Wits Radio Academy THE SCIENCE INSIDE

THE SCIENCE INSIDE

The Science Inside is a weekly show that goes inside the science of major news events. We take a news story each week - from a missing plane to the world cup - and dissect the science angles involved. We indulge every scientific discipline, from biology to psychology, and incorporate the insights of scientists, journalists and researchers in order to tell interesting radio stories.

The Science Inside is presented by Bridget Lepere.
Production by Bridget Lepere.
Technical production by Kutlwano Gwinch Serame.

The show airs on Voice of Wits every Monday at 7pm.
Weekly English South Africa Science
72 Episodes
36 – 56

29 Oct THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Hyperloop

Elon Musk recently announced that the Hyperloop transport system will be unveiled in Los Angeles soon and able to travel at up to 250km/h. We find out how it works with Dr Geoffrey Beck from the Physics Department at Wits University and explore how South Africa's transport system could evolve…
29 Oct 2018 52 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Maths Genius

Young maths whizz Sbahle Zwane, has become popular on social media with his incredible skills. We speak to him and his mother as well as Professor Kate Cockcroft from Wits University about the origins of intelligence. In Unscience we find out about fainting goats. Later in the show, Dr Shirley…
23 Oct 2018 50 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Alternative Cars

With increasing petrol prices and the UN calling for more radical restrictions on fossil fuels, we explore alternative vehicles. In our science news, Senegal struggles with containing trachoma and we discover that bees are affected by the solar eclipse. Winstone Jordaan from GridCars explains if electric vehicles are the way…
16 Oct 2018 56 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Dinosaur Fossil Discovery

Find out about the recent discovery of the first dinosaur graveyard in the Eastern Cape with Dr Jonah Choiniere from Wits University and James Rhalane from the community of Qhemerha . In our science news we discuss an unusual HIV organ transplant and a new kind of glasses that block…
9 Oct 2018 55 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Feature Scientist - Vivey Phasha

On our monthly Feature Scientist, we talk to Vivey Phasha, a product development technician at CSIR (The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) on the science behind beauty and cosmetic products. In our science news we discover a polymer coating that can make buildings cooler and the benefits of making…
3 Oct 2018 53 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Artificial Intelligence

A recent development in Artificial Intelligence will make use of human language development. In UnScience we discover a new kind of fish species that melts when brought to the surface. Later on, we talk more on Artificial Intelligence.
25 Sep 2018 1 hr 01 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Haemophilia

In the news this week we chat microdosing LSD and naming satellites. A research breakthrough in the treatment haemophilia offers hope to all those with the rare blood disorder. We talk to the lead author and researcher Prof Johnny Mahlangu from Wits University about the work. In UnScience, find out…
11 Sep 2018 56 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - NASA

Following NASA's new solar probe we speak to Dr. Daniel Cunnama, an outreach astronomer at the South African Astronomical Observatory. In Unscience, we talk about how male birds are less likely to sing to female birds that are ingesting antidepressants. Later in the show we explore how South African monitors…
5 Sep 2018 47 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Medical Practitioners & Negligence

There have been over 20 000 serious adverse events reported in public hospitals in Gauteng over the last two and a half years. Dr. Elize Archer, head of the Clinical Skills Centre at the University of Stellenbosch, unpacks some of the factors that influence negative hospital experiences. In Unscience this…
21 Aug 2018 57 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Shakira Choonara

Our Feature Scientist this month is Dr. Shakira Choonara. She is the obesity prevention coordinator for South Africa at the Global Advocacy Incubator and a young leader, researcher and activist at the forefront of public health. She holds several accolades including being part of the first class of Obama Foundation…
6 Aug 2018 49 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Alzheimer's Nasal Spray

Imagine a nasal spray that is able to help treat Alzheimer's disease. As hard as it is to believe, this new technology has been developed by Professor Stefan Weiss of Biochemistry and Cell Biology at the University of Witwatersrand. Debbie Beech of Alzheimer’s South Africa explains what this will mean…
30 Jul 2018 46 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - World's Oldest Colour

Recently the world's oldest colour was discovered, so we explore how our eyes and brain work together to help us perceive different shades. We speak to Casha Meintjies, an optometrist, and founder of Eyetek Optometrists. In Unscience, a research study finds out what ever happened to those 'cool kids' back…
24 Jul 2018 1 hour

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Meerkat

Following the launch of the MeerKAT radio telescope, SKA SA Chief Scientist Dr Fernando Camilo explains what it means for South Africa and the world. In Unscience we find out about unusual ways to kill a cockroach. Later, the link between African people and the stars is explored with author…
17 Jul 2018 57 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Sports and Nutrition

Tennis star Serena Williams recently opened up about her breastfeeding and eating choices as an elite sportswoman. We explore the interplay between fitness and nutrition with Arista Nienaber, a lecturer at the North-West University Potchefstroom campus. In Unscience, left handed people have been found to process emotions in different brain…
10 Jul 2018 52 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Mental Health

In honour of Mental Health Awareness Month this July we discuss how mental illnesses function within support systems with clinical psychologist Liane Lurie. In Unscience, find out if brain scans should be used in the law. Later, is it science or fiction that there could be tiny worms in your…
3 Jul 2018 55 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Cash in Transit

A recent spike in cash in transit heists has us speaking to Dr. Hendrik Lochner from UNISA and Zero Foundation Africa's Benedict Weaver about the tech behind this. In Unscience, find out whether men are more likely to take risks when crossing the road. Later, we question the science behind…
26 Jun 2018 52 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - African Baobab Tree

The iconic African baobab tree can live up to several thousands of years, but recently there’s been an increase in the trees dying. Stephan Woodborne is the senior accelerator mass spectrometry scientist at iThemba Labs in Johannesburg and explains how they found this out. In Unscience this week, is it…
19 Jun 2018 54 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Fossil Discovery

The recent fossil discovery of two new species of tetrapods in South Africa reveals that the evolution of fish to land animals could have taken place differently than previously thought. We hear from Dr. Robert Gess and Professor Per Ahlberg. In Unscience, hear how sleep paralysis and hallucinations affect student…
12 Jun 2018 47 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE - Allergies

Recently TV and radio personality Relebogile Mabotja went into anaphylactic shock after eating a salad that contained nuts. We take a closer look at allergies with pediatrician and allergologist, Dr. Claudia Gray. In Unscience, find out how a boiled egg can now be unboiled. Our scientist behind the science is…
29 May 2018 51 min

THE SCIENCE INSIDE- Aspen

Following the opening of a large pharmaceutical facility, we go through the long and expensive process of developing a medicine from idea to shelf. Our guests are Dr. Nicola Lister, Chief Scientific Officer at Novartis Southern Africa, Professor Kelly Chibale, Chair in Drug Development and Department of Chemistry at the…
22 May 2018 54 min
36 – 56