It Starts With...

It might start with just one person. One becomes two, two becomes four, and under the right circumstances a single infection can become an epidemic. But why do some diseases spread so much faster than others, and is there a limit to how contagious a disease can become? David Boldeman is joined by science journalist Ellen Phiddian to explore patient zero, why measles is the most contagious disease, and how measles can have a big affect on your immune system.Read more: https://connectsci.au/news/news-parent/5031/Explainer-how-contagious-can-a-disease-getIt Starts With... is a ConnectSci podcast. ConnectSci delivers trusted, fact-based content, including peer-reviewed journal articles, eBooks and science news articles. It is operated by CSIRO Publishing, a not-for-profit, editorially independent publisher based in Australia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Content warning: this episode discusses suicide and mental health. If you need urgent support in Australia call Lifeline 24/7 on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. Support is also available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123. In the US, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Many people wait months to see a psychologist, while clinicians are stretched thin and burning out.Psychologist and Ecko Health founder Marika Conomos joins David Boldeman to explain why there aren't enough psychologists to meet demand, what led her to build an AI platform to support both clinicians and patients.They also discuss how Ecko differs from general-purpose chatbots like ChatGPT, the limits of AI and what it can't yet see in a session.It Starts With... is a ConnectSci podcast. ConnectSci delivers trusted, fact-based content, including peer-reviewed journal articles, eBooks and science news articles. It is operated by CSIRO Publishing, a not-for-profit, editorially independent publisher based in Australia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Palaeontology has changed enormously in recent decades, but many museum and theme park dinosaurs still look like they came straight out of last century. Palaeontologist James Ronan joins David Boldeman to explain why that matters, how his Dinosaur Accuracy Audit grades exhibits on everything from posture to feathers, and why Jurassic Park's raptors are still shaping what we see today. For more information on James' work visit james-ronan.co.ukIt Starts With... is a ConnectSci podcast. ConnectSci delivers trusted, fact-based content, including peer-reviewed journal articles, eBooks and science news articles. It is operated by CSIRO Publishing, a not-for-profit, editorially independent publisher based in Australia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can AI tell when a cow is getting sick before a farmer?An Australian team is working on using farm data to create a digital version of each cow and look for signs of illness before they become obvious.The technology can help prevent issues to improve milk production and keep animals healthy.David Boldeman discusses the future of farming with Alex Barakat from Digibus AI, who is helping build the technology, and dairy industry consultant Peter Best from Agstrat.It Starts With... is a ConnectSci podcast. ConnectSci delivers trusted, fact-based content, including peer-reviewed journal articles, eBooks and science news articles. It is operated by CSIRO Publishing, a not-for-profit, editorially independent publisher based in Australia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first of a new fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) has set off from Tasmania, Australia, on a nine-month mission to monitor the Southern Ocean.CSIRO’s Dr Elizabeth Shadwick discusses with host David Boldeman how the project will help us to better understand how much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is absorbed by the ocean surface.The USVs have no crew and will be transported on its journey by the high winds of the Southern Ocean. It could face waves up to 9 metres high but it is designed for the conditions.The project is part of an international collaboration between CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency and partner of the Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), South Africa’s Southern Ocean Carbon-Climate Observatory (SOCCO), CSIR, Columbia University, University of Washington, and Schmidt Sciences, through the Virtual Institute for the Carbon Cycle (VICC) program, and Saildrone, to capture data on ocean carbon sinks.For more info on the project: https://coco2-vicc.github.io/aboutElizabeth also appeared on our Ultramarine podcast: 4500m deep - remote observatory expands climate knowledgeIt Starts With... is a ConnectSci podcast. ConnectSci delivers trusted, fact-based content, including peer-reviewed journal articles, eBooks and science news articles. It is operated by CSIRO Publishing, a not-for-profit, editorially independent publisher based in Australia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.