Science down under
Unexpected Elements
BBC
4.4 • 565 Ratings
🗓️ 16 January 2026
⏱️ 50 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
This week the Unexpected Elements team has travelled Down Under to sunny Sydney where we discover some wonderfully Australian science with the help of some wonderfully Australian panellists.
First, we discuss the surprising American origins of Australia’s iconic marsupials and Marnie gets up close and personal with Pez the Tasmanian Devil.
We also talk to Andy Flies from the University of Tasmania who is working on a vaccine to combat a deadly contagious cancer spreading through Australia’s Devil population.
Next, we’re joined by Susan Sawyer from the University of Melbourne as we delve into the debate surrounding Australia’s social media ban for under 16-year-olds. Are the kids alright? Plus, we find out about the tree that seems to be adding fuel to the country’s recent wildfires.
All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements.
Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Katie Silver and Jonathan Webb Producers: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins, with Ella Hubber, Sophie Ormiston and Lucy Davies
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, Podcasts. |
| 0:07.0 | In 2019, we began investigating the disappearance of Dr. Ruzha Ignatva. |
| 0:14.0 | I believe we are a very special network. |
| 0:16.0 | A scammer who stole billions from investors around the world. |
| 0:21.4 | She's on the FBI's 10 most wanted list. |
| 0:24.5 | And now we have some unmissable updates. |
| 0:27.8 | She has money and when you have money, you have power. |
| 0:30.6 | Join me, Jamie Bartlett, as the hunt for the missing crypto queen continues. |
| 0:35.5 | Listen first on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:40.4 | So this weekend I spent a glorious day hunting in the Tasmanian Mountains. My prey was stationary and at least 60 metres tall. So you'd think there wouldn't be much of a challenge, but it turns out that sometimes |
| 0:55.8 | the best place to hide a giant eucalyptus regnans, the world's largest flowering plant, is in a |
| 1:03.1 | forest full of other trees. There's something intoxicating about making contact with another living |
| 1:09.4 | being that predates the industrial revolution, |
| 1:12.6 | and my target was powerless to resist as I went in for a hug. |
| 1:16.9 | But I wasn't the only one doing some successful hunting that day. |
| 1:20.9 | I was also the quarry, the victim, for some other successful hunters, |
| 1:25.7 | two leeches and four ticks all decided that I was a delicious meal. |
| 1:30.8 | I'm Marnie Chesterton and from the BBC World Service, this is Unexpected Elements. Regular listeners will know unexpected elements |
| 1:51.2 | as the show that looks for the science inspired by a news headline. |
| 1:55.5 | And as ever, I'm joined by some tip-top science broadcasters to discuss our findings, |
| 2:01.1 | often representing three different continents. |
| 2:03.5 | But today, all in person in a studio with me, which is a rare treat. |
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