Boiling Point

Did you know that plants and ecosystems have memory? Not the same memory as you or I, but a type of memory nonetheless. Join us in this episode as we chat to Postdoctoral researcher Jon Page, who uses observations to explore the carbon, water, and energy cycles of terrestrial ecosystems, and importantly, the memory of [...]Read More... from The role of memory in terrestrial ecosystems

Sci fi movies make blockbuster hits. But how much are they Sci and how much are they fi? Find out in this episode. [...]Read More... from Zombification and Museum Collections: the Sci and Fi

Kangaroos are iconic Australian animals that have interesting behavioural characteristics. They live in communities, and their environment plays a factor in their interactions. We are going to take a closer look at the environments kangaroos live in and how certain factors in their environment affect their behaviours. Daphne Willemsen will tell us about their research [...]Read More... from Spying on Kangaroos

Humans are affecting animals in multiple different ways. Our infrastructure is bleeding into forests and our way of life is changing how animals adapt to their environments. But are we aware of how we are impacting animals? In this episode of Boiling Point Anastasia is joined by Dr. Dominique Potvin, a Behavioural Ecologist, Evolutionary Biologist, [...]Read More... from What’s in a song? How urban environments change animal behaviour

Join our host, Inna as she chats with Antonia Parker who explores the ancient history of Australian marsupials... By looking at their teeth!! [...]Read More... from By tooth and nail: Uncovering the ancient history of marsupials

What is it about fungi that make them an exciting conversation piece in today’s media, movies, and video games? In this episode Anastasia chats Vanessa McPherson all about the natural history of fungi. Vanessa McPherson is a Research Assistant in the Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Analysis Laboratory in the School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University. [...]Read More... from Fungi Unearthed: Digging into the Myco-Mysteries of mushrooms!

They're small, they're blue, and they're stingy, but they're not a jelly fish! What are they? They're bluebottles of course. They're a prominent feature of summers spent by the beach, but what brings them to Australian beaches remains a bit of a mystery. Join us in this episode as we chat to two ECRs, Kim [...]Read More... from What’s blind, buoyant, and brainless? Bluebottles!

Hailstorms are some of the costliest natural disasters that occur in Australia. One of the most infamous examples is the Sydney hailstorm of 1999 which dumped hailstones over 11cm in diameter and caused $1.7 billion in insurance damages. It's quite surprising therefore, that we don't have great observations or understanding of hailstorm probability. In this [...]Read More... from What the hail is going on!?

Some words we hear these days are “machine learning” and “automation”, but what do they actually mean, and where do they come from? In this episode, we take a closer look at the history of machine learning in automation. The origins of automation date back to the industrial revolution, and machine learning has played an [...]Read More... from The History of Machine Learning in Automation

Dreams of visiting Mars have been part of human imagination for centuries. But now that these dreams are closer to realization than ever before, so are the concerns of how we will treat the planets we will visit. Join us, as we chat to Clare Fletcher. Clare studies the exciting and new field of the [...]Read More... from Conserving Mars

Ecosystems are under threat of collapse from human stresses and climate change. Is your favourite ecosystem at risk? In this episode of Boiling Point, Sammy and Liz speak with Dr. Aniko Toth, a research fellow at UNSW Sydney who works in ecosystem conservation. Aniko uses modeling to combine satellite data with local species data to [...]Read More... from Ecosystems at risk

Ecosystems are under threat of collapse from human stresses and climate change. Is your favourite ecosystem at risk? In this episode of Boiling Point, Sammy and Liz speak with Dr. Aniko Toth, a research fellow at UNSW Sydney who works in ecosystem conservation. Aniko uses modeling to combine satellite data with local species data to classify ecosystems and then assess them for the possibility of collapse, or the possibility that the ecosystem won't be able to function normally. Listen to the episode to understand how she accomplishes this, as well as what her work is used for (IUCN Red List of Ecosystems)! Catch up with Aniko on: Twitter Her Website An Article On Her Work This episode's song: Burning by TillaTone Follow the hosts: Sammy: Her Website Twitter Liz: Her Email Don't forget to follow Boiling Point on: Twitter Instagram Facebook

Plants are signaling and communicating with their environment in unique and remarkable ways, we just don't always know how to interpret their signals. But observing flowers and pollination is the easiest way to tap into their secret language. In this episode Inna and Hannah chat to Ruby E. Stephens about the weird and wonderful world [...]Read More... from Understanding the secret language of plants

Plants are signaling and communicating with their environment in unique and remarkable ways, we just don't always know how to interpret their signals. But observing flowers and pollination is the easiest way to tap into their secret language. In this episode Inna and Hannah chat to Ruby E. Stephens about the weird and wonderful world of pollination.

A risk-taking pilot sounds like the last thing anyone would want on their flight. However, if we ever want the plane to take off, some risk taking is necessary and even crucial. In this episode of Boiling Point, Griff and Inna chat to Yassmin Ebrahim. Yassmin studies the risk behavior of pilots and how it [...]Read More... from Head in the skies: exploring the psychology of pilots

A risk-taking pilot sounds like the last thing anyone would want on their flight. However, if we ever want the plane to take off, some risk taking is necessary and even crucial. In this episode of Boiling Point, Griff and Inna chat to Yassmin Ebrahim. Yassmin studies the risk behavior of pilots and how it can affect their decisions during emergency events.

It’s getting hot in here, but how do plants continue to thrive? In this episode of Boiling Point, Sammy and Inna chat with fire ecologist Sarah McInnes! Sarah is a researcher at UNSW Sydney who studies the impacts of fire regimes on plant re-establishment and how these may change with climate change.   Catch up [...]Read More... from Fire – Friend and Foe?

It's getting hot in here, but how do plants continue to thrive? In this episode of Boiling Point, Sammy and Inna chat with fire ecologist Sarah McInnes! Sarah is a researcher at UNSW Sydney who studies the impacts of fire regimes on plant re-establishment and how these may change with climate change. Catch up with Sarah on: Twitter Her recent paper This episode's song: Milkumana by King Stingray Thumbnail Photo Credit: Kerri-Lee Harris & Paul Whitington (April 2020) Follow the hosts: Sammy: Her Website Twitter Inna: Twitter Don't forget to follow Boiling Point on: Twitter Instagram Facebook

Getting sick is no joke. Your noise gets stuffy, perhaps you get a sore throat, maybe you feel so bad you have to stay in bed for days! But what happens when coral get sick? Escalating temperatures and climate change are terms that are a part of a scientists daily vocabulary, but what does it [...]Read More... from Beneath the Waves: Unmasking the Coral Disease Maze

Getting sick is no joke. Your noise gets stuffy, perhaps you get a sore throat, maybe you feel so bad you have to stay in bed for days! But what happens when coral get sick? Escalating temperatures and climate change are terms that are a part of a scientists daily vocabulary, but what does it mean for coral disease? In this episode of Boiling Point, Anastasia, Inna, and Liz chat with another Boiling Point host Sammy Burke! Sammy is a marine scientist who studies coral health and the impacts of climate change on coral disease. This episode's song: Dive by Nathaniel Oku Catch up with Sammy on: Her Website Twitter Follow the hosts: Anastasia: www.ashavrova.com Twitter Instagram Inna: Twitter Don't forget to follow Boiling Point on: Twitter Instagram Facebook

There's an argument among some evolutionary biologists that the reason why modern humans succeeded over other species of humans was because we are such social creatures. But were not the only social animals out there, so how do other animals compare? Do more social animals show higher intelligence? Find out on this episode of Boiling [...]Read More... from Unlocking the Secrets of Intelligence

There's an argument among some evolutionary biologists that the reason why modern humans succeeded over other species of humans was because we are such social creatures. But were not the only social animals out there, so how do other animals compare? Do more social animals show higher intelligence? Find out on this episode of Boiling Point. In this weeks episode Anastasia and Inna chat with Lizzie Speechley. Lizzie is a behavioural ecologist at the University of Western Australia. Her research explores differences in cognition in the Western Australian magpie. Catch up with Lizzie on: Instagram Twitter Follow the hosts: Anastasia: www.ashavrova.com Twitter Instagram Inna: Twitter Dont forget to follow Boiling Point on: Twitter Instagram Facebook

Australia is universally renowned for its breathtaking underwater environments that are abundant with a diverse array of iconic marine species, such as the Great Barrier Reef. But as ocean temperatures continue to rise and population numbers continue to decline, the greater the need for thorough monitoring strategies to guide our efforts to conserve Australia's unique [...]Read More... from Talking Australia’s reefs with Dr John Turnbull

Australia is universally renowned for its breathtaking underwater environments that are abundant with a diverse array of iconic marine species, such as the Great Barrier Reef. But as ocean temperatures continue to rise and population numbers continue to decline, the greater the need for thorough monitoring strategies to guide our efforts to conserve Australia's unique marine ecosystems. This week on Boiling Point we have the pleasure of talking with Marine Biologist Dr John Turnbull, about how Australia's reef species are changing in the face of climate change and what we need to do to preserve them for generations to come. Listen to the story in just a moment!

What if detecting lung diseases such as cancer would be as easy as taking a breath? Although this sounds like science fiction, a diseases breathalyser is already under development! Join Griff and Inna as they chat to Merryn Baker who develops methods of detecting diseases with just one breath. Follow Merryn on Twitter: @merryn_baker [...]Read More... from Detecting lung diseases by breath analysis

What if detecting lung diseases such as cancer would be as easy as taking a breath? Although this sounds like science fiction, a diseases breathalyser is already under development! Join Griff and Inna as they chat to Merryn Baker who develops methods of detecting diseases with just one breath. Follow Merryn on Twitter: @merryn_baker

Pilates, yoga, lifting weights. What is the right exercise for me? Find out on this episode of Boiling Point! In this episode, Sammy Burke and Anastasia Shavrova chat with exercise physiologist Karen Mackay from the Queensland University of Technology to talk about her work looking into human diet and movement.   [...]Read More... from The Science behind diet and exercise

Pilates, yoga, lifting weights. What is the right exercise for me? Find out on this episode of Boiling Point! In this episode, Sammy Burke and Anastasia Shavrova chat with exercise physiologist Karen Mackay from the Queensland University of Technology to talk about her work looking into human diet and movement.

You've probably heard of heatwaves over land before – maybe you've even experienced the effects of one firsthand – but did you know that heatwaves also occur in the ocean? Marine heatwaves, a term first coined as recently as 2011, can have devastating impacts on marine ecosystems and societies, yet they remain a relatively new [...]Read More... from Marine heatwaves explained

You've probably heard of heatwaves over land before – maybe you've even experienced the effects of one firsthand – but did you know that heatwaves also occur in the ocean? Marine heatwaves, a term first coined as recently as 2011, can have devastating impacts on marine ecosystems and societies, yet they remain a relatively new area of research. Join Hannah and Griff as they delve into the world of marine heatwaves with recently-finished PhD Candidate Charuni (Chai) Pathmeswaran.

What do you think of when you hear about Antarctica? Maybe it's the vast snow planes or the cute pinguins and seals. But one of the most important things about Antarctica, are the ocean currents around it. They transport everything from heat, to debris, to live organisms and affect our whole planet! In this episode [...]Read More... from A Freezing Dive: Hannah and the Antarctic Ocean Currents

What do you think of when you hear about Antarctica? Maybe it's the vast snow planes or the cute pinguins and seals. But one of the most important things about Antarctica, are the ocean currents around it. They transport everything from heat, to debris, to live organisms and affect our whole planet! In this episode Griff and Inna interview Hannah Dawson, who studies this fascinating topic.

They look like short fat worms that lie motionless on the ocean floor. But sea cucumbers are so much more. They are a high-priced delicacy in many countries, can throw up their guts for self-defense, and sometimes have a parasitizing fish living in their bum. In this episode of Boiling Point Inna, Hannah and Cat [...]Read More... from Tash and the Sea Cucumbers!

They look like short fat worms that lie motionless on the ocean floor. But sea cucumbers are so much more. They are a high-priced delicacy in many countries, can throw up their guts for self-defense, and sometimes have a parasitizing fish living in their bum. In this episode of Boiling Point Inna, Hannah and Cat interview Natasha Garner, who studies this wonderful creatures. For even more Sea Cucumber content (and much more!), you can follow Natasha on Twitter:  @_natashagarner

Glorious gentle giants of the sea. These 700 pound creatures are highly intelligent as they collaborate together to gather food. Yet, these creatures are a threatened species. In this episode we chat about manta rays.   In this episode, Anastasia, Sammy, and Inna chat to Hannah Moloney. Hannah is a marine scientist and researcher at [...]Read More... from Gentle Giants of the Ocean: Manta Rays

Glorious gentle giants of the sea. These 700 pound creatures are highly intelligent as they collaborate together to gather food. Yet, these creatures are a threatened species. In this episode we chat about manta rays. In this episode, Anastasia, Sammy, and Inna chat to Hannah Moloney. Hannah is a marine scientist and researcher at the University of the Sunshine Coast and is a principle collaborator at the Manta Trust. Follow Hannah: LinkedIn Instagram Website Dont forget to follow Boiling Point on: Twitter Instagram Facebook

What would you say if I told you that the answer to sustainable meat production may lie in the consumption of products made from exotic animals like alpacas, peacocks and even the extinct woolly mammoth? And that this meat would be made without harming any animals? You may say that this seems very far-fetched, but [...]Read More... from Sam, Vow, and the Future of Cell-Cultured Meat!

What would you say if I told you that the answer to sustainable meat production may lie in the consumption of products made from exotic animals like alpacas, peacocks and even the extinct woolly mammoth? And that this meat would be made without harming any animals? You may say that this seems very far-fetched, but our guest today will likely convince that this reality is a lot closer than you may expect. Today we will be talking to Sam Rathbone from Vow Foods, who will be telling us about the prospects of cell-cultured animal products, and their extraordinary benefit for both consumers and the environment. Listen to the story in just a moment! Vow's Website: https://www.vowfood.com/

You are what you eat. And what you eat we can study. In this episode of Boiling Point, Anastasia, Hannah, and Sammy, chat with Aashi Parikh, a PhD Candidate from Macquarie University. Aashi looks at whale poop to find out how they live. Follow Aashi on twitter Dont forget to follow Boiling Point on: Twitter [...]Read More... from What poop can tell us about whales

You are what you eat. And what you eat we can study. In this episode of Boiling Point, Anastasia, Hannah, and Sammy, chat with Aashi Parikh, a PhD Candidate from Macquarie University. Aashi looks at whale poop to find out how they live. Follow Aashi on twitter Dont forget to follow Boiling Point on: Twitter Instagram Facebook

How do you signal “STAY AWAY”. Do you make a noise? Maybe show your teeth? Perhaps, yell? Have you every thought about wearing something bright? There is a rainbow of warning colours that animals present to fend of predators. On this episode of Boiling Point, Anastasia and new Boiling Point recruit Hannah, chat with Marilia [...]Read More... from Evading predators with colour

How do you signal "STAY AWAY". Do you make a noise? Maybe show your teeth? Perhaps, yell? Have you every thought about wearing something bright? There is a rainbow of warning colours that animals present to fend of predators. On this episode of Boiling Point, Anastasia and new Boiling Point recruit Hannah, chat with Marilia Erickson, a PhD candidate at Macquarie University. Marilia studies the prevalence of aposematism in butterflies. Dont forget to follow Boiling Point on: Twitter Instagram Facebook

Australia's coastal waters harbour more than 8,000 ship wrecks. But only a quarter of those have been found. Our guest is a maritime archaeologist and will take us on a dive into her watery world. How is maritime archaeology different from the land-based version? How do you preserve a shipwreck and how do you handle [...]Read More... from What does a maritime archeologist do?

Australia's coastal waters harbour more than 8,000 ship wrecks. But only a quarter of those have been found. Our guest is a maritime archaeologist and will take us on a dive into her watery world. How is maritime archaeology different from the land-based version? How do you preserve a shipwreck and how do you handle things if you find human remains at the site? Our hosts, Griff, Inna and Cat are chatting with Danielle Wilkinson, a senior maritime archaeologist from Heritage Victoria. Interested to learn more? Check out these links: The Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology: Home | Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology (aima-underwater.org.au) Flinders University Maritime Archaeology Program 20 years of Maritime Archaeology - Flinders University Maritime Archaeology Association of Victoria MAAV ; Maritime Archaeology Association of Victoria, Inc. (vicnet.net.au) Maritime Archaeological Association of Western Australia MAAWA Heritage Victoria's Shipwreck Discovery Program Shipwreck Discovery Program (heritage.vic.gov.au)

Climate change has already caused some animal species to migrate and to seek new and more suitable habitat. But how do plants deal with climate change? They can't just walk away and find a new place to live, can they? It turned out they can! Our guest is telling us all about migrations of plants [...]Read More... from How plants respond to climate change