Science Spinning on Dublin City FM

IMAGE: Newborn babies can experience undetected seizures, which can lead to serious consequences later in life. A team at UCC is developing technology to better ensure earlier detection and medical intervention. [Credit: Science Foundation Ireland]

Science Books: Interview with Richard Kirwan, former director of the Ordnance Survey about his book 'If Maps Could Speak'. 

The Question Is?: Can scientists develop pro-biotic products that can prevent obesity and even colon cancer? We ask Catherine Stanton, a probiotic researcher based at Teagasc. 

What's it All About?: Undetected brain seizures in newborns can cause serious problems later in life. New technology, being developed in Cork can help earlier detection and intervention, leading to better outcomes for the children later in life. We discuss the technology, with Geraldine Boylan, a researcher at the Neonatal Research Unit at UCC, who is part of the technology development team. 

To contact the show email: [email protected] 

For more about the presenter, Seán Duke, click here

Ireland's Maths Problem; Shape-shifting implants; Mobile defibrillator

IMAGE: A smartphone, such as this iphone, could be converted into a mobile defibrillator, according to Belvedere College science students [Credit: Gizmodo]

What's it all about?

Electroactive Polymers, or EAPs, are materials that change shape in response to electricity. These have potential for use as futuristic medical devices, for use, for example, in people with cardiovascular disease. Frank Stam of the Tyndall National Institute tells us more. 

The question is? 

The latest OECD report on maths standards shows Ireland has slipped into the bottom half of the league table when it comes to maths standards among developed nations. We ask Dr Sara McMurry, a retired physicist from TCD, and the author of a new book called 'Mathematics as a language' where she thinks we are going wrong. 

Inventive minds

We talk this week to two Belvedere College students, Owen Killian and Lucas Grange, that will be exhibiting their idea for a smartphone defibrillator at the upcoming BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 

To contact the show with comments, suggestions or suggests, email: [email protected]

To SUBSCRIBE to receive a podcast of the show each week, simply email the word 'SUBSCRIBE' to [email protected]

Thanks for listening Sean Duke, Presenter & Producer, Science Spinning on 103.2 Dublin City FM.

Quantum Computers, Wave Energy off Ireland, Innovation Academy 

IMAGE: The wave energy that resides off the coastline of Ireland could provide 40 per cent of our electricity needs, experts state. [credit: www.ecofriend.org/] 

What's it all about?

Experts state that a quantum computer, based on manipulation of atoms, could make today's computers look like a child's abacus. But, how do they work, and when can all expect to be using them? We ask Michael McGettrick, School of Mathematics at NUI Galway to explain. 

The question is?

It is estimated that wave power could provide up to 40 per cent of Ireland's electricity needs, reducing energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions hugely in the process. The potential is there to lead the world in wave energy, but how likely is it to happen? We ask Tony Lewis of the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre at UCC. 

Inventive minds

Where will Ireland get enough highly-educated entrepreneurs to drive the 'knowledge economy'? Well one place might be as graduates of the UCD-TCD Innovation Academy for PhDs launched last week. We discuss the initiative with Academy co-Director, Suzi Jarvis of UCD. 

To contact the show with comments, suggestions or suggests, email: [email protected]

To SUBSCRIBE to receive a podcast of the show each week, simply email the word 'SUBSCRIBE' to [email protected] 

Thanks for listening

Sean Duke, Presenter & Producer, Science Spinning on 103.2 Dublin City FM.