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Last updated: Wednesday, 7 January 2009News in Science

Science year in review: 2008

The News in Science team will be taking a break during the Christmas-New Year period, but you can still enjoy the following highlights from 2008. read more 'Science year in review: 2008'

LHC control centre

Things to do

more what's new»Summer science

  • New Year countdown
  • Popcorn and movie tickets
  • Cameron Webb
  • Roast potatoes
  • Chameleon
  • Seaweed

Keeping time

Science Feature As the song says: "Time keeps on slipping". Now science is looking to the past to help us tell time in the future. read more 'Keeping time'

Science at the Movies

Quiz Can you tell the difference between science fiction and science fact? Take our quiz on the science behind some popular movies and find out. read more 'Science at the Movies'

Medical entomologist

Ace Day Jobs Mozzie man Cameron Webb had no idea his love of the environment would lead him to become a specialist in disease-carrying insects - a medical entomologist. read more 'Medical entomologist'

Why do cold roast potatoes cause hiccups?

Ask an Expert One of the downsides of scoffing traditional leftover fare like cold roast potatoes is hiccups. So what causes these vexatious spasms? read more 'Why do cold roast potatoes cause hiccups?'

Chameleon belief blends into background

Great Moments in Science The chameleon has a fancy knack of changing skin colour to suit its environment. Dr Karl reveals the reason why, but the cold-blooded truth might make you want to change colour. read more 'Chameleon belief blends into background'

Swimming with seaweed

Scribbly Gum Battling kelp in the 'swash' zone over summer might be the only interaction you have with Australia's rich seaweed flora. read more 'Swimming with seaweed'

Best of abc.net.au

Love tester (flickr: Rev Dan Catt)

Do you love me?

Genetic tests may one day be used to identify potential life partners.

ABC1

Friday, 9 January
More science on ABC1
8:00pm Kylie Kwong: My China
Kylie Kwong returns to the land of her ancestors and confronts the vast contrasts of China to take us on a culinary journey.

ABC2

Friday, 9 January
More science on ABC2
5:30pm
rpt
From The Heart
Intimate views of what makes Australia remarkable from the people who know it best. Rangers, scientists, researchers, locals and stunning footage bring landscapes to life. This week: legendary Kakadu rangers, Greg Miles and Ian Morris.
7:00pm Zoo Days
An entertaining wildlife series following the engaging characters, both animal and human, at two of Britain's largest zoos. Narrated by Jane Horrocks.

ABC Radio

Coming up Saturday, 10 January
More ABC Radio science
ABC Radio National
12.05pm The Science Show with Robyn Williams
The astonishing Dr Joseph Needham - Part 2 of 3
Last week in part 1 of this series the focus was on Chinese philosophy and culture. We saw how that it was the bureaucrat and mandarin who ruled in his Confucian way. Today's program features the Ying and Yang opposites that governed the nature of the scientific technology produced. Science Show audio podcast
1.00pm All In the Mind with Natasha Mitchell
Your irrational mind
Like it or not, you're not the beast of reason you think you are. Dan Ariely, a behavioural economist at MIT, argues that we're surprisingly and predictably irrational. Sex, freebies, expectations, placebos, price -- they all cloud our better judgment in rather sobering ways. Dan's unique research was partly inspired by a catastrophic accident which caused third degree burns to 70% of his body. All In the Mind audio podcast
1:35pm The Philosopher's Zone with Alan Saunders
Islam and philosophy - Tariq Ramadan
The holy Koran is held by Muslims to be the literal word of God, and if you've got that, who needs philosophy? This week we put that question to the distinguished and controversial Muslim thinker Tariq Ramadan, who tells us that Islam not only needs philosophy but has already shared its insights with the West. The Philosopher's Zone audio podcast
ABC NewsRadio
8.30am BBC Science In Action
5.30pm BBC One Planet

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Natasha MitchellAll in the Mind

Life through the mind's eye

  • Children of the rainbow
    One parent's plea for the 'children of the rainbow'

    Posted 2009-01-07T11:31:52+11:00
  • First scientific hoax for 2009?
    First there was physicist Alan Sokal of Sokal's hoax and Science Wars fame, now it seems there's "Sharon Gould"

    Posted 2009-01-07T09:42:47+11:00
  • Happy New 'ear
    2009

    Posted 2009-01-05T11:15:41+11:00
  • health tips for head bangers
    You MUST read this new paper from the British Medical journal - full text here

    Posted 2008-12-20T14:22:06+11:00
  • 'tis the season
    Eminent environmental policy expert, John Holden, looks set for the big gig as Obama's top science advisor

    Posted 2008-12-20T13:54:46+11:00
  • Top 10s.... wish list
    It's that time of the year when people take stock, count their blessings (or not), reflect on friendships gained and sustained (or not), ideas explored and abandoned, discoveries made, celebrations had, territories marked, arrivals and exits, headlines launched, odd happenings,

    Posted 2008-12-14T14:15:09+11:00
  • Death is a myth
    SERIOUSLY

    Posted 2008-12-13T12:34:01+11:00
  • Top 10 Brain Stories from 2008 (NewSci)
    New Scientist has nominated its top 10 brain stories for the year

    Posted 2008-12-13T12:31:21+11:00
  • untangling tricky talk
    What humans say to each other is so often accompanied by the undercurrents of emotion, baggage, history, context

    Posted 2008-12-13T11:18:54+11:00
  • prophecies for 'puters and more
    Interesting (not especially groundbreaking, but still interesting) predictions - '10 prophecies for the digital millenium' from I

    Posted 2008-12-09T14:41:51+11:00

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