Link to the Show / Show NotesChina on track for world's largest high speed rail network
In China high-speed rail is being taken up with such enthusiasm that in some areas it's making air travel obsolete. And the roll-out is so rapid China is soon expected to have the world's largest high speed rail network. But, as it prepares to export its trains some countries are accusing China of stealing their secrets. (report from AM 8th Jan 2010)
The future of air travel - Alan Joyce part 2
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce describes some of the technologies and processes which designed to speed up air travel in the future and which will make flying long distances more comfortable.
Uncovering the secrets of ageing
Matthew Piper´s lab looks into the process of aging. Flies are used, being fed a food of yeast and sugar. Experiments are trying to determine why diet and reduced calorie intake extends life span. The main genetic component of life span that affects aging is control of insulin. If reduced in a specific way, life span is extended. Some animals´ lives have been extended by up to 40%. The aim is to understand the underlying process which controls ageing.
Microlensing
Gravitational microlensing relies on 2 stars lining up. Two observatories, one in Chile and the other in New Zealand monitor 100 million stars each night. The gravity of the closer star acts as a lens and focuses the light of the distant star. This is the first step in discovering planets. A planet around the closer star will produce a defect in the image from the further star. This is the hint that a planet may be present. Astronomers get very excited as distant planets could also be the home to life. Matthew Crawford visits Auckland´s Stardome, which is part of the world-wide search for microlensing events.
Oral disease studied using artificial mouth
The artificial mouth comes complete with saliva. It´s a tissue culture technique with distinct breath smells. It also comes with defined plaques, as occur in each of us. Allowing plaque to grow on teeth can lead to many health problems in addition to tooth decay. Sara Filoche is investigating the range of bacteria found in people´s plaque and how they respond to treatment.
David Attenborough - Ancient and gigantic eggs
David Attenborough describes the giant birds which are thought to have laid the biggest eggs ever known.
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