of a job.

And she's not even asking that much of you – in fact you may have already done your bit.

Susan is a gut cancer researcher. If everyone who was eligible did their bowel screening test, she'd probably be unemployed.

But just in case, she's looking into solutions for the worst prognosis bowel cancers and conscripting certain microbes to help her do it.

Speaker:

Dr Susan WoodsSenior research fellow, Gut Cancer Group, SAHMRI

Host: 

Tegan Taylor

Producer:

Tegan Taylor, Rose Kerr

Sometimes science requires getting a little messy. 

Researcher Tahlia has been working with citizen scientists through a slightly strange request... Sending her echidna poo. 

Today, Tahlia explains the challenges in conserving echidnas and what we can do to help. 

Speaker:Dr Tahlia PerryPostdoctoral ResearcherUniversity of Adelaide

Host:Tegan Taylor

Producer: Tegan Taylor, Rose Kerr

Looking at a maths equation, do you see numbers or characters in a story?

If you're thinking of numbers, there might be another way to see the full picture. 

Today, Associate Professor Amie Albrecht explores the unexpected combination of maths and storytelling. 

Speaker:Amie AlbrechtAssociate Professor of MathematicsInterim Dean of Programs (Education Futures)University of South Australia

Host:Tegan Taylor

Producer:Tegan Taylor, Rose Kerr

This episode was first released in June 2022. 

What does a natural landscape look like to you? Maybe you think of a dense forest, or a sparkling body of water. Somewhere untouched by humans, right? Maybe the word "wilderness" comes to mind.

Today we're hearing from someone who wants you to think twice about this idea of wilderness.

Michael-Shawn Fletcher is a geographer and a descendant of the Wiradjuri – and he wants to challenge the idea that country that's untouched by humans is a good thing.

Guest:Associate Professor Michael-Shawn FletcherGeographer, University of Melbourne

Presenter:Tegan Taylor

Producer:Tegan Taylor, James Bullen

When you're tired, are you grumpy? Maybe stressed? Feel like you can't socialise? 

We know we need to get good sleep for our own health, but it's also really important in our social lives.

Today, Joel Raymond explores what happens in our relationships when we don't get enough sleep. 

Speaker:Joel RaymondPhD candidate, School of Psychology and Brain and Mind CentreThe University of Sydney

Host:Tegan Taylor

Producer:Tegan Taylor, Gemma Conroy

Next live show:

The next live Ockham's Razor event is coming up soon! If you're in Adelaide on the 24th of November and want to join the audience, you can find tickets here

How many times do you think you've heard the words "anti-vax" in the last 3 years? What about, "vaccine hesitant"?

It would probably be countless.

But are these terms actually helpful in communicating the need for vaccines?

Associate Professor Holly Seale explores how language and listening are essential in having meaningful conversations about vaccination.

Speaker:Associate Professor Holly SealeSchool of Population HealthUniversity of New South Wales

Host:Tegan Taylor

Producer:Tegan Taylor, Gemma Conroy

Next live show:We've got another live Ockham's Razor event coming up very soon! The show is coming to Adelaide on the 24th of November. Find tickets here

Eating disorders are extremely complicated to treat, leaving people potentially struggling for decades. But there's a new contender in the treatment field: psychedelic drugs.

Sarah-Catherine Rodan talks us through how the active ingredient in magic mushrooms – used in a very particular way – could help people with anorexia.

The nature of this talk means we're going to be hearing about eating disorders, so if that's not going to be helpful for you, feel free to skip this episode.

Speaker:Sarah-Catherine Rodan, PhD CandidateInsideOut Institute and Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid TherapeuticsUniversity of Sydney

Host:Tegan Taylor

Producer:Tegan Taylor, Gemma Conroy

Next live show:Ockham's Razor is coming to Adelaide on the 24th of November so if you're in the neighbourhood, you can find tickets here

Conserving native species and landscapes is one of the biggest challenges scientists face in our future.

But what does conservation actually mean?

Graheme Webb has been working with crocodile populations for decades.

He's been pondering the big conservation question and says part of the challenge we face is understanding what we mean by the word itself.

Speaker: 

Professor Graheme WebbManaging director of Wildlife Management International

Host: 

Tegan Taylor

Producer:

Tegan Taylor, James Bullen