Welcome to Particle Word for Word, the podcast that brings science journalism to life. Each episode features a reading of an article from Particle WA, perfect for those passionate about science who prefer listening over reading.Hosted by Morgan Knoxlee, Word for Word delivers each story exactly as it was written. Whether you're a science enthusiast, a curious mind, or someone who loves audio storytelling, this podcast brings compelling science straight to you.Listen, learn, and explore more at particle.scitech.org.au.
In this episode of Particle Word for Word, we dive headfirst into the fascinating, futuristic and sometimes fraught world of de-extinction.What happens when you splice a woolly mammoth gene into a lab mouse? What if extinction wasn’t the end of the story, but just... an intermission? Join us as we explore the sharp, speculative science behind resurrecting long lost species from genetic puzzles to ecological ethics.Based on the article Of Woolly Mice and Mammoths by Jackson Ryan and read by Alyshia Gatani, this episode doesn’t just ask can we bring the mammoth back it asks, should we?A curious, compelling listen for anyone who’s ever wondered where the line is between conservation and creation.For more, visit particle.scitech.org.au.
5/14/25 • 23:06
Written and read by Cody RobinsonIn this episode, Cody Robinson takes us to Garden Island, a restricted naval base off Western Australia’s coast, where one of the state’s northernmost little penguin colonies is quietly fighting for survival. Away from the crowds of Penguin Island, Cody joins marine biologist Dr Belinda Cannell on a survey mission, scrambling over rocks, peering into burrows, and piecing together a story of resilience and risk. Through empty nests, microchipped birds, and surprise new arrivals, we learn how these tiny penguins reveal deeper truths about climate change, coastal development, and the fragile balance of ocean ecosystems.For more science stories, visit particle.scitech.org.au
5/7/25 • 11:47
Written and read by Tom GurnDeep beneath Western Australia's Nullarbor Plain, scientists are uncovering a hidden world of rare cave-dwelling spiders. In this episode, Tom Gurn takes us underground to explore the eerie silence, delicate ecosystems, and the surprising discoveries that come with searching for life in total darkness. These blind, pale arachnids may be tiny, but they raise big questions about conservation, extinction, and what it means to protect species most of us will never see.For more science stories, visit particle.scitech.org.au
4/30/25 • 09:16
Giant wombats. Marsupial lions. Thunderbirds. Australia’s ancient landscapes were once home to massive megafauna creatures as strange as they were enormous. But around 40,000 years ago, they vanished.In this episode, we explore the mystery behind their extinction. Was it climate change? Human hunting? Or something more complex? With new fossil evidence and evolving scientific theories, we dig into the clues that could finally solve one of Australia’s oldest cold cases — and what it might mean for the species at risk today.Written and read by Cat WilliamsFor more science stories like this, visit particle.scitech.org.au.
4/23/25 • 09:47
The achievements of women scientists are non-existent in the Australian high school curriculum.
4/16/25 • 09:48
They don’t move, don’t make noise, and don’t have brains but sea sponges might just help cure cancer. In this episode, we dive into the hidden world of marine sponges and the incredible promise they hold for modern medicine. With research happening right here in Western Australia, scientists are uncovering powerful chemical compounds inside these ancient ocean dwellers, some already used in cancer treatments, others just waiting to be explored.This is a story about discovery, time, and the overlooked power of life beneath the waves.Written by Owen Cumming and read by Michael GattFor more science stories like this, visit particle.scitech.org.au.
4/2/25 • 09:48
The ocean is full of sound, from the haunting calls of whales to the crackling of coral reefs. But now, those natural voices are being drowned out by noise pollution. Ships, sonar, oil rigs, and even tourism are changing the underwater soundscape, making it harder for marine animals to communicate, navigate, and survive.In this episode, we explore how human-made noise is disrupting marine life, what scientists are doing to understand and reduce its impact and why quiet might be the ocean’s most powerful form of healing.Written by Melanie Julien-Martial and read by Alyshia GataniFor more science stories like this, visit particle.scitech.org.au.
3/26/25 • 10:12
For far too long, women have been seen as secondary to men under the patriarchal rule of human society.Yet, humanity’s existence has been a minor blip in the history of the Earth, where females are the dominant sex of many species.The differences between men and women are far greater culturally than biologically.In animals like the noolbenger/honey possum, females are highly promiscuous, forcing males to evolve some impressive anatomical changes.Written and read by Cat Williamshttps://particle.scitech.org.au/earth/promiscuous-girls/
3/19/25 • 12:07
Science journalism, straight to your ears!Welcome to Particle Word for Word, the podcast that brings compelling science stories to life. Hosted by Morgan Knoxlee, each episode features a reading of an article from Particle WA.Whether you're a science enthusiast, a curious mind, or just enjoy great storytelling, tune in and explore the wonders of science with us. Listen, learn, and discover more at particle.scitech.org.au.
3/19/25 • 00:27
