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Dear Science

The Tuesday Wire's weekly dive into the wide world of science.

Featuring a rotating cast of smart people including Chemist Professor Allan Blackman and Physicist Dr Cushla McGoverin. 

Thanks to MOTAT, the museum inspiring the innovators of tomorrow.

Dear Science: distant stars, the blackest black, and cracking knuckles

Dear Science Dear Science, 17.72 MB
Wed 4 Apr 2018

Today Allan talks us through some very very distant stars that are also very old. He explains how there is a new black that pretty much almost nearly absorbs ALL light. We talk through the sound your knuckles make when you crack them and mention the rogue space station that finally came down near Tahiti this week. 

Dear Science: the male contraceptive pill, the rogue prototype space station and a new moth named Donald Trump

Dear Science Dear Science, 16.21 MB
Wed 28 Mar 2018

On Dear Science with AUT’s Allan Blackman we talk about the male contraceptive pill, the prototype space station crashing to earth, and a new moth species that’s been named after Donald Trump.

Dear Science: Stephen Hawking, Platypus milk and "unlearning"

Dear Science Dear Science, 18.33 MB
Wed 21 Mar 2018

On Dear Science with AUT’s Allan Blackman we pay tribute to Stephen Hawking, discuss Platypus milk, and a new University campaign with the concept of "unlearning".

Dear Science: Poisons, Measles and Cervical Cancer

Dear Science Dear Science, 15.36 MB
Wed 14 Mar 2018

On Dear Science with AUT’s Allan Blackman we talk about poisons, measles, and cervical cancer.

Dear Science: alcohol prolonging life, the birthday of the father of prebiotic chemistry Stanley Miller and a brand new state of matter

Dear Science Dear Science, 15.47 MB
Wed 7 Mar 2018

On Dear Science with AUT’s Alan Blackman we talk about alcohol prolonging life, the birthday of the father of prebiotic chemistry Stanley Miller and a brand new state of matter.

Dear Science: Picasso, supplements and finally seeing an atom

Dear Science: Picasso, supplements and finally seeing an atom Dear Science: Picasso, supplements and finally seeing an atom, 35.64 MB
Wed 21 Feb 2018

On todays segment of Dear Science with AUT's Allan Blackman, we talk about how x-rays have discovered the inner workings of Picassos art, how dietry supplement may not be as they seem, and how an ameture scientific photographer has managed to snap the first image of a suspended atom using a standard camera.

Dear Science: Asparagus, moles and the periodic table

Dear Science: Asparagus, moles and the periodic table Dear Science: Asparagus, moles and the periodic table, 12.47 MB
Wed 14 Feb 2018

On todays Dear Science, AUT's Allan Blackman talks to us about how asparagus has been found to effect the metabolisation of cancer cells in breast cancer patients. We also talk about Moles, not the skin growth nor the burrowing mammal, but the unit of measurement. Finally we discuss how 2019 will be the year of the periodic table, and Will makes some good suggestions for Allans plans to celebrate the famous chemistry tool.

Dear Science: Fit-bits, Polar flips and sinking ships

Dear Science: Fit-bits, Polar flips and sinking ships Dear Science: Fit-bits, Polar flips and sinking ships, 28.08 MB
Wed 7 Feb 2018

On todays Dear Science with AUT's Allan Blackman we talk about a new study about the validity of fit-bits in keeping you fit, we then delve into the potentially terrifying thought of the north and south poles swapping places and incinerating us all (not literally(but maybe who knows)). Finally we talk about the story of ameture inventer and adventurer Donald Crowhurst and Allan blows our minds with a very intense story of adventure, cheating adventure and the end of an adventure. Lots of adventure... Listen to the podcast.

Dear Science: A day in Space!

Dear Science: A day in Space! Dear Science: A day in Space!, 12.88 MB
Wed 31 Jan 2018

On todays special edition of the wire AUT's Allan Blackman talks to us about Space! Yes that (not so) empty stuff floating above our earth, specifically looking at tonights super blue/blood moon. And if you've missed the super moon do not fair because Allan tells us about a bit of controversy that a new satralite 'The Humanity Star' has caused for atronomers. Finally we talk about the space race and how this day in history was an important one for humanity.

Photo credit: RNZ

Dear Science: Rats, Bees and Fungi

Dear Science: Rats, Bees and Fungi Dear Science: Rats, Bees and Fungi, 30.99 MB
Wed 24 Jan 2018

On todays Dear Science with AUT's Allan Blackman, we talk about how rats maybe arent to blame for the black plague. We delve into the world of nicotine based pesticides and how Bunnings has banned them to stop the needless death of bees. Finally we talk about a new type of concrete that can be crossed with fungi to create self repairing materials for infrastructure... Now thats some cool science