== ABC SCIENCE UPDATES, January 24 2008 ==
Science Updates is a weekly email alert from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
== ANT SAFARI – SCRIBBLY GUM FEATURE ==
As summer reaches its height and the wattles shed their seeds, Australia's ants get really busy. Although some might consider them a nuisance, researchers are discovering that the bush couldn't do without ants.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/scribblygum/january2008/
As summer reaches its height and the wattles shed their seeds, Australia's ants get really busy. Although some might consider them a nuisance, researchers are discovering that the bush couldn't do without ants.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/scribblygum/january2008/
==NEW PROGRAM GUIDE ==
Our new guide to science shows on ABC TV, ABC 2 and ABC Radio makes it easy to plan your weekly viewing or listening. You can also watch video previews of shows such as Sleek Geeks and Big Sky Bears.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/programs/
Our new guide to science shows on ABC TV, ABC 2 and ABC Radio makes it easy to plan your weekly viewing or listening. You can also watch video previews of shows such as Sleek Geeks and Big Sky Bears.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/programs/
== TOP STORIES FROM NEWS IN SCIENCE == http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/
NEW EVIDENCE ON HOW BIRDS TOOK TO FLIGHT
Birds have a much narrow range of wing movements than previously thought, say US researchers, and this changes our understanding of how they must have first learnt how to take to the skies.
http://abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/01/24/2145510.htm
Birds have a much narrow range of wing movements than previously thought, say US researchers, and this changes our understanding of how they must have first learnt how to take to the skies.
http://abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/01/24/2145510.htm
EXPANDED USE OF OSTEO DRUGS QUESTIONED
Drug companies have been accused of trying to expand the market for osteoporosis drugs by targeting women who have not yet developed the condition.
http://abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/01/23/2144112.htm
Drug companies have been accused of trying to expand the market for osteoporosis drugs by targeting women who have not yet developed the condition.
http://abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/01/23/2144112.htm
ANCIENT MAYA SACRIFICED BOYS NOT GIRLS
The victims of human sacrifice by Mexico's ancient Mayans, who threw children into water-filled caverns, were likely boys and young men not virgin girls as previously believed, says an archaeologist.
http://abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/01/23/2144585.htm
The victims of human sacrifice by Mexico's ancient Mayans, who threw children into water-filled caverns, were likely boys and young men not virgin girls as previously believed, says an archaeologist.
http://abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/01/23/2144585.htm
TRIATHLETES WARNED ABOUT EARLY HEAT SEASON
A hot day early in the competitive season raises a triathlete's risk of collapse from heat stress because they are not yet acclimatised to the heat, new Australian research has found.
http://abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/01/22/2143794.htm
A hot day early in the competitive season raises a triathlete's risk of collapse from heat stress because they are not yet acclimatised to the heat, new Australian research has found.
http://abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/01/22/2143794.htm
== IN THE SKY THIS WEEK == http://home.mira.net/~reynella/skywatch/ssky.htm
The Last Quarter Moon is Wednesday January 30. The Moon passes over the bright star Regulus early this week, with Saturn nearby this is a beautiful sight. In WA this occurs at 9:35 pm Thursday January 24, central states and QLD see this at roughly midnight and eastern states around 1 am Friday 25. The evening sky is dominated by bright Mars. Mars forms a delightful broad triangle with the bright red stars Alderbaran and Betelgeuse. With the Pleiades cluster and Orion's belt nearby, the evening sky is particularly beautiful now. Mars is close to the bright star Elnath and will become quite close by the end of the week. In the morning sky, Saturn is growing brighter in the north, while in the east, Venus and Jupiter are readily visible. Over the week Venus and Jupiter come very close together and will be a superb morning view.
== ABC HEALTH & WELLBEING == http://www.abc.net.au/health/
THE PULSE: OFF THE PLANE AND UNDER THE KNIFE
Medical tourism in Asia is giving people access to treatment at a fraction of the cost of developed countries - but there's a downside.
http://www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/stories/2008/01/24/2136845.htm
Medical tourism in Asia is giving people access to treatment at a fraction of the cost of developed countries - but there's a downside.
http://www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/stories/2008/01/24/2136845.htm
== TRANSCRIPTS NOW ONLINE
AUSTRALIAN MARSUPIALS: A FRAGILE BALANCE (In Conversation: 17/01/2008)
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/inconversation/stories/2008/2138034.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/inconversation/stories/2008/2138034.htm
BEHIND THE SCENES: ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION ETHICS COMMITTEES (All In The Mind: 19/01/2008)
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/stories/2008/2105440.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/stories/2008/2105440.htm
PETER AGRE - MY LIFE IN SCIENCE (Science Show: 19/01/2008)
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2008/2124549.htm
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2008/2124549.htm
== COMING UP ON ABC RADIO == http://www.abc.net.au/science/programs/
SCIENCE SHOW - Balancing Nature - Part 1 Western Australia
Saturday 26 January, 12.05pm & Monday 28 January, 7.05pm RN
In this four part series Lynne Malcolm visits four so called 'biodiversity hotspots" – places with a large number of plants & animals found nowhere else – yet are under significant threat. It begins in south west Western Australia – home to 5000 plant species and many rare vertebrates such as the tiny Honey Possum and the Carnaby's Black Cockatoo. But the area is under intense threat due to clearing for agriculture in the 1950's and 60's and the changing climate. Can an ambitious project to reconnect the bush secure the future of this botanical hotspot?
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/
Saturday 26 January, 12.05pm & Monday 28 January, 7.05pm RN
In this four part series Lynne Malcolm visits four so called 'biodiversity hotspots" – places with a large number of plants & animals found nowhere else – yet are under significant threat. It begins in south west Western Australia – home to 5000 plant species and many rare vertebrates such as the tiny Honey Possum and the Carnaby's Black Cockatoo. But the area is under intense threat due to clearing for agriculture in the 1950's and 60's and the changing climate. Can an ambitious project to reconnect the bush secure the future of this botanical hotspot?
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/
ALL IN THE MIND – The neurobiology of suicide
Saturday 26 January, 1.05pm, & Monday 28 January, 1.05pm RN
Psychiatrist and neuroscientist John Mann has a grizzly job. He wants to understand why some deeply depressed souls take their own lives, yet others resist. His post-mortem studies suggest a distinct neurobiology of suicide. And, for those left behind, might there be a definite 'biology of sadness' too? Also, a bereft father writes to his dead son, and asks 'why?'
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/
Saturday 26 January, 1.05pm, & Monday 28 January, 1.05pm RN
Psychiatrist and neuroscientist John Mann has a grizzly job. He wants to understand why some deeply depressed souls take their own lives, yet others resist. His post-mortem studies suggest a distinct neurobiology of suicide. And, for those left behind, might there be a definite 'biology of sadness' too? Also, a bereft father writes to his dead son, and asks 'why?'
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/
THE PHILOSOPHER'S ZONE – Philosophical love stories
Saturday 26 January, 1.30pm, & Monday 28 January, 1.35pm RN
This week, Friedrich Nietzsche meets the Frankenstein monster and Simone de Beauvoir hangs out with the Desperate Housewives in a philosophical look at some stories of attraction and love.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/philosopherszone/default.htm
Saturday 26 January, 1.30pm, & Monday 28 January, 1.35pm RN
This week, Friedrich Nietzsche meets the Frankenstein monster and Simone de Beauvoir hangs out with the Desperate Housewives in a philosophical look at some stories of attraction and love.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/philosopherszone/default.htm
OCKHAM'S RAZOR - Silver and gold collectables
Sunday 27 January, 8.45am RN
Bill Hall from Adelaide is a collector and professional writer who, together with his wife Dorothy, writes for the antiques and collectables trade. Today he discusses the do's and don'ts of collecting precious metal antiques as many people falsely believe they are too expensive and avoid them. But there's many a bargain in the bric-a-brac shops.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/ockhamsrazor/
Sunday 27 January, 8.45am RN
Bill Hall from Adelaide is a collector and professional writer who, together with his wife Dorothy, writes for the antiques and collectables trade. Today he discusses the do's and don'ts of collecting precious metal antiques as many people falsely believe they are too expensive and avoid them. But there's many a bargain in the bric-a-brac shops.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/ockhamsrazor/
INNOVATIONS
Sunday 27 January (0830hrs UT), Monday 28 January (1330 & 1705hrs UT), Wednesday 30 January (0430hrs UT), Radio Australia
How sunlight may save children's sight; export success in the educational toy market and, Rwandan refugees' unique way to help those back in their homeland.
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/innovations/
Sunday 27 January (0830hrs UT), Monday 28 January (1330 & 1705hrs UT), Wednesday 30 January (0430hrs UT), Radio Australia
How sunlight may save children's sight; export success in the educational toy market and, Rwandan refugees' unique way to help those back in their homeland.
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/innovations/
HEALTH REPORT - Can calcium supplements increase vascular problems in elderly women?
Monday 28 January, 8.30am and 8.05pm RN
The calcium supplement market is worth about $ 3 billion a year world-wide. The supplements are usually recommended to women to protect their bones. However, a new study has shown that calcium supplementation might increase vascular events in elderly women, a somewhat unexpected finding.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/healthreport/
Monday 28 January, 8.30am and 8.05pm RN
The calcium supplement market is worth about $ 3 billion a year world-wide. The supplements are usually recommended to women to protect their bones. However, a new study has shown that calcium supplementation might increase vascular events in elderly women, a somewhat unexpected finding.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/healthreport/
IN CONVERSATION - A woman for all seasons
Thursday 31 January, 7.35pm RN
This week, Alison Leigh talks to an American scientist who she describes as a 21st century renaissance woman. Janna Levin has just published her first novel; she is an accomplished artist, and her day job is Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Columbia University in New York.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/inconversation/
Thursday 31 January, 7.35pm RN
This week, Alison Leigh talks to an American scientist who she describes as a 21st century renaissance woman. Janna Levin has just published her first novel; she is an accomplished artist, and her day job is Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Columbia University in New York.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/inconversation/
== HIGHLIGHTS ON ABC TV == http://www.abc.net.au/science/programs/
BIG SKY BEARS
Sunday 27 January, 7.30pm
It's the Wild West - the land of the Black Bear, one full of mayhem, mischief and adventure. Against the backdrop of the Teton Mountains in Wyoming, Big Sky Bears is the story of Archie and Luke: twin black bear cubs beginning their journey to adulthood.
Sunday 27 January, 7.30pm
It's the Wild West - the land of the Black Bear, one full of mayhem, mischief and adventure. Against the backdrop of the Teton Mountains in Wyoming, Big Sky Bears is the story of Archie and Luke: twin black bear cubs beginning their journey to adulthood.
STRANGE DAYS ON PLANET EARTH – Troubled Waters
Tuesday 28 January, 8:30pm
For decades, efforts have been made around the world to clean up our waterways and in some cases it appears to be working. But are our water systems really as clean as we think they are?
Tuesday 28 January, 8:30pm
For decades, efforts have been made around the world to clean up our waterways and in some cases it appears to be working. But are our water systems really as clean as we think they are?
SLEEK GEEKS – Forces
Thursday 31 January, 8pm
Adam and Karl test out their fortitude in flight with the Roulettes and we see what it's like to experience the sensation of zero gravity.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/sleekgeeks/
Thursday 31 January, 8pm
Adam and Karl test out their fortitude in flight with the Roulettes and we see what it's like to experience the sensation of zero gravity.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/sleekgeeks/
