Podcast Episodes

Astronomy and toxicology converge at Caltech

When raised lead levels were noticed in Los Angeles last year, a chemist — who usually examines asteroids — quickly saw that the fires that ravaged t…

8 months ago

Lab Notes: Why air traffic won’t return to normal for months

Major international airports in the Middle East have been closed this week due to the war with Iran, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stra…

8 months, 1 week ago

How the US came close to losing half its science funding

Robyn Williams reports from the 2026 annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

8 months, 2 weeks ago

Lab Notes: The surprising history of the backyard sprinkler

Backyard sprinklers have transformed the Aussie urban landscape. But their path to domination of our suburbs was haphazard — and hinged on the invent…

8 months, 2 weeks ago

Stories told by feet

An ancient human may be a new species, and extinct giant kangaroos - could they hop? 

8 months, 3 weeks ago

Lab Notes: Why buying a star name is nonsense

A quick online search reveals multiple paid services for naming stars as commemorative gifts. You'll be provided with a certificate and a map for fin…

8 months, 3 weeks ago

Ancient humans lived in an Indonesian cave until Homo sapiens arrived

A cave in Sulawesi was home to our ancestors for tens of thousands of years. Archaeologists are piecing together the story.

8 months, 4 weeks ago

Lab Notes: Skincare, pregnancy and a minefield of mixed messages

Retinoids are big business for reducing wrinkles and treating acne — but there's conflicting advice on their safety for pregnant women.

Should manufac…

9 months ago

Social media ban impacts political knowledge of young Australians

Australia’s social media ban aims to protect young people from online threats, but it may also restrict their access to discussion of democracy and p…

9 months ago

Lab Notes: Can we tap the brakes on energy-hungry AI?

AI seems to be absolutely everywhere at the moment. While we're still waiting for the productivity revolution — or the jobs apocalypse — the energy c…

9 months, 1 week ago