The Science Show

Robyn Williams reports from the 2026 annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Backyard sprinklers have transformed the Aussie urban landscape. But their path to domination of our suburbs was haphazard — and hinged on the inventions of several knockabout tinkerers. Meanwhile with a rapidly drying climate, we may need to re-consider our reliance on this invention.You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.Get in touch with us: labnotes@abc.net.auFeaturing:  James Purtill, technology reporter Extra information:How the garden sprinkler conquered AustraliaThis episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar people.

An ancient human may be a new species, and extinct giant kangaroos - could they hop? 

A quick online search reveals multiple paid services for naming stars as commemorative gifts. You'll be provided with a certificate and a map for finding your star in the sky. But these names are not official and are not used by astronomers — or anyone else, for that matter. So what's going on, and how do stars really get their names?  ‌Featuring:  Laura Driessen, radio astronomer at the University of Sydney You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.Get in touch with us: labnotes@abc.net.auThis episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar people.

A cave in Sulawesi was home to our ancestors for tens of thousands of years. Archaeologists are piecing together the story.

Retinoids are big business for reducing wrinkles and treating acne — but there's conflicting advice on their safety for pregnant women.Should manufacturers of these skincare products be providing warnings? Or are the risks not that great?You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.Get in touch with us: labnotes@abc.net.auFeaturing:Caitlyn Davey, health reporterExtra information:Retinoids are booming in the beauty industry, but are they safe to use during pregnancy?This episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar people.

Australia’s social media ban aims to protect young people from online threats, but it may also restrict their access to discussion of democracy and political systems.

AI seems to be absolutely everywhere at the moment. While we're still waiting for the productivity revolution — or the jobs apocalypse — the energy costs of AI are already staggering.So how should we think about those environmental impacts of AI? And what can we learn from previous turns of the great technological wheel?You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.Get in touch with us: labnotes@abc.net.auFeaturing: Dr Niraj Lal, renewables expert at the Australian National University Extra information: Data centres are vital for the future and AI but their environmental footprint can be a problemThis episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar people.

How did life begin? It may not have been on Earth, with asteroids carrying a range of organic molecules

Fire, insects and disease all pose a threat to Australia's forests but scientists are now seeing a rise in natural tree deaths right across the country. New research links this background mortality to higher average temperatures.So what do these higher temperatures mean for our forests and the future of Australia's ecosystems? You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science editor and presenter Jonathan Webb on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.Get in touch with us: labnotes@abc.net.auFeaturing: Professor Belinda Medlyn, plant ecologist from Western Sydney UniversityExtra information: Pervasive increase in tree mortality across the Australian continentRising tree death rates in all types of Australian forest tied to climate changeThis episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar people.