The Science Show
The Science Show gives Australians unique insights into the latest scientific research and debate, from the physics of cricket to prime ministerial biorhythms.
- Update frequency
- every 3 days
- Average duration
- 48 minutes
- Episodes
- 271
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
Lab Notes: After the SPF scandal — how is sunscreen tested?
Australia’s known for having some of the world’s toughest sunscreen standards, but in June, that reputation was rocked.
Independent testing of 20 sunscreens found 16 did not meet their advertised S…
00:13:31 |
Tue 16 Sep 2025
Quantum biology, two botanic gardens, and the importance of archaeology
Just as quantum physics is poised to launch computing into a new era of capability, researchers are seeing the first signs of quantum effects in biology.
00:54:19 |
Sat 13 Sep 2025
Lab Notes: Move over, NASA — Australia's heading back into space
When you think of leaders in the space sector, big hitters like NASA and private companies like SpaceX spring to mind.
But since the very beginning of the Space Age, Australia has played a role in t…
00:14:04 |
Tue 09 Sep 2025
Bird navigation, reducing food waste and a tribute to John Clarke
As The Science Show concludes its celebration of 50 years, we remember John Clarke’s contributions to early Science Shows and point to a film just released looking at John’s life, produced by his dau…
00:54:25 |
Sat 06 Sep 2025
Lab Notes: Why your hay fever will get worse with climate change
One in four Australians get hay fever, and as the planet warms, our seasonal sneezes and sniffles are tipped to get much, much worse.
00:13:01 |
Tue 02 Sep 2025
The Science Show celebrates 50 years
Join us for highlights from fifty years of The Science Show including Fred Dagg, who helps us with the big questions: what is it all about and why are we here?
00:54:35 |
Thu 28 Aug 2025
Lab Notes: Why do whales beach themselves?
Every now and again, dozens or even hundreds of perfectly healthy looking whales strand themselves on a beach. Scientists have a few theories on why they do this.
00:13:51 |
Tue 26 Aug 2025
Complex molecules in space – how they formed and how they got here
Samples from asteroids have helped build a theory of the origin of complex molecules and how they made it to Earth.
00:54:24 |
Sat 23 Aug 2025
Lab Notes: The fall of the food pyramid
Fresh Australian dietary guidelines are due next year, and they’ll likely focus on the health of the planet as well as people.
00:14:18 |
Tue 19 Aug 2025
Gene editing brings promise for genetic blood disorders
Small chemical groups inserted or removed from around DNA may affect gene expression and so be a way to control genetic blood disorders such as sickle cell anaemia and beta thalassemia.
00:53:55 |
Sat 16 Aug 2025
Lab Notes: The native ants that take down cane toads
Meat ants don't sound like the most endearing Australian animals. These purple-red insects are super territorial, swarming and biting anything that threatens their nest.
But it turns out they're no…
00:11:28 |
Tue 12 Aug 2025
The Science Show
Is the US shooting itself in the foot, or shooting itself in the head? As Donald Trump removes funding for medical research, climate research and more, Matthew England reflects on how science will he…
00:54:25 |
Sat 09 Aug 2025
Back to the dark ages for American research?
Is the US shooting itself in the foot, or shooting itself in the head? As Donald Trump removes funding for medical research, climate research and more, Matthew England reflects on how science will he…
00:54:25 |
Sat 09 Aug 2025
Lab Notes: How do I avoid eating and breathing microplastics?
It's impossible to escape microplastics. They're in our food and water, and the air around us is teeming with them.
So considering they're all around us, how can we minimise our exposure to tiny pla…
00:13:26 |
Tue 05 Aug 2025
Climatic changes everywhere as the world’s oceans become hotter
A 100-yr flood is now a more regular occurrence in the German town of Passau, bringing widespread destruction, another local impact of a planet getting hotter.
00:53:11 |
Sat 02 Aug 2025
Lab Notes: What's quantum mechanics ever done for me?
It feels like you can't go a week without hearing about some new quantum technology which promises to change our lives for the better.
But quantum mechanics is already well and truly present in our…
00:14:00 |
Tue 29 Jul 2025
Tracing the 100-year history of quantum mechanics
There was a famous debate. And truly weird ideas about how the universe works at a subatomic level. Shelby Traynor traces the history of quantum mechanics.
00:53:54 |
Sat 26 Jul 2025
Lab Notes: Why some mums have all boys or all girls
If you've given birth to three daughters, what are the odds that your next child will also be a girl?
One in two, right? Well … maybe not.
The odds of having a fourth girl could be a fair bit highe…
00:14:20 |
Tue 22 Jul 2025
Australia's forgotten inventor brothers
Discover the story of a pair of brothers who invented an early electric scooter, humidicrib, fax machine, Olympic scoreboard — and much more! — in their South Australian workshop from the 1930s to th…
00:41:56 |
Sat 19 Jul 2025
Lab Notes: Can bottom trawling be a sustainable way to fish?
A huge net, weighed down by heavy chains, swiftly sweeps across the ocean floor, scooping up everything in its path.
This type of fishing, called bottom trawling, was illuminated in a new documenta…
00:14:02 |
Tue 15 Jul 2025
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