Shirtloads of Science

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Dr Karl’s a curious optimist – a great combination for a science lover. Join him and his guests for weird facts, amazing conversation and remember, it’s never too late for a happy childhood.

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki


    • May 10, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 23m AVG DURATION
    • 416 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Shirtloads of Science

    The Dark Side of the U.S Meat Packing Industry with Alice Driver (427)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2025 27:11


    Award-winning author and investigative journalist Alice Driver joins me to discuss her powerful new book, Life and Death of the American Worker. Her investigation exposes the deeply unethical practices within the meatpacking industry in the United States. For Alice, this story is personal. She grew up in Arkansas, one of the country's poorest states and home to Tyson Foods, the largest meatpacking plant in America. We delve into the harsh realities faced by the industry's workforce, many of whom are undocumented immigrants, with estimates suggesting that up to 30% of the labor force lacks legal status. Our conversation explores the severe health consequences these workers endure and the broader implications for workers' rights in America today. Find Alice's book at https://www.alicedriver.com/ IG: @alice__driver

    Space Lasers on the Toliman Mission with Prof. Peter Tuthill and Prof. Boris Kuhlmey (426)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2025 28:14


    In this episode, Prof. Boris Kuhlmey and Prof. Peter Tuthill join me to discuss the Toliman Mission, a space telescope project focused on detecting Earth-like exoplanets around Alpha Centauri, our nearest star system, using precise astrometric measurements. We discuss logistics, the costs involved and the success rate of such an astronomical project. Developed by a collaboration including the University of Sydney, NASA's JPL, and Breakthrough Initiatives, it aims to launch by 2026. University of Sydney, Faculty of Science Toliman: https://toliman.space/ Boris Kuhlmey www.sydney.edu.au/science/about/our-people/academic-staff/boris-kuhlmey.html linkedin: https://au.linkedin.com/in/boris-kuhlmey-48b45615 Peter Tuthill www.sydney.edu.au/science/about/our-people/academic-staff/peter-tuthill.html Bluesky: https://blueskydirectory.com/profiles/spiralstar.bsky

    Fluoride in Drinking Water with Dr Michael Foley (425)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2025 33:09


    Almost all of the regional and remote communities in Queensland do not have fluoridated drinking water, so why is this a problem? Dentist Dr Michael Foley debunks the infamous NTP report which suggested that fluoridated drinking water lowered IQ and breaks down how fluoride actually works and why it's so important for our dental health.

    Seaforesting Carbon with Sam Elsom (424)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2025 16:34


    Atmospheric Carbon is burning us up. CO₂ is the big culprit but what about methane? Industry calls it "natural gas" but sheep and cattle belch millions of tons. Australian scientists have a very cool answer with seaweed. drkarl.com seaforest.com.au  

    Food Noise with Professor Clare Collins (423)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2025 29:14


    Weight loss medicines are never easy. What happens when your brain says you're full? Dr Karl and Professor Clare Collins explore the promises and pitfalls plus the ones that occasionally kill. drkarl.com

    science professor diet weight clare collins kruszelnicki
    Keeping Cool ep2 with Professor Jay (422)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2025 19:26


    Our warming world means more humidity.  You can't see it but you can feel it.  Professor Ollie Jay introduces Dr Karl to wet bulb thermometers, how sweating works and why humidity gets you down.     DrKarl.com Prof Ollie Jay  

    Keeping Cool ep1 with Prof Jay (421)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2025 19:03


    Summer heat waves are increasing - so AC or fan what is best ? The answer becomes unclear when air temperatures are in the high 30s. Pressor Jay takes Dr Karl inside your sweat glands to discover the physics of keeping cool.    DrKarl.com Prof Ollie Jay

    G-Planes and Hoops with Dr Bloom (420)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2025 19:50


    Physics on both galactic and personal scales are explored and answered with Dr Jessica Bloom and Dr Karl. drkarl.com .

    Meet the Novas with Dr Sara Webb (419)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2025 23:14


    We are so lucky to be alive. Dr Sara Webb's 'The Little book of Cosmic Catastrophes' looks at dangerous galactic neighbours. So what are the chances of finding Earth 2.0 ?  drkarl.com dr sara webb

    Circular economies with Belinda Chellingworth (418)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2025 25:44


    Dr Karl consults with circular economy expert, experienced waste manager, change maker and garbologist Belinda Chellingworth. Waste is expensive so well-designed product cycles makes it better for us all. drkarl.com BC Consulting

    Circular economies with Belinda Chellingworth (418)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2025 25:42


    Dr Karl consults with circular economy expert, experienced waste manager, change maker and garbologist Belinda Chellingworth. Waste is expensive so well-designed product cycles makes it better for us all. drkarl.com   BC Consulting

    Sexy Talk with Dr Ann Jones (417)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2025 29:16


    A shameless piece of cross promotion for ABC podcast 'What the Duck' with Dr Ann Jones about plant and animal reproduction. Contains names of body parts, fluids, graphic descriptions and one swear word. drkarl.com  What the duck podcasts

    Slick Oil with Royce Kurmelovs (416)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2025 24:28


    Global Warming is caused by burning fossil fuels.  "Slick: Australia's Toxic Relationship With Big Oil " is journalist Royce Kurmelovs' account of our role.  Dr Karl explores how the science was silenced downunder. drkarl.com  

    News from Mars with Dr Brown (415)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2025 22:04


    Dr Karl talks with the Australian working on the surface of Mars, Dr Adrian Brown from NASA. Hear how AI saved "Percy" the Rover, what those leopard-spotted rocks could mean and Dust devil strategies.  drkarl.com Dr Adrian J Brown

    Winning the Science debate with Dr Bertley (414)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2025 25:35


    Dr Frederic Bertley is a leading educator, President and CEO of the Center for Science and Industry (COSI), one of America's top-ranked science museums. Dr Karl explores tactics in the war on Pseudo and Anti-science. drkarl.com Cosi.org  

    Hypnotherapy with Dr Spiegel (413)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2025 27:11


    Feelings live in our brain. Some are painful like anxiety and addiction and can ruin lives. So why aren't hypnotherapy treatments more widely used? Dr Karl asks Stanford University psychiatrist and leading researcher on hypnosis Dr David Spiegel with 50 year's experience. drkarl.com Dr Spiegel

    Settlement Science with Professor Roland Fletcher (412)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2025 30:19


    What will our human space colonies look like? Dr Karl checks with research spanning more than 10,000 years. Meet University of Sydney's Professor Roland Fletcher. drkarl.com Prof Fletcher  

    Triangulation with Matt Parker (411)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2024 25:35


    Stand-up comedien, ex-maths teacher and author Matt Parker chats about his bestselling book on three-sided figures called Love Triangle. Dr Karl explores what fascinates us about trigonometry. drkarl.com matt parker

    Responsible AI with Natasha Blycha (410)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2024 31:50


    When Artificial Intelligence is everywhere what should be the rules? Dr Karl and Natasha Blycha test Isaac Asimov's Laws of Robotics and find they need updating. drkarl.com

    More Cracks with Marcus Chown (409)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2024 21:09


    Author and astrophysicist Marcus Chown tells of the forgotten Australian female astronomer who helped discover the first black hole. Dr Karl digs deeper into Marcus' latest book on black holes "A Crack in Everything". DrKarl.com @marcuschown  

    The Crack with Marcus Chown (408)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2024 24:25


    Author and astrophysicist Marcus Chown is a great explainer. A British stargazer, he studied under Richard Feynman in California. Dr Karl puts him to the test talking about Marcus' latest book on black holes "A Crack in Everything". DrKarl.com @marcuschown

    Growing Ear Drums with Professor Marcus Atlas (407)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2024 23:58


    Dr Karl uncovers a lifelong Australian quest to restore comfort and hearing with custom made eardrum transplants. Called Cleardrums, Professor Marcus Atlas is close to passing regulatory hurdles for human trials. drkarl.com

    Growing Ear Drums with Professor Marcus Atlas (407)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2024 24:04


    In this repeat episode, Dr Karl uncovers a lifelong Australian quest to restore comfort and hearing with custom made eardrum transplants. Called Cleardrums, Professor Marcus Atlas is close to passing regulatory hurdles for human trials. drkarl.com

    Feral Bugs in a cooked Australia (406)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2024 25:49


    Prof Puckett from the US explains how America lost its fire ant war  and Jess Ward-Jones on the struggle to learn what is killing our Alpine Eucalypts (Snow Gums). drkarl.com

    Beating Cancer with Professor Richard Scolyer (405)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2024 30:53


    Professor Richard Scolyer is the 2024 joint Australian of the Year. Dr Karl probes skin cancer therapies and immunotherapies with a researcher who has put his life on the line. drkarl.com https://twitter.com/ProfRScolyerMIA https://www.facebook.com/ProfRScolyer https://www.instagram.com/profrscolyer/?hl=en

    Dr Matt Agnew's guide to AI 404

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2024 24:46


    Phones made today are super smart. Fast and versatile they can be so powerful to be spooky. Dr Matt joins Dr Karl to peel back the AI layers for a set of rules for the future.

    Dr Matt Agnew's extraordinary life so far 403

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2024 17:51


    Mining Engineer, Reality TV star, Astrophysicist, Author - What's left  for Dr Matt?

    Observable and Infinite with Prof Lewis (402)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2024 27:41


    If we need to fully understand space we need more time - lots of it. Beyond the hubblesphere things gets lumpy. drkarl.com

    Deceit starts with D with Prof Mann (401)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2024 21:48


    Dr Karl asks a fellow physicist for the telltale signs when powerful people spread untruths. They are easy to spot and nasty. DrKarl

    Hot Data with Prof Mann (400)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2024 16:03


    The graph points skywards. A thousand of years of data says "stop burning carbon". Prof Mann tells Dr Karl of how the USA responded to his articles in the early 1990s. DrKarl

    Is AI telling lies with Dr Jessica Bloom (399)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2024 24:34


    Dr Karl interviews Dr Bloom in NYC on the ethics of Artificial Intelligence. If AI delivers misinformation, how could we tell?   Dr. Karl

    The G's of AI with Dr Jessica Bloom (398)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2024 20:08


    At the moment there are two G's in AI. Dr Karl gets the 360 tour of both with Dr Jessica Bloom in NYC. DrKarl

    new york city ai jessica bloom
    Meet the Incretins with Dr Fuller (397)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2024 19:31


    There is a family of chemicals that has drug companies popping corks. Obesity researcher Dr Nick Fuller explains to Dr Karl how they work and why they sometimes fail. Healthy Parents Healthy Kids with Dr Nick Fuller DrKarl

    Eating for Beginners with Dr Fuller (396)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2024 26:10


    Dr Karl (former father of the year) talks with Dr Nick Fuller (recent dad) about teaching children how to eat. The good habits learned early lead to healthy lives. Healthy Parents Healthy Kids by Nick Fuller DrKarl      

    SportsMaths 2 with Dr Tom Crawford (395)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2024 31:02


    Dr Tom Crawford explains to Dr Karl how using fluid density might improve your sporting performance. Listen out for duelling and marathon running references.   TomRocksMaths drKarl.com

    SportsMaths 1 with Dr Tom Crawford (394)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2024 23:57


    Playing sport on a rotating planet has advantages. Dr Tom Crawford gives Dr Karl tips on using Maths to score more goals and break records. TomRocksMaths Drkarl.com

    Blinking Stars with Dr Kirsten Banks (393)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2024 21:21


    When degenerate electrons meet 0.47 of a solar mass what happens? This is the start of Dr Kirsten Banks' PhD thesis. Dr Karl investigates the secret behaviour of Red Giants in the Milky Way and their Helium flashes.   Kirsten Banks (astrokirsten.com.au) DrKarl.com

    Avian Ancestry with Professor Simon Ho (392)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2024 21:29


    The bird family tree may need pruning. Geneticists have made new connections that take us back to the great extinction event. Professor Ho explains to Dr Karl how this is changing our views on dinosaurs and chickens. Prof Simon Ho DrKarl.com

    Dunkelflaute with Dr Barnes (391)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2024 17:42


    Dr Karl learns a new German word 'dunkelflaute'. Rare in Australia yet it plays havoc in colder countries. Yet another reason why atomic reactors are a poor choice for Australia as Dr Barnes explains. Dr Barnes drkarl.com

    Nuclear free Net Zero with Dr Rosie Barnes (390)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2024 20:26


    Under current net zero plans, local renewables should directly supply 75% of our energy needs. What about the remainder? Dr Karl consults an engineer on why atomic reactors are a very poor choice for Australian conditions. Dr Barnes drkarl.com

    Exceptional Moons with Kate Howells (389)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2024 26:39


    All our planets have at least one moon but which are the best? Space fanatic Kate Howells puts Dr Karl in orbit around some of our most interesting lumps of stuff. How will Earth's moon rate ? @SpaceKateH Drkarl.com  

    Long Covid (Part 2) with Professor Steven Faux (388)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2024 29:38


    A shadow of Covid-19 lingers for many. Dr Karl continues his discussion with front-line clinician Professor Steven Faux. Good diagnosis and management offer some a healthy future.  drKarl.com Long Covid

    Long Covid (Part1) with Professor Steven Faux (387)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2024 23:13


    Poor health lingers after some Covid-19 infections. Dr Karl discusses the symptoms and solutions with a front-line Australian clinician as they delve into his book 'Long Covid'. drKarl.com Long Covid

    Seeing through doubles with Caitlin Thurn (386)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2024 30:02


    Physics experiments, two centuries old, can still be used to probe matter and energy. Caitlin Thurn takes Dr Karl through the simple yet extraordinary results.   

    Corrections with Prof Lewis (385)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2024 24:31


    Dr Karl fact checks with Professor Lewis. What is the current understood state of the Universe and how close is the end ? Geraint F Lewis Dr Karl.com  

    Blood Pressure with prof Collins (384)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2024 18:00


    Prof Collins explains her ongoing research into one of the world's big killers - blood pressure.  Prof Claire Collins Dr Karl

    Dr Driessen decodes (383)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2024 27:14


    Dr Karl visits a list of stellar phenomena with interpretive help from radio astronomer Dr Laura Driessen. Topics include brown dwarfs, proper motion, Jumbos and Universal wobbles.  https://astrolaura.com/ drkarl.com

    Fart Busting with Prof Collins (382)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2024 17:19


    Dr Karl investigates the science of rear emissions with a dietetics Professor Clare Collins. How much per day? What makes them smell? What makes them feel hot? Prof Clare Collins Dr Karl

    The Nymphageddon with Dr. Trebicki (381)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2024 22:03


    Crops under attack, falling nutrition, viruses spread by Insects. Dr.Trebicki researches agriculture on a warming planet and the news is not great. Dr Karl addresses the myth that Carbon Dioxide is good for all plants. @PiotrTrebicki Dr Karl    

    Solid State Logic with Dr Lang (380)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2024 19:27


    Silicon chips are everywhere. Will they continue to multiply ? Does meeting carbon reduction targets rely on Solid State efficiency ? Dr Karl talks benefits and costs with Dr Lang. Dr Karl Dr Lang

    Ballooning for Dark Matter with Dr Sirks (379)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2024 24:04


    Why use a balloon to hunt the most elusive suff in the Universe? Dr Sirks takes Dr Karl through the history of Dark Matter and why astronomy is only part of the solution. DR kARL Dr Sirks  

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