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
Jul 10, 2022 • 26min
Rats to the rescue (Little Beasts, Big Jobs Part 2)
You just never know when you'll need a rat will save your life.
Jul 3, 2022 • 26min
The mighty fly army (Little Beasts, Big Jobs Part 1)
Some people dream of changing the world. Others do. Thank the flies.
Jun 26, 2022 • 26min
Carlo Rovelli: intellectual free spirit, quantum physicist, bestselling author[REPEAT]
There is nothing this physicist with radical roots won't think about! [REPEAT]
Jun 19, 2022 • 31min
Gene edited foods back on the menu - what are they and what's changed?
Once fences and armed guards protected genetically modified (GM) crops. But the rules are rapidly changing. From Vitamin D-boosted tomatoes to low GI potato chips, what say should citizens have?
Jun 12, 2022 • 26min
Move over Mills and Boon, the HOT SCIENTISTS are here
Meet the neuroscientist turned bestselling rom-com novelist who's exposing the underbelly of science, the passion, and the power games.
Jun 5, 2022 • 26min
The STEAM Room science experiment — I wannabe a stand-up comic!
Would you be game? Hear what happened when scientists make themselves vulnerable AND hilarious.
May 29, 2022 • 26min
How two short words triggered a racism reckoning for plant scientists
Two words. Tweeted then deleted. A meeting meltdown. Has #BlackLivesMatter put international science on notice?
May 22, 2022 • 26min
The second kind of impossible: Part 2 — the wild adventure (REPEAT)
Lace up your boots. Get down and dirty. We're hunting the impossible.
May 15, 2022 • 26min
The second kind of impossible: Part 1 — a maverick mind (REPEAT)
Nature's rules are made to be broken. Paul Steinhardt just had to find a way.
May 8, 2022 • 27min
Should Big Pharma profit from secret COVID-19 vaccine deals? Moderna responds
Big Pharma has helped get life-saving COVID-19 vaccines into billions of arms. The profits are pouring in, but at what cost?
