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!
00:00
00:00

Σύνοψη επεισοδίου

In this episode of Science Hour, Dr. Carl and Dr. Tanya Bunter discuss recent Nobel Prize discoveries regarding brain stimulation and neutrinos, while addressing listener questions on topics ranging from the physics of how cats land on their feet to why crying causes itchy ears. The discussion explores the complexities of serotonin production, the evolutionary origins of language, and the mechanics of weather patterns like El Niño. The episode also delves into various scientific curiosities, including the ability to smell diseases, the neurodevelopmental nature of dyslexia, and the science behind dancing rhythms. The doctors conclude by investigating the physiological sensation of frisson and the chemical mystery of why saliva can effectively remove bloodstains from fabric.

Κεφάλαια

Κάντε κλικ σε ένα κεφάλαιο για να μεταβείτε απευθείας σε εκείνη τη στιγμή

Κυριότερα σημεία

to stop it, you don't need just like a centimeter of lead. or a metre or a kilometre or a million kilometres or a trillion, you need four light years of lead.

00:02:57 · Dr. Carl explains the extreme difficulty in stopping neutrinos due to their incredibly low interaction with matter.

And my boss said, you've just smelt appendicitis.

00:15:50 · The doctor shares an anecdote about being able to identify a medical emergency through scent during his time as a physician.

firstly lost our body hair and secondly had another mutation that the proteins that were in body hair, we could put them into our brain.

00:18:38 · Dr. Carl describes a hypothesized evolutionary mutation that contributed to the growth of the human brain.

you do find bits of dopamine involved with it and there's the unusual beat and you predict the next bit and you're right and it gives you this joy of satisfaction

00:34:18 · The speaker describes how the brain's reward system responds to predictable rhythms in music.

So if your hairs are lifting up, that's part of the sympathetic nervous system which is making you look bigger by lifting your hairs up so that way a potential predator thinks, oh, my good, Tanya is now 10% bigger.

00:35:12 · Dr. Carl explains the evolutionary purpose behind the physical sensation of goosebumps.

Επεισόδια

1239-

Dyslexia, El Niño and itchy ears

In this episode of Science Hour, Dr. Carl and Dr. Tanya Bunter discuss recent Nobel Prize discoveries regarding brain stimulation and neutrinos, while addressing listener questions on topics ranging from the physics of how cats land on their feet to why crying causes itchy ears. The discussion explores the complexities of serotonin production, the evolutionary origins of language, and the mechanics of weather patterns like El Niño. The episode also delves into various scientific curiosities, including the ability to smell diseases, the neurodevelopmental nature of dyslexia, and the science behind dancing rhythms. The doctors conclude by investigating the physiological sensation of frisson and the chemical mystery of why saliva can effectively remove bloodstains from fabric.

08 Οκτ 2026
1238-

Glowing planets, shrinking brains and living till you're 150

In this episode of The Science Hour, Dr. Karl corrects previous mistakes regarding food reheating safety and breath-holding risks while exploring the mechanics of daydreaming, bone fractures, hair color changes, and sweat gland function. Dr. Carl and Dr. Tanya further discuss topics ranging from longevity and genetics to the physics of sunsets and space observation. The episode also covers mosquito navigation, the biological effects of sleep deprivation on creativity, brain aging, and the recent discovery of a decagon pattern on Saturn.

01 Οκτ 2026
1237-

The full moon, earworms and tickling

In this episode of Science with Dr. Carl, the hosts explore a wide range of scientific inquiries, beginning with a near-death shark encounter and moving into the mechanics of thermal imaging and how beverage containers affect taste. The discussion also covers the physical processes behind joint cracking and B12 injections. Dr. Carl further addresses listener questions regarding physiological phenomena such as sneezing in hot cars, why we cannot tickle ourselves, and the science of 'earworms.' The episode concludes with essential information on hydration, electrolytes, food safety when reheating meat, and the biological triggers behind breath-holding underwater.

24 Σεπ 2026
1236-

Fingerprints, wombat poo, earthquakes

Why is wombat poo shaped like a cube? Does breakfast actually kickstart your metabolism? How much does your DNA determine your intelligence? Dr Karl answers your science questions on triple j mornings with Lucy Smith.

23 Σεπ 2021
1235-

Ivermectin, spicy chilli, post-pandemic life

Is there any proof that Ivermectin combats COVID-19? Will life ever be the way it was before the pandemic? If the whole world was sprayed with disinfectant, would that kill off COVID-19? Host of Coronacast, Tegan Taylor joins Dr Karl to answer your COVID-19 questions on top of your regular science questions on triple j mornings with Lucy Smith.

16 Σεπ 2021