The Science Show

Old satellites and bits of space junk regularly fall back to Earth, burning up as they pass through the atmosphere.
All this burning metal causes a chain reaction and ultimately destroys ozone molecules, which keep us safe from most of the Sun's harmful UVB rays. Could a new era of satellite "megaconstellations", like the one run by SpaceX's internet company Starlink, undo humanity's hard work repairing the ozone layer?
‌Jonathan Webb launches into this issue with Dr Alice Gorman (AKA Dr Space Junk), taking stock of just how many satellites are burning up and what can be done to solve the problem.
You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.
Get in touch with us: [email protected]
Featuring:
Dr Alice Gorman, Flinders University
This episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal, Ngunnawal and Ngambri people.

We also celebrate mathematician Terence Tao’s King’s birthday honour, and go in search of subatomic particles, 2Km underground.

A deadly variant of H5N1 avian influenza has finally reached mainland Australia: the last continent without it. Although the risk to human health remains low, this virus has spread through many different species overseas — and not just birds. So are our animals vulnerable? Jonathan Webb speaks with Dr Tiggy Grillo about which animals could be at risk, and what is being done to protect them.
You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.
Get in touch with us: [email protected]
Featuring:
Dr Tiggy Grillo, Chief Operating Officer of Wildlife Health Australia
Further information:
Animal disease hotline: 1800 675 888
What we know about how H5N1 bird flu got here and where it may appear next
Why bird flu poses a high risk to many Australian native mammals
For more on avian influenza and humans, have a listen to the latest Health Report bonus episode.
This episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal, Ngunnawal and Ngambri people.

If insects feel pain, do they deserve animal rights as apply to mammals?

The largest, deepest and oldest whale graveyard has been found off the coast of Western Australia: teeming with life. 
Jonathan Webb takes a deep dive with environment reporter, Peter de Kruijff, into the science behind whale falls and their importance to underwater ecosystems.
You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.
Get in touch with us: [email protected]
Featuring:
Peter de Kruijff, environment reporter
Further information:
World's biggest whale graveyard found in Indian Ocean off Australia
A 5.3-million-year-old deep-sea whale necropolis in the Diamantina Zone
This episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal, Ngunnawal and Ngambri people.