Shirtloads of Science

This week, Dr Kirsten Banks drops by to talk about her awesome new book, Lost in Space , a collection of short stories celebrating the wonders of astronomy. We dig into fun facts and stories, like how tea leaves saved the International Space Station, where the elements came from, and the "potato radius", and so much more, because you can never get enough astronomy! Grab your own copy of the book! https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761776649/# Follow Dr Kirsten Banks! @AstroKirsten https://astrokirsten.com.au/

This week we're joined by Gerry Griffin, an aeronautical engineer and Apollo flight director who worked on every single moon landing during the Apollo mission, from Apollo 11 to Apollo 17. In this chat, he shares how the Mission Control team worked to manage each mission, second by second, in rotating shifts. With far more data on the ground than on board, Mission Control was better positioned to help the astronauts solve problems as they arose. Gerry walks through some of the "showstopper" moments that could have ended in disaster, including the lightning strike on Apollo 12 and the 1202 alarm during the Apollo 11 landing. He also talks about Apollo 13, where an oxygen tank failure led to the famous call, "Houston, we've had a problem." Gerry's firsthand experience of that mission led to his role as an advisor on the film Apollo 13 . Gerry is coming to Australia next year for a series of events called SPACELIVE. Visit the website for more details https://www.spaceliveofficial.com/

When Robbie Williams announced he had been diagnosed with s curvy earlier this year, Professor Clare Collins was relieved… why?! Because he was bringing attention to a major issue arising from the use of the popular class of weight loss medications, GLP-1s. Professor Collins joins me on Shirtloads to discuss how nutrient deficiencies have increased among those using these medications. Clare agrees that GLP-1 medications DO have an overall net positive effect as effective and beneficial medications, but warns that without proper nutrient intake (due to a suppression in appetite) nutrient deficiencies are much more common than they should be. This is an aspect of the GLP-1 discourse that does not get enough attention - particularly when discussing adverse side effects. Visit No Money, No Time to read the article www.nomoneynotime.com.au/

In mid-2026, a swarm of AI agents coordinated a cyberattack on Hugging Face, a platform where machine learning communities can collectively work to improve AI models and capabilities. This breach happened without human supervision. Friend of the show and science communicator Dr. Petr Lebedev brings us up to speed on what is now being referred to as the first true AI safety incident. A crucial conversation on why the AI race needs to hit the brakes so regulations can be implemented to reduce the risk of AI misalignment. This conversations was recorded in late August, 2026. Subscribe to SciencePetr on Youtube - www.youtube.com/@SciencePetr Petr's conversation with Yoshua Benjo - www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvvvtbBvh6Q https://sciencepetr.com/

Science writer and journalist Marcus Chown returns for a shorter, more philosophical chat. When Einstein first proposed gravitational waves, atoms hadn't even been discovered, so who knows what the next century holds? We dig into the strange idea of the universe's "mathematical twin," and discuss the Standard Model of physics - a brilliant framework, but riddled with holes. www.marcuschown.com

Science writer and former astrophysicist Marcus Chown joins us to discuss the elusive graviton - the theoretical particle behind gravity. In this chat we dig into the four fundamental forces of nature, why gravity is so uniquely hard to pin down, and why detecting a graviton would require a detector larger than Jupiter. Marcus also unpacks string theory, the only framework that manages to fold gravity in with the other forces, and why it's fallen out of favour with much of the physics community. www.marcuschown.com/

A bonus episode straight from the audience at Geraint Lewis' book launch for "The Shortest History of Reality." Listeners fire off some big questions: where do we sit with the 95% of the universe we can't explain? What is dark energy? Why does time feel so different experientially? Along with other questions concerning the Theory of Everything, whether light really has a speed, what happens to our mass when we die, consciousness and the Twin paradox!

Join us for a special live episode of Shirtloads of Science, recorded at Willoughby Library for the launch of Professor Geraint Lewis' new book, "The Shortest History of Reality" - a compelling journey tracing the evolution of humanity's understanding of reality. In this live session, Geraint touches on a number of deep and puzzling concepts concerning reality (according to an astrophysicist) - from the baffling fact that 95% of the universe remains a mystery, to the clash between relativity and quantum mechanics, space and time, dark matter and dark energy, the mind-bending one-electron theory, and the ever-elusive Theory of Everything. https://www.geraintflewis.com/

Motor journalist Toby Hagon returns to Shirtloads of Science for round two on electric vehicles. Toby shares how he got into motoring journalism and what the job really involves. We break down 400V vs 800V batteries, charge cycles, and the reality of battery degradation, decode WLTP vs NEDC ratings, and marvel at just how powerful EVs really are. evcentral.com.au outbacktravelaustralia.com.au evcentral.com.au outbacktravelaustralia.com.au

Motor journalist Toby Hagon joins Shirtloads of Science to talk all things electric vehicles. We break down the often-confused difference between kilowatts and kilowatt-hours, compare EVs against petrol cars on performance, energy use, and cost, and explore everything from single to quad-motor setups. Toby unpacks AC vs DC charging and battery basics, looks at how servicing costs stack up, and separates real EV fire statistics from the hype. This was a big one, so we split it in two - catch part two next week evcentral.com.au outbacktravelaustralia.com.au

Associate Professor Anai Gonzalez-Cordero joins us on Shirtloads to explore the remarkable world of stem cells and how they can develop into almost any cell in the human body! She explains how her team is using stem cell technology to better understand and develop potential treatments for inherited retinal diseases, including Stargardt disease and Usher syndrome. We also discuss her work at the Children's Medical Research Institute and the importance of supporting genetic research through Jeans for Genes Day (coming up on the 7th of August!) If you'd like to help fund life-changing genetic research, consider making a donation this Jeans for Genes Day www.cmrijeansforgenes.org.au/

What if evolution isn't just about the survival of the fittest? Rowan Hooper, senior editor at New Scientist, joins Shirtloads to discuss his new book Togetherness - a challenge to the idea that nature is defined purely by competition. From the fig and wasp's ancient partnership to the mycorrhizal fungal networks threading through forest soils, Hooper makes a compelling case that relationships and symbiosis are overlooked fundamental aspects of evolution.

This conversation was originally recorded and published in November, 2024. In light of Richard's passing, we wanted to share it again because his insights remain as inspiring and relevant as ever. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

Dr. Ann Jones joins me to chat about her hilarious new What the Duck? series, Nature's Most Wanted , which dives into the wild world of criminal animals. We investigate some of nature's strangest case files… a duck caught speeding (twice), drug-addicted parrots, an underwear-nicking cat, drunk elephants, and heavyweight hamsters! A funny look at the surprising ways animals collide with the human rules we've created. What The Duck?! Nature's Most Wanted

Marine Ecologist Assoc. Professor Alex Campbell takes us into the wonderful, under-appreciated world of seaweed and makes the case that it might be one of our most powerful allies against climate change! We dive into seaweed's evolutionary history and the troubling decline now underway: as ocean temperatures rise, marine organisms are shifting toward the poles at a rate of over 60km per decade to escape the heat, with Tasmania's once-thriving giant kelp forests shrinking by a staggering 90% since the 1990s due to devastating changes to their habitat. But the story isn't all bad news. Seaweed also holds genuine promise as a climate solution - from carbon sequestration and biofuel production, to a renewable alternative to plastic, to livestock feed additives that can dramatically cut methane emissions. Alex makes a compelling case for why this humble marine organisms deserves a much bigger role in how we tackle climate change.

I'm joined by Dr Nick Fuller to dissect the long-term effectiveness of weight loss medications and why lasting results do actually require more than medication alone. Nick explains why evidence-based behavioural weight management programs remain the first-line approach to weight loss built on three key pillars: diet, exercise and sleep (did you even know that sleep plays a big role in regulating hunger hormones?!) Drawing on his team's research, Nick shares why many people regain weight after stopping medication and why behavioural change is essential for sustainable success (and keeping weight off for good!)

This episode I'm joined by Dr Peter Lee, Head of Research at Microsoft, to explore the ideas shaping the future of technology. Leading 14 research laboratories globally and overseeing a research and development program that receives more than 10% of Microsoft's overall budget, Dr Lee shares his journey to the top of one of the world's largest innovation engines. From AI tools transforming early cancer detection and predicting protein structures in hours (instead of years!), to discovering new battery materials and improving weather forecasting through deep learning, the conversation reveals how research is moving from possibility to real-world impact. We also explore Microsoft's investment in open-ended innovation, research not driven by immediate products, but by imagining entirely new experiences and technologies. Encrypted Spaces - Microsoft Research | Microsoft Research

In this episode, we speak with Dietmar Müller about the "Boring Billion", a seemingly quiet period in Earth's deep history that may have been crucial for the evolution of complex life. Drawing on his latest research, Müller explains how plate tectonics, passive continental margins, and volcanic outgassing shaped Earth's slow carbon cycle and gradually oxygenated the oceans during the mid-Proterozoic era. Müller also reflects on how young the science of plate tectonics really is, and discusses the open-source EarthByte tools his team at the University of Sydney has developed to model Earth's ancient geological past. www.earthbyte.org/

Astronomer and soon-to-be Dr. Kovi Rose joins us to discuss his newly published Nature Astronomy paper on one of the universe's newest mysteries: strange repeating flashes of radio waves and X-rays coming form deep within our galaxy! His team's discovery of ASKAP J174 has helped identify the source as a pair of stars orbiting each other, with a white dwarf pulling or accreting material from its companion. This discovery could help unlock the origins of mysterious signals flashing across the sky, unlocking even more secrets of the universe.

Professor Clare Collins returns to the pod to answer a common question: does coffee raise your blood pressure? We also discuss how genetics influence whether you're a fast or slow caffeine metaboliser, the beneficial phytonutrients found in coffee, why decaf still has health benefits, and when people with high blood pressure may need to be more cautious with their intake. nomoneynotime.com.au