The Science Briefing

Scooping protein powder into a shaker and adding water after a workout is the norm for many gym goers. 

It's seen as an easy way to get big and up your protein intake quick smart. 

But just how effective are protein powders?

And do we rely on them too much?

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks the science behind protein powders with Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius and whether or not you're getting the bang for your buck.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the early 2010’s something called The Mandela Effect blew up on the internet.  

Masses of people online claimed to remember events or images as being one way, when they’re actually completely different to how they recall them.  

False memories have mostly been thought of as chance or a result of believing some conspiracy, however researchers are now trying to see if there’s a scientific explanation at play here. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto asks Cosmos Magazine journalist Imma Perfetto if there’s any science that explains the Mandela Effect and the experiments trying to understand exactly what’s going on. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

NASA wants astronaut boots back on the Moon ASAP.  

However, the next step isn’t just touching back down, but looking to set up some sort of settlement so humans can stick around.  

But the Moon is NOT Earth and there are some pretty harsh conditions on the lunar surface, meaning building safe havens is absolutely critical for a long-term stay. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Jacinta Bowler about building on the Moon, what sort of structures we’re looking at and whether a full on Moon base is even possible. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re moving into flu season, so a lot of people will soon grab their influenza jab. 

But in a post/ongoing covid world, where getting regular vaccines is the norm, how much do you actually know about what’s in a vaccine?

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist about exactly what’s in your jab and some of the ingredients that may surprise you.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can we learn how Beethoven died from his hair? 

Also, a huge discovery in 5 grams of asteroid dirt and the scientific explanation for curly hair.  

These are 3 science stories from March you might have missed but should definitely know about.

Featuring Cosmos Magazine journalist Imma Perfetto.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There aren't just a bunch of ethical issues with AI, but potential legal problems as well.

Who's responsible when a self-driving car gets into an accident?

What happens if ChatGPT leaks copyrighted or protected information?

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Petra Stock about how our legal systems aren't ready for an AI future and the exploited labor behind artificial intelligence.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With some of the biggest AI advocates in the world now jumping on the 'let's slow it down' bandwagon (Elon Musk, wink wink) we're asking - is AI actually a bad thing?

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Jacinta Bowler about the good, and not so good applications of artificial intelligence and what they say about our AI filled future. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ChatGPT chatbot has taken the internet by storm for both very legitimate and very silly reasons. 

Some of the things the AI language processor churns out are incredibly sophisticated, leaving many worried it’s going to take over their jobs.  

But other responses from ChatGPT are hilarious non-sensical trash. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Evrim about how ChatGPT works, how it can spit out incredible knowledge and garbage at the same time and what the algorithms behind the AI are truly capable of.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us are glued to a device from the moment we wake up to the minute we go to sleep. 

Not only are we clocking up huge amounts of screen time, but we're also interacting with some form of artificial intelligence for likely hours each day. 

Kind of crazy, right?

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Evrim Yazgin about how many times a day we're interacting with AI in ways you might not even think about. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thankfully this is no Last of Us situation – that’s the popular video game and TV series where a fungus turns humans into horrifying mushroom zombies.  

Instead, the fungus discovered on Lord Howe Island off Australia’s east coast poses a massive threat to a number of iconic plant species.  

So, what is this fungus? Where did it come from? And what dangers does it pose to native plant species? 

Dr Sophie Calabretto gets an update on the fungal outbreak at Lord Howe Island from Cosmos Magazine journalist Imma Perfetto.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.