Category: That’s What I Call Science Episodes

Did you know the shape and size of your brain can be altered when you are experiencing mental health issues? Or that hormones, naturally occurring in your body, can make you more likely to experience mental health issues? In recent years, considerable effort have focused on raising awareness about how common and serious mental health issues can be. This work is essential to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and promote a positive culture where people can talk openly about issues they may be experiencing and seek help when needed.

We invite you to explore the ways our brain is affected by stress and trauma that can change our biochemistry and over time the structure of brain seen in some mental illnesses.

Special guest:

Luke Ney – PhD student in the Department of Psychology, University of Tasmania.

If you have been affected by any of themes discussed in our show we encourage you to seek support from the following sources:

Beyond Blue:

Telephone 1300 22 4636

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/about-us/contact-us

For 12 – 25 year olds, get in touch with Headspace, Hobart.

Telephone: 03 6231 2927

https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/hobart/

Acknowledgements:

Episode cover image:  https://pixabay.com/illustrations/mental-health-brain-mind-mental-3332122/

Intro music: adapted Kevin McLeod Retro Future Nasty.

International Women’s Day is Friday 8th March 2019, to celebrate we have dedicated this week’s show to discuss women in science and technology. There are fewer women in leadership roles in the sciences compared to men. Women also get paid less for the same work as their male peers and are more likely to leave the sector. We discuss some of the problems that women face in science and technology through the experiences and profiles of women in science that we admire. 

For more info you can head to the following links:

https://www.chiefscientist.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/Infographic.pdf

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-00611-1

https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/6/13/17453360/sexual-harassment-report-science-metoo

https://scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au/science-gender-pay-gap-too-wide-and-job-insecurity-persists-new-report/

https://www.sciencegenderequity.org.au/

Acknowledgements:

Intro music by Kevin McLeod and edited by Allanna Russell.

Episode Cover image by https://medium.com/nevertheless-podcast/stem-role-models-posters-2404424b37dd

In light of recent Tasmania’s recent bushfires, we delved into two key aspects of fire, fuels and planning and the effects of smoke on human health.

We interview James Furlaud about how we understand fires and the way research into fires informs how we prevent and manage them in the future.

James is a PhD student at the School of Natural Sciences and Fire Centre at the University of Tasmania.

The Fire Centre Research Hub was established by the University of Tasmania last year with the aim of connecting scientists and relevant research with government, weather and emergency services. It also aims to assist communities to prepare for fire, and to understand traditional fire management by engaging with local Indigenous communities. For more information: https://firecentre.org.au/

Next we interview Dr Fay Johnston, associate professor at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, about the health risks of smoke exposure and what steps to take if you are at risk. For more information: (http://www.utas.edu.au/profiles/staff/menzies/fay-johnston)

Acknowledgments:

Intro music credit: Kevin McLeod Retro Future Nasty

Episode image credit: Nick Monk Photography.