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The Science Show gives Australians unique insights into the latest scientific research and debate, from the physics of cricket to prime ministerial biorhythms.

The Science Show

Platypuses in NSW are carrying PFAS chemicals many times over accepted levels indicate widespread contamination

Prime Minister’s teaching prizes, platypuses with high PFAS and house bricks from sugar cane waste

Bianca Nogrady traces the scientific journey of astronomer and Prime Minister’s Science Prize winner Matthew Bailes.

Science books for Christmas and a portrait of Matthew Bailes

More than 30 years ago, astronomers came up with the bold idea to build the world’s biggest radio telescopes.

One is now taking shape in the Western Australian outback, where scientists and engineers are installing more than 130,000 Christmas-tree-shaped antennas onto the red earth.

And those stunning auroras over the past year? There’s a good chance we’ll see more colourful displays in 2025.

All that and more with ABC Science digital executive producer Genelle Weule and University of Sydney astronomer and 2024 ABC Science Top Fiver Dr Laura Driessen.

Science Extra: More auroras in store?

Paul Davies retraces one of the great engineering achievements of the 19th century – the construction of a telegraph wire from the UK to Australia.

Science Show Summer - A wire around the world

Once considered a problem for high-income countries, being overweight is now on the rise in low- and middle-income parts of the world. At least 2.5 billion adults are now overweight or obese. 

What’s causing this collective weight gain?

And if 2023 was the year of hype about weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, 2024 felt like the year of acceptance. We find out why weight-loss drugs are here to stay.

This week we’re joined by health journalist and Radio National presenter Tegan Taylor.

Science Extra: Weight of the world

It might be the largest telescope humans will ever build. Jonathan Webb visits the site in Chile’s high dry Atacama Desert.

Science Show Summer - The Extremely Large Telescope

Up with the sparrows or hanging with the night owls: we humans like to put ourselves into one of two camps.

But when it comes to native animals, this idea of either being awake during the day or at night just doesn’t hold up.

And while cane toads have already traversed most of northern Australia, there is an ambitious project to stop the pests from infiltrating the Pilbara -- but time is running out to put the plan in motion.

We chat all things nature with environment reporter Peter de Kruijff and ABC presenter and nature nerd Dr Ann Jones.

Science Extra: March of the cane toads

CRISPR is the most powerful means of gene editing ever developed. It led to Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier being awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 2020. Jennifer Doudna speaks with Merlin Crossley about CRISPR, its capability, and the ethical questions which arise.

Science Show Summer - Merlin meets Dr Crispy

Do you get texts telling you there’s an unclaimed parcel waiting for you at the post office?

Turns out scammers can find out if we’re expecting something in the post and time a scam text to coincide with our online purchases -- and it could all be completely legal.

And while 2024 saw advances in artificial intelligence, they didn’t seem to wow us like they did in 2023. Are we simply harder to impress now?

Breaking all this down -- and more -- are technology reporters Ange Lavoipierre and James Purtill.

Science Extra: The anatomy of a scam

Hollywood promoted her as the most beautiful woman in the world. But Hedy Lamarr was more than good looks. She invented and patented a new form of communication which is used widely today and even allows mobile phones to work.

Science Show Summer - Hedy Lamarr - actress, inventor, and amateur engineer

The H5N1 strain of avian influenza is currently ripping through the US, infecting wild animals, livestock and people. One person has died, and around 70 more infections have been confirmed.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has made massive cuts to the nation's leading science and health agencies, and announced plans to withdraw from the World Health Organization.

As the risk of another pandemic rises, what does all this mean for us in Australia?

Lab Notes: Are we on the brink of another pandemic?

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