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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: Don't ingest bad things

Dear Science: Don't ingest bad things Dear Science: Don't ingest bad things, 8.18 MB
Wed 17 Jan 2018

Today on Dear Science with AUT's Allan Blackman, we talk about potentially poisonous fillings, whether chromium is a trace element, and finally we talk about a new type if water which is said to be infused with rainbows... Sounds legit.

Dear Science: heroes, whisky, coffee, and gold

Dear Science: heroes, whisky, coffee, and gold Dear Science: heroes, whisky, coffee, and gold, 33.93 MB
Wed 20 Dec 2017

We wrap up this year of Dear Science with AUT's Allan Blackman and some day drinking in the studio. Also on the menu: talks about the late soviet military officer who saved us from nuclear war, whether or not you should water down your whisky (spoiler alert: yes), the consequences of handing the responsibility of a university research to the wrong people, and how the gold of the ring on your finger came about. Finally, we mention all the great scientists who unfortunately passed away in 2017. 

Dear Science: Rocks from outer space, luminescent fingerprints and progress on clean energy

Dear Science Dear Science, 27.51 MB
Wed 13 Dec 2017

On Dear Science today we chat with Allan about possible contact from outer space, a massive (obvious) step forward in forensic science, and progress on nuclear fusion. 

Dear Science: Blocking sun block, verified vaccinations and formulated forensics

Dear Science: Blocking sun block, verified vaccinations and formulated forensics Dear Science: Blocking sun block, verified vaccinations and formulated forensics, 34.45 MB
Wed 6 Dec 2017

Today on dear science we talk about how some sunblocks may not be as good as they claim to be. We delve into another vaccine debate surrounding the HPV vaccine, and a recent study that proves (once and for all) that the vaccine has no effect on developmental dissorders in children. Finally we talk about a forensics firm in the UK that has been found out to not be properly carrying out their scientific work.

Dear Science: Lightning, Dead Cats and Hand Sanitizer

Dear Science: Lightning, Dead Cats and Hand Sanitizer Dear Science: Lightning, Dead Cats and Hand Sanitizer, 35.18 MB
Wed 29 Nov 2017

Today on Dear Science with AUT's Allan Blackman, we talk about lightning and the sheer power of nature, is it creating dark matter? We delve into the mindblowing realm of quantum physics, do you think you can wrap your head around alternate realities, diverging cosmic pathways and a dead made up cat? Finally we discuss alcohol based sanitizer and how maybe its not the best idea to be using it during a late night cop stop.

Dear Science: Dogs, Dead Heads and Chuck Norris

Dear Science: Dogs, Dead Heads and Chuck Norris Dear Science: Dogs, Dead Heads and Chuck Norris , 28.2 MB
Wed 22 Nov 2017

On todays Dear Science segment, AUT's very own Allan Blackman joins us to talk about how having a canine companion may make us happier. We get into the nitty gritty of recent studies claiming to have performed head transplants on humans (SPOILER ALERT: They are already dead). And finally we talk about how Chuck Norris is sueing the big pharma companies behind gadolinium, a contrasting agent for MRI scans after he claims it effected his wifes health.

Dear Science: Genetic sunscreen, pesticide soap & science libel

Dear Science: Genetic sunscreen, pesticide soap & science libel Dear Science: Genetic sunscreen, pesticide soap & science libel, 34.67 MB
Wed 15 Nov 2017

Professor Allan Blackman joins us again this Wednesday to discuss a new sunscreen harnessing the power of DNA; the effectiveness of baking soda as a pesticide detergent and a case of scientific disagreement that lead to court.

Dear Science: Marie Curie

Dear Science: Marie Curie Dear Science: Marie Curie, 30.19 MB
Wed 8 Nov 2017

Professor Allan Blackman joins us again to talk about Marie Curie, the first woman to win a nobel prize for her pioneering work on radiation and xrays.

Dear Science: DNA editing, thermonuclear bombs, and sexy weed

Dear Science Dear Science, 54.87 MB
Wed 1 Nov 2017

Professor Allan Blackman joins us in studio again to discuss studies happening on DNA editing. This day in history Ivy Mike was detonated and we discuss the difference between nuclear and thermonuclear bombs. Finally we discuss a study conducted at Stanford saying those who smoke dope regularly have more sex. 

Dear Science: Fighting birds, Scared dogs and Bad Humans

Dear Science: Fighting birds, Scared dogs and Bad Humans Dear Science: Fighting birds, Scared dogs and Bad Humans, 35.22 MB
Wed 25 Oct 2017

Today on Dear Science with AUT's Allan Blackman we talk about how Tui may fight other males with a better song than them. We talk about dogs who can smell fear and we discuss more falsified evidence of links between vaccines and autism.