Science Updates is a weekly email alert about recent online science coverage and upcoming TV and radio science programs from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
==== NEW ON ABC SCIENCE ONLINE ==== http://www.abc.net.au/science ====
ACE DAY JOBS - Molecular Chemist
Deanna looks at how to mimic natural systems such as photosynthesis to provide a viable source of renewable energy that will power the world.
http://www.abc.net.au/acedayjobs/cooljobs/profiles/s2102676.htm
FACT BUSTERS - Does milk make mucus worse?
All is revealed at:
http://abc.net.au/health/talkinghealth/factbuster/stories/2007/11/28/2102703.htm
SCIENCE PODCASTS
If it's science and it was on the radio, chances are you can download it as a podcast! You can browse or subscribe to science on everything from Radio National to triple j right here:
http://www.abc.net.au/science/programs/podcast.htm
==== TOP NEWS STORIES FROM NEWS IN SCIENCE =====
GM CANOLA GO-AHEAD SPARKS DEBATE (News in Science 29/11/07)
The decision by two state governments to end a ban on the planting of genetically modified canola has exposed a lack of Australian research into its harms and benefits, critics say.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2007/11/29/2104266.htm
AMPUTEE 'FEELS' LIMB IN CHEST (Health & Medical, 27/11/07)
Amputees could 'feel' their lost arms and hands after scientists reconnected the nerves to their chests, according to a report released today.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2007/11/27/2102210.htm
FOOD MILES CAN MISLEAD (Environment & Nature, 28/11/07)
The average Australian basket of food has travelled over 70,000 kilometres from producer to consumer, suggests the first study of its kind.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2007/11/28/2103395.htm
TEEN GALAXIES HINT OF EARLY MILKY WAY (Space & Astronomy, 28/11/07)
Astronomers have spotted the young building blocks of galaxies similar to the Milky Way for the first time, giving a tantalising glimpse of how our stellar backyard may have formed.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2007/11/28/2103608.htm
JADE EARRINGS OPEN DOOR ON ANCIENT TRADE (Ancient Worlds, 20/11/07)
Taiwan was at the centre of a one of the most extensive sea-based trade networks in the prehistoric world, new research shows.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2007/11/20/2095026.htm
VENUS FLYTRAP INSPIRES SNAPPING LENS (Innovation & Technology, 27/11/07)
A microscopic lens, inspired by a Venus flytrap's ability to trap insects in a split second, can pop instantly between convex and concave when triggered, scientists say.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2007/11/27/2102439.htm
MORE NEWS IN SCIENCE - updated daily
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/
==== IN THE SKY THIS WEEK ====
The Last Quarter Moon is Saturday December 1. Jupiter is the brightest object above the western horizon during twilight, and will soon disappear from view. In the morning sky red Mars can be easily seen as the brightest object in the northern sky, underneath the distinctive constellation of Orion. Mars forms a broad triangle with the red stars Alderbaran and Betelguese. Saturn and brilliant white Venus can be easily seen above the eastern horizon in the early morning. On Sunday December 2 the waning Moon is near Saturn, and on Thursday December 6 the crescent Moon is near Venus.
http://home.mira.net/~reynella/skywatch/ssky.htm
==== ABC HEALTH & WELLBEING == http://www.abc.net.au/health/ =====
THE PULSE: 10000 steps and counting
Walking with a pedometer will help you lose weight and lower blood pressure, say US researchers.
http://abc.net.au/health/thepulse/stories/2007/11/29/2104899.htm
Health Updates provides the latest ABC Health information online. You can join at: http://www.abc.net.au/health/subscribe/
==== NEW RADIO AND TV SCIENCE TRANSCRIPTS NOW ONLINE ====
STEM CELL BREAKTHROUGH MAY DEFUSE ETHICAL QUESTIONS (Lateline: 21/11/2007) http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2007/s2097528.htm
LESLEY HUGHES (In Conversation: 22/11/2007)
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/inconversation/stories/2007/2089478.htm
BRAIN SURGERY ON THE WIRELESS! (PART 1 OF 2) (All In The Mind: 24/11/2007)
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/stories/2007/2094756.htm
MAX PERUTZ - FATHER OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (Science Show: 24/11/2007)
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2007/2098178.htm
HOW THE EAR CONVERTS SOUND TO NERVE IMPULSES - HERMANN VON HELMHOLTZ 1857 (Science Show: 24/11/2007)
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2007/2098185.htm
QUEEN BEES AFFECT WORKERS' BRAINS (Science Show: 24/11/2007)
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2007/2098171.htm
EXPLOSIVES HELP REVEAL TERROR SUSPECTS (Science Show: 24/11/2007)
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2007/2095827.htm
===== COMING UP - ABC RADIO ===========
http://www.abc.net.au/science/programs/
Podcasts and downloads
http://www.abc.net.au/science/programs/podcast.htm
SCIENCE SHOW - Survival versus the enlightenment
Saturday 1 December, 12.05pm & Monday 3 December, 7.05pm RN
The immense global threats we face from climate change and ecological collapse will require single-minded, ruthless responses. Yet western civilisation - and systems of government in various parts of the world - flourish as a result of dissent and pluralism. This clash of intent, authoritarianism versus tolerance in the face of emergency is Lord May's theme in this Science Show extract from his Lowy Lecture. Professor Robert May is a former Chief scientist (UK) and only the second Australian after Howard Florey to be President of the Royal Society of London.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/
ALL IN THE MIND - Brain Surgery on the airwaves! - One year on [Part 2]
Saturday 1 December, 1.05pm, & Monday 3 December, 1.05pm RN
Last year All in the Mind first took you on an audiophonic adventure into the operating theatre and into the brain of Kia, as the tendrils of an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) were extracted from her frontal lobes. 11 months after the surgery, meet Kia again for an update on life post-op. Surviving major brain surgery has been the easy bit. Navigating the welfare system as she recovers has been a mind-field, literally.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/
THE PHILOSOPHER'S ZONE - What's social (and what's just) about social justice?
Saturday 1 December, 1.30pm, & Monday 3 December, 1.35pm RN
With a new government running the country, can we hope for more social justice, or will there be less of it? This week we ask what social justice is and whether we really need more of it.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/philosopherszone/default.htm
OCKHAM'S RAZOR - Language and the human story
Sunday 2 December, 8.45am RN
Dr David Rose from the Department of Linguistics at Sydney University delves into a question that has puzzled humanity for a very long time - where did we all come from? From his research he has found that there are many patterns of words that are universal across languages. How has the spoken word been replicated over hundreds of generations so that the patterns are still recognisable in countries as remote from each other as Australia and Europe?
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/ockhamsrazor/
INNOVATIONS
Sunday 2 December (0830hrs UT), Monday 3 December (1330 & 1705hrs UT), Wednesday 5 December (0430hrs UT), Radio Australia
Sing to your computer to find that music; Australian solar technology to revolutionise clean electricity and, straw the new green building product finding global markets.
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/innovations/
HEALTH REPORT - The obesity epidemic
Monday 3 December, 8.30am and 8.05pm RN
A researcher in the United States claims that the reason for the obesity epidemic is more than just the calories we eat and the lack of exercise. It's a substance that food manufacturers are widely using. This program is a repeat and was first broadcast on 9th July, 2007.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/healthreport/
IN CONVERSATION - Where to now?
Thursday 6 December, 7.35pm RN
The resources boom will not bust - it will plateau. But Australia will have to prepare itself for this intense, long-term demand on its skills and ability to innovate. A new government offers a chance to start again. Dr Robin Batterham of Rio Tinto, now President of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, looks to the future. He sees opportunities - but also, formidable challenges. Coasting along as usual won't work.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/inconversation/
==== COMING UP - ABC TV ===========
http://www.abc.net.au/science/programs/
TAKE ON TECHNOLOGY - Cubby Houses (For kids)
Friday 30 November, 10:00am
Monster puppets, Dodly and Flyn, take a fascinating look at designing technology to meet particular needs. This 12-part series adopts an investigative approach to help children recognise and understand the use of technology around them.
AUSTRALIA EYE OF THE STORM - El Nino
Friday 30 November 11:05am
Looks at how our diverse wildlife has adapted to the huge swings in climate - the heartbreaking droughts and fires, which El Nino brings.
http://www.abc.net.au/storm/
FORCE OF NATURE - Campbell's Final Run
Saturday 1 December 1pm
Stories that reveal the raw power of nature testing our primal fears.
BINDI THE JUNGLE GIRL - Poached Eggs (For kids)
Sunday 2 December, 6:55am
From her tree-house perched high in the jungle, Bindi Irwin will take us to every corner of the globe, to meet cute to not-so-cute animals and learn how all animals need to be protected.
http://abc.net.au/children/bindi/
RAMPANT: How A City Stopped A Plague
Monday 3 December, 8:30pm
The story of AIDS in Australia, and how our response to the disease - so radically different from that in the USA and other countries with conservative governments - made us world leaders in controlling the virus, which had the potential to become a plague.
SINGER: A Dangerous Mind
Tuesday 4 December, 11am
At a time when medical science can prolong life almost indefinitely, Dr Peter Singer's radical views on matters such as animal rights, abortion and infanticide have seen him labelled both a visionary and a Nazi sympathiser.
SURFING SCIENTIST ON ROLLERCOASTER (For kids)
Tuesday 4 December, between 5-6pm
Catch Ruben Meerman each Tuesday afternoon as he gives Rollercoaster's host Elliot a dose of science. Apparently you can teach young hosts old tricks.
http://www
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