PodcastDirectory.com's listings of the Brains Matter Podcasts

108 - Is Intelligent Life Common in the Universe?

A question that everyone asks at some point is - are we alone? We’ve all heard about the Drake Equation, and have had chats about our place in the universe with friends.In this episode, Dr Allie Ford hosts a debate between Professor John Lattanzio and Ms Marion Anderson from Monash University on the topic [...]

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In this episode I speak to Dr Yin Paradies, who is a senior research fellow at the University of Melbourne. Yin’s research focuses on the health, social and economic effects of racism as well as anti-racism theory, policy and practice. In this interview, some of the topics we talk about include: - What are some of the [...]

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We have all heard of the ultraviolet index in weather reports. What is it? What does it mean to the lay person? What is the average person’s perception of the ultraviolet index? I talk to Dr Owen Carter from the CBRCC and Curtin University in Western Australia about his research [...]

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In this episode, I speak to Professor Bryan Gaensler from the University of Sydney on the topic of Magnetism in the Universe, which was only discovered in the 20th century. - What is a magnet? - What objects in the universe are magnetic? - How are magnets detected in space? - How do we detect magnetic fields, despite the [...]

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In todays episode, I talk to Dr Kristen Panfilio is a Developmental Geneticist from the University of Cologne, in Germany. We talk about Evolutionary Developmental Genetics, or Evo Devo as it is sometimes known. Topics we cover include: - What is evolutionary developmental genetics? - Why is it useful? - How do genes help us understand [...]

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Nick Miller is the Health Editor for The Age newspaper in Melbourne, Australia. Nick interviewed Simon Singh (who has appeared in episode 100 of Brains Matter), and was subsequently impacted by the English Libel laws. Nick talks to me about this incident, and what he feels may need to be considered in terms of reforming [...]

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In this episode, I talk to Dr Owen Carter, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer Control at Curtin University, on the topic of tobacco advertising. - What were the techniques used by tobacco companies in their advertising? - Does tobacco advertising actually affect smokers? - What is the effect of tobacco advertising on [...]

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The 22/9/2009 episode of 365 Days of Astronomy was the fourth contribution by Brains Matter to the IYA podcast effort. In this particular episode, I talk about Ruby Payne Scott, an Australian physicist, who was the world’s first female radio astronomer. Listen to the audio here

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In this episode, I talk to Dr Paul Francis from the Australian National University in Canberra on the topic of comets. - What are comets? - Where do they come from? - How big are comets in general? - What are they made of? - How big can comets be? - What would happen to Pluto if it came in closer [...]

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The 100th episode of Brains Matter coincides with National Science Week - and to celebrate both the 100th show and National Science week, in this episode, we cover a range of topics. There are two great new interviews, as well as highlights from previous shows. You can go to the original interviews by [...]

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We’ve all heard of the word sceptic / skeptic. It is used in many contexts - and there is a worldwide movement of people who identify themselves as “skeptics”. What does that entail? Who is a skeptic? What’s the difference, if any, between being a sceptic and being a skeptic? [...]

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I talk to Dr Seth Shostak, from the SETI Institute, on the topic of science and the movies. We cover: - The portrayal and accuracy of science in entertainment - Seth’s role as science adviser in the movie remake of “The Day the Earth Stood Still” - What does a science adviser in a movie do? - Why [...]

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I talk to Dr Rosemary Mardling, an astrophysicist from Monash University on the topic of extra-solar planets. Topics we cover include: - What is an extra solar planet? - How do we find extra solar planets? - How do we estimate the size and form of these extra solar planets? - How do we explain the “Hot Jupiter” [...]

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I talk to Dr Ginger Campbell, the host of the Brain Science Podcast and Books and Ideas on the fascinating topics of - brain chemistry - what do we know about how chemicals may or may not influence us, - brain plasticity, learning languages or new skills and how to keep yourself young and vital (we hope!), [...]

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Dr Andrew Prentice from Monash University continues his discussion with me about his theories of the formation of the solar system. In this episode, we concentrate on the Saturniun system, satellites such as Titan and some of the observations in comparison to his predictions, and conclude by reflecting back on what was discussed in [...]

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A summary of the most recent episode on the expansion of the universe was featured for the 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast today. 365 Days of Astronomy - Brains Matter interview with Dr Brian Schmidt (summary)

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I talk to Dr Andrew Prentice on the topic of Supersonic Turbulence, a theory he proposed which helps in understanding his predictions on the objects within the solar system and formation of the solar system. Dr Prentice has also made some astounding predictions as has been documented here This is the first of a 3 [...]

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I continue my talk to Dr Andrew Prentice from Monash University, extending on the discussion in part 1 of this interview series on Supersonic Turbulence, to talk about the Modern Laplacian Theory, and how it helps describe planetary and satellite formation, and it’s weaknesses. The discussion on satellites, and especially Titan, is fascinating. This is [...]

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We’ve all wondered about the creation of the universe - from the big bang onwards. What next? Is the galaxy going to slow down from the big bang? Will there be multiple big bangs and big crunches? The reality of the matter is astounding. In 1994, Dr Brian Schmidt, [...]

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I talk to Dr Maria Lugaro on the topic of pre-solar grains. Topics we cover include: - What are pre-solar grains? - Do they only exist in our solar system? - How big are they? - How do we capture pre-solar grains on Earth? - How do we determine if grains are pre-solar? - How do the grains form? - What [...]

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