Science Friction
ABC Australia
In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years.
We'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.
The Challenger Legacy (Season 5)
In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. This is the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space.
Artificial Evolution (Season 4): Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it.
Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.
Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.
AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.
We'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.
The Challenger Legacy (Season 5)
In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. This is the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space.
Artificial Evolution (Season 4): Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it.
Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.
Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.
AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 1, 2021 • 32min
The long COVID doctors (Part 2 of 2)
Don't mess with this virus. Extraordinary stories from the 3 UK doctors we first met a year ago, all living with 'long COVID'
Jul 25, 2021 • 35min
The long COVID doctors (Part 1 of 2)
Three UK doctors share their moving, eviscerating personal experiences of 'long COVID' [REPEAT]. And next episode, how are they nearly a year on as England opens up? [NEW]
Jul 18, 2021 • 26min
The art and science of Deep Time travel
Deep in the dirt are stories that need to be told ... by artists, scientists... and those damn (wonderful) ants.
Jul 11, 2021 • 26min
Pain-free meat — is it possible?
Ouch, that hurts. But who will listen? Down on the farm, understanding the biology of pain could make a real difference.
Jul 4, 2021 • 26min
Medicine listen up! Birthing on country makes the land shake
Yolgnu women want to make the the land shake again. Why?
Jun 27, 2021 • 26min
The second kind of impossible: Part 2 — the wild adventure
Lace up your boots. Get down and dirty. We're hunting the impossible.
Jun 20, 2021 • 26min
The second kind of impossible: Part 1 — a maverick mind
Nature's rules are made to be broken. Paul Steinhardt just had to find a way.
Jun 13, 2021 • 26min
14-day rule on human embryo research – why do scientists want it lifted?
Research on human embryos has been very constrained. Will that change?
Jun 6, 2021 • 26min
The wattle war
Flower power, and the mighty battle that divided nations.
May 30, 2021 • 35min
The wild woman of Brooklyn, the Peabody bones, and science of tree climbing! [REPEAT]
A skeleton with a back story that's almost too bizarre to believe. What would Suzy think? [REPEAT]
