The Lemuroid ringtail possum (Hemibelideus lemuroides) is a species endemic to Far North Queensland and only found in old-growth rainforest. It is a high-elevation specialist that appears to be highly vulnerable to heatwaves, forest loss and disturbance. Just like polar bears, they are highly sensitive to extreme temperature change. The white possum was once abundant in cool rainforests on Mount Lewis in northern Queensland, but its population collapsed abruptly following a severe heatwave in 2005. Today, just a handful of individuals are left, another possible victim of our new extreme climate, according to Bill Laurance at James Cook University in Cairns.

Sujit Datta, head of Caltech's "Squishy Lab", describes how bacteria behave in fluid such as mucous and lead to infection.

Scientists will sometimes strike palaeontological gold and discover 'fossil graveyards', sites containing thousands or millions of animal bodies, which have fossilised allowing study today. Belinda Smith speaks to palaeontologists working at two very different types of fossil graveyard — one in Australia, the other in Canada — to find out what accumulated fossilised remains reveal about life on Earth before humans impacted the ecology and when climate was very different.

Gadgets, light from screens and other artificial light can interfere with our sleep. Despite this, technology, if used properly, can help rather than be a hindrance to those who struggle with sleep. In The Future of Sleep, futurist Catherine Ball examines the role technology can play in achieving restful sleep.

Dame Bridget Ogilvie, one of the world’s greatest leaders in research, died in April. A memorial was held to celebrate her achievements and among those paying tribute was former Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Before any new therapy or medicine is placed on the shelves of a pharmacy, it needs to be tested in humans first.

What does that process look like? And who are the people testing these new drugs?

Jonathan Webb goes behind the curtain of clinical trials with health reporter Lauren Roberts to take a look at what happens in Australia.

You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.

Get in touch with us: [email protected]

Featuring:

• Lauren Roberts, health reporter

Further information:

Richard Scolyer encouraged Australians to enrol in research. Here's how to get involved

Australian Clinical Trials

This episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal, Ngunnawal and Ngambri people.

Past winners Maisie Morrison, Joseph Solina and Ruby Tarman tell Amy Briggs how their outlook has changed since writing their essays.

Kat Cermelj describes how to bake gluten-free goodies that taste as good as the real thing.

Warmer ocean water is leading to faster melting of Antarctic glaciers.

A creation story of the Boandik people of the south-eastern coastal region of South Australia and western Victoria provides a timeline for Australia’s geological history.