Shirtloads of Science

Astronomer and soon-to-be Dr. Kovi Rose joins us to discuss his newly published Nature Astronomy paper on one of the universe's newest mysteries: strange repeating flashes of radio waves and X-rays coming form deep within our galaxy!

His team's discovery of ASKAP J174 has helped identify the source as a pair of stars orbiting each other, with a white dwarf pulling or accreting material from its companion. This discovery could help unlock the origins of mysterious signals flashing across the sky, unlocking even more secrets of the universe.

Professor Clare Collins returns to the pod to answer a common question: does coffee raise your blood pressure? We also discuss how genetics influence whether you're a fast or slow caffeine metaboliser, the beneficial phytonutrients found in coffee, why decaf still has health benefits, and when people with high blood pressure may need to be more cautious with their intake.

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Friend of the pod Professor Clare Collins returns to dive down into the sticky depths of the surprisingly powerful world of honey - far beyond being "just a sugary liquid". From the hallucinogenic "mad honey" of the Rhododendrons to the science behind medical-grade honey dressings that can heal wounds days faster than conventional treatments, Dr. Clare explains why this ancient food deserves a second look. 
We dive into honey's beneficial micronutrients, anti-inflammatory properties, and why the nutritional profile can vary dramatically depending on where bees source their pollen. Clare also busts the myth that honey is "bee vomit", revealing the fascinating biology behind how bees actually make honey and why these incredible insects deserve our respect!
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What is the universe actually made of? Particle physicist Theresa Fruth join us at Shirtloads to explore one of science's greatest unsolved mysteries - dark matter! Making up roughly 85% of the universe, yet appearing in none of our known particles, dark matter is invisible, elusive and almost certainly the reason the universe (and us!) exist at all.
Theresa and her team are hunting for it anyway. Working 1.2 kilometres underground in a converted gold mine in regional Victoria, they're searching for WIMPs - weakly interacting massive particles - in one of the quietest, most interference-free environments on Earth. The lab is being built out now, and further experiments are on the horizon. We may be closer to one of the biggest discoveries in scientific history than we realise.

Professor Ollie Jay, a leading expert in heat and health, returns to Shirtloads to discuss the growing toll of climate change on human wellbeing and global economics. Insights drawn from the latest Lancet Countdown report show that over half a million people die from heat-related causes each year, and a million more from fossil fuel pollution - deaths that are largely preventable. 
Rising temperatures are quietly reshaping our daily lives, from reducing physical and cognitive productivity, to costing the global economy an estimated trillion dollars annually. But it's not all bleak - Professor Jay highlights that meaningful change is within reach. With the right political action and long-term interventions, we can protect both public health and economic stability - the solutions are already in our hands.