Climate Adaptation: theory and practice
During October’s GC Skeptics in the Pub, Dr Johanna Nalau talked about her research on climate adaptation and her work with the Climate Change Response Program and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, implementing climate adaptation strategies around the world. Dr Nalau’s research focuses on mitigating and adapting to the increasing environmental consequences of climate change, from heatwaves to flooding, through triage, or prioritising the impacts and necessary fun
Growing Up Neanderthal
During September's GC Skeptics in the Pub, Professor Tanya Smith talked about her archaeological research into using fossilised teeth to understand aspects of ancient development, evolution, and behaviour. From the first Neanderthal remains found in Germany's Neander Valley in 1856 to the recent discovery of fossilised Neanderthal footprints on a Normandy beach, Professor Smith's research paints an increasingly detailed picture of the life and development of Homo neanderthale
The science of immortality: have we gone too far?
During August's GC Skeptics in the Pub, Associate Professor Magnolia Cardona talked about death and dying, and that dying, at some point, is actually OK (believe it or not). This seems at odds with modern medicine and science, where it seems that all discoveries are geared towards keeping us alive. But research tells us that dying is usually a journey - being prepared for the journey is what makes it more bearable. Many of us find discussing death and dying uncomfortable - bu
Antibiotic Resistance: a problem for both the individual and the community
During July's GC Skeptics in the Pub, Dr Mina Bakhit spoke about his PhD and post-doctoral work in antibiotic resistance. While the discovery of antibiotics has been one of the great successes in modern medicine, we are now know that too many antibiotics is really "too much of a good thing"! Over use of antibiotics (that is, using them when they won't really make a difference, such as with viral infections) can quickly result the bacteria in your body becoming resistant to an
Rocks From Space
During May's GC Skeptics in the Pub, Prof Jonti Horner took us on a whirlwind tour of our rocky neighbours in space and discussed the likelihood of them hitting Earth. We learn about the Earths history of impacts, from those that helped wipe out the dinosaurs to more recently and Chelyabinsk in 2013, impacts to our neighbouring planets and moons, and where the rocks that may impact earth in the furture are currently found. While we have many rock neighbours that may pose a po
It’s hot, the kids are striking, it’s time to adapt!
During our April Gold Coast Skeptics in the Pub, we heard from Senior Research Fellow Dr Sarah Boulter talks about adaptation and sustainability in a world increasingly affected by climate change. In her talk Dr Boulter provides a comprehensive summary of the recent 5th IPCC report. One question that often gets asked about climate change is: "But how much is human". Sarah sent us an email after her talk to explain: "Well the science is quite clear with quite a bit of research
The Green Meanies: how irrational and anti-science environmentalists impede their own cause.
During our March GC Skeptics in the Pub, environmental scientist Jonas Larsen presented on his recent publication in the Skeptic Magazine. He discusses some of the most prominent myths in the environmental movement and how they are working against their own cause, from organic food and GMOs, to energy and sustainable farming. As with all things in life, nothing is that simple. At a time when we are all concerned about our impact on the environment and climate, Jonas' talk is
Darwin Day 2019
During Febuary's GC Skeptics in the Pub, we teamed up with Queensland Skeptics and the Brisbane Skeptical Society to host a special event in celebration of Darwin Day. Darwin Day is an internationally celebrated day intended to inspire people throughout the globe to reflect and act on the principles of intellectual bravery, perpetual curiosity, scientific thinking, and hunger for truth as embodied in Charles Darwin. In honor of the event, we were privileged enough to have two
Weight loss maintenance: a look at habits
During January's GC Skeptics in the Pub, Dr Gina Cleo talked about her PhD findings and the relationship between habits and weight loss. We all know that diets don't work, at least in the long term. We have heard over and over how healthy eating needs to be a "life style" not a short term fix. In fact, even habits that have nothing to do with diet can impact on our calorie intake (and what we are concerned with here is excessive and unhealthy calorie intake). We all know that
Understanding Quantum Mechanics in the Shadow of a Single Atom
During November's GC Skeptics in the Pub, Dr Eric Streed from Griffith University tells us about how his team took the first ever photo of a shadow of an atom. While this is amazing in itself (I mean it's a freakin' atom! And we humans not only took a photo of it but also it's shadow!), one may wonder "what's the point?". Well, these kinds of activities have further out understanding of quantum mechanics which have direct applications in computing and increasing computing sec