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From mystery illnesses to flesh-eating bacteria and the looming threat of bird flu — outbreaks can push scientists, communities and health systems to their limits.
For Science Friction on ABC Radio National, Belinda Smith looks back on some of the disease outbreaks that shaped Australia.
Hear about the scientists racing to find answers, the unusual diseases they're hunting, and the everyday people caught in the middle.
Outbreaks is a four-part series from Science Friction on ABC Radio National. Episode 1 is out Wednesday October 14th.
Dead and Alive (Season 7)
Quantum computers could be the next giant leap in technology — transforming how we heal people, how we grow food, how we get around our cities. So how close are we to the quantum future we've been promised? Science reporter Jacinta Bowler unpacks how the weird world of quantum physics could change everything.
Artemis Explained (Season 6)
In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. We track the Artemis II mission in real time, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.
The Challenger Legacy (Season 5)
In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. Science reporter Fiona Pepper and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki bring you the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space.
Artificial Evolution (Season 4)
Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it.
Brain Rot (Season 3)
How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.
Cooked (Season 2)
Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.
AI Overlords (Season 1)
AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.
For Science Friction on ABC Radio National, Belinda Smith looks back on some of the disease outbreaks that shaped Australia.
Hear about the scientists racing to find answers, the unusual diseases they're hunting, and the everyday people caught in the middle.
Outbreaks is a four-part series from Science Friction on ABC Radio National. Episode 1 is out Wednesday October 14th.
Dead and Alive (Season 7)
Quantum computers could be the next giant leap in technology — transforming how we heal people, how we grow food, how we get around our cities. So how close are we to the quantum future we've been promised? Science reporter Jacinta Bowler unpacks how the weird world of quantum physics could change everything.
Artemis Explained (Season 6)
In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. We track the Artemis II mission in real time, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.
The Challenger Legacy (Season 5)
In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. Science reporter Fiona Pepper and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki bring you the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space.
Artificial Evolution (Season 4)
Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it.
Brain Rot (Season 3)
How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.
Cooked (Season 2)
Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.
AI Overlords (Season 1)
AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.
346 Episodes
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In 2000, people who visited the Melbourne Aquarium started to get sick. Really sick.This outbreak would go on to become the largest of its kind in Australia.This story goes back 50 years to a mystery that stumped scientists in Philadelphia. How did they crack the case, and why are we still struggling to stop this disease?Got feedback? Email us [email protected]:Professor Robert PromisloffClinical Professor Emeritus of Medicine, Drexel UniversityDr Jane GreigEpidemiologist, Burnet Institute and Médecins Sans FrontièresDr Verlaine TimmsMicrobiologist, University of Newcastle and University of Western SydneyStephen WalshLawyerPresenter: Belinda SmithProducer: Shelby TraynorSenior Producer: James BullenExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveSound Engineer: Tim Jenkins
From mystery illnesses to flesh-eating bacteria and the looming threat of bird flu — outbreaks can push scientists, communities and health systems to their limits. For Science Friction on ABC Radio National, Belinda Smith looks back on some of the disease outbreaks that shaped Australia.Hear about the scientists racing to find answers, the unusual diseases they're hunting, and the everyday people caught in the middle.Outbreaks is a four-part series from Science Friction on ABC Radio National. Episode 1 is out Wednesday October 14th.
When it comes to the often incomprehensible world of quantum, it can be hard to distinguish hype from reality. We might be on the verge of a breakthrough ... or tech start-ups might be trying to drum up momentum for the benefit of their stakeholders.Hype is important in science, but can it go too far? And has AI knocked the wind out of the sails of quantum computing?Got feedback? Email us [email protected]:Dr Tara RobersonScience communicatorStela TodorovicMedia Director for PsiQuantum AustraliaGideon LichfieldJournalist, former editor-in-chief of WIRED and MIT Technology ReviewProfessor Warwick BowenDirector of the Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology and leader of the Quantum Optics Laboratory, University of QueenslandPresenter: Jacinta BowlerScript producers: Fiona Pepper, James BullenSenior Producer: Shelby TraynorExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveSound Engineer: Tim JenkinsArchives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael Osmond
You might not know it, but Australia is an unexpected frontrunner in the race to build a quantum computer. Despite our isolation, leading quantum experts have called Australia home for decades, chipping away at this massive challenge. What have we learnt, from our first digital computer CSIRAC, to now? And will it all culminate in the world's first million-qubit computer?Got feedback? Email us [email protected]:Dr Peter ThorneFormer weekend service operator for CSIRACProfessor Michelle SimmonsCEO of Silicon Quantum Computing and director of the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, UNSWProfessor Robert ClarkFounding director of the Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computer Technology, UNSWProfessor Geoff PrydeChief Technical Director, PsiQuantum AustraliaPresenter: Jacinta BowlerScript producers: Fiona Pepper, James BullenSenior Producer: Shelby TraynorExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveSound Engineer: Tim JenkinsArchives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael Osmond
It's 1994, and a mathematical algorithm puts a spotlight on quantum computing for the first time.Defence departments, spy agencies and cybersecurity experts are on edge over the explosive Shor's algorithm.They spend decades and billions of dollars searching for a solution before something called "Q-day" arrives.Got feedback? Email us [email protected]:Dr Henry EverittSenior technologist for optical sciences, US ArmyEmeritus Professor Charles ClarkPhysicist, formerly National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)Dr Sushmita RujAssociate professor, University of New South Wales' Institute for CybersecuritySpecial thanks to Nick Adams for reading Peter Shor's limerick. Presenter: Jacinta BowlerProducer: Fiona PepperSenior Producer: Shelby TraynorExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveSound Engineer: Tim JenkinsArchives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael OsmondAdditional audio courtesy of CSIRO Publishing
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