Plants are fully sick right now - and not just because indoor plants are in fashion.
They have an immune system, they get infections, and can catch viruses... they just can't move away from their sick neighbours.
While we depend on white blood cells to fight off and remember pathogens, plants rely on inherited knowledge of past threats in their DNA, plus ... Show More
Jul 10
Duck, marry, avoid, friendzone
Live from the World Science Festival Brisbane What the Duck?! is playing a game and you get to decide: duck, marry, avoid, or friendzone.You'll hear about the natural world's romance, reproduction, and relationshipsOnce you've listened you can email whattheduck@abc.net.au to vote ... Show More
25m 46s
Jul 3
What's with the electric eel's shocking attitude?
It seems absolutely bonkers that an animal can muster ELECTRICITY, especially enough to send out a zap like a taser.But that's exactly what electric eels can do, and the world record holder more than doubles the voltage of the Australian electricity supply.More than that, electri ... Show More
25m 45s
Oct 2021
Do plants have immune systems?
<p>In the past 18 months we have heard lots about the human immune system, as we all learn about how our bodies fight off Covid-19 and how the vaccine helps protect us. But this got listener John, in Alberta, Canada, thinking about how trees and plants respond to diseases and thr ... Show More
32m 9s
Sep 2021
The Secret World of Plants
Plants aren’t just sitting around looking cute; they’re doing all sorts of stuff, like defending themselves, and even warning other plants about danger. Today, we’re talking all about the weird and wily world of plants with Professor Beronda Montgomery from Michigan State Univers ... Show More
11m 3s
Mar 2023
Do climbing plants know where they’re going?
<p>CrowdScience listener Eric, in New Zealand, has noticed his wisteria growing towards a neighbouring tree. He thinks that it actually knows where it’s going. But how can a plant have a sense of direction?</p><p>Plants don’t have the advantage of brains or eyes, but that doesn’t ... Show More
29 m
Aug 2024
The not-so-secret life of plants
From the perspective of Western science, plants have long been considered unaware, passive life forms; essentially, rocks that happen to grow. But there’s something in the air in the world of plant science. New research suggests that plants are aware of the world around them to a ... Show More
39m 4s