en-us Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:34:00 -0500 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081202-1030a.mp3 How reliable were eye-witness Twitter updates during the Mumbai terrorist attacks? Launch of YouTube symphony & SellaBand competitions; and controversy in Australia over internet censorship. Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:04:05 -0500 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081202-1030.mp3 1503124 This week: Teaching doctors to mind their manners, the psychology of counting calories and turtles on the half-shell. News Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:52:07 -0500 http://podcasts.nytimes.com//podcasts/2008/12/02/02scienceupdate.mp3 1502834 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20081129.mp3 University enrolments in IT halve in Australia John Harvey says while information technology is ubiquitous its role in industry is not widely appreciated. Unlike law and medicine, education in IT can be used for employment anywhere in the world. Traditional Indian farming encourages biodiversity Tropical forests used to cover large parts of India, especially along the Malabar Coast in Karnataka State. Modern tropical agriculture doesn´t support biodiversity. The human population is predicted to grow to 9 or 10 billion people. So how can food be supplied while maintaining biological life support systems? Gretchen Daily counted birds and found abundance and richness in the Indian countryside, despite dense human population. The secret is complexity to farming rather than monocultures; for example, high palms with lower understorey crops. Conserving Peru´s coastal forests Prosopis pallida or Huarango is a very useful plant. In the dry forests of southern coastal Peru it provides food and forage for many people. Now it is being chopped for charcoal for cooking and the forests are threatened. Only a few tens of hectares of native Huarango forest remain and much of the landscape now resembles a moonscape. Oliver Whaley is part of a team from Kew Gardens assisting local people to conserve their forests. Tribute to Michael Crichton - science in the media Michael Crichton was a doctor who went on to make movies including Jurassic Park. Michael Crichton died November 4, 2008. By way of a tribute, we present an excerpt from an address he made at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in 1999 where he discusses the challenge of having scientists presenting science to the public and the media. Darwin year - 2009 2009 marks 200 years since the birth of Charles Darwin and 150 years since the publication of The Origin of Species. Philip Batterham describes the significance of Darwin´s work, and why so much effort is being put into celebrating Darwin´s life and achievements. The fragile internet and celebrating Milton at Christ´s College The internet is carrying the information for more and more of society´s critical infrastructure but the network is always on the verge of breaking down. Frank Kelly is investigating internet routing whereby multiple routes are used for backup in case of failure. 2008 is the 400th anniversary of poet John Milton´s birth and this will be celebrated at Christ´s College. Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:52:03 -0500 2a7f08050b0f1febabe2f7a1f3c306b6 1496663 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20081129.mp3 Extreme cases of brain damage litter the history of neuroscience. Phineas Gage is perhaps the most famous. A railway worker in 19th-century Vermont, he managed to survive a catastrophic accident—the penetration of a metre-long iron rod through his head. What happened to Gage has become the stuff of legend, and fundamentally changed him and the way we think about the brain. NB: The All in the Mind podcast edition is a different program from the broadcast edition this week for copyright reasons. And, the streaming audio is on the BBC's website here. Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:12:02 -0500 2151691d7895c37c6f70a751de9012ea 1497452 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast221.mp3 WTP will never quit Cold Turkey, especially at this time of year. We've got A Very Worthy Thanksgiving Podcast for you. We've got Inveneo, a non-profit that's taking a different approach to getting the developing world online. Also, body heat sensing to find Amazon tribes. We also speak with Heather Fleming of Catapult Design about making better products for markets in the developing world. And we end with a double-hit on gaming. First up, a serious game that explores the issues facing many Latin American countries. And we end with a global charity for gamers that seeks donations of toys, games and cash for hospitals in the U.S. and abroad. Show notes, links and pics at tinyurl.com/wtpblog. Sat, 29 Nov 2008 07:04:13 -0500 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast221.mp3 1497047 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081125-1030a.mp3 Has controversial Iranian blogger Hossein Derakshan been arrested for spying? Plus why the war in Congo may be linked to your mobile phone; and NASA launches their interplanetary internet. With presenter Gareth Mitchell and studio expert Bill Thompson. Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:48:27 -0500 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081125-1030.mp3 1493078 This week: Medicine's evidence gap, robots on the loose, and helping Hollywood get science right. News Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:32:04 -0500 http://podcasts.nytimes.com//podcasts/2008/11/24/25scienceupdate.mp3 1492043 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20081122.mp3 In 1800, a young boy emerged from the woods of the Aveyron District in France, naked and wild. He became a scientific enigma to influential psychologist Dr Jean-Marc-Gaspard Itard, and redefined the nature vs. nurture debate. His legacy lives on today, especially in the Montessori approach to learning. NB: The All in the Mind podcast edition is a different program from the broadcast edition this week for copyright reasons. And, the streaming audio is on the BBC's website here. Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:32:03 -0500 283a5eebc840bbb4f613d647ead0e748 1486641 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20081122.mp3 Supernovae and the fusing of elements Researchers at The University of Sydney have discovered an extremely young supernova, the corpse of a star that exploded around 1,000 years ago. Supernovae are the result of stars like our sun exploding at the end of their life. When they do, light is emitted equivalent to half a trillion stars. The last supernova in our galaxy was in 1604. Records exist of an extremely bright sky at that time. But it's a mystery as to why we've not seen one since. All elements heavier than iron were made in supernovae. Bryan Gaensler describes the fusing of elements in the centre of stars and how at a certain point, a catastrophic explosion results. The Royal Observatory The Royal Observatory was important as British established itself as a maritime nation; the stars were used for navigation. The zero meridian of longitude which signifies Greenwich Mean Time is the zero point for time all over the world. It runs through the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Marek Kukula takes Robyn Williams on a tour of the grounds of the Royal Observatory. These days astronomy isn´t done in Greenwich due to the poor weather and light from the city of London. The observatory isn´t used as a working observatory, now it´s a museum and science centre. Paintings to bridge the arts and science Nicola Sasanelli has produced a book with prints of 10 paintings to celebrate the achievements of famous scientists. Sasanelli is one of 26 scientific attachés serving in Italian embassies worldwide to promote scientific research. Profits from the book are used for scholarships. The ten canvas oil paintings are now permanently displayed at NICTA, the National Information Communication Technology Centre of Excellence in Canberra. Rob Morrison reports. Diary of a maths olympiad team leader - part 3 of 3 Geoff Smith has led the United Kingdom´s team in the International Maths Olympiad since 2002. He gives insight into the organisation behind a Maths Olympiad. Bacteria used to treat skin tumours An American surgeon, William Coley (1862-1936) found patients with fever or bacterial infection would lose their skin tumours. He suspected the tumours were susceptible to immune activation. Later he inoculated these patients with bacteria and noticed some remarkable results. The tumours are destroyed in a bystander effect. This research was not pursued as chemotherapy developed. Now, the idea has again gained attention. The thought is you can excite the immune system by introducing bacteria and have it attack a tumour. Grooming - good for health and good for feeling good Primates spend a lot of time grooming. Francis McGlone is investigating whether why grooming behaviour makes us feel good. Imaging is used to look inside the brain to see response to stroking, as speed and force vary. Grooming releases endorphins. Grooming activity is rewarding and it´s good for you, influencing mood. Touch is an important experience for developing brains and ultimately social wellbeing. There may be a relationship between tactile history and depression. Francis McGlone is fascinated by why scratching and itching should be so rewarding! Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:56:40 -0500 426c4e5682e92e244157edd5a4e290a0 1485631 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast220.mp3 An incredibly full show this week folks. We start with a discussion of coltan, a substance you can find in your cell phone, Playstation and other electronics. One of the main sources of coltan is the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. Is it fueling the war? Also, West Africa tries to tackle its reputation as a hotbed of Internet scammers, and we hear about Google Earth's Virtual Rome. Then, we've heard that the so-called "Blogfather of the Persian Blogosphere" may or may not have been arrested in Tehran. We end with an assessment of the International Space Station, which turned ten this week, and a tribute to that tiny giant of Eastern European automotive technology, the Yugo. Show notes, links and pics at tinyurl.com/wtpblog. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:20:21 -0500 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast220.mp3 1485219 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/crackberryplea.mp3 Hi folks. We need your help. You may have read about President-Elect Barack Obama's love of his BlackBerry. We're looking for other politicians around the world who are using high-tech toys in interesting ways. Email me with your suggestions at clark.boyd[at]bbc.co.uk. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:05:36 -0500 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/crackberryplea.mp3 1482586 This week: Cholesterol drugs take on a whole new role, the oldest nuclear family and news about the Tasmanian Devil. News Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:12:09 -0500 http://podcasts.nytimes.com//podcasts/2008/11/17/18scienceupdate.mp3 1480728 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081118-1030a.mp3 Techno art with the world's largest interactive video installation; Andrew Keen and Solana Larsen debate whether the internet is destroying culture; and Brazilian cinema meets social networks. With presenter Gareth Mitchell and studio expert Bill Thompson. Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:12:38 -0500 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081118-1030.mp3 1478249 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20081115.mp3 Daylight saving and energy consumption Nicky Phillips reports on the results of a United States survey on changes in energy consumption as daylight saving is introduced. Worms help remediate soils Earthworms can eat thirty times their body weight of soil each day. Metals in the soil are taken in and change in form, often becoming inert. Mark Hodson is investigating the use of earthworms to help remediate sites degraded by metal contamination. Carbon dioxide in New Zealand waters The waters around New Zealand are cold, and carbon dioxide dissolves in cold water more readily than warm water. This raises the acidity of the water and affects organisms that build shells. The impacts of ocean acidification are expected to be very pronounced around New Zealand. Guerilla gardening Ruth Beran meets an inner city couple who´ve transformed their nature strip into a market garden. Tribute to Michael Crichton Michael Crichton was a doctor who went on to make movies including Jurassic Park. Michael Crichton died this week, November 4, 2008. By way of a tribute, we present an excerpt from an address he made at the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting in 1999. Diary of a maths olympiad team leader - part 2 of 3 Geoff Smith has led the United Kingdom´s team in the International Maths Olympiad since 2002. He gives insight into the organisation behind a maths olympiad and the challenges in running the competition. Sports research Anthony Bull is bringing physics and engineering to sports including rowing, cricket, rugby and cycling. The aim is to increase endurance and minimise injury by studying the sportsperson´s movement and motion. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:28:21 -0500 172c54a13336cdfd56a09b59733593f1 1474065 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast219.mp3 An audio extravaganza this week, folks. We hear about Google-backed efforts to track flu outbreaks in the United States, and many more kinds of disease outbreaks across the globe. Also, a new US Army recruitment tool -- the web! We also talk at length about how to turn rice husks into electricity in rural India. Then, we hear about a harsh sentence handed down to a Burmese blogger. And we end with an audio paen to Private Harry Lamin, who has been blogging from the trenches of World War I. Show notes, links and pics at tinyurl.com/wtpblog. Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:48:21 -0500 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast219.mp3 1475084 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20081115.mp3 When a young woman, Kitty Genovese was brutally killed in a prolonged attack in New York in 1964, not one of 38 witnesses called for help until too late. The case led to the naming of the phenomenon known as the Bystander Effect. The first of four compelling programs on influential cases in the history of psychology. NB: The All in the Mind podcast edition is a different program from the broadcast edition this week for copyright reasons. And, the streaming audio is on the BBC's website here. Details below. Sat, 15 Nov 2008 01:41:11 -0500 99a6c705f9590e830150d9a6cd0c905b 1473332 This week: A special edition of Science Times looks beyond the gene. News Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:40:19 -0500 http://podcasts.nytimes.com//podcasts/2008/11/10/11scienceupdate.mp3 1469522 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081111-1030a.mp3 Green tech: IT is responsible for 2% of the world's carbon emissions. Can the industry clean up its act? Plus Undertones singer Feargal Sharkey on how to tackle illegal music downloads. With presenter Gareth Mitchell and studio expert Bill Thompson. Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:40:16 -0500 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081111-1030.mp3 1466887 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast218.mp3 Right, last show about the elections, I promise. We start with news that both the Obama and the McCain websites suffered attacks from a "foreign entity" over the summer. Someone apparently wanted policy details. Also, what will an Obama presidency look like when it comes to tech policy issues like net neutrality. And we end with a story about how the folks behind Obama's net success have set up shop already in Britain. The next great American export? Show notes, links and pics at tinyurl.com/wtpblog. Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:20:05 -0500 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast218.mp3 1463430 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20081108.mp3 Science in the United States as Barack Obama is elected President Excerpts from the Horizon television documentary The President´s Guide to Science, plus comments from Freeman Dyson and Paul Ehrlich. The fat gene In the past 10 years, people have become heavier. Carrying more weight causes disease later in life. The best advice is to eat less and run more. But achieving this is difficult. So work is underway to find a pill which controls a recently discovered gene which controls weight. Presently it is unknown how the gene controls body weight. Bad Science - Ben Goldacre part 2 Ben Goldacre discusses stories from his book, Bad Science. He cites examples of the media overplaying stories which can scare the public, before data has been published in scientific and medical journals. Diary of a maths olympiad team leader - part 1 of 3 Geoff Smith has led the United Kingdom´s team in the International Maths Olympiad since 2002. He gives insight into the organisation behind a maths olympiad and the challenges in running the competition. Evolution and distribution of vertebrates in the southern hemisphere A fossilised dolphin has been found in Antarctica. A new species of dolphin has been described. And there´s a new species of right whale. These are the only vertebrate fossils from Antarctica covering 40 million years. It poses the question, why are there no fossils of other vertebrates such as seals? Seals evolved in the northern hemisphere around 22 million years ago, but there most recent evidence in the southern hemisphere is at just 6 million years. Pat Quilty suggests perhaps there was no shallow water path for migration to the south until more recent times. Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:48:07 -0500 d39a931d96d22e36b04dc447f9fae3ec 1462337 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20081108.mp3 Many people hear voices inside their head -- some are diagnosed with schizophrenia, others live privately with the experience. International leaders in the Hearing Voices Network gather in Australia this week, controversially challenging the belief that voices are a pathological symptom without psychological meaning. They argue people can find it therapeutic to 'dialogue' with the voices. Meet three clinicians pushing the boundaries. Sat, 08 Nov 2008 09:05:15 -0500 e07f077cbed6759901208ac378e8e0d1 1461736 This week: Going inside the mind of voters, the Army joins the race for a vaccine and too many chickens, too few breeds. News Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:04:36 -0500 http://podcasts.nytimes.com//podcasts/2008/11/03/04scienceupdate.mp3 1458050 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast217.mp3 Finally, more than two years after it began, the campaign for the US presidency is near an end. Well, unless some chads decide to hang it up again. Anyway, we've got a special podcast devoted to looking at how technology shaped, and was shaped by, the Obama and McCain campaigns. And we look at how one mobile phone company is using text messages to get out the vote, and help people find their polling stations. Show notes, links and pics at tinyurl.com/wtpblog. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:04:27 -0500 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast217.mp3 1457202 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081104-1030a.mp3 This week, can the technology giants work compassionately in countries with poor human rights records? A new initiative brings together human rights groups and major technology players. Cloud computing, where is it going now that Microsoft has entered the arena? And Online Yak trading in Tibet. Amongst other initiatives - we look at the growth of a community based technology network in this remote Mountain State. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:12:02 -0500 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081104-1030.mp3 1455740 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20081101.mp3 We live in a world mediated by flickering screens. But do 'people of the screen' think fundamentally differently to 'people of the book'? What will the brain look like in generations to come? Eminent neuroscientist Baroness Susan Greenfield paints an apocalyptic picture of an identity lost, and cognition fundamentally compromised, forever stuck in the sensory chaos of early childhood. Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:48:02 -0500 0a2a248f4ff47e39544cdd7bbfb4fd78 1452165 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20081101.mp3 Bad Science - Ben Goldacre part 1 Ben Goldacre discusses stories from his book, Bad Science. He cites examples of the media overplaying stories which can scare the public, before data has been published in scientific and medical journals. Patenting fraud Korean scientist Hwang Woo Suk was found to have submitted fraudulent research, claiming a series of remarkable breakthroughs in the field of stem cell research. Now he is applying for patents in Australia. Nicky Phillips reports. Primate communication Gillian Sebestyen-Forrester has developed a novel method of recording, coding and analysing behaviour in gorillas as they interact with their social partners and the environment. She has observed multidimensional behaviour as in humans; that is, there are many components making up their communication and behaviour, consisting of a range of signals. Kew Botanic Gardens - approaching 250 years Nigel Taylor describes the establishment of the Kew Botanic Gardens. The gardens began in 1759 and became a scientific institution in 1841. First it became a place for the identification of plants, the herbarium contains the largest collection of dried plants anywhere. Then in 1857 the gardens became the first centre for the study of the economic use of plants. Orchids - now thought to date back to the dinosaurs Many orchids mimic insects in their morphology and use pheromones to attract insects. Some orchids live underground. They parasitise fungi for their food. It was once thought orchids had evolved recently. But DNA evidence, linking orchids with grasses and palms, and recent pollen found in amber places the origins of orchids even earlier than the palms at the time of the dinosaurs. Titan Arum or Carcass Flower blooms in Sydney Sydney´s Royal Botanic Gardens has the largest and smelliest flower in the world, Amorphophallus titanum. The common name is Titan Arum or the Carcass Flower. The plant has a tuber which grows underground. When the tuber has the resources to grow a flower, the bud grows at 10 centimetres per day, reaching a height of 1.3 metres. The flower exudes an aroma similar to rotting flesh, which attracts the pollinating insects sweat bees and carrion beetles. Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:20:13 -0500 58dd21bb5013fb6340cc06629fa9c064 1452135 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast216.mp3 Happy Halloween everyone. We've got lots of tech treats for you, starting with something called The Global Network Initiative, which has been signed on to by the likes of Yahoo, Google and Microsoft. Then, what is "clean" coal, and when will it be commercially available? Also, some new scientific studies of tsunamis, and an update on a project called Ushahidi. We end with a segment on low-cost solutions to disease diagnosis in the developing world. Show notes, links and pics at tinyurl.com/wtpblog. Sat, 01 Nov 2008 20:40:14 -0400 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast216.mp3 1450888 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20081004.mp3 The 1929 discovery of amphetamine heralded the dawn of the age of Speed -- a drug with an extraordinary and triumphant career. The first modern antidepressant, a powerful prop in warfare, a diet pill, a devastating illicit drug -- now reincarnated as a treatment for ADHD. Historian of science Nicolas Rasmussen unearths the making of modern medicine, Big Pharma, and a humble stimulant. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:32:17 -0400 d5feb4e79434dd9edf59c6c27adaf011 1445816 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20081011.mp3 Dementia can trigger behaviours that are deeply depressing to loved ones. Aggression, agitation and even delusions and hallucinations. Antipsychotic medications are commonly prescribed. But they are now known to increase risk of mortality and stroke, with concerns that their use is excessive in under-resourced aged care settings. Management tool or good medical practice? Natasha Mitchell probes. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:32:17 -0400 66a22f44b9b1f19dd36d85f354613299 1445817 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20081018.mp3 Dementia can produce challenging and erratic behaviours. The disease itself is one cause, but so is the world outside. Which psychosocial interventions really make a difference? And, a tour through an orthodox nursing home for the most extreme cases -- there´s a bus stop with no bus, a car that won´t go -- and it really works. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:32:17 -0400 c9092d235bdd8a06862755b12709c4c7 1445818 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20081025.mp3 We can´t survive without them -- and we´ve long underestimated their prowess. Controversially, bacteria could even have cognitive talents that rival our own. Predatory behaviour, cooperation, memory -- Jules Verne eat your heart out -- Natasha Mitchell takes you on a strange adventure into the secret world of microbial mentality. Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:32:17 -0400 4493ec9debc6e668e62e65b8358b7574 1445819 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081028-1230a.mp3 What's up with Windows 7? New Zealand gets strict on file sharing; intelligent search ideas; new archive of old video games - which titles would you save? With presenter Gareth Mitchell and studio expert Bill Thompson. Thu, 30 Oct 2008 17:52:22 -0400 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081028-1230.mp3 1445455 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20080927.mp3 Lawrence Krauss - The LHC, going to Mars, and the US Presidential campaign Studying the fundamental structure of the universe won´t replace studying climate change and other important areas as has been suggested recently. Lawrence Krauss says sending people to Mars is crazy as so much of the venture is spent on keeping the astronauts alive rather than from doing science. Too little of the US presidential campaign mentions science, says Krauss, considering its importance. Measuring sea level and the Earth The Earth isn´t a sphere. It is flattened at the poles. These days, the Earth is measured from space. Sea level is measured by radar altimetry. The level of the sea changes by different amounts in different places. Some areas of Sumatra have seas which are rising at a rate of 30mm/year. Other areas in the Pacific are dropping by 20mm/year. A new mission, to be launched in October 2008 aims at measuring the Earth´s gravity field from space in very fine detail. This will provide a reference point from which future changes can be measured. Genetic anomaly could explain severe difficulty with arithmetic Most Australian Aboriginal languages are deficient in words for numbers. Brian Butterworth sought out children who were monolingual in such a language. He set them tasks involving numbers and counting involving spatial strategy. The children completed the tasks as well as children who grew up with English. This finding is important as there is debate as to whether you can enumerate when there are no counting words in your language. The suggestion is that numbers are wired into the human brain and perhaps a genetic anomaly explains why some children have severe difficulties with arithmetic. Magic helps children´s confidence Richard Wiseman teaches children magic - basic tricks, but they still require a lot of practice. Anyone can learn magic tricks. It´s a matter of discipline. Learning magic assists in self-esteem, confidence and sociability. Birds - use of tools and photography in flight Lucan Buff and Christian Rutz have developed technology to photograph and study the behaviour of wild birds. Birds are trained to carry harnesses which carry cameras. The cameras are just 13 grams. Recent photographs show New Caledonian crows using tools including hooked tools of serrated leaf edges. They also craft hooks by nibbling leaves. Stonehenge - a site for people from far away Stonehenge is a Bronze Age monument. But was it a burial site, an observatory, or something else? There are large animal bone deposits nearby. Jane Evans suggests the people who used the structure came from thousands of kilometres away. Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:04:35 -0400 ad123e361729809ac5996b0cabdc6446 1445739 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20081004.mp3 New wave technology a potential major source of energy The CETO process consists of hundreds of underwater buoys, each attached to a pump. Movement of the buoys sends pressurised water to shore for use in generators or desalination plants. Tim Sawyer estimates 35% of Australia´s energy needs is practically and economically extractable now. Ketone bodies - a new food on the way Kieran Clarke is working on a new fuel source for the human body, ketone bodies. These chemical are present in our bodies already, made by the liver from fat when glucose is in short supply. But until now they have not been considered a food. When properly prepared, it is chewed and provides energy for athletes as well as fuel for brain function, even helping, it is hoped, Alzheimer´s and Parkinson´s disease patients. Penny Sackett appointed Australia's Chief Scientist Penny Sackett discusses her background and how she found it easy to pursue a path in science. An excerpt from an earlier appearance on The Science Show. Daylight saving and energy use Does daylight saving mean less energy is used by a community? Or more? Nicky Phillips reports. New ideas about circadian rhythms A mouse was engineered without the photo receptors, rods or cones in the eye. But it could still use its eyes to regulate its circadian physiology. This suggests there is something else in the eye regulating the body clock and that a whole class of receptor had been missed! It turns out to be the ganglian cells, where 1% are light sensitive. They send messages about daylight cycles to the brain´s super clock. Brains change structure with use Parts of London taxi drivers´ brains have been shown to get larger as the drivers learn and absorb all the information required to be efficient taxi drivers. The brains´ structure changes. Origin of scientists Richard Holmes - An except from In Conversation 9th October 2008. Gold nanoparticles In 1850 Farraday discovered colloidal compounds of gold and chlorine. Today gold nanoaparticles are used in industry. Applications include as superconductors, and in drug delivery systems. Gold nanoparticles can combine with cancer cells. But these particles had not been seen. Rob Hough went looking, and has been able to see the surfaces of naturally occurring gold crystals. This has generated interest from manufacturers around the world. Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:04:35 -0400 bc7617d04de431a9d2bd6f3a49c8b8c8 1445740 This week: Kids with kidney stones, how a bug uses radiation to hunt for food, and a strange tale of sticky tape. News Mon, 27 Oct 2008 22:20:08 -0400 http://podcasts.nytimes.com//podcasts/2008/10/27/28scienceupdate.mp3 1441935 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast215.mp3 WTP 215 comes to you from Camden, Maine and the Pop!Tech conference. We feature an interesting project in Brazil called Mobile Metrix, which is using PDAs to get baseline demographic data from the favelas of Rio. Then, algae. It's green, it's slimy, and it might just be able to power jet airplanes. We also look at the challenges of e-voting, and a controversy over a video game called LittleBigPlanet. Good times. Show notes, links and pics at tinyurl.com/wtpblog. Sun, 26 Oct 2008 04:12:39 -0400 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast215.mp3 1439373 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20081025.mp3 We can´t survive without them -- and we´ve long underestimated their prowess. Controversially, bacteria could even have cognitive talents that rival our own. Predatory behaviour, cooperation, memory -- Jules Verne eat your heart out -- Natasha Mitchell takes you on a strange adventure into the secret world of microbial mentality. Sun, 26 Oct 2008 00:12:34 -0400 77acb40bd55ac1f61f2e45302d47e560 1439029 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20081025.mp3 New record for silicon solar cell energy conversion efficiency to UNSW Martin Green A milestone of 25% energy conversion efficiency has been set by researchers at the University of NSW using silicon solar cells. 25% of incoming energy is converted to electricity. Of the remaining 75%, some is reflected and some is lost in heat. Appointment of the first NSW Chief Scientist Mary O´Kane has been appointed the first NSW Chief Scientist. O´Kane is a former vice-chancellor of the University of Adelaide and a former member of the Australian Research Council, the CRC Committee and the board of the CSIRO. Women take top science posts Science Minister Kim Carr speaking at the Prime Minister´s Prizes for Science ceremony 2008. Angela Moles - Tall Poppy Angela Moles received a Tall Poppy award in Sydney, and it happens that part of her work involves measuring the heights to which plants grow! Angela is collecting data of plant morphology from specimens all over Australia. Eukaryotes and cyanobacteria thought to appear later Work done in 1999 set the date for the appearance on Earth of eukaryotes and cyanobacteria indicating the beginning of photosynthesis. Now, new results have seen the date moved later by 400 million years to about 2.3 billion years before present. Original samples used to determine the date, were shown to be contaminated. The new date resolves the mismatch in the buildup of oxygen in the atmosphere, which occurred some hundreds of millions years after the original date, which was 2.7 billion years before present. Pill replaces injections for monogenic diabetes Frances Ashcroft has found a gene which in a mutated state gives rise to monogenic diabetes, a form of diabetes present from birth. The mutated gene keeps a pore open in the membrane of pancreatic beta cells and insulin is not secreted. Now there is a drug with shuts the pore. This work has transformed the lives of patients who used to require several injections of insulin each day and now just take a pill once or twice a day. Cannabis receptors target for stroke treatment There are 2 types of stroke, one with bleeding, the other with a blood clot in the brain. When a clot blocks blood flow, there is a death of nerve cells. Over the following days and weeks, the immune system brings forth inflammation. The purpose of this is to clear any possible infection. The immune system doesn´t differentiate between stroke and brain injury. Treatment is difficult. Drugs are required quickly. Green at Work - the office dishwasher London´s Science Museum Chris Rapley was Director of The British Antarctic Survey for 10 years. When it was time for a change, he walked into London´s Science Museum, just when it was looking for a new director. Now it is 100 years since ties were cut with the Victoria and Albert Museum and celebrations are planned. Aircraft manufacturer Airbus has sponsored an exhibit, Does Flying Cost the Earth? It demonstrates the technological advances in aircraft design which try to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:40:15 -0400 5fdb6ce61cbff128e474f3b8f584c715 1438997 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081021-1230a.mp3 How will the credit crunch affect IT? Plus the global Geek Girl phenomenon and eArts in Shanghai, with Gareth Mitchell and studio expert Bill Thompson. Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:12:42 -0400 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081021-1230.mp3 1430945 This week: A new kind of weight loss surgery, the many kinds of vampires, and how to catch about a million worms. News Tue, 21 Oct 2008 05:48:10 -0400 http://podcasts.nytimes.com//podcasts/2008/10/20/21scienceupdate.mp3 1430706 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20081018.mp3 Prime Minister´s Prizes for Science 2008 Ian Frazer was awarded the Prime Minister´s Prize for Science 2008. He created four vaccines to fight cervical cancer. Two of them-Gardasil and Cervarix-are now on the market. Both prevent infection with the virus responsible for most cervical cancers. The other two vaccines are in clinical trials and are designed to treat women who have already been infected. Electric cars on the move Developments in batteries mean the heavy lead batteries of the past are being replaced by lighter lithium batteries. These supply power and speed, seen as essential for car batteries. Now, in Finland, electric motors are being developed to convert petrol cars to electric power. The next challenge is to develop a system of charging points away from the home. Ford displays Deakin´s T-squared green car The Ford Motor Company ran a design competition for a revolutionary new car. The entry from engineering students from Deakin University was one of just two entries showcased. David Fisher reports. New photovoltaic plastics New plastics are being developed which conduct electricity, and can be used as photovoltaic materials, converting light into electricity. Applications might include surfaces within the home generating small currents from ambient light for recharging portable devices. Prospects for photovoltaics Photovoltaics were developed in 1956 and have since dropped to one-hundredth of their price then. Phil Livingston says major cost reductions are in train in solar thin-film technologies opening up possibilities for a wide range of products and applications. The push now is to have photovoltaic materials on the surfaces of most buildings, such as the tinting on windows, or the tiles on roofs. Hormones on the trading floor Equity markets have experienced wild swings lately. John Coates has been studying the behaviour of traders and noted signs of mania. He wondered whether there were steroids involved to help explain the market´s often irrational movement. Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:12:17 -0400 b0592a8d70fdd1b0a719cc103c16745c 1428295 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast214.mp3 We get the podcast party started this week with news that DarkMarket, a website used by cyber-criminals to buy and sell things like passwords, credit card numbers and so forth, has been shut down. Then, we launch into space for a trio of interesting stories...one about something called the Virtual Space Station, one about the problem of space junk, and one about an attempt to really expand your social network. We end with e-paper, and Shiraslan Qurbanov, the Virtual Lion of Azerbaijan. Show notes, links and pics at tinyurl.com/wtpblog. Sun, 19 Oct 2008 11:48:06 -0400 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast214.mp3 1427986 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20081018.mp3 Dementia can produce challenging and erratic behaviours. The disease itself is one cause, but so is the world outside. Which psychosocial interventions really make a difference? And, a tour through an orthodox nursing home for the most extreme cases -- there´s a bus stop with no bus, a car that won´t go -- and it really works. Sun, 19 Oct 2008 07:48:21 -0400 68e33eacd394ac55fba34adf107c8455 1427809 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081014-1232a.mp3 Digg founder Kevin Rose pops in to tell Gareth about plans for the website, NASA's multimedia programme to help astronauts deal with conflict in space, and electronic voting debated - listener versus creator. All on Digital Planet with Gareth Mitchell and Bill Thompson. Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:48:17 -0400 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081014-1232.mp3 1419737 This week: The U.S. and Russia together in space, shoes and invasive species, and a few things you might want to know about medical scans. News Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:28:02 -0400 http://podcasts.nytimes.com//podcasts/2008/10/13/14scienceupdate.mp3 1419481 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20081011.mp3 Dementia can trigger behaviours that are deeply depressing to loved ones. Aggression, agitation and even delusions and hallucinations. Antipsychotic medications are commonly prescribed. But they are now known to increase risk of mortality and stroke, with concerns that their use is excessive in under-resourced aged care settings. Management tool or good medical practice? Natasha Mitchell probes. Sat, 11 Oct 2008 07:20:27 -0400 9d03c802b7800726d58a0e5d9c45109b 1414621 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20081011.mp3 Galaxy Zoo Galaxy Zoo uses the power of the internet and allows interested amateurs to assist in classifying the millions of galaxies in the universe. So far around 900,000 galaxies have been identified. Nobel Prizes 2008 Wendy Barnaby reports on the Nobel Prizes for chemistry, physics and medicine announced this week. Light used to monitor nerves of flies Gero Miesenböck studies the nervous system of flies by using light as a tool rather than the more cumbersome electrode. The optical signals record the activity of neurons. The neurons being studied are those which react to smell. These neurons are programmed genetically to respond to light and trigger an electrical impulse. Squid gel assists in nasal surgery A surgical gel has been made from squid remains and two other materials which has the effect of stopping bleeding and adhesions in nasal surgery. Trends in science education School students are turning away from hard sciences such as physics. Helen Haste discusses the trends and asks whether young students get what they look for in science courses. New approach to undergraduate science Phil Long says very little of interest is offered in undergraduate courses. He has broken down the typical large physics lecture with 600 people in a lecture hall, and has smaller groups doing both theory and practical experiments in the same session. He also sees application for digital technology, allowing work to remain, be classified and accessed, rather than decay on paper. Green at Work - Bob Downe Bob Downe offers a few hints at saving energy in the office. Double influence on changing climate Using ice cores from Antarctica and Greenland, the sun´s activity over the past 10,000 years can be reconstructed. It shows cycle variations. Ken McCracken suggests there are two contributors to climate change - increased carbon dioxide and methane due to human activity and a changing sun cycle. He says we´re entering a cooling period from the sun, as sun spots decrease in frequency, but we shouldn´t diminish our concern or efforts in reducing production of greenhouse gas. Sat, 11 Oct 2008 03:32:10 -0400 d2efb88dc78116ff7e66b9e4954432a1 1414578 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast213.mp3 WTP 213 comes to you a few days early, and packing a Scottish wallop -- a nod to a listener who wants more stories on open source. It's his lucky day. This week's podcast is all about OpenMRS, an open source project trying to bring better medical record keeping to the developing world. That might not sound important to you, but to millions of patients across the globe, better record keeping might mean better health. Show notes, links and pics at tinyurl.com/wtpblog. Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:56:04 -0400 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast213.mp3 1412706 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081007-1230a.mp3 More from Brazil with the second part of our visit to São Paulo. Featuring - One Laptop per Student; lampost wifi; distance learning and interactive radio. Presented by Gareth Mitchell with studio expert Bill Thompson. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:12:09 -0400 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20081007-1230.mp3 1408289 This week: Presidential politics meets preventive medicine, beautiful birds, and "red fish, blue fish". News Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:52:35 -0400 http://podcasts.nytimes.com//podcasts/2008/10/06/07scienceupdate.mp3 1408024 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast212.mp3 Sorry we missed you last week, but here goes. We've got news about Skype being surveilled in China. We also talk about the importance in telecommunications in UN relief efforts in Haiti. Then we check out a South African built electric car, complete with photovoltaic panels on the roof. We'll also give a tip of the wing to FusionMan, Yves Rossy, and talk mouse DNA. Show notes, links and pics at tinyurl.com/wtpblog. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 02:40:14 -0400 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast212.mp3 1405010 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20080927.mp3 Nobody likes being told their most cherished beliefs are based on myth and misconception. But the global skeptics movement does just that. In the classroom and beyond, All in the Mind excavates the nature of the skeptical enquiry with magician The Amazing Randi, Mythbusters' Adam Savage and other enquiring minds. Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:56:02 -0400 2c3d0ddbe9dedb2f060855e8463cdf13 1403286 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20081004.mp3 The 1929 discovery of amphetamine heralded the dawn of the age of Speed -- a drug with an extraordinary and triumphant career. The first modern antidepressant, a powerful prop in warfare, a diet pill, a devastating illicit drug -- now reincarnated as a treatment for ADHD. Historian of science Nicolas Rasmussen unearths the making of modern medicine, Big Pharma, and a humble stimulant. Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:56:02 -0400 9246bc3f85bb7305e534de87fcc6a816 1403287 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20081004.mp3 New wave technology a potential major source of energy The CETO process consists of hundreds of underwater buoys, each attached to a pump. Movement of the buoys sends pressurised water to shore for use in generators or desalination plants. Tim Sawyer estimates 35% of Australia´s energy needs is practically and economically extractable now. Ketone bodies - a new food on the way Kieran Clarke is working on a new fuel source for the human body, ketone bodies. These chemical are present in our bodies already, made by the liver from fat when glucose is in short supply. But until now they have not been considered a food. When properly prepared, it is chewed and provides energy for athletes as well as fuel for brain function, even helping, it is hoped, Alzheimer´s and Parkinson´s disease patients. Penny Sackett appointed Australia's Chief Scientist Penny Sackett discusses her background and how she found it easy to pursue a path in science. An excerpt from an earlier appearance on The Science Show. Daylight saving and energy use Does daylight saving mean less energy is used by a community? Or more? Nicky Phillips reports. New ideas about circadian rhythms A mouse was engineered without the photo receptors, rods or cones in the eye. But it could still use its eyes to regulate its circadian physiology. This suggests there is something else in the eye regulating the body clock and that a whole class of receptor had been missed! It turns out to be the ganglian cells, where 1% are light sensitive. They send messages about daylight cycles to the brain´s super clock. Brains change structure with use Parts of London taxi drivers´ brains have been shown to get larger as the drivers learn and absorb all the information required to be efficient taxi drivers. The brains´ structure changes. Origin of scientists Richard Holmes - An except from In Conversation 9th October 2008. Gold nanoparticles In 1850 Farraday discovered colloidal compounds of gold and chlorine. Today gold nanoaparticles are used in industry. Applications include as superconductors, and in drug delivery systems. Gold nanoparticles can combine with cancer cells. But these particles had not been seen. Rob Hough went looking, and has been able to see the surfaces of naturally occurring gold crystals. This has generated interest from manufacturers around the world. Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:40:08 -0400 ae5bb32885c0218c2905b1b77c0ff94d 1403105 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080930-1232a.mp3 Technology in Brazil - a special edition of Digital Planet from BBC São Paulo. Why surfing is big in Brazil, electronic voting, social networking on Google Orkut and bridging the digital divide. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:40:10 -0400 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080930-1232.mp3 1397313 This week: A special edition of the Science Times podcast on decoding your health. News Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:28:28 -0400 http://podcasts.nytimes.com//podcasts/2008/09/29/30scienceupdate.mp3 1397088 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20080927.mp3 Nobody likes being told their most cherished beliefs are based on myth and misconception. But the global skeptics movement does just that. In the classroom and beyond, All in the Mind excavates the nature of the skeptical enquiry with magician The Amazing Randi, Mythbusters' Adam Savage and other enquiring minds. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 06:32:15 -0400 ca161fba612a8cbadec5e8f1707e54fb 1393392 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20080906.mp3 Alcohol and pregnancy don´t mix. In extreme cases children are born with low birth weight, cranio-facial abnormalities, and restricted brain development. Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a term now used to describe the range of devastating impacts. Some believe the lid needs to be lifted on this 'invisible disability', but others argue the label has the potential to discriminate too. Sat, 27 Sep 2008 22:28:11 -0400 8b4fdcfd35ef6f1f2a3256c859033646 1391896 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20080927.mp3 Nobody likes being told their most cherished beliefs are based on myth and misconception. But the global skeptics movement does just that. In the classroom and beyond, All in the Mind excavates the nature of the skeptical enquiry with magician The Amazing Randi, Mythbusters' Adam Savage and other enquiring minds. Sat, 27 Sep 2008 22:28:11 -0400 74a9d070ed318fa2c019ae1e7e111f85 1391897 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20080927.mp3 Lawrence Krauss - The LHC, going to Mars, and the US Presidential campaign Studying the fundamental structure of the universe won´t replace studying climate change and other important areas as has been suggested recently. Lawrence Krauss says sending people to Mars is crazy as so much of the venture is spent on keeping the astronauts alive rather than from doing science. Too little of the US presidential campaign mentions science, says Krauss, considering its importance. Measuring sea level and the Earth The Earth isn´t a sphere. It is flattened at the poles. These days, the Earth is measured from space. Sea level is measured by radar altimetry. The level of the sea changes by different amounts in different places. Some areas of Sumatra have seas which are rising at a rate of 30mm/year. Other areas in the Pacific are dropping by 20mm/year. A new mission, to be launched in October 2008 aims at measuring the Earth´s gravity field from space in very fine detail. This will provide a reference point from which future changes can be measured. Genetic anomaly could explain severe difficulty with arithmetic Most Australian Aboriginal languages are deficient in words for numbers. Brian Butterworth sought out children who were monolingual in such a language. He set them tasks involving numbers and counting involving spatial strategy. The children completed the tasks as well as children who grew up with English. This finding is important as there is debate as to whether you can enumerate when there are no counting words in your language. The suggestion is that numbers are wired into the human brain and perhaps a genetic anomaly explains why some children have severe difficulties with arithmetic. Magic helps children´s confidence Richard Wiseman teaches children magic - basic tricks, but they still require a lot of practice. Anyone can learn magic tricks. It´s a matter of discipline. Learning magic assists in self-esteem, confidence and sociability. Birds - use of tools and photography in flight Lucan Buff and Christian Rutz have developed technology to photograph and study the behaviour of wild birds. Birds are trained to carry harnesses which carry cameras. The cameras are just 13 grams. Recent photographs show New Caledonian crows using tools including hooked tools of serrated leaf edges. They also craft hooks by nibbling leaves. Stonehenge - a site for people from far away Stonehenge is a Bronze Age monument. But was it a burial site, an observatory, or something else? There are large animal bone deposits nearby. Jane Evans suggests the people who used the structure came from thousands of kilometres away. Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:12:31 -0400 ded0e739b387d808e48a86ee54d1dbb5 1391672 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080923-1230a.mp3 Google launches the Android phone; interactivity guru Bill Buxton on interfaces; what voice analysis reveals about Obama and McCain; and musicians who are writing software to augment their instruments. Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:12:29 -0400 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080923-1230.mp3 1384294 This week: Surprising news about breast cancer treatment, reassuring news about climate change, and good news about an endangered monkey. News Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:56:03 -0400 http://podcasts.nytimes.com//podcasts/2008/09/22/23scienceupdate.mp3 1385898 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20080920.mp3 The brain is more plastic than scientists once believed. But what does this mental malleability mean for humanity? More compelling stories from psychiatrist Dr Norman Doidge as he enters the labs and lives of the new `neuroplasticians´. And, neuroplasticity on the couch - does psychotherapy physically change your brain? Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:04:14 -0400 9c37e8dcb7f9ac791ec17c8f29d0d23c 1382082 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20080920.mp3 Chimps consol each other after fighting Orlaith Fraser has studied post-conflict behaviour in chimpanzees, looking at how friendly interactions after a conflict can mitigate the costs of aggression. Hugging and embracing by chimps after fighting reduces their stress levels and calms them down. In chimps, this is indicated by the degree of scratching and grooming. Her research was conducted at Chester Zoo. The behaviour also occurs in the wild. The next 50 years The next 50 years, next 100 years and beyond will be unique in history in that one species, us, will have the power to affect the future of the entire planet. If we continue burning coal, then by 2050, the risk of serious climate change from carbon dioxide building up in the atmosphere will be very real. Martin Rees is calling for a huge effort for research on carbon capture and storage. Call for scientists to focus on big problems Roland Jackson cites President of the British Association for the Advancement of Science Sir David King who calls for young scientists to focus on the big problems which confront the world such as climate change and disease rather than pursuing pure research. Giant spider crawls over Liverpool Colin Macilwain describes a huge mechanical spider which greeted Liverpudlians during the British science festival this year. The newsletter he edits covers issues of research policy. Birds of prey A demonstration at the British Association Science Festival showed bords of prey. Alaska, a 17-year-old female Bald Eagle from Canada is shown hunting, catching and eating its catch. Birds of prey need to be taught to hunt. This happens in the first three months of life. After this they really don´t learn much at all! Priorities for science in the twenty-first century The twenty-first century presents challenges unprecedented in human history. These challenges arise due to the successes of science, engineering, technology and medicine. Current world population is 6.8 billion. Mid-century there will be 9 billion people. David King calls for a re-thinking of priorities and questions our funding for big physics and cosmology projects over funding for solar energy and new technologies for food production. Twin Towers toppled by weakened steel columns At high temperature, the strength of steel is controlled by magnetic properties. It is a quantum effect, and explains why the Twin Towers in New York collapsed in 2001. The thermal insulation panels on the columns were knocked off by the impact from the aircraft, exposing the steel to the high temperatures of the fire. The solution is applying the insulation in a different way, or using new steels with additives, allowing them to maintain strength at high temperatures. Memories of the Beatles 3,500 people responded to a web survey and emailed their memories of the Beatles. The most named song was She Loves You. Others included Hey Jude, and I Want To Hold Your Hand. Music is processed in various brain areas, including the temporal lobes which also process memory which could explain why we often associate music with memory of past events. Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:48:05 -0400 75bd475d847578a858893699ec276ca2 1380811 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast211.mp3 In the midst of this week's global financial meltdown, we ask -- just what kind of risk management software were these financial giants using, anyway? Also, how much would you pay for therapy via cell phone? We also travel to India where we hear about a website designed to help busy Indians arrange their marriages. And we end with news that The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy will add a sixth book to the increasingly unaptly named trilogy. Find out who's going to write it. Show notes, links and pics at tinyurl.com/wtpblog. Sun, 21 Sep 2008 09:12:15 -0400 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast211.mp3 1380451 This week: friendly invaders, watching the brain as it relives memories and traveling Mammoths. News Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:28:10 -0400 http://podcasts.nytimes.com//podcasts/2008/09/09/09scienceupdate.mp3 1374478 This week: Leaving the Emergency Room in the dark, tracking climate changes since 1896 and creatures that can survive in space. News Wed, 17 Sep 2008 19:28:10 -0400 http://podcasts.nytimes.com//podcasts/2008/09/16/16scienceupdate.mp3 1374479 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080916-1230b.mp3 Super HI vision - is it the future of TV? Sims creator Will Wright talks about his new computer game 'Spore'. Plus the mobile technology that's revolutionising epidemiology in sub-Saharan Africa. Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:32:05 -0400 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080916-1230.mp3 1372075 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast210.mp3 The Large Hadron Collider switches on, the universe doesn't wink out of existence, and some in the US are wondering why America is not playing host to it. Also, we look at Google's move to invest in bringing low-cost, high-speed internet access to the developing world via satellite. Then, we hear about efforts to track African elephants using GSM cell phones. We also explore the case of Moroccan blogger Mohamed Erraji, and we have an update on Bletchley Park. Show notes, links and pics at tinyurl.com/wtpblog. Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:32:10 -0400 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast210.mp3 1368746 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20080913.mp3 The dogma used to be that the adult brain was a rigid, unchangeable organ, but that pessimistic perspective is now being radically revised. Psychiatrist Dr Norman Doidge journeyed into the labs and lives of the `neuroplasticians´ -- once scientific mavericks, they're challenging the old neurological nihilism. Professor Jeffrey Schwartz is one. They both join Natasha Mitchell in discussion to reveal how the human brain has underestimated itself! Next week, plasticity on the couch... Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:32:23 -0400 5532aeccc28012d534a5c926decc4c9e 1366820 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20080913.mp3 Living with Asperger´s What do Einstein, Beethoven, Andy Warhol, Bill Gates, Bob Dylan, Peter Sellers, Woody Allen, Van Gogh, Mozart and Thomas Jefferson have in common? They all have suffered from Asperger´s syndrome. How is it that so many brilliant people are successful while suffering from this form of autism? Filmmaker Stephen Ramsay applied the test to himself and with a positive result, went in search of others who live their lives with Asperger´s syndrome. Today's Science Show presents the soundtrack to Stephen Ramsay's film, Oops, Wrong Planet.  Green at work - Aunty Jack Aunty Jack is introduced to a few basic ideas about energy conservation. Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:48:07 -0400 11d46bc849c2981c8ea56fea5f58aade 1366746 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080908-2332a.mp3 Blogger Aleks Krotoski of dConstruct on why games and web communities don't really talk to each other. Forensic linguistics reveals what your text messages reveal about you. Sea ice and protecting vessels in the Antarctic Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:12:04 -0400 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080908-2332.mp3 1360658 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20080906.mp3 Alcohol and pregnancy don´t mix. In extreme cases children are born with low birth weight, cranio-facial abnormalities, and restricted brain development. Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a term now used to describe the range of devastating impacts. Some believe the lid needs to be lifted on this 'invisible disability', but others argue the label has the potential to discriminate too. Tue, 09 Sep 2008 05:20:14 -0400 9659fdad2f506985e3fa18df04025caa 1358961 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast209.mp3 Google releases a shiny new browser called Chrome this week, which also happens to mark 10 years that the company's been incorporated. We have an assessment. Also, a famous French blogger uproots his family and moves to San Francisco to start Seesmic, a kind of Twitter for video. Then, we hear about the dark world of online poker, and some of the far-out ideas of geoengineering. And we wax lyrical to end the show, with the Large Hadron Collider rap. Show notes, links and pics at tinyurl.com/wtpblog. Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:56:22 -0400 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast209.mp3 1357035 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20080906.mp3 A punt on the Cam This week on The Science Show Cambridge virologist Chris Smith takes us punting along the Cam River. As he weaves around the old stone colleges, scientists jump on and off the punt, discussing their work as they go. A local guide describes the intriguing history of Cambridge, its colleges and the beautiful bridges across the river. The punt traverses The Backs, a one-mile stretch of river that supports some of finest examples of architecture in England. Eruption of Sumatra´s Mt Toba Martin Williams found volcanic ash in India. It came from Mt Toba in Sumatra 73,000 years ago. The explosion of Mt Toba was the biggest bang in 2 million years. For comparison, Krakatoa ejected about 18 cubic kilometres of ash and rock, but it´s thought Toba ejected 3,000 cubic kilometres of ash and rock. The eruption of Toba changed world climate. Temperatures in Greenland dropped 16 degrees. Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:52:10 -0400 6ed308bbf000cbb4f310927360aea05e 1354934 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080902-1300a.mp3 Web browsing games, 2001 flashback, death of Scrabulous and Mali internet problems with Gareth Mitchell and Bill Thompson. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:48:15 -0400 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080902-1300.mp3 1348872 This week: Science and the art of conversation, Evolution: a video game and a new way to keep your bread fresh. News Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:40:02 -0400 http://podcasts.nytimes.com/podcasts/2008/08/31/01scienceupdate.mp3 1348680 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast208.mp3 A full podcast this week. We lead with the strange tale of iTunes in China over the last week or so. Seems that it keeps going, well, on and off. And we hear about the iPhone Girl, and about a possible crackdown on Internet news portals in South Korea. Then, an in-depth look at the issues and technologies surrounding music piracy on the Internet. Also, a British cartographer says online mapping services are killing our appreciation for map-making. And we end by asking some cows which way is north. Mon, 01 Sep 2008 07:28:20 -0400 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast208.mp3 1345871 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20080830.mp3 Primates - threats and research Most primates are under extreme threat. Some from hunting, as in bonobos, while the Ebola virus threatens most primates. At the Adelaide Zoo, Carla Litchfield is planning a program where primate trainers and others stay for long periods in cages with their animals. There are some comforts, but other environmental factors are a challenge, like extreme ranges in temperature. Attacking chytrid, the killer frog fungus Of 6,300 amphibians in the world, New Zealand´s Archey's Frog Leiopelma archeyi is recognised as the most endangered. The main threat is chytrid fungus. Phil Bishop is working on fungicides and an antibiotic cure, chloramphenicol, where frogs´ immune systems develop immunity. Ciguatera poisoning - microalgae introduce toxins to reefs Watch out for microalgae. They have the capacity to invade ecosystems. As the Great Barrier Reef declines, macroalgae, the big algae, take over. Sometimes they come together with toxic microalgae. Toxins from microalgae accumulate up the food chain affecting reef fish and people who eat them. This is known as ciguatera poisoning. With climate change and more invading microalgae we can expect more ciguatera poisoning, also known as tropical reef fish poisoning. Symptoms include short-term memory loss and extreme pain in the eyes. Currently there are no tests for ciguatera in fish. The best advice is to steer clear of big fin fish, which are at the top of the food chain. Mars update Jonathan Nally reports on the latest from the Phoenix mission, and other missions to Mars. Australian student attends NASA Space Camp Anabelle Hill describes her experience attending a space camp for young students run by NASA at The US Space and Rocket Center, in Huntsville Alabama. Green at work - saving energy in the workplace Sandy and Flacco find the off switch. Model T - 100th anniversary Robert Lacey describes the character of Henry Ford. Ford believed in reincarnation and says he learnt all his skills in a previous life. He came from a technologically minded family and had the knack of transforming technology. He had a vision of a vehicle for the multitudes. He didn´t invent the motor car, but did develop new ways of manufacturing, including the assembly line. Sun, 31 Aug 2008 23:04:16 -0400 4973d787363d51519db00ef36837fac9 1343057 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20080830.mp3 A woman thought to be in a persistent vegetative state, unresponsive and unconscious to herself and the world, is asked to play a game of 'mental' tennis. Extraordinarily, brain scans reveal she can. In Australia, new ethical guidelines govern the care of people in this devastating situation. Besides new technologies and terminologies -- what prospects for those living frozen lives? Sat, 30 Aug 2008 20:48:14 -0400 b7ac7a904691eaab8366bdd3bc4ccbab 1344098 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080826-1554.mp3 In a special edition of Digital Planet, Gareth Mitchell drops in on Europe's biggest annual Artifical Life conference. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:20:09 -0400 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080826-1554.mp3 1336306 This week: a new sub for studying the deep frontier; fishy stories from restaurants and markets; and kamikaze microbes. News Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:12:08 -0400 http://podcasts.nytimes.com/podcasts/2008/08/25/26scienceupdate.mp3 1338288 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20080823.mp3 Are markets moral? Is our hunter-gatherer brain geared for modern capitalism, and do economies work like evolutionary organisms? The rise of neuroeconomics, the extinction of Homo Economicus and more -- with outspoken founder of the US Skeptics Society, Dr Michael Shermer, and shareholder activist and Crikey founder, Stephen Mayne. Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:29:40 -0400 a48a2f43ecdea6afcd860cdfcc150d9f 1334975 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20080823.mp3 Eureka Prizes 2008 Nicky Phillips reports on the Australian Museum´s Eureka Science Prizes awarded this week. Hagfish Hagfish are blind, like big slimy eels. They predate fish and clean up the ocean bottom. Rebecca McLeod has looked at energy flows in New Zealand´s Fiordland ecosystems and discovered that hagfish actually derive energy from forests. Rain washes forest material into the water and, through bacterial decomposition, makes its way through the food chain to hagfish. Rebecca McLeod is New Zealand´s Young Scientist for 2008. Flushing the Great Barrier Reef The body of water between the coast and the deep ocean is a lagoon. It is about 50km wide, 2,000km in length and 10-50m deep. Peter Ridd has investigated the flushing of the water in this massive lagoon. The east Australia current helps flush the lagoon, but it is a repository for land runoff of nutrients and pollutants. Green at work - turning off household appliances Laura Molino - modern man's struggle with primate urges Living with Aspergers Berry Billingsley describes the behaviour of her son Harry, who has Asperger's syndrome. And Daniel Lightwing describes living with the condition. The risk of sea level rise In 2008, 634 million people live within 10km of coasts. Mara Bún compares recent predictions with actual changes in sea level, and considers the consequences if sea levels continue to rise. Sat, 23 Aug 2008 16:12:17 -0400 4f8c99d2cdebfbfa6a7edc9b7594403e 1332701 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast207.mp3 We lead with a look at what the US has in mind, technology-wise, for a missile defense shield based partly in Poland, and partly in the Czech Republic. Also, in the wake of the news that the US has busted a global cyber-crime ring, we take an in-depth look at just how safe your identity is. And we end with a great little piece that explores why the Japanese just aren't that crazy about the iPhone. Fri, 22 Aug 2008 22:48:33 -0400 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast207.mp3 1332168 This week: What a short-lived lizard tells us about life on earth, surprising news about older runners and a visit to an aircraft carrier 70 feet underwater. News Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:52:13 -0400 http://podcasts.nytimes.com/podcasts/2008/08/19/19scienceupdate.mp3 1327895 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080819-1300.mp3 Why has the sale of Ghana Telecom to Vodaphone ignited such passions? How you could be helping to translate ancient texts whenever you sign up for a new e-mail account or shop online. Jon Stewart tests out the latest computer games at Siggraph 2008 and we hear about the latest super-bright LEDs. With Gareth Mitchell and Bill Thompson. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 06:28:13 -0400 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080819-1300.mp3 1325442 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20080816.mp3 Black rats - brilliant adaptors Black rats were responsible for the death of 75 million people in the 13th century during the Black Plague. Today they cost the US grain industry $19 billion a year. But black rats also happen to be brilliant at adaptation and survival. Feeling squirmish? Well the south Vietnamese aren´t, with their rat meat industry producing 10,000 tonnes of rat meat every year. They can be traced to Southeast Asia they have spread throughout every continent and if you think they're not in your house.... think again! Saving Denmark's Houting fish The draining of rivers and the conversion of marshes into farm land has had a dramatic effect on Houting fish in Denmark. So too have the numerous fish farms in their rivers. With the fish's natural habitat destroyed the Houting Project has been established to secure 90 hectares of wetland for the fish to spawn. The project has also had an unexpected gain for fish farmers. Now required to use ground water rather than water from the river the farmers have seen a doubling of their fish production in a year. Microalgae produce biodiesel In north Queensland scientists are using an innovative method to produce biodiesel by feeding marine microalgae with fish excretions. The algae use fish farm slurry as nutrients to produce oil. In fact, no other crop produces as much biodiesel as microalgae. Beside their oil production the microalgae also produce carbohydrates and proteins that could be used as feedstock. Green at Work - the cost of building lifts The World speaks and reveals that running building lifts produces carbon emissions. Why pay to go to the gym to an use a stair-master machine when you can walk up stairs to your office? Laura Molino - future transport options Laura and Tess consider how we'll get about as oil supplies dwindle. Questacon 20 years and going strong Twenty years ago Questacon was born out of the ANU as an experiment to gauge how the public liked hands on science. It was so popular that it became Australia´s National Science Centre in Canberra. Fast forward to 2008 and Questacon is still buzzing and more importantly attracting children, teenagers and adults to science. Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:56:04 -0400 eacc9ecf16a69eb42166f70d4adc2e4a 1321384 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast206.mp3 Georgia and Russia fight it out on the ground, and apparently on the Internet as well. Also, we take an in-depth look at the technologies and techniques involved in mining the deep ocean floor. Then, to Norway to listen in to something called a Telemegaphone. We'll also learn that, shock, the beer goggle phenomenon is real. And we end with a look at some labor-saving technologies from the Victorian Era. Good fun. Sat, 16 Aug 2008 05:48:56 -0400 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast206.mp3 1320972 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20080816.mp3 Why do we often avoid speaking our mind? Does swearing have an evolutionary function? What do linguistic taboos do to your brain? How are new words born? Acclaimed author of The Language Instinct and How the Mind Works, Harvard psychologist Steven Pinker is a self-confessed verbivore. To him language offers a window into the human mind and how it works. He joins Natasha Mitchell in a feature interview to argue there´s nothing mere about semantics. Radio National often provides links to external websites to complement program information. While producers have taken care with all selections, we can neither endorse nor take final responsibility for the content of those sites. Sat, 16 Aug 2008 03:52:07 -0400 d4c1d0141e8052eebbc17ddc1eb03eb3 1320883 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080812-1300.mp3 Are old computers really a threat to the environment? Not in developed countries, according to new research. And the competition is on for 3G licences in India This week: the link between magic and neuroscience, the ethics of engineering of the job site is the planet, and how chili pepper plants fight off fungus attacks. News Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:48:03 -0400 http://podcasts.nytimes.com/podcasts/2008/08/11/12scienceupdate.mp3 1317593 This week: the link between magic and neuroscience, the ethics of engineering of the job site is the planet, and how chili pepper plants fight off fungus attacks. News Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:48:03 -0400 http://podcasts.nytimes.com/podcasts/2008/08/11/12scienceupdate-revised.mp3 1317594 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20080809.mp3 Minke whales - mutual interest Alastair Birtles reports on results of his study of whale-human interaction in the waters off Cairns and Port Douglas. The minke whales are quite curious and can swim around people for many hours. Northern Queensland is the only known area where this interaction takes place. Green turtles in northern Australia These turtles grow as large as one metre. They feed on sea grass and algae. The northern Great Barrier Reef green turtle population is the largest group of its kind, with a population of around 50,000 individuals. It´s thought global warming is affecting turtles, as sea levels rise, and from larger storm surges inundating their nesting sites. Banksias There are more species of Banksia in Australia than anywhere else. The fungal dieback disease Phytophthora cinnamomi threatens many species. This makes seed collection and conservation very important. The millennium seedbank at Kew Botanic Gardens in England aims to conserve 25% of the world´s flora. Most states in Australia are assisting with the project. Taxonomy Why does taxonomy matter?! Ryonen argues taxonomy is important if we are to understand the world around us. But taxonomy is in crisis. There are not enough people working in the field, and too few people are being recruited. Laura Molino - helium anyone? Laura takes a phone call from someone spruiking the mining of helium-3 on the Moon. Animal farming and greenhouse gas emissions Beef production has adverse environmental effects. In addition to impact on land and water, cattle, being ruminant animals produce methane, emitted from both ends. This accounts for one-fifth of greenhouse gas emissions. Ellice Mol reports on the latest accounting of greenhouse gases from animal farming, and how these emissions can be reduced. Kangaroos greenhouse emissions better than cattle Rangeland cattle produce about 3% of Australia´s greenhouse gas emissions. But kangaroos digest their food in a different way to cattle and don´t produce the methane. Replacing cattle with kangaroos will save the production of greenhouse gases. Sun, 10 Aug 2008 07:28:04 -0400 7de8da9a817c43eae7b26aa020e93bae 1311430 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast205.mp3 We lead this week with news that a major global group of cybercriminals has been busted for identity theft. We'll dig deep into that story, and we'll dig deep into electronic waste in the West African nation of Ghana. Then, our semi-regual check in with the folks at the AfriGadget blog. And we end this week with a fun take on some new research on, yawn, boredom. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 13:20:16 -0400 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast205.mp3 1310991 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20080809.mp3 Venerable Robina Courtin, acclaimed Australian Tibetan Buddhist nun, has excavated the suffering mind at its greatest depths of despair. Founder of the Liberation Prison Project, she´s helped thousands of inmates release themselves from the prison within—their mind—using Buddhist techniques. Venerable Tenzin Palmo was one of the first Westerners to be ordained as a Buddhist nun, spending years undergoing intense meditative practice in an isolated cave in the Himalayan mountains. We can all be our own therapist is their powerful claim. Sat, 09 Aug 2008 11:12:20 -0400 753251483b9797c654c11810de57dad9 1310904 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080805-1300.mp3 Are the US authorities overplaying the alleged hacking threat from Gary McKinnon? And how your laptop could detect earthquakes. All this and more with Gareth Mitchell and Mark Ward on Digital Planet. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:28:18 -0400 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080805-1300.mp3 1305486 This week: War wounds and how to heal them, searching for antibiotics in a polluted old canal and fish that get their way by deception. News Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:04:10 -0400 http://podcasts.nytimes.com/podcasts/2008/08/04/05scienceupdate.mp3 1303074 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/ssw_20080802.mp3 Movement of biological hotspots Biological hotspots are areas of high biodiversity. There are more species than in surrounding areas. For coral reefs, Indonesia is a hotspot. The region extends to Papua New Guinea and northern Australia. Over time hotspots move. It´s thought hotspots develop where tectonic plates collide, slamming into each other. They produce island arcs, volcanism and new habitats. Today, coral reef hotspots are being denuded by human activity. WA biological hotspot reveals new species Over 1,500 flowering plants in Western Australia are undescribed, with 870 of these occurring in the south-western Australian biodiversity hotspot. State-wide, 298 new plants were named in 2007, making it the second most productive year in Western Australian taxonomic history. Of these, at least 130 are from the south-western Australian biodiversity hotspot. Ninety-five new botanical names were published in a special edition of the Western Australian Herbarium´s journal Nuytsia, which provides descriptions and names to species vulnerable to mining or of conservation concern. Iconic Banksia rescued Researchers in Western Australia have increased the genetic diversity of a critically endangered Banksia. Using material from extinct populations in research in Britain, scientists have brought back seedlings for planting in WA thereby increasing the genetic diversity of plants in the wild. Mobility for disabled people Darren Lomman has developed apparatus which allows disabled people to ride motorbikes, motor cycles and drive power boats. The heart hormone angiotensin The hormone angiotensin allows the heart to grow normally. Cells of the heart become bigger. The hormone also controls blood pressure. But in the disease state, it causes growth which may lead to heart failure. Work is being done to develop drugs which let angiotensin to its good work, but blocking the bad. Volunteers describe galaxies at Galaxy Zoo Volunteers have been called upon to help categorise images of a million galaxies using their home computers. The work is part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Over 140,000 people are working on the project, named Galaxy Zoo. Some amazing objects in space are being discovered and the results have lead astronomers to describe a whole new category of galaxies. Naomi Fowler reports. Titan - moon of Saturn Saturn has over 60 moons. One stands out and that´s Titan. But it came from somewhere else and is unrelated to other satellites around the planet. Titan is much bigger than the other moons of Saturn and could even be considered a planet. It is even bigger than the planet Mercury! Andrew Prentice discusses Titan´s history and how it affects other satellites around Saturn. Sun, 03 Aug 2008 15:04:17 -0400 f33f2093ea0f5bb6d981e58dc16fc054 1301713 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast204.mp3 Lots to chew and stew on this week. We start with an Olympic back-and-forth over Internet access for foreign journalists. Then, an update on the case of British hacker Gary McKinnon. That's followed by a foray into the world of emotibots. We'll also hear about Portugal's decision to buy 500,000 Classmate computers from Intel. And what's more fun than a 2,000 year old Greek computer? Well, how about a blog written by George Orwell? Sat, 02 Aug 2008 20:52:19 -0400 http://www.theworld.org/pod/tech/WTPpodcast204.mp3 1301024 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20080802.mp3 What makes someone gay? The quest for the biological roots of sexual orientation remains rife with controversy. Is it in your genes, handedness, or the hormonal soup of the early foetus? Or, is the answer hidden deep inside the brain? Homo or hetero—the science of sexual attraction captures everyone´s attention. Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:48:03 -0400 da3fe677865258ea2dcc079269860a34 1300930 http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/worldservice/digitalp/digitalp_20080729-1300.mp3 75% of bank sites may have potential security breaches, the new language and culture of the internet and open source software This week: Doctors and patients, the very strange physics of glass and an animal that can drink and drink and not get drunk. News Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:28:02 -0400 http://podcasts.nytimes.com/podcasts/2008/07/28/29scienceupdate.mp3 1293128 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20080712.mp3 As old as the state of Queensland itself, Goodna Mental Hospital became Australia´s largest asylum, housing 50,000 people over its lifetime. In this series All in the Mind shares stories from people who lived and worked there; from a nurse who worked there from the 1940s to a woman incarcerated as a young ward of the state, now fighting for justice. Warts-and-all recollections of madness, care and abuse. PLEASE NOTE: The transcript and audio of this story has been modified to remove the identity of one person. Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:28:23 -0400 4e00a2b2430dd88cb005687f7a2297eb 1291417 http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/current/audioonly/aim_20080726.mp3 As old as the state of Queensland itself, Goodna Mental Hospital became