We’ve become so reliant on maps apps on our phone that use GPS, it’s hard to imagine navigating our way around without them. 

R.I.P street directory books. 

But what happened if GPS systems around the globe randomly went down? 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Jacinta Bowler about how GPS technology works and what would happen if it suddenly went dark.  

What would we do if GPS went down?

Some volcanoes erupt multiple times a day, others, once every 600,000 years.

But how do we know when they're going to blow?

Predicting eruptions has baffled those studying volcanoes, but is that about to change?

Dr Sophie Calabretto asks Cosmos Magazine journalist Evrim Yazgin about predicting volcanic eruptions and the researchers using artificial intelligence to unlock when a volcanoes about to go off. 

Volcanoes:  is it possible to predict an eruption?

We’ve modelled the ice melting in Antarctica for decades, but new research suggests it’s melting five times faster than we previously thought. 

The biggest concern is that more melting ice means higher sea level rise, but that’s far from the only thing we should be worried about.  

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Ward Agius about what’s going on with Antarctica and putting a plug in sea level rise before it gets worse.

Antarctic ice is melting five times faster than we thought

Not a fan of needles? What if getting vaccinated was as easy as putting on a patch? 

Studies around the world are looking into printable vaccine patches and if they could be used in place of the typical jab, and so far, the results are looking promising. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto asks Cosmos Magazine journalist Ellen Phiddian what are vaccine patches, how are they made and how far off are they for human use?

The end of the jab? The science behind vaccine patches

The SpaceX Starship fails to launch.

Birds eating beetles get toxic feathers.

Dinosaur triangle unearths the Ann sauropod skull. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto chats to Cosmos Magazine journalist about 3 major science stories from April that you might have missed but should definitely know about.

Another SpaceX rocket crashes and burns and birds with toxic feathers

Kathleen Folbigg has served 20 years in prison for killing her four children.  

She has continually professed her innocence.  

An inquiry into her convictions re-commenced last week with scientific findings from November edging her closer than ever to a possible release.  

So what happens next? And what’s the likely result from this latest inquiry? 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talk to Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius about the latest developments in the Kathleen Folbigg story and the science that blew the case wide open two decades later.

The Kathleen Folbigg story: reasonable doubt and what happens next

It might walk and talk like meat... but is meat grown in a lab, actually meat?

Yes!

Lab grown meat is coming in hot – and fast – as a sustainable, cruelty free alternative to regular meat.

But how is it made? And does it taste any good?

Dr Sophie Calabretto and Cosmos Magazine journalist Jacinta Bowler put cultivated meat to the taste test and run through some of the wild lab meat ideas manufacturers have in the works.

Meat without slaughter: would you eat lab-grown meat?

Scooping protein powder into a shaker and adding water after a workout is the norm for many gym goers. 

It's seen as an easy way to get big and up your protein intake quick smart. 

But just how effective are protein powders?

And do we rely on them too much?

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks the science behind protein powders with Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius and whether or not you're getting the bang for your buck.

Are protein powders a waste of money?

In the early 2010’s something called The Mandela Effect blew up on the internet.  

Masses of people online claimed to remember events or images as being one way, when they’re actually completely different to how they recall them.  

False memories have mostly been thought of as chance or a result of believing some conspiracy, however researchers are now trying to see if there’s a scientific explanation at play here. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto asks Cosmos Magazine journalist Imma Perfetto if there’s any science that explains the Mandela Effect and the experiments trying to understand exactly what’s going on. 

The Mandela Effect: can science explain false memories?

NASA wants astronaut boots back on the Moon ASAP.  

However, the next step isn’t just touching back down, but looking to set up some sort of settlement so humans can stick around.  

But the Moon is NOT Earth and there are some pretty harsh conditions on the lunar surface, meaning building safe havens is absolutely critical for a long-term stay. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Jacinta Bowler about building on the Moon, what sort of structures we’re looking at and whether a full on Moon base is even possible. 

A giant step for construction: how long before we're building on the Moon?

We’re moving into flu season, so a lot of people will soon grab their influenza jab. 

But in a post/ongoing covid world, where getting regular vaccines is the norm, how much do you actually know about what’s in a vaccine?

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist about exactly what’s in your jab and some of the ingredients that may surprise you.

What’s in your jab? The ingredients in vaccines

Can we learn how Beethoven died from his hair? 

Also, a huge discovery in 5 grams of asteroid dirt and the scientific explanation for curly hair.  

These are 3 science stories from March you might have missed but should definitely know about.

Featuring Cosmos Magazine journalist Imma Perfetto.

200-year-old hair samples could finally tell us how Beethoven died

There aren't just a bunch of ethical issues with AI, but potential legal problems as well.

Who's responsible when a self-driving car gets into an accident?

What happens if ChatGPT leaks copyrighted or protected information?

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Petra Stock about how our legal systems aren't ready for an AI future and the exploited labor behind artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence: who is responsible when AI goes wrong?

With some of the biggest AI advocates in the world now jumping on the 'let's slow it down' bandwagon (Elon Musk, wink wink) we're asking - is AI actually a bad thing?

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Jacinta Bowler about the good, and not so good applications of artificial intelligence and what they say about our AI filled future. 

Artificial intelligence: the good, the bad and the really ugly

The ChatGPT chatbot has taken the internet by storm for both very legitimate and very silly reasons. 

Some of the things the AI language processor churns out are incredibly sophisticated, leaving many worried it’s going to take over their jobs.  

But other responses from ChatGPT are hilarious non-sensical trash. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Evrim about how ChatGPT works, how it can spit out incredible knowledge and garbage at the same time and what the algorithms behind the AI are truly capable of.

Artificial intelligence: is ChatGPT as scary as you think it is?

Many of us are glued to a device from the moment we wake up to the minute we go to sleep. 

Not only are we clocking up huge amounts of screen time, but we're also interacting with some form of artificial intelligence for likely hours each day. 

Kind of crazy, right?

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Evrim Yazgin about how many times a day we're interacting with AI in ways you might not even think about. 

Artificial intelligence: how many times a day are you interacting with an algorithm?

Thankfully this is no Last of Us situation – that’s the popular video game and TV series where a fungus turns humans into horrifying mushroom zombies.  

Instead, the fungus discovered on Lord Howe Island off Australia’s east coast poses a massive threat to a number of iconic plant species.  

So, what is this fungus? Where did it come from? And what dangers does it pose to native plant species? 

Dr Sophie Calabretto gets an update on the fungal outbreak at Lord Howe Island from Cosmos Magazine journalist Imma Perfetto.

A deadly fungus has shut down an iconic Australian Island

Giant wombats and seven metre long lizards - not the stuff of nightmares, but real creatures that roamed Australia some 50,000 years ago.

They're called megafauna and the majority of these big animals and mammals went extinct, although we're not sure exactly why. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Evrim Yazgin about the biggest and weirdest creatures that once walked the Earth, why they were so big and the theories around what wiped them out.

The age of megafauna: Why did animals used to be so big?

Most dentists say you should brush your teeth twice a day, so if you think about it, it's one of the most regular things we put in our mouths. 

But how much do you know about the chemicals in your toothpaste?

Cosmos Magazine journalist and resident chemistry expert Ellen Phiddian runs us through what's in your toothpaste and the tablets some claim can replace brushing altogether.

Do you know what's in your toothpaste? The chemicals you can't see

James Bond has had hundreds of zany gadgets over the years - but how many of them are actually real?

Some completely defy the laws of physics but quite a few that seem like fantasy are actually legit.

Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius separates fact from fiction when it comes to  gadgets and weaponry in the James Bond universe.

From laser cannons to invisible cars: Which James Bond gadgets exist in real life?

You might remember the chaos about a hole in the ozone layer back in the 1980s and 90s. 

The protective layer above the Earth protecting us from harmful UV radiation that was being stripped away? 

Well, now the hole is on its way to a full recovery! But humans have a knack for screwing things up and the ozone layer is no exception. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Ellen Phiddian about how we overcame this environmental hurdle and the latest threat that could catapult us right back to where we started. 

What happened to the hole in the ozone layer?

They love street food scraps, they’re often a bit mangled looking but they’re also incredibly smart? 

Research on pigeon intelligence has picked up serious speed these last few years that has found these birds have some serious brains. 

Not only can they solve incredibly complex mathematics but in some cases they can even identify deadly tumors.  

Dr Sophie Calabretto gets a pigeon intelligence blow-by-blow from Cosmos Magazine journalist Petra Stock.

Pigeons: the unlikely genius of the animal kingdom

The science around medicinal cannabis for the most part remains incomplete. 

And for the conditions that it does help treat, it's often incredibly difficult to access.

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Imma Perfetto about the science behind medicinal cannabis, the conditions it's typically prescribed for and what the future looks like for Australia's medicinal cannabis industry.

Medicinal cannabis as medicine: does it work?

Apocalyptic melting glaciers, Jupiter and Saturn in a moon battle and whales resorting to violence - here are the science stories from February you might have missed. 

Featuring Cosmos Magazine journalist Evrim Yazgin.

From doomsday glaciers to violent whales: The science stories you missed in February

There are HEAPS of other forensic methods we haven’t been able to cover in this series. 

And unfortunately, a whole bunch of them are nowhere near as reliable as you might think.  

At times, they can be flat out inaccurate. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Jacinta Bowler about the unreliable forensic methods, how some have sent the wrong people to jail and even sentenced innocent people to death.

Demystifying Forensics part 4: Unreliable forensic science has sentenced innocent people to death

DNA identification is one of the most powerful tools in forensic science. 

it can pinpoint who was at a crime scene and even uncover who was behind the crime. 

But how does it work?

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius about the power of DNA in forensics and how profiling has cracked open cold cases more than 50 years old.

Demystifying Forensics part 3: How DNA can catch a killer

Blood – it's a pretty standard part of a crime scene.  

But what can bloodstains splattered across a room actually tell us about a crime? 

And how granular can that detail get? Down to the very weapon that was used? 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Ellen Phiddian about bloodstain pattern analysis and reconstructing gruesome events only using little red droplets.

Demystifying Forensics part 2: the gruesome stories bloodstains can tell us

When a body is discovered in an unusual place, how do we determine when that person died?

Can we narrow the window down to minutes and seconds? 

And why is time of death important in the world of forensics? 

In Part 1 of our forensic science series, Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Jacinta Bowler about determining time of death, decomposing bodies and what clues these gruesome details can unlock.

Demystifying Forensics part 1: decomposing bodies and time of death

News of Asteroid 2023 BU floating past planet Earth in January was a fleeting story in the global news cycle.

On top of that, we typically don't find out about asteroids floating super close to Earth until a few days before.

That could explain why more us didn't hear about a big space object coming this close.

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Jacinta Bowler about how we discovery asteroids, how big 2023 US is and whether or not it poses any threat.

An asteroid just flew super close to Earth and hardly anyone noticed

It might sound a bit random, but the cricket bat – yes, literally the bat you swing in the game – is under threat because of climate change.  

This could mean big changes for the sport that well over a million Australians are registered to play and the millions more watch as fans.  

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius about the ways to save the cricket bat and how more of your favourite sports might be feeling the heat.

The destructive impact of climate change on cricket

There's so much new scientific research coming out it's hard to keep track let alone cover it all on The Science Briefing.

So here are a few stories from last month we didn't get to talk about but think are well worth mentioning.

Dr Sophie Calabretto chats to Cosmos Magazine journalist Imma Perfetto about a text writing algorithm taking the world by storm, lasers being shot at lightning and booger bubbles from echidna noses. 

From ChatGPT to echidna snot: The science stories you missed in January

It might sound a bit weird, but cryptocurrencies – digital currencies that don’t have a physical form like notes or coins – have a carbon footprint.

This is because crypto requires a huge number of computers and energy to power its existence.  

And Bitcoin is the biggest energy sucker. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Petra Stock about how the world’s most famous cryptocurrency could be spewing out huge amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.

Is Bitcoin destroying the planet?

You know when you’re watching tennis on the TV and one of the players calls a challenge, saying ‘hey! That shot was in!' 

Then, an animation plays on your screen of a little virtual ball bouncing across a 3D court.  

If you’ve ever wondered how they spit out this replay so fast, it’s thanks to an incredibly precise technology called Hawk-eye. 

But how does this tech work exactly? And just how accurate is it? 

Dr Sophie Calabretto chats to Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius to find out and how Hawk-eye is even more sophisticated at this years Australian Open.

How Australian Open’s Hawk-Eye camera technology delivers the right call every time

2022 was a tough year for many reasons and covid was still a big part of that. 

Last year - three years into the pandemic - covid was responsible for around 12,000 deaths.

Now the government is saying to truly reach the other side of the pandemic we must focus on immunity – meaning more vaccines and already having the virus will protect us.  

But is this the case?

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Ellen Phiddian to find out.

Immunity and vaccines: What's wrong with the government's covid strategy

Sitting down for dinner isn't so easy when you're floating around a spacecraft. 

Not only is dining quite different in space but the food options for astronauts are much more limited. 

Meals mostly come in tins, vacuum packs or protein pastes in squidgy tubes - but these can get boring fast, so researchers are brainstorming other options to keep astronauts and their tummies happy.

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Evrim Yazgin about space food and how long until we can start growing food in space.

What do astronauts eat in space?

We often think of penguins as waddling and tobogganing across the ice in Antarctica, but there are also colonies scattered across the south coast of Australia. 

Some of these colonies are doing super well and despite all odds their population numbers are thriving and growing.

But other colonies are really struggling, some on the brink of collapse. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius about why some little penguin colonies are performing better than others and what needs to change to help the species as a whole.

The penguin divide: why are some penguin colonies doing better than others?

If last year was mammoth for space research and exploration, 2023 is gearing up to be even bigger.

We've got planet rovers, trips to icy moons, crisper images of far away galaxies and stars - and that's just to name a few.

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Jacinta Bowler about their five top space stories for 2023 and asks you to make a note in your diary about the next rare hybrid eclipse!

The biggest and boldest space missions for 2023

Australia is decarbonising its energy systems at a faster rate than we anticipated. 

And that's thanks to more and more renewable energy projects being thought up and signed off to start construction. 

So what are some of the biggest projects coming out this year? And how will they reshape we power Australia?

Cosmos Magazine journalist Ellen Phiddian joins Dr Sophie Calabretto to discuss what's making waves in energy in 2023 and the fast-track to a decarbonised Australia.

Powering 2023: the biggest energy projects in Australia this year

An artificial intelligence program recently won a prestigious art prize and people were not happy. 

AI are typically thought of as virtual assistants, like Siri and Alexa, or for doing basic admin jobs and feeding your social media algorithms.  

But some are programming AI to get creative and churn out artworks – some of the results rival human art, others not so much.  

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Evrim Yazgin about whether a machine can be an artist and the shortfalls of promising a Picasso from a program.

Revisited: Can a machine be an artist?

While chances you’ll be hit by falling space junk were thought to be astronomically low - new estimates say the risks are much higher and they’re only getting worse.  

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius about the odds you, or someone you know, will be hit by falling space junk and who is responsible for the damage caused.

Revisited: What are the odds you'll be hit by falling space junk?

At least for Cosmos Magazine!

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Ellen Phiddian about their most clicked on science stories for the year and what's so special about this science that it attracted the most eyeballs.

The most clicked on science stories for 2022

What made waves in scientific research this year?

What grand discoveries were made?

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Evrim Yazgin about the biggest stories in science for 2022 (at least according to him!).

The biggest science stories in 2022

Why does alcohol get you drunk?

What's actually in alcohol?

And why does it give you a god awful hangover?

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine science journalist Ellen Phiddian about the science of alcohol and if there's any basis to the claims a glass of wine each night with dinner is actually good for you.

The science of getting drunk

Are zoos and aquariums good or bad?

The answer isn't so black and white but people are often very passionate when it comes to why they're for or against keeping animals in enclosures. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Imma Perfetto about the government guidelines that try to enforce best practice but also how some exhibits could be doing much more to improve the quality of life of their animals.

Is it ok to go to the zoo?

Artemis 1 - the first stage of NASA's mission to put humans back on the moon - was a success.

The Orion crew module tumbled through the Earth's atmosphere at speeds of over 40,000 km/h on Sunday before landing safely in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius about what the Artemis 1 spacecraft did while it was up there, what we've learnt so far and what comes next for NASA's boldest lunar mission to date.

The Artemis 1 mission was a success, what happens next?

A typical interaction you might have with artificial intelligence would be an algorithm feeding you a social media post or suggesting a pair of shoes to buy online. 

But perhaps the most promising – and potentially life-changing – field AI is set to expand in is the world of medicine.

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Evrim Yazgin about some of the incredible AI innovations in the clinical environment, how they work and the concerns around its growing role in medicine.

How AI could predict whether you live or die

As more states across Australia roll out e-scooter schemes, unsurprisingly, more people are getting into accidents.

Australian media reports have linked 7 deaths to e-scooters, including the recent death of a 15-year-old boy in Queensland.

But some experts say the reporting on e-scooter injuries and accident rates don’t give the full picture.

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Petra Stock about what’s really happening on roads with e-scooters and how ditching the car and hopping on an electric two-wheeler can help the environment.

E-scooter accidents: should we be worried?

Buried under more than 2 kilometres of ice in Antarctica is an observatory unlike any other in the world.

It’s called the Icecube Neutrino Observatory – and no, it’s not measuring melting icecaps or numbers of Antarctic wildlife.

In fact, this observatory is making major discoveries about celestial bodies and space objects in our solar system and far beyond that.

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Jacinta Bowler about what makes the Icecube Neutrino Observatory so unique, what it’s looking for and what space discoveries are on the horizon.

The observatory buried kilometres under ice in Antarctica

Kathleen Folbigg has been in prison for nearly 20 years, charged with murdering 3 of her children and one charge of manslaughter. 

But while she’s been behind bars, genetics research has made exponential leaps.

And new evidence uncovered by two Danish researchers could prove critical to her case. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius about the Kathleen Folbigg case, what these new findings are and if this game-changing science could rewrite the Folbigg story.

Could new scientific evidence release Kathleen Folbigg from prison?

Genetically modified organisms – or GMO – often get a bad rap with claims they’re bad for your health and can cause things like allergies.

But science says otherwise, proving many of these claims are untrue.

So, what are the benefits of GMO?

Cosmos Magazine journalist Jacinta Bowler runs Dr Sophie Calabretto through the GMO foods already available on some supermarket shelves and why we genetically modify food in the first place.

Don’t diss the purple tomato: addressing the rumours around GMO

Science and music aren’t typically thought of as two peas in a pod, but the two worlds overlap more than you think. 

There’s plenty of scientific research on music – like how certain chords are favoured over others in some cultures and why people might prefer death metal over pop music.  

A recent research project on arguably one of the most complex music genres – jazz – has unlocked some answers as to why it sounds and feels so different to other types of music.

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Evrim Yazgin about the science of jazz and take a closer and more scientific look at one of the genre’s defining features – swing. 

Jazz! Is there a science to music?

The world is slowly cleaning up electricity by rolling out more solar panels, wind turbines and batteries. 

While the transition to greener energy is critical, these technologies don’t last forever.  

And the waste from dead renewables tech is piling up fast.  

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Ellen Phiddian about how we recycle old renewables technology and how the transition to cleaner energy is in desperate need of a green waste solution.

Renewable energy and waste: what do we do with old renewables tech?

Emissions reductions are back in the global spotlight with the latest Conference of the Parties - COP27 - underway in Egypt.  

Every year the climate summit brings the world together to set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

But when everyone heads back home, how do countries actually report their performance? 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Ellen Phiddian about how we count greenhouse gas emissions and how some are wildly underreporting what they emit.

How do we count greenhouse gas emissions?

Death is a hard enough to think about, let alone thinking about the toll your body has on the environment when you die. 

Most of the methods we use to dispose of bodies – like cremation and burials – are incredibly carbon unfriendly.  

But the number of environmentally friendly alternatives is on the rise. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Evrim Yazgin about how your body could be harming the planet and some of the greener – yet slightly queasier – methods for end of life.

What will you do with your body when you die?

NASA is heading back to the moon in the hopes of setting up a colony there.  

But this endeavour – called Artemis - has been plagued by delays and the spacecraft remains firmly on the ground.  

So, what’s going on? Why hasn’t it launched yet? 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius about the Artemis missions, what's gone wrong so far and when we’re likely to a moon colony become reality.

The Artemis program: NASA wants to form a colony on the moon

A lot of people are freaked out by spiders – no explanation needed – but fear often breeds contempt and spiders get an especially bad rap.  

Misinformation about spiders – or spider ‘fake news’ - spreads like wildfire online. 

So how much of what we read about our crawly friends is actually true?

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Jacinta Bowler about where spider misinformation comes from and how many news stories are spun like a web of lies.

Spiders and fake news: why our 8-legged friends get a bad rap

The relaxing of rules around mask-wearing, venue sign-ins and vaccination requirements has got a lot of people thinking we’re out of the woods when it comes to covid.  

But the arrival of new covid subvariants shows that's not the case. 

Dubbed the ‘scrabble’ variants - named after high scoring letters from the boardgame like B, Q and X - they’re spreading fast across Europe, Asia, the US and have now landed on Australian shores.  

Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius gives Dr Sophie Calabretto a covid update and looks at whether Australia is equipped to deal with another potential outbreak.

A covid update: what do we know about the new subvariants?

A mysterious substance was brought to a pill testing clinic in Canberra, and they couldn’t figure out what it was.

Pill testing is for people who choose to take illegal drugs and want a better idea of what they’re taking, but it’s not always easy to figure that out. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Ellen Phiddian about where this mystery substance could have come from and the lengthy chemical processes to uncover what it is.

Putting the mystery drug to the pill test

In many parts of the world, a mosquito bite can be deadly, as it could be carrying malaria. 

But mosquitoes are just vessels, it’s actually an infectious parasite that’s at the root of transmitting the disease to humans. 

While treatments and prevention programs have eradicated the disease in many countries around the world, malaria is still an incredibly scary reality for many. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Jacinta Bowler about the defences we have against malaria and whether or not we can globally eradicate the disease. 

Malaria: how far away are we from global eradication?

How many more fossils are we yet to discover? 

You might not be aware, but there’s a stretch of land in outback Queensland that’s a hotspot for some really old dinosaur remains. And it’s keeping paleontologists busy! 

Every living thing that’s ever existed could leave a fossil and advances in technology mean we’re starting to discover a whole lot more of them.  

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Evrim Yazgin about uncovering fossils in 2022 and the farmers, to this day, stumbling over dinosaur bones in outback Australia. 

Stumbling over dinosaur fossils in outback Queensland

Keen to spend a few hours in a spa bath and catch some ultraviolet rays? 

No, we're not talking about a spa day... but rather, volunteering to test a new sunscreen mixture to see if it’s ready to hit the supermarket shelves. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Ellen Phiddian about sunscreen testing and why getting sunburnt for science is the best way to ensure it'll keep us safe from the sun.

Sunscreen testing: getting sunburnt for science

Nearly two decades of Alzheimer’s research could be based on a paper that lied about its findings.  

A six-month investigation doubts the legitimacy of a pivotal Alzheimer’s study and has called into question the process of making sure published science is credible and reliable. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Clare Kenyon about how serious these allegations are and exactly where in the scientific process things may have fallen apart.

Scientific fraud: the allegations against a pivotal Alzheimer’s study

For every drug or treatment out there, someone has had it tested on them to get it approved. 

So what actually happens in clinical trials?

Some clinical drug trials can go on for months with participants receiving hundreds, or even thousands of dollars. But they don’t all end well.  

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Jacinta Bowler about why clinical trials are still the best process we have, how they can go wrong and why so many drugs fail to make it to market.

Clinical trials: would you be a scientific guinea pig?

The Sun is spitting out more and more solar flares and it’s starting to get dangerous.  

Satellites fell from the sky in February after flares caused a geomagnetic storm and last month, they knocked out communications technology in Africa and the Middle East for over an hour.  

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Evrim Yazgin about the hazards of increasing solar flares and why the Sun’s temper is flaring up.

The Sun is getting angry and we’re not sure why!

Can a machine be an artist?

Poliovirus has turned up in wastewater in the United States, the UK and Israel. 

Authorities are concerned as the incredibly debilitating disease was thought to be fully eradicated in these countries. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius about the re-emergence of polio, how it’s back and if we’re in store for an Australian outbreak.

Is polio back? Here's what you need to know

If the Nobel Prize is the grandparent prestigious prizes in science, the Ig Nobel prize is the funny uncle. 

Every year the Ig Nobel’s recognise the whacky and wonderful science you might not hear of anywhere else.

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Jacinta Bowler about the kooky Ig Nobel award ceremony and which scientists came out on top in 2022.

The Ig Nobel Prize: the Nobel Prize’s alter ego

PFAS – often called the ‘forever chemicals’ - refers to a range of incredibly durable and long-lasting chemicals. 

They’re found in a bunch of everyday products including tupperware, cookware and fabrics.  

Concern is growing over how widespread they’ve become and the impact they could have on the environment and human health.  

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Ellen Phiddian about the far reach of PFAS and methods to potentially break down these ‘forever chemicals’. 

What to do with PFAS: the ‘forever chemicals’

NASA is about to crash a spacecraft into an asteroid at a speed of 24,000 kilometres per hour – and yes, they’re doing it on purpose. 

They’re attempting to nudge an asteroid called Dimorphos out of its orbit. 

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Matthew Agius about how they’re planning to do this and whether Dimorphos poses any threat to planet Earth and humankind.

NASA is crashing a spacecraft into an asteroid

Planet Earth could be 2.7 degrees warmer by the end of the century according to some estimates.

This is leagues above the globally agreed Paris target of well below 2 degrees Celsius or preferably 1.5.

Many big emitters are saying we can reach this target through something called renewable energy certificates, but recent research has found these certificates have low integrity across the board.

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Ellen Phiddian how renewable energy certificates work and why in some cases they aren’t reducing emissions at all.

Renewable energy certificates: why they are falling short

Frogs are wacky and wonderful creatures, and sadly, they’re in serious crisis.  

A killer disease is decimating frog populations across the globe with scientists racing to find ways to save them.  

Dr Sophie Calabretto talks to Cosmos Magazine journalist Imma Perfetto about the amphibian apocalypse and some of the efforts underway to stop it.

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