Science Queeries

Digging up Dirt on Soil Ecotoxicology

Soil is often overlooked – we walk on it, we grow food in it, but we rarely think about what’s actually in it. Yet soil is one of the most important ecosystems on Earth. And it’s under siege. From traditional pollutants like heavy metals and petroleum compounds to emerging threats like PFAS and microplastics, our soils are becoming increasingly contaminated. But how do we know how bad it is? How do we assess the risk to human health? Enter tardigrades – nearly indestructible microscopic creatures that can survive extreme temperatures, radiation, and even space. These tiny titans are helping scientists understand soil health and contamination in ways we never could before. This week, we’re digging deep into soil ecotoxicology with Erin Koster from The University of Melbourne. We’ll learn how contaminants affect soil organisms and ecosystems, and how they move through the food chain into plants, animals, and ultimately into us. Because healthy soil isn’t just about plants – it’s about all of us. And when we understand what’s beneath the surface, we can make better choices for our future. Originally aired 12th May, 2026. The post Digging up Dirt on Soil Ecotoxicology [https://joy.org.au/sciencequeeries/2026/05/21/digging-up-dirt-on-soil-ecotoxicology/] appeared first on Science Queeries [https://joy.org.au/sciencequeeries].

Mould Matters & Future Fungicides

Fungi aren’t all bad. They’ve given us penicillin – one of the most important medicines ever discovered. But they can also rot our crops, threaten food security, and spread resistance to our best fungicides. Climate change is introducing fungal diseases where they previously didn’t exist. And as farmers use more fungicides to combat these threats, fungi develop resistance – creating a vicious cycle of increasing pesticide use, environmental pollution, and diminishing effectiveness. Dr Donovan Garcia-Ceron is on the case. He works at Victorian Strawberry Industry Certification Authority Research to ensure that we can all have good strawberry fields forever. He discusses why traditional fungicides are losing effectiveness, and how RNA-based fungicides can “silence” fungal infections – essentially telling fungi to turn off the genes they need to cause infection. Next generation fungicides could revolutionise sustainable agriculture. Originally aired 5th May, 2026. The post Mould Matters & Future Fungicides [https://joy.org.au/sciencequeeries/2026/05/17/mould-matters-future-fungicides/] appeared first on Science Queeries [https://joy.org.au/sciencequeeries].

B Positive: Immune Cell-ebrating Immunity

Every day, we encounter tens of thousands of microbes. Our antibodies are our anti-buddies, protecting us from infection. The Day of Immunology is the perfect day to immune cell-ebrate this biology that keeps us alive. We also celebrate a literally life-saving change to blood donation eligibility rules. Gay and bisexual men, trans people, and other previously excluded communities can now donate blood. This week, we’re exploring blood types, blood donation, and the incredible B cells that make antibodies. We’ll talk about why you can’t receive just any blood type, and how vaccines train your B cells to protect you. B cell immunologist Dr Liam Kealy from Monash University is here to help us understand the microscopic heroes that circulate through our bodies, protecting us every single day. So let’s circulate some knowledge about immunity! Originally aired 28th April, 2026. The post B Positive: Immune Cell-ebrating Immunity [https://joy.org.au/sciencequeeries/2026/05/01/b-positive-immune-cell-ebrating-immunity/] appeared first on Science Queeries [https://joy.org.au/sciencequeeries].

Clits, Tits and Science Bits

What do clitoral erections, lesbian co‑lactation and bimbo branding have in common? Dr Naomi Koh Belic. Bedazzled with hot‑pink and glam, Dr Naomi Koh Belic is rewriting what science education looks like. In this episode, the biracial, bisexual, bimbo biologist [https://www.naomikohbelic.com/] joins Dr Cat to unpack the inspiration behind her Bimbo Biology series. Along the way, Dr Naomi explains why visibility matters and how she balances playfulness with scientific rigour. We get into the history of clitoral science (including the fact that we used cows to understand the clitoris – totally the same as humans…right?), and the biology behind lactation without pregnancy for families of all types. Ever felt like your body was too queer or too complicated for the textbook? This is your reminder that every “weird” part of our bodies is a feature worth loving and putting in the spotlight. Originally aired 21st April, 2026. The post Clits, Tits and Science Bits [https://joy.org.au/sciencequeeries/2026/04/23/clits-tits-and-science-bits/] appeared first on Science Queeries [https://joy.org.au/sciencequeeries].

Sperm-ission Impossible: Male Contraceptives

For so long, contraception has been a woman’s burden. The pill. The IUD. The implant. The patch. While condoms and vasectomies exist for people who produce sperm, the responsibility for preventing pregnancy has overwhelmingly fallen on those with ovaries. But what if that changed? Luke Baz at The University of Melbourne is working on a non-hormonal contraceptive that targets sperm. He is trying to block the specific proteins – molecular “on switches” – that sperm need to fertilise an egg. It’s about precision. It’s about reversibility. And it’s about finally shifting the load. This week, we’re swimming in the science of sperm, the biology of fertilisation, and the cutting-edge research that could revolutionise reproductive autonomy. The future of birth control could be more equitable than ever before. And it starts with understanding sperm. Originally aired 14th April, 2026. The post Sperm-ission Impossible: Male Contraceptives [https://joy.org.au/sciencequeeries/2026/04/20/sperm-ission-impossible-male-contraceptives/] appeared first on Science Queeries [https://joy.org.au/sciencequeeries].