Up Close Research Talk Show - Science

#194: Degrees of uncertainty: Modeling the climate impact of greenhouse gases

emvb — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Senior climate impact researcher Dr. Malte Meinshausen explains how climate change is modeled, and estimates the effect of timely mitigation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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#192: Diagnostics overkill: Are we screening for cancer too frequently?

emvb — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Epidemiologist Professor James Hanley scrutinizes the now standard practice of frequent screening for many types of cancer, and suggests optimal testing intervals may mean less screening overall. Presented by science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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#190: Germline confidential: Hunting down genes linked to breast cancer

emvb — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Genetics researchers Prof Melissa Southey and Prof David Goldgar discuss the enterprise of tracking down genes that make one susceptible to breast cancer. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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#189: Easy to say, easy to like: People's names and the impressions they make

emvb — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Social psychologist Dr Simon Laham discusses his research linking the pronounceability of a person’s name with perceptions of likeability, and what this might mean for a person’s access to opportunities.

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#184: Double the value: How researching twins benefits everyone

emvb — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Epidemiologist Prof John Hopper explains the unique advantages of medical research focusing on twins, and how findings from twins studies enormously benefit the rest of humanity. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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#182: Greener revs: Squeezing more efficiency out of gasoline engines

emvb — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Control engineer Associate Professor Chris Manzie makes the case that there's a lot of life left in the internal combustion engine, and that petrol engine technology will continue to evolve alongside its hybrid and electric counterparts. With host Dr. Shane Huntington.

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#180: Diamond data mining: Quantum computing and the materials that make it possible

emvb — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Physicist Professor David Awschalom discusses the powerful potential of quantum computing, and how materials such as diamond play a crucial role in the development of this emerging technology. With host Dr. Shane Huntington.

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#179: Reaping what we sow: Agriculture's role in climate change

emvb — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Assoc Prof Richard Eckard examines how modern agriculture contributes to global warming and discusses ways of mitigating the problem. Presented by Dr Dyani Lewis.

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Episode 176: Conditions of affluence and aging: fatty liver disease, macular degeneration

emvb — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Physicians and doctoral students Dr Chris Leung and Dr Madeleine Adams discuss their research into unravelling the causative factors behind fatty liver disease and macular degeneration, respectively. Presented by Dr Dyani Lewis.

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Episode 175: Healthy moves: Exercise for cancer patients, and insights into arthritis

emvb — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Physiotherapist Catherine Granger talks about whether exercise is beneficial to lung cancer sufferers, and Tommy Liu explains how mice are generating insights into arthritis in humans. With science host Dr Dyani Lewis.

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Episode 174: Peak fish: Rising human consumption of seafood, and its implications

emvb — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Fisheries scientists Dr Tim Dempster and Dr Reg Watson discuss the pressures on wild fish stocks and debate the role of aquaculture in feeding an increasingly populous world. With science host Dr Dyani Lewis.

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Episode 172: Natural and synthetic: What we're still discovering about polymers

emvb — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Polymer scientist Professor Dame Julia Higgins discusses neutron scattering and other techniques used in researching polymers, the large molecules found in nature and synthesised in the manufacture of materials such as nylon and silicon. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 170: Something in the air: Chemical communication via pheromones

emvb — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Evolutionary biologist Professor Mark Elgar talks about the hidden smells that surround us – what they communicate to the animals who produce and detect them, and how this sophisticated natural messaging system evolved. With science guest host Dr Dyani Lewis.

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Episode 166: Good dog, bad dog: Dispelling myths about pet behavior

emvb — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Animal behaviourist Dr Gabrielle Carter explains how dogs and other pets can be made to acquire desirable behaviors and extinguish undesirable ones. With Science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 165: Early dating techniques: Determining the age of Australopithecus sediba

emvb — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Australopithecus sediba, discovered in 2008 in southern Africa, is the most significant paleo-archeological find in recent years. These fossilized specimens have anatomical features lying somewhere between those found in Australopithecus africanus and Homo erectus. Geochemist Dr Robyn Pickering discusses the significance of the find, and how the age of A. sediba was determined. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 162: Worming their way: Parasites, their larvae, and your brain

emvb — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Parasitologist Professor Marshall Lightowlers explains the risk to animal and human health posed by parasitic flatworms, and how even neurological disorders like epilepsy can result from exposure to tapeworm larvae. With host Dr Dyani Lewis.

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Episode 159: Lawrence M. Krauss: Before and after the Universe

emvb — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Theoretical physicist Professor Lawrence M. Krauss discusses how investigating dark matter can shed light on the geometry of our universe, and what this means for our understanding of its origins and demise. With Science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 158: X-ray renaissance: The potential and promise of coherent X-ray optics

emvb — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Professor Keith Nugent explains the physics behind X-rays and crystallography, and how new research into the development of X-ray lasers could provide medical scientists with radically new insights into the structure of proteins. With Science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 155: Endangered animal species: Captive breeding and genetic rescue

emvb — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Geneticist Dr Andrew Weeks and animal behaviourist Dr Michael Magrath discuss diverse ways of dealing with threatened animal populations. Australia's Mountain Pygmy Possum is one such endangered species for which a combination of genetic and breeding solutions are being tried. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 153: Mosquito bytes: Fighting malaria with computational science

emvb — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Parasitologist Dr Stuart Ralph explains malaria and how computational modelling developed to better understand the disease will aid the global effort to eradicate it. With host Dr Dyani Lewis.

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Episode 149: Out of Africa: What human genomics is revealing about us

emvb — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Professor of genomic medicine Vanessa M. Hayes discusses our African genomic origins and how exploring global genetic diversity can help us understand and address human disease. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 148: Targeted delivery: The promise of nanotherapies in treating cancer

emvb — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Chemistry Associate Professor Eva Harth and Chemical Engineer Dr Angus Johnston discuss how cancer treatments may be vastly improved through drug delivery at the nanoscale. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 144: Waiter, there's cesium in my soup: The health implications of radioactivity

emvb — Thu, 26 May 2011 04:31:40 +0000

Associate Professor Tilman Ruff explains how radiation from nuclear energy sources can affect the human body and our health. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 143: Radiation for the rest of us: The alpha, beta and gamma of atomic interaction

emvb — Thu, 19 May 2011 00:03:02 +0000

Physicist Dr Roger Rassool discusses the basic physics behind the radioactivity produced -- and sometimes leaked -- in the production of nuclear power. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 142: The global mean and the human scale: Climate change adaptation agenda under scrutiny

emvb — Thu, 12 May 2011 00:09:44 +0000

Science historian Professor Naomi Oreskes explains why limits in the predictive capacity of climate models present a challenge to those favoring adaptation above emissions mitigation as a strategy in dealing with climate change. With host Eric van Bemmel.

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Episode 141: Cash crop crusaders: Genomic approaches to fighting fungus in canola

emvb — Thu, 05 May 2011 13:20:44 +0000

Plant geneticist Professor Barbara Howlett explains how genetics research is helping to fight fungal pests that confront canola farmers. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 138: Grey matter, virtually: Computational neurobiology's insights into the brain

emvb — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 09:36:15 +0000

Professor Terry Sejnowski discusses recent developments at the nexus of brain science and computer modeling, enabling new understandings of psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia. With Science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 137: Smart water: Irrigation systems in an age of high tech

emvb — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:20:45 +0000

Systems engineer Professor Iven Mareels explains how applying contemporary control-systems approaches to irrigation is reinvigorating this ancient water-transport method, bringing huge savings in the agricultural use of H2O. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 135: PTSD II: Researching and treating post-traumatic stress disorder

kp — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 02:17:57 +0000

In the second of a two-part programme, psychologists Professor Mark Creamer and Associate Professor Meaghan O'Donnell discuss research and treatment considerations for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, as manifested in military veterans and people who have suffered severe physical injuries. With host Jennifer Cook.

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Episode 134: PTSD I: Describing and diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder

kp — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 06:26:10 +0000

In the first of a two-part programme, psychologists Professor Mark Creamer and Assoc Professor Meghan O'Donnell explain post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, its diagnosis, and how it's been viewed historically. With host Jennifer Cook.

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Episode 132: Adult stem cells and their potential in treating heritable diseases

Site Admin — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:18:46 +0000

Cell biologist Dr Mirella Dottori and neuroscientist Dr Alice Pébay discuss how their work with induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells, aka adult stem cells, may hold the key to a cure for Friedreich's ataxia and other genetically transmitted diseases. They also explain how adult stem cells differ from embryonic stem cells. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 131: What seems to be the antimatter?: Where experimental particle physics meets cloud computing

Site Admin — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 10:00:31 +0000

Physicist Associate Professor Martin Sevior and software engineer Tom Highfield explain how commercial cloud computing can be enlisted in the service of answering questions about the origins of the universe. With science host Shane Huntington.

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Episode 127: An ocean away: An African nation's roots in Southeast Asia

Site Admin — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 05:16:39 +0000

Linguistics Assoc Professor Sander Adelaar discusses the curious linguistic and genetic origins of the people of Madagascar. With host Eric van Bemmel.

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Episode 125: Approaches to snakebite in Papua New Guinea, and development in Sikkim

Site Admin — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 01:01:48 +0000

Herpetologist David Williams discusses his doctoral research into improving the plight of snakebite sufferers in Papua New Guinea, where snakes constitute a major public health problem. Also, PhD student Thomas Chandy probes community perceptions of the impact of economic development in the remote Himalayan region of Sikkim. With host Eric van Bemmel.

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Episode 124: Of dogs and hens: Researching animal welfare in shelters and egg production facilities

Site Admin — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 20:20:53 +0000

PhD student Sally Haynes examines the relationship between dogs and their handlers in animal shelters, and the implications for canine welfare. Fellow doctoral student Joanna Engel is looking into how cage size and nest box availability affect the behaviour and stress response of laying hens. With host Eric van Bemmel.

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Episode 122: The ones and zeroes of life: Computational biology and the trajectory of scale

Site Admin — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 11:23:00 +0000

IBM computational biologist Dr Ajay Royyuru and computer scientist Professor Justin Zobel discuss the intersection of life sciences with high-end computing, and how computational scale may dramatically enhance biological and genetic research. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 119: Part of the pattern: How networks explain social behavior

Site Admin — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 11:46:00 +0000

Psychologist Professor Pip Pattison explains how network theory can be used to explain and predict social behavior, and how it can be applied in areas such as defence and the management of epidemics. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 118: Controlling our impulses: Communication pathways and signal transmission in the nervous system

Site Admin — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 02:00:00 +0000

Neuroscientists Prof Bruce Carter and Dr Simon Murray explain how nerve cells conduct information efficiently and the processes that underlie the orderly creation and destruction of nerve and supporting cells. With Science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 115: The secret life of shampoo: Bubbles and droplets through the eyes of engineers

Site Admin — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:21:00 +0000

Chemical engineers Associate Professor Raymond Dagastine and Dr Rico Tabor shed light on the phenomena of bubbles and droplets, and explain why their underlying physics and chemistry are important to a wide range of industrial processes. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 114: Growing bodily tissues: An engineering perspective

Site Admin — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 10:42:00 +0000

Biomolecular engineer Associate Professor Andrea O'Connor discusses the engineering behind growing tissues and organs. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 111: A career in modelling: Assessing risk in natural resource management

Site Admin — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:06:00 +0000

Agricultural scientist Dr Andrew Hamilton explains how risk and uncertainty can be better modelled in both managing waster water and estimating species richness. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 107: Getting it on the grid: Integrating renewable energy into our power supplies

Site Admin — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:11:00 +0000

Energy and climate change analyst Dr Roger Dargaville weaves together diverse technical, economic and environmental factors to produce a model for better, smarter use of our energy supplies. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 104: Evidence-based early childhood education: the Abecedarian approach

Site Admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:34:00 +0000

Early childhood educator Dr Joe Sparling discusses the Abecederian method, an evidence-based approach to improving learning environments for the very young. With host Jennifer Cook.

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Episode 102: Greening the Internet

Site Admin — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:12:00 +0000

Prof Rod Tucker spells out the environmental impact of an increasingly networked world, and how energy savings can be found with smarter technology. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 99: Click on the Kidneys: Virtual organs in your medical future

Site Admin — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:53:00 +0000

Prof Peter Harris discusses the process of virtual modelling of human organs, and how it will lead to enhanced understanding of disease and its treatment. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 97: Asperger's Syndrome and PDD-NOS Explained

Site Admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:32:00 +0000

Developmental psychologist Prof Margot Prior describes what it means to be an individual with Asperger's Syndrome, and how Asperger's and the similar Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified fit into the broader Austism Spectrum Disorder. With host Eric van Bemmel.

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Episode 96: The Wrath of Grapes: Wine Making and Climate Change

Site Admin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:02:00 +0000

Viticulturist Prof Snow Barlow and Wedgetail Estate vigneron Guy LaMothe discuss the threats -- and opportunities -- that global warming poses for the wine industry in Australia and elsewhere. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 95: Personalized Medicine: Treatments Tailored to Your Unique Genetic Profile

Site Admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:53:00 +0000

Assoc Prof Melissa Southey and Prof Dan Roden discuss how advances in genetics research are making it possible to develop customized medications and treatments -- in particular for cancer and cardiac arrhythmia -- based on one's own genetic profile. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 94: Managing China's Water Challenges

Site Admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:33:00 +0000

Water engineer Prof John Langford discusses the immense challenges facing a China with swiftly mounting water demand and dwindling resources. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 93: What Role Stem Cells in Leukaemia?

Site Admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 13:49:00 +0000

Physician and researcher David Curtis outlines current understanding of the complex relationship between stem cells and cancer -- in particular leukemia.

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Episode 92: Cleaning Up The Mess: Bioremediation in Antarctica

Site Admin — Wed, 19 May 2010 13:05:00 +0000

Dr Kathryn Mumford explains how bioremediation is being used to handle waste and spillage problems associated with the human presence in Antarctica. With science host Shane Huntington.

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Episode 89: Moving and seeing again: the promise of neural interface technologies

Site Admin — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 22:02:00 +0000

Prof John Donoghue and Prof Robert Shepherd discuss the development of neural interface technologies, the product of researchers across many disciplines, that could enable the brain to interact with damaged limbs and eyes. With host Shane Huntington.

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Episode 88: Tuberculosis Resurgent

Site Admin — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 14:55:00 +0000

Infectious diseases expert Prof Graham Brown gives the facts on tuberculosis (TB) and explains why the danger of "the neglected disease" is anything but diminished in the 21st century. We also speak with public health physician Dr Abuchahama Saifodine on site in Mozambique, where he is researching TB's prevalence and devastating effects. With host Jen Cook.

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Episode 86: Scrutinizing Intervention Programs for Autism

Site Admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:37:00 +0000

Prof Margot Prior reviews available intervention programs for autism. With host Eric van Bemmel.

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Episode 83: Infant sleep interventions, low birth-weight babies

Site Admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:36:00 +0000

PhD students Anna Price and Liz Westrupp discuss their respective research into interventions for sleep-deprived infants and long-term implications for low-birthweight babies. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 82: Breeding alpacas, starfish seeking refuge

Site Admin — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:11:00 +0000

PhD students Kate Naughton and Felicity Jackling discuss their respective research into ocean refuges and applying genetics to the commercial breeding of alpacas. With science host Shane Huntington.

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Episode 80: A Flood of Water Scarcity in India

Site Admin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:59:00 +0000

Associate Prof Hector Malano, along with India-based colleague Mr Ashok Jaitly, discuss the interdisciplinary approach to addressing water scarcity in India's "food bowl" region, the Krishna Basin. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 69: Geothermal Energy from Uranium Deposits

Site Admin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:37:00 +0000

Geothermal energy is most frequently associated with volcanic activity. However, new research suggests the possibility of producing commercially viable geothermal energy from uranium deposits. Prof Mike Sandiford and Dr Sandra McLaren discuss the science behind this endeavor to produce clean energy. With host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 67: 400 Years of Astronomical Telescopes

Site Admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:55:00 +0000

Astrophysicist Prof Rachel Webster discusses the evolution of the astronomical telescope - from Galileo's version in 1609 to the iconic Hubble space telescope, and then onto a sneak peek of the upcoming James Webb space telescope which will be parked so far from earth that it can't be repaired. Every improvement to the telescope has extended our understanding of the universe around us. 2009 is both the International Year of Astronomy and the 400th anniversary of Galileo's astronomical telescope. With host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 65: Effects of Climate Change on Biodiversity

Site Admin — Thu, 07 May 2009 05:06:00 +0000

Prof Ary Hoffmann and Dr Michael Kearney discuss the effects of climate change on biodiversity, and how our quality of life could be adversely affected. With host Shane Huntington.

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Episode 64: Medical Bionics: Cochlear Implants and Beyond

Site Admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:18:00 +0000

Prof Robert Shepherd and Prof Tony Burkitt explain ear function, hearing loss, and how cochlear implants have improved the lives of many people. Also, bionic interventions in other parts of the body. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 61: Deconstructing / Reconstructing the Tasmanian Tiger

Site Admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 02:19:00 +0000

Biologists Prof Marilyn Renfree and Assoc Prof Andrew Pask talk Tassie Tiger, and explain how the humble mouse has aided genetic understanding of the extinct marsupial, the Thylacine. With host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 59: Cannabis and Your Brain

Site Admin — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:39:00 +0000

Researchers Assoc Prof Dan Lubman and Prof Ian McGregor discuss latest understanding of the effects of cannabis on brain and behavior.

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Episode 56: Farewell To Dialysis?

Site Admin — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:11:00 +0000

Associate Professor Darren Kelly discusses his research into antifibrotic agents and how they may herald the end of conventional dialysis treatment. With host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 55: Calming Nanotechnology Fears

Site Admin — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:09:00 +0000

Dr Amanda Barnard talks about how scientists measure and address the potential hazards of nanotechnology. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 51: Please Explain: Taxonomy

Site Admin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:08:00 +0000

Dr Belinda Appleton joins science host Dr Shane Huntington to explain what taxonomers do, and recounts her adventures discovering new species of bats.

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Episode 49: How We'll Fare in the Global Food Crisis

Site Admin — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 11:30:00 +0000

Prof Snow Barlow, the University of Melbourne, backgrounds the sharp rise in food prices, and looks at how science and technology may provide solutions in feeding an ever growing global population. Also, Prof Rajinder S. Sidhu from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India, discusses the impact of elevated food prices on Indian society. With Science host, Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 47: Carbon Capture and Storage Explained

Site Admin — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:59:00 +0000

Barry Hooper joins Up Close host Shane Huntington to outline emerging technologies for capturing and storing carbon dioxide.

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Episode 46: The Human Hand in Climate Change

Site Admin — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:39:00 +0000

Nobel Peace Prize winner, Prof David Karoly calculates the human-caused contribution to climate change. With science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 45: 21st Century Cosmology

Site Admin — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 02:46:00 +0000

Prof Rachel Webster takes us into the future of cosmology in a quest to discover our universe's past. With Science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 42: Alzheimer's Disease: Predictors and Early Intervention

Site Admin — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:23:00 +0000

Prof David Ames discusses predictors and early intervention of Alzheimer's Disease. With Up Close guest host Jennifer Cook.

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Episode 41: Drinking The Same Water Twice -- Potable Water From Waste

Site Admin — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:34:00 +0000

Prof Peter Scales demystifies the process of recovering potable water from waste water, while Prof David Fox compares the cost of recycling with desalination. With Up Close science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 39: Detecting and Avoiding Online Threats

Site Admin — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:43:00 +0000

Online security expert Assoc Prof Chris Leckie looks in depth at the threats and vulnerabilities facing individuals and societies in the networked world. In conversation with Up Close science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 35: With No Grain Of Salt: Water Desalination Explained

Site Admin — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:11:00 +0000

Assoc Prof Sandra Kentish joins Up Close science host Dr Shane Huntington to discuss water desalination as a technology and a controversy -- and its certain growth in our future.

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Episode 34: Cities and Extreme Events

Site Admin — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:11:00 +0000

Assoc Profs Priyan Mendis and Nick Haritos reveal how cities stand up to extreme events like explosive blasts and tsunamis. With Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 33: Mathematics of Biology

Site Admin — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:03:00 +0000

Prof Kerry Landman chats with Dr Shane Huntington about how mathematics sheds light on biological phenomena like the growth of cancer cells.

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Episode 31: Genetic Testing and Young People

Site Admin — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:30:00 +0000

Dr Rony Duncan discusses the ethical issues surrounding genetic testing of young people. With host Dr Shane Huntington. This episode concludes our "Summer Season of Science". Up Close will resume its regular programming with the next episode.

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Episode 30: Love Life of the Mountain Brushtail Possum

Site Admin — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:14:00 +0000

Behavioural ecologist Dr Jenny Martin explains how studying Australia's Mountain Brushtail Possum has helped us understand how ecological change affects animal mating behaviour. This is the second of our "Summer Season of Science" mini series. With Up Close science host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 29: Engineering Ice Cream

Site Admin — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:11:00 +0000

Chemical Engineer Dr Ray Dagastine explains the crucial role of emulsions and surfactants in everyday items like shampoo and ice cream. The first of our special "Up Close Summer Season of Science". With host Dr Shane Huntington.

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Episode 25: Abundance And Extinction: Species Under Pressure

Site Admin — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 22:23:00 +0000

Prof Nigel Stork talks to podcast host Dr Shane Huntington about the crisis of global extinction of species, its bio-historical backdrop, and a future of reduced diversity.

Guest: Prof Nigel Stork, School of Natural Resource Management

Topic: Global Extinction of Species

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Episode 20: Genetically modified (GM) crops: the wheat from the chaff

Site Admin — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:49:00 +0000

Professor Rick Roush examines the realities and myths around Genetically Modified (GM) or transgenic Crops. With Dr Shane Huntington.

Guest: Professor Rick Roush, Dean, Faculty of Land and Food Resources.

Topic: Genetically modified crops: the wheat from the chaff

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Episode 19: Individual Privacy vs Public Benefit in Health (Medical) Informatics

Site Admin — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:26:00 +0000

Prof Loane Skene and Assoc Prof Jim Black discuss the debate on medical informatics with Sian Prior

Guests:

Professor Loane Skene, Chair of the Board of Undergraduate Studies, and Professor of Law at the Melbourne Law School and the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Assoc Prof Jim Black, Epidemiologist and Public Health Physician at the Nossal Institute for Global Health

Topic: Individual Privacy vs Public Benefit in Health (Medical) Informatics

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Episode 18: Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Updated Look

Site Admin — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 21:06:00 +0000

Professor Margot Prior discusses the latest research into autism spectrum disorder, its effects on sufferers and their families, and the latest developments on diagnosis and treatment.

Guest: Professor Margot Prior, AO from the School of Behavioural Science

Topic: Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Updated Look

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Episode 16: The Leap from Frogs to Plastic Solar Cells

Site Admin — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 19:43:00 +0000

Prof Andrew Holmes of Bio21 Institute recounts how a poisonous South American frog inspired research into development of plastic solar cells.

Guest: Professor Andrew Holmes from the Bio 21 Institute

Topic: How the poison arrow frog inspired research into plastic solar cells.

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Episode 15: Crystal Meth (Ice) Use - Myths and Realities

Site Admin — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:51:00 +0000

Guests:
Associate Professor John Fitzgerald
Dr Frances Bramwell

Topic: Crystal Meth: Myths and Realities

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Episode 13: Medical Tourism in Asia

Site Admin — Wed, 09 May 2007 21:08:00 +0000

Dr Andrea Whittaker explores the phenomenon of medical tourism in Asia with Sian Prior. Dr Whittaker also talks about her research in illegal abortions in Thailand.

Guest: Dr Andrea Whittaker from Asia Institute

Topic: Medical Tourism in Asia

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Episode 12: War Against the Cotton Bollworm

Site Admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 19:46:00 +0000

Assoc Prof Phil Batterham and Prof Derek Russell describe how genetics, proteomics, chemistry and field work join forces in the war against the cotton bollworm - a 5 billion dollar pest that is the scourge of farmers from Australia to Africa.

Guests:
Associate Professor Phil Batterham
Professor Derek Russell

Topic: War Against the Cotton Bollworm

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Episode 11: Precision Drug Delivery with Nanotechnology

Site Admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 02:47:00 +0000

Professor Frank Caruso chats with Dr Shane Huntington about how advances in Nanotechnology enable delivery of therapeutic drugs in the human body with "pinpoint" accuracy.

Guest: Professor Frank Caruso from the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering.

Topic: Precision delivery of therapeutic drugs with Nanotechnology

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Episode 9: Doggy DNA

Site Admin — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 20:15:00 +0000

Dr Steven Holloway discusses research into canine DNA and its applications with Science Host, Dr Shane Huntington

Guest: Dr Steven Holloway from the Faculty of Veterinary Science.

Topic: Canine DNA research and its applications

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Episode 7: A Quantum Leap in Computing

Site Admin — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:10:00 +0000

Professor David Jamieson discusses Quantum Computing, the new frontier in computer design, with Science host, Dr Shane Huntington.

Guest: Professor David Jamieson, Director of the Melbourne node of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computer Technology

Topic: A Quantum Leap in Computing

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Episode 6: Dry and Getting Drier

Site Admin — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 16:18:00 +0000

Professor Nancy Millis and Professor John Langford discuss the need for radical changes in water management in Australia with Jacky Angus.

Guests:
Emeritus Professor Nancy Millis AC MBE, Microbiologist and pioneer in fermentation technology in Australia
Professor John Langford AM, Director of the Melbourne Water Research Centre

Topic: The need for radical changes in water management in Australia.

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Episode 5: Malaria Resurgent

Site Admin — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 18:11:00 +0000

Professor Graham Brown discusses the resurgence of malaria, and the role of the Nossal Institute of Global Health in the war on malaria and other global health problems.

Guest: Professor Graham Brown, Foundation Director of the Nossal Institute of Global Health

Topic: Malaria Resurgent

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Episode 4: Stem Cell Research

Site Admin — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:30:00 +0000

Professor Loane Skene and Professor Peter Rathjen discuss the debate on stem cell research with Jacky Angus

Guests:
Professor Loane Skene, President of the Academic Board of the University of Melbourne, a member of the Council of the University, and Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University.
Professor Peter Rathjen, Dean of Science

Topic: Stem Cell Research

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Episode 3: Nuclear Power: Cure or Curse

Site Admin — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 14:07:00 +0000

Associate Professor Martin Sevior speaks with Jacky Angus and weighs up nuclear power in an energy-hungry and rapidly warming world.

Guest: Assoicate Professor Martin Sevior, School of Physics.

Topic: Nuclear power: Cure or Curse

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