Fuzzy Logic Science Show

Hearing with the cochlear

What's it like to be near deaf for most of your life, and then be given a cochlear implant? The transformation is profound, and our guest today describes what that journey is like.
Pete Halsey is CEO of the Deafness Resource Centre in Canberra, helping people with hearing problems.

We live in a time and a place where this technology is available. It's made possible by pioneers such as Graeme Clark, and Peter Blamey who we interviewed recently.

If you need practical assistance with hearing in the workplace, check the government Job Access program.
We also recommend the support group Better Hearing Australia.

Interview by Rod

Food Comas and Hangovers

As we enter the silly season, Phoebe and Broderick explore whether there's any science behind the post-Christmas lunch nap and if scientists are studying hangovers just as an excuse to drink more.  All the science and more on this episode of Fuzzy Logic.

The Universe Sings

Space is big. Really big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist, but that's just peanuts to space.

Actually, the number as far as we can tell is about 13.8 billion light years. Or at least, that's the bit we can see. Trouble is, most of it's Dark.

Today we hitchhike through the galaxy with Associate Professor Paul Francis from the Mount Stromolo Observatory.  Listen to the wondrous sounds he generated from spectrographs. In this episode of Fuzzy Logic, the universe sings for us.

Brought to you by Eleanor and Rod

Printing the Future (Now Showing in 3D!)

This week on Fuzzy, it's 3D printing, but not as you know it! Eleanor is joined in the studio by resident dino-expert Mitchell, and by Ben, a biochemistry research scientist all the way from the University of Bristol, to discuss some new applications of 3D printing technology. Ben explains how they adapted a commercial 3D printer to print with stem cell "ink", and Mitchell tells us about how hidden fossils can be uncovered using the power of X-rays and 3D printing.

As usual, we also discuss geese.

Sleep

This week on Fuzzy Logic, Phoebe and Broderick talk about sleep!  Don't hit the snooze button, listen in as they discuss how much sleep we really need and what happens to your sleep when you live in a cave.  Open your eyes wide and listen in- no yawning!

Fuzzy Goes to Sea, Ah Haarrrrr!

Today we have a bit of history, a bit of salt. Where did that Ah Harrrrr pirate voice come from?
Going to sea on a long voyage is a serious undertaking. How did they do it? Lots of things have to go well if you don't want a journey to the bottom, or be stranded on a hostile shore.

Then we have a look at problems faced by our poor beloved wombats. We'll bring you more in a future Fuzzy, but meanwhile, visit http://www.sleepyburrows.com.au/ Our whiskery nosed friends need help.

Brought to you by Phil and Rod.

Ah-choo!

Today on Fuzzy Logic, Phoebe and Broderick talk the nasal outbursts commonly known as sneezes.

Why do we sneeze? Broderick discusses why hay fever makes him sneeze, while Phoebe discovers why bright lights make her sneeze. Tune in and bring a tissue or two!

Bless you!

Can Science Save Humanity?

With population growth, global warming, and resource depletion, humanity faces a perilous situation. Our question today, is - can science save us?

During National Science Week, Rod Taylor hosted a panel of prominent Australians, who spoke passionately about what we can do.

Join Professor Will Steffan, Professor Hillary Bambrick, fomer Govenor General Michael Jeffery, Dr Stephen Bygrave, and Professor Clive Hamilton for this thought provoking conversation.

Recorded at the Australian Academy of Science, 23 August.

Fuzzy Logic is grateful for the support of National Science Week for this event.

Read our companion article in the SMH.

Nobel and Ig-Nobel

On this week's episode, Kate and Broderick discuss the winners of this years Nobel prizes and the Ig-Nobel prizes.  It's a mix of science that's world class, science that makes you laugh and science that makes you think.

Intelligent Hearing

The cochlear implant and related hearing technology have made Australia world leaders. Not only in earning a profit, but helping people with hearing loss.
How do they make their ideas work, and how did they turn them into a successful business?

Peter Blamey is one of the pioneers of the cochlear implant, before becoming co-founder of Blamey and Saunders Hears.
If you know someone who might have hearing loss, we recommend the Speach Perception Test on the link above.

In this interview, Peter tells us what happened when they first switched on the implant of one cochlear recipient.

Interview by Rod, who has impaired hearing. You can read his story in the Big Issue.