The Science Show - Separate stories podcast

The Lemuroid ringtail possum (Hemibelideus lemuroides) is a species endemic to Far North Queensland and only found in old-growth rainforest. It is a high-elevation specialist that appears to be highly vulnerable to heatwaves, forest loss and disturbance. Just like polar bears, they are highly sensitive to extreme temperature change. The white possum was once abundant in cool rainforests on Mount Lewis in northern Queensland, but its population collapsed abruptly following a severe heatwave in 2005. Today, just a handful of individuals are left, another possible victim of our new extreme climate, according to Bill Laurance at James Cook University in Cairns.

Sujit Datta, head of Caltech's "Squishy Lab", describes how bacteria behave in fluid such as mucous and lead to infection.

Scientists will sometimes strike palaeontological gold and discover 'fossil graveyards', sites containing thousands or millions of animal bodies, which have fossilised allowing study today. Belinda Smith speaks to palaeontologists working at two very different types of fossil graveyard — one in Australia, the other in Canada — to find out what accumulated fossilised remains reveal about life on Earth before humans impacted the ecology and when climate was very different.

Gadgets, light from screens and other artificial light can interfere with our sleep. Despite this, technology, if used properly, can help rather than be a hindrance to those who struggle with sleep. In The Future of Sleep, futurist Catherine Ball examines the role technology can play in achieving restful sleep.

Dame Bridget Ogilvie, one of the world’s greatest leaders in research, died in April. A memorial was held to celebrate her achievements and among those paying tribute was former Prime Minister Julia Gillard.