
Shirtloads of Science
480 episodes — Page 5 of 10
S5 Ep 27Forensic Psychology with Associate Professor Helen Paterson (296)
Forensic science explores physical evidence at a crime scene. So what does forensic psychology add? Can behavioural patterns be left at crime scenes? Associate Professor Paterson explains this new field to Dr Karl. drkarl.com
S5 Ep 26Quantum Computing with Professor David Reilly (295)
All our computers are obsolete - theoretically. On the horizon are superfast devices operating close to the speed of light at the extremity of the limits of physics. This is the world of Professor David Reilly. Dr Karl gets a glimpse of the Quantum PC. drkarl.com

S5 Ep 25A Gambler's Mind with Dr Tobias-Webb (294)
What keeps gamblers in the game? How many wins? Not as many as you think. Sociologist Dr Tobias-Webb explains to Dr Karl why some imagine they are on a winning streak when they are not - and the technology exploiting these beliefs. A journey through the risk and reward structures of the human mind. Drkarl.com

S5 Ep 24Jupiter with Professor Geraint Lewis (293)
Jupiter is a huge planet. It is more than twice as massive as all the others combined. So what stops it from catching fire and becoming a star ? Professor Lewis describes the physics of gassy giants.

S5 Ep 23Sleep with Professor Siobhan Banks (292)
There are many sleep myths. Dr Karl clears up some with sleep researcher Professor Banks. So are there links between bad sleep and inflammatory disease? drkarl.com
S5 Ep 22Babylon spreadsheets with Dr Daniel Mansfield (291)
Babylonian clay tablets are not always as they seem. What looked like a Pythagorean spreadsheet turned out to be much more. An Australian mathematician has applied his rural experience and research skills to reveal links to social changes 4,000 years ago . Dr Karl and Dr Mansfield discuss why and how this is. NB - Base 60 will be mentioned. drkarl.com

S5 Ep 21Prof. Clare Collins with four ingredients for Health (290)
Dietetics Professor Collins has found four ingredients to improve our health. They are inexpensive, easy to prepare and natural. She has even road tested recipes to try. htttps:\\drkarl.com https://nomoneynotime.com.au/

S5 Ep 20Prof Holmes & the COVID-19 Origin (289)
Virologists now agree on the area where the COVID-19 epidemic began in Wuhan, China. Dr Karl asks Professor Holmes how they arrived at this conclusion and the photos he took of the site before the outbreak began. https\\:drkarl.com

S7 Ep 33The Matter of Everything with Dr Suzie Sheehy (288)
Observe, Ask, Explain, Predict , Test. These are the steps scientists use to improve our knowledge. Dr. Suzie Sheehy is a particle physicist. She talks with Dr Karl about twelve significant experiments that changed the modern world. Ep288 [Repeat] https://drkarl.com https://suziesheehy.com

S5 Ep 18Hunting Exoplanets with Prof. Glazebrook (287)
Earth-like planets are rare but the hunt for more is on. Professor Glazebrook is Principal Investigator for the James Webb telescope and introduces Dr Karl to the world of infra-red observation. https:\\drkarl.com

S5 Ep 17Dr Adrian Brown : An Australian on Mars (286)
Dr Karl talks with an Aussie who works full time on the surface of Mars. Meet Dr Adrian and his RC explorer "Percy". They are looking for water on the red planet and pushing the boundaries of science . http:\\drkarl.com @DrAdrianJBrown1

S5 Ep 16Kilonovas with Professor Tara Murphy #3 (285)
Heard of Kilonovas ? Prof Murphy works with them all the time. What about Supernovas ? In an expanding universe do things always get bigger ? Dr Karl investigates. https:\\drkarl.com

S5 Ep 15Missing Gold with Prof. Tara Murphy #2 (284)
Once you find gravity waves, what's next ? Gold ! The most stable and heavy element we know of lies central to our interpretation of our cosmos. Coincidence ? Dr Karl consults Prof Murphy. https:\\drkarl.com

S5 Ep 14Sensing Gravity with Professor Tara Murphy #1 (283)
The 21st century has been huge for physics. We are now able to build experiments to test Einstein's theories. Professor Tara Murphy has been there and gives Dr Karl an insider's view of modern physics. https:\\drkarl.com

S5 Ep 13String Theories with professor Greene (282)
Resolving subatomic particles in an expanding universe is complex. Can multi-dimensional maths help ? Dr Karl visits Prof. Greene to find out what string theory is and if there are answers. https://drkarl.com https://www.briangreene.org

S5 Ep 12The natural way to cool our planet with Dr Zarin (281)
Dr Daniel Zarin has spent his career studying and teaching the science of forests. In a conversation recorded at the Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo headquarters in New York City, Zarin tells Dr Karl why he recently left the philanthropic sector to become Executive Director for Forests and Climate at WCS and why trees are the asset we need to revalue today. drkarl.com wcs.org

S5 Ep 11Prevent Pandemics with Prof Holmes (280)
Viruses. We know where they come from. We know how they spread. Virologist Professor Holmes from Sydney University lays a three-point plan to stop them with Dr Karl. https://drkarl.com
S5 Ep 10Carbo-nomics with Dr Denniss (279)
We want Cooler climates. Are carbon and coal are burning us up? Economist Dr Denniss runs his ruler over the climate ledger with Dr Karl. https:\\drkarl.com @RDNS_TAI twitter

S5 Ep 9Stolen Focus with Johann Hari (278)
Is attention-loss corroding civilisation? When we we fail to comprehend, are we putting ourselves at risk ? Dr Karl sharpens his focus on the research of Johann Hari and his new book 'Stolen Focus'.

S5 Ep 8The Antikythera Mechanism with Dr. Andronis (277)
The Antikythera Mechanism is a portable planetarium from Ancient Greece. It is 2200 years old and the first known analog computer. Dr. Nick Andronis built one. The front shows the zodiac position of the first 5 planets, sun, moon phase and date. On the back a 72 year lunar and Olympic calendar with solar or lunar ecliplses. www.amclock.net drkarl.com

S5 Ep 7Omicron + with Prof Holmes (276)
2022 looked safe -then it wasn't . Dr Karl investigates with University of Sydney Prof Eddie Holmes. He was the first western source of the Wuhan genome. How could Omicron fool the world? How can we avoid being fooled again?

S5 Ep 6Electricity & Magnetism with Professor Lewis (275)
We are counting on an electrified future to cut carbon emissions. Greener futures, as we plan them, depend on electricity and electro-magnetism. Dr Karl explores the physics of electricity and generators with Professor Lewis. drkarl.com geraintflewis.com

S5 Ep 5Probiotics and Prebiotics with Professor Collins (274)
Every week new supplements are announced and promoted. Some can be useful additions to your diet but what about probiotics and prebiotics ? Dietetics professor Collins explains what they claim, what is in them and if they help.

S5 Ep 4Electricity & electrons in a wire with Professor Lewis (273)
Electricity is a great foundation for sustainable energy but Dr Karl discovers how little he knows about the physics of electrons. We all have much to learn about the source of power from Professor Lewis. drkarl.com geraintflewis.com

S5 Ep 3Stellar Lifecycles #2 with Professor Lewis (272)
What colour is our Sun? (or Sol as local folks call it). How long will it stay that way? Professor Lewis resumes his fascinating journey in time space and consciousness. We pick up where things are now and go forward to the end. How does it all end? Listen with Dr Karl on this multi-trillion year trip. drkarl.com geraintflewis.com

S5 Ep 2Stellar Lifecycles #1 with Professor Lewis (271)
For some stars, life begins at 10 billion years. Professor Lewis leads Dr Karl on a trillion year expedition from birth to a young adult expanding universe. The first part of a fascinating journey in time, space and consciousness. drkarl.com geraintflewis.com

S5 Ep 1Nuyina - Australia's new Antarctic Traveller (270)
Australia has a new Antarctic Vessel. Jono Reeve takes Dr Karl on a virtual tour of the features of the RSV Nuyina. drkarl.com RSV Nuyina
S4 Ep 52James Webb telescope with Dr Jessica Bloom (269)
There were high hopes for the Hubble space telescope. Eventually they were realised with pictures of galaxies beyond our widest visions. This century the James Webb promises both time and space with a different universal perspective. Dr Jessica Bloom on why this is a game changer.

S4 Ep 51Forever Young with Dr Bloom (268)
The diseases of ageing are already overwhelming health care facilities. In the decades ahead, our older populations will put even more pressure on health unless there are medical breakthroughs. These diseases are proving stubborn to medicate and cures are very rare. A human fountain of youth has yet to show itself. In other animals, things appear easier to treat with less complex biochemistry to get in the way. Dr Bloom explains to Dr Karl why a family of proteins called Sirtuins may hold some hope.

S4 Ep 50Primordial Black Holes with Professor Lewis (267)
In 1966, two Soviet cosmologists proposed the existence of primordial black holes. 55 years on, evidence mounts that these ancient bodies actually exist. They are the stem cells of the cosmos scattered on a universal matrix and may be pre-atomic. Professor Lewis takes Dr Karl back to the very beginning for an encounter with these dark beasts.drkarl.com geraintflewis.com

S4 Ep 49Static Electricity with professor Lewis (266)
A zap from a doorknob or a lightning bolt that sets fire to a forest, these events are notoriously unpredictable. If there is an imbalance of electric charge, a Static Electricity event "might" happen. Things like air humidity or microscopic superficial bumps can play a role – but how much? Professor Lewis explains the known physics and yet-to-be discovered secret life of static electricity with Dr Karl. drkarl.com geraintflewis.com

S4 Ep 48Cannibal Stars with Professor Lewis (265)
What happens when a star gets hungry? Could it eat another star? Cosmic cannibalism is a thing. 500 million years ago in a galaxy far, far away – to be precise, about 500 million light years away one of two stars gobbled the other. Professor Lewis explains to Dr Karl the physics and cosmology of devouring your neighbours. drkarl.com geraintflewis.com

S4 Ep 47Covid comms with Professor Leask (264)
Covid continues to test public health and communications. Our best explainers have put themselves in the front line to keep us safe. Some, including Professor Julie Leask, have been threatened. Dr Karl discusses why health professionals have been under attack for doing their Job. drkarl.com
S4 Ep 46Planetary Climates close to home with Professor Tuthill (263)
Venus and Mars may have once supported life. What went wrong? Professor Tuthill walks Dr Karl through the physics of changing climates on our neighbours. There are lessons for us Earthlings. drkarl.com
S4 Ep 45Nobel Physics 2021 with Professor Tuthill (262)
The 60s, 70s and 80s was when their prize-winning work was done., Their modelling made "Groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of complex systems". These Nobel physicists explored how to estimate climate changes with greenhouse gasses. Nobel-2021 drkarl.com

S4 Ep 44Cyber Society with Professor Genevieve Bell (261)
Cybernetics meets anthropology - Professor Genevieve Bell loves blended disciplines. She is a renowned anthropologist, technologist, and futurist. She spent more than two decades in Silicon Valley. Her passion - making tech work better with humans and social systems. Too often technologists forget human needs or exploit weaknesses. Both can lead to disaster. Dr Karl in conversation with a progressive Australian futurist. htttps:\\drkarl.com @feraldata

S4 Ep 43AI Myths #4-6 busted with professor Toby Walsh (260)
Artificial Intelligence is proliferating so how deep will it penetrate society. Are Robot domestic helpers, interpreters, navigators, lawyers or judges on their way? What about autonomous nuclear submarines? Should we be drawing lines? AI expert professor Toby Walsh has answers for Dr Karl's questions. https:\\drkarl.com @TobyWalsh

S4 Ep 42AI Myths #1-3 busted with professor Toby Walsh (259)
Artificial Intelligence is here and embedded in modern life. So how best to traverse those "uncanny valleys" between robots and humans? Can computer Art or Sculpture express human feeling? Could AI math (re-factorable numbers) keep us safer? Professor Toby Walsh is an expert and has answers for Dr Karl. https:\\drkarl.com @TobyWalsh

S4 Ep 41Dr Bloom and women in science (258)
October 15th is Ada Lovelace Day and celebrates women in science, tech, engineering, and math. Ada was Lord Byron's daughter but most significantly she realised the potential of computers two centuries ago. Ada is now believed to be the first person to publish an algorithm. She is one of many women forgotten by science as Dr Jessica Bloom tells Dr Karl. https:/drkarl.com
S4 Ep 40Australia's Chief Scientist, Doctor Cathy Foley (257)
Doctor Karl talks with the Chief Scientist of Australia. Superconductors, Sunscreen, LEDs, Phonons, Vaccines - is anything off limits? In an age where science is everywhere how does a Chief Scientist operate ? https://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/ Twitter @ScienceChiefAu drkarl.com

S4 Ep 39What's eating Professor Davies? (256)
Dr Karl and cosmologist professor Paul Davies discuss what we are still learning about the Universe. Antigravity, inflation, Olbers' paradox, extraterrestrial life - have been eternal puzzles. Piece by piece we are assembling a bigger picture ... but is it getting any clearer ? https://drkarl.com/ https://beyond.asu.edu/ [email protected]

S4 Ep 38A Cycling Universe with Professor Geraint Lewis (255)
Is our universe one of a long cycle of repeating universes? Or is it something different? Dr K takes a ride with Prof Geraint through concepts of cycling universes. http://www.drkarl.com http://www.geraintflewis.com

S4 Ep 37Marsupial Immunity with Professor Kathy Belov (254)
130 million years ago marsupials roamed the earth along with dinosaurs. Today only marsupials survive. Dr Karl meets Professor Kathy Belov to discover their secrets of survival and what we are now learning from them. Anyone for koala peptides ? http://www.drkarl.com https://twitter.com/kathybelov

S4 Ep 36Globular Mysteries with Prof Geraint (253)
Globular clusters are spherical collections of stars. The Milky Way has 150. Most galaxies have them. Professor Lewis gives an update on these freaky outliers. Are they are older and wiser residents of galactic space? http://www.drkarl.com http://www.geraintflewis.com

S4 Ep 35Baryonic vision with Prof Geraint and Dr Karl (252)
Did the Big Bang make a noise? Can we measure the acoustics of a star? Neutrons or Protons - which lasts longest ? A 20-year experiment has answers to questions we never thought of asking. Professor Geraint Lewis reveals to Dr Karl the power of the baryon. http://www.drkarl.com http://www.geraintflewis.com
S4 Ep 34DrKarls Q&A school (251)
On Wednesdays Dr Karl meets with school students around Australia (and sometimes overseas). He loves hearing what the curious young minds are thinking about. Their questions often set off new ways of thinking. Occasionaly the simplest questions are the hardest. This episode of Shirtloads is a Q&A session with the students from Aspendale Primary School, Victoria in May 2021. Enjoy! https://drkarl.com

S4 Ep 33CUAVA-1 - Australia's Blue Carbon Space mission (250)
Dr Karl investigates Australia's latest CubeSat mission. It's called "CUAVA-1" and aims to measure blue carbon from space. Geosciences Associate Professor Eleanor Bruce is coordinating the team of researchers mapping coastlines for aquatic vegetation. Space Physics Professor Iver Cairns is squashing the technology into a package the size of a fat packet of biscuits. Dr Karl uncovers a truly Australian "Apollo 13" story . It includes a fishing line, amateur radio enthusiasts and a clever ground crew who "worked the problem". The mission was INSPIRE-2. Professor Eleanor Bruce and Professor Iver Cairns tell this extraordinary story. drkarl.com @arc_cuava Cuava1 Cubesat

S4 Ep 32The INSPIRE-2 CubeSat incident (249)
Dr Karl uncovers a truly Australian "Apollo 13" story . It includes a fishing line, amateur radio enthusiasts and a clever ground crew who "worked the problem". The mission was INSPIRE-2. Professor Eleanor Bruce and Professor Iver Cairns tell this extraordinary story. drkarl.com Inspire2 Cubesat @arc_cuava

S4 Ep 31Gravitational Waves & Black Holes with Professor Susan Scott (248)
In 2015 our observable universe unofficially added a new dimension. Dr Karl talks with ANU Professor Susan Scott about why she had to keep the discovery of gravitational waves a secret. Also how gravitational waves are helping us understand black holes so much better. @ozgravityguru drkarl.com

S4 Ep 30Gravitational Waves & Neutron Stars with Professor Susan Scott (247)
In 2016 our observable universe officially added a new dimension : Gravitational waves. On that international LIGO team was an Australian theoretical physicist. Dr Karl talks with ANU distinguished professor Susan Scott about those observations and what Neutron stars may be revealing about their insides. @ozgravityguru drkarl.com