Dr Karl Podcast

Dr Karl Podcast

Join Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Lucy Smith and their scientific guests, with a bunch of curious triple j listeners for a weekly injection of science, myth-bashing and answers!
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Episodens resumé

In this episode of Science with Dr. Carl, guest experts Laura Dreesen and Lauren McCready discuss recent scientific breakthroughs in astrophysics and chemistry, including the independent confirmation of the first black hole image and research on atmospheric water harvesting. The discussion also explores the chemical basis of falling in love and the mechanics behind rising sea levels. Listeners call in to explore a wide range of topics spanning physics, biology, and chemistry. The episode covers the theoretical nature of wormholes, the life cycle of Christmas beetles, the physics of flight and rocket propulsion, and the distinction between time dilation and time travel. The conversation concludes with an exploration of the Eddington limit and the astronomical mystery surrounding the absence of intermediate-mass black holes.

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Højdepunkter

astronomers at csiro have confirmed that that first image if you remember the glowing space donut which is the first image of a black hole that humans ever made they reprocessed it sort of completely independently and confirmed that the space donut is real

00:01:40 · Laura Dreesen shares recent news regarding the independent confirmation of the first black hole image by CSIRO astronomers.

we actually soak up water from the atmosphere. So we call this atmospheric water harvesting, kind of like farming the water in our atmosphere.

00:02:59 · Lauren McCready explains her research on using porous materials to harvest water from the air for use in the outback.

And it all depends on the big, fascinating chemistry cocktail that we have inside our body. And so when we do meet someone... There's different reward centers in our $\text{brain}$ and these reward centers are triggered by different chemical reactions.

00:10:44 · Lauren McCready describes how dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin drive the physiological experience of falling in love.

we actually didn't know about helium until we saw these different colours in the sun.

00:25:16 · The speaker shares an interesting historical fact about how the element helium was discovered through solar observation.

However, that's not really time travel. So that's something that we call time dilation, where when we get close to things that are really massive... we experience, you know, a couple of minutes.

00:31:37 · The host clarifies the distinction between moving through time via gravity/speed and actual backward time travel.

Episoder

1245-

Black holes, Christmas beetles and time travel

In this episode of Science with Dr. Carl, guest experts Laura Dreesen and Lauren McCready discuss recent scientific breakthroughs in astrophysics and chemistry, including the independent confirmation of the first black hole image and research on atmospheric water harvesting. The discussion also explores the chemical basis of falling in love and the mechanics behind rising sea levels. Listeners call in to explore a wide range of topics spanning physics, biology, and chemistry. The episode covers the theoretical nature of wormholes, the life cycle of Christmas beetles, the physics of flight and rocket propulsion, and the distinction between time dilation and time travel. The conversation concludes with an exploration of the Eddington limit and the astronomical mystery surrounding the absence of intermediate-mass black holes.

12 nov. 2026
1244-

Shower thoughts, electric shocks and ladybirds

In this episode of Science with Dr. Carl, the host and Dr. Carl explore a wide range of scientific phenomena, from the mechanics of carbonation in drinks to the receding distance of the moon from Earth. The discussion covers why hot showers can trigger goosebumps, the physics behind why the sun isn't blue, and the science of static electricity in shopping trolleys. The episode also addresses listener questions regarding mass ladybird strandings, the physiological effects of yawning on hearing, and the possibility of a living universe. Finally, the hosts discuss the sensory benefits of sun-dried towels and the scientific reasoning behind why creative breakthroughs often occur during showers.

05 nov. 2026
1243-

BONUS EP: We're giving away a Dr Karl shirt!

Hosts Lucy and Dr. Carl announce a special giveaway for the month of November. A listener who submits a question via text or Google form and is featured on the Science with Dr. Carl segment will have the opportunity to win one of Dr. Carl's iconic, asymmetric strawberry-patterned shirts. The shirt was custom-made by Dr. Carl's wife, Mary, under her bespoke brand, the House of Mary. The winner will be selected during the final show on Thursday, November 26. Participants are encouraged to submit questions via the provided text line or show notes link and must be available to take a call to participate in the segment.

03 nov. 2026
1242-

Night sweats, time travel and dog poo

In this episode of Science with Dr. Carl, the hosts answer a wide range of listener questions covering biology, physics, and everyday phenomena. The discussion explores topics such as the effects of hurricanes on flowers, the mechanics of binoculars, and the science behind night sweats after long-distance running. The conversation also delves into complex scientific concepts including the properties of antimatter, the unpredictability of turbulent airflow, and the albedo of a hypothetical water-covered moon. Additionally, the episode touches on biological mysteries like facial asymmetry, why dogs engage in coprophagia, and the physics behind gaining speed on a bike pump track.

29 okt. 2026
1241-

Bruising, cockatoo schedules and roasted potatoes

In this episode of Science with Dr. Karl, the hosts explore a wide range of scientific curiosities, from the biological mechanisms of avocado trees and the physics of heat absorption in cookware to the mechanics of bruising and wound healing. The discussion also covers why cyclones do not cross the equator due to the Coriolis effect and the impact of saltwater on sinus pressure. Dr. Karl further addresses listener questions regarding the expansion of the universe, the speed of light, and medical topics such as bunions and epilepsy-related déjà vu. The episode concludes with insights into sauna thermodynamics and information on how listeners can submit their own scientific inquiries.

22 okt. 2026