Shirtloads of Science

Why use a balloon to hunt the most elusive suff in the Universe? Dr Sirks takes Dr Karl through the history of Dark Matter and why astronomy is only part of the solution.

DR kARL

Dr Sirks

There is a perception that the worst pesticides were banned years ago. So why are Insects (including bees) in decline? Dr Sanchez-Bayo says a family of water soluble pesticides are to blame. He names them and wants to know why they are still being sprayed in Australia.  Dr Sanchez-Bayo Dr Karl

One of the most popular diets today was studied by professor Varady over 20 years ago. She now teaches in Chicago. Dr Karl finds out why intermittent fasting is so successful. 

Dr Karl

Prof Krista Varady

Cat ladies, Australians and Chickens have all helped to advance our knowledge of Viruses and their link with Cancer. Dr Gregory has investigated the history and written a book about how we got where we are. 

dr Karl

 A/Prof Morgan

X: @DrGMorgan

Threads: @dr.gregory.morgan

Blue Sky Social: @drgregorymorgan.bsky.social

When Aircraft accidents happen we investigate how and why. Dr Sonya Brown tells Dr Karl about the process of improving safety and the importance of learning from incidents.     

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Dr Sonya Brown

The observed Universe is very binary and occasionally poly. Professor James takes Dr Karl inside a collapsing star and suggests how the last ray of starlight will shine.

Dr Karl

Professor James

How should we explain bumps in the observations of Stars? Cosmology is full of intangible forces. Professor Renee James explains "Helium Flash", why it is mostly invisible to us and when density matters.

Dr Karl

twitter@drcrj

Lung Disease is killing more of us each day.  As temperatures rise, why is our air more contaminated ?  Dr King explains how it's happening and what to do about it.

Dr Karl

Dr Bronwyn King

In part 2,  Prof Lewis introduces Dr Karl to Quarks, Leptons and Bosons. It's a messy subatomic zoo and still our Standard Model of everything.Avoid brain pain and listen to part 1 first . 

Dr Karl

Professor Geraint Lewis

The Standard Model for everything ... is full of weird names and strange numbers. In part 1,  Prof Lewis explains to Dr Karl how we got into this mess and why this mess still holds true.

Dr Karl

Professor Geraint Lewis

Vapes are 21st century inventions but the science of smoking and its dangers are well known. Prof. Chapman tells Dr Karl how Vapes are likely to be worse than tobacco, why "Puff Parameters" lead to such conclusions, and how lung cancer became a top killer.

Dr Karl.com simonchapman6.com

On Jan 1st , Australians have new buying restrictions for vapes. Prof Chapman guides Dr Karl through the Science of Nicotine addiction, how to battle Big Tobacco and why access rules must change. Dr Karl.com simonchapman6.com

There are many sleep myths.  Dr Karl clears up some with sleep researcher Professor Banks. So are there links between bad sleep and inflammatory disease?

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Creatures surround us . All we have to do is look. Professor Dieter Hochuli shows us a living world right on our doorstep.

https://www.urbanfieldnaturalist.org/book

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@dieterhochuli

Medicinal use of cannabis is a big deal. How many cannabinoid chemicals are there? How receptive is the human body? Can you drive a car after CB pain relief? The answers vary. Dr Karl and Dr Bahceci have the Australian science. Always check with your local authorities on the law. @DilaraB_PhD

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Someone you know is being treated for Arthritis. Fifteen per cent of Australians suffer pain daily and there are few safe drugs. This has led to shelf loads of "supplements" and "alternatives".  Does any of it work? Professor Collins compiles the best research to date. Most do nothing (so don't waste your health, time or money). nomoneynotime.com.au

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What is the best way to protect your skin? Dr Karl seeks ground truths from an industrial chemist. Is it all in the science of drying paint ?

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Epigenetic jellies did not help. Feral bees made it worse.  When a species-jumping parasite landed in Australia, our biosecurity controls ultimately failed. Bee geneticist Dr Remnant explains to Dr Karl how we lost round one against Varroa and the battles now being planned.

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Dr. Remnant

Human prosperity has risen on the wings of bees - until recently. A species-jumping parasite has landed in Australia. Bee geneticist Dr Remnant explains  to Dr Karl how and why this is so risky.

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Dr. Remnant

Space hardware needs to be reliable, affordable and repairable.  Recycling rockets and reprogramming helicopters are all part of a day's work for support staff.

 Adrian Brown

Dr karl

Salts prove Mars once had water. The rings tell us more about how and when this happened. Also the story of the lost chopper and how they found it. Dr Karl with first-hand accounts from Percy's driver. 

Adrian Brown

Dr Karl

Dr Karl gets a detailed briefing on a giant starry bubble just announced. Professor Lewis includes CMB, BAOs and traces of Dark Matter in his explanation.

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Geraint F Lewis

There are F Bombs in the Oppenheimer movie but no mention of G Bombs. Dr Karl probes Prof Lewis for the original source of atomic energy . The answer is surprising. 

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Geraint F Lewis

Dr Karl meets Assistant Professor Lisa Piccirillo who unravelled an age-old knotty problem with four dimensional topology.  Professor Piccirillo will deliver the Simon Marais Memorial Lecture at The University of Sydney on 7 November, register here.

Dr Karl

Professor Lisa Piccirillo

How far can we "see" through Space-Time? Professor Lewis takes Dr Karl to a place where everything is in slo-mo (relatively). The discussion naturally concludes with Time Machines.

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Geraint F Lewis

How do Cosmologists measure Space-Time? Professor Lewis explains Einstein's clocks and the new cosmic ticks. 

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Geraint F Lewis

What governs the resources, risks and rewards on the Moon, Mars and beyond?  Dr Karl gets a booster shot of Space law with specialist lecturer Duncan Blake.  

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Duncan Blake

What are the rules for human behaviour in Space ?  Dr Karl gets an introduction to Space Law history with specialist lecturer Duncan Blake.  

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Duncan Blake

Stars & Cows with astrophysicist Prof Peter Tuthill & Wildlife Conservation Biologist Tiahni Adamson (356)

The story of how a local oncologist took a pledge against Big Tobacco to the United Nations and had it passed. Dr Karl talks with Dr Bronwyn King about her crusade against the merchants of preventable disease through tobacco-free portfolios.

drkarl.com

tobaccofreeportfolios.org

Meet tyre nerd and chemist Dr Linda Mitchell. She works in stewardship - trying to improve our recycling of rubber.  How many old Australian tyres are exported and burned each year? Way too many and Dr Mitchell knows how we can do better.

DrKarl.com TSA Lindylulu77

Professor Davis and Dr Karl delve into the universal tensions and cosmic ripples.  Are there frozen clumps at regular intervals leading back to the Big Bang?

drkarl.com

@tamarastro

Dr Karl meets two Green Chemists. For 30 years they have been encouraging sustainable and cleaner chemical processes. 

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Dr Paul Anastas

John Warner

Auroras, fireballs and space junk. They are all visible.   Prof Lisa and Dr Karl discuss how and where you might spot them. Also, how you can get your name into space.

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lisaharveysmith.com

Will 2023 be the year that we both see and feel more gravity waves? Dr Karl probes Prof Lewis about what is so exciting linking LIGO with Pulsars.

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Geraint F Lewis

Meet a scientist working to build and test a fusion power plant. Fusion Professor Howard Wilson has intimate knowledge of plasma - the stuff inside stars - and what is needed to safely contain it on earth.  Prof. Wilson

PhD student Kirsten Banks takes Dr Karl on a deep journey towards a new candle standard. Stellar seismology and the search for exoplanets may make galactic maps more accurate. @Astrokirsten

Gene therapies are being approved for a growing number of conditions. Professor Alexander talks to Dr Karl about how they work and the decades of testing to make them safe.

Prof. Ian Alexander

Dr. Karl

Nature needs our help to beat global warming. Dr Karl consults Prof D'Alessandro about her team's work to pull carbon out of the air using solar power. Professor D'Alessandro

Dr Karl

Around 20 years ago a worldwide hormone scare took hold. Was it a media beat-up?  Dr Natasha Vavrek takes Dr Karl through the experiment that caused it and numbers that were misreported. Today HRT is called MHT and is safe again.

thebubbletasmania

DrKarl

Australia has implemented laws to permit the use of some psychedelic drugs in strictly controlled circumstances. Psychedelics researcher Dr Paul Liknaitsky and acclaimed author Heather Rose discuss the possibilities and complexities. #shirtloadsofscience

Heather Rose

Dr Paul Liknaitzky

Astrophysicist, author, and speaker Neil deGrasse Tyson joins Dr Karl to talk about science communication. Today needs global action based on solid science like never before - so how to frame it ?  

July 23 NZ-Au-Sg Tour dates

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Healthy eating begins in the mouth.  How much should you chew food?   What sized bites are best? Can Dental Health affect your gut?  Dr Karl masticates these topics with Dietetics Professor Collins.

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Wind-powered turbines are powerful machines. So why only three blades? Dr Rosemary gives Dr Karl an introduction to the engineering and physics of getting electricity from air currents.

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How can we measure space? Dr Karl consults a Radio Astronomer on units. Please note: Star Wars and Hans Solo references included.

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Could a black hole photobomb a star? Dr Laura Driessen explains.

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Too hot for synthesis ? Too cool to stick ? The early universe is a bog for electrons . Dr Karl gets the latest on Dwarfs vs Dwarves with Prof Lewis.

Electricity is how Australians get to 43% net zero by 2030. Transport must be part of that plan. Dr Sturmberg has been testing strategies to put electric cars on the grid, in the home and out in paddocks.

Recorded in Dec 2022 information was correct then. bjornsturmberg.com

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Matter and Energy continue to raise shadowy questions in physics. Dr Karl tests some recent dark theories with Professor Lewis.

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geraintflewis.com

Why do popular weight loss programs fail just when you feel they should work ? Dr Nick applies science to a healthy body and has good news. 

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interval weight loss

In dating shows there is always the promise of a perfect match. Can this idea be found in Astrophysics ? Dr Karl checks with Professor Lewis.  

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geraintflewis.com

What are quantum computers? Dr Jessica explains the world of quantum and what to expect in the decades to come.

What are the biggest black holes called? Supermassive. Dr Jessica Bloom talks about these cosmic monsters and the amazing technology used to photograph them.

ChatGPT launched for free in 2022. Like Google it devoured vast data but regurgitated it in human-like responses. Is it truly a marvel? Dr Karl and Prof Toby Walsh put ChatGPT to the test.

Future archaeology may see our time now as an "Age of Plastic". Already sedimentary rings are forming. Dr Karl discusses solutions with Bioplastics and Dr Yi Shen. 

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The James Webb Space Telescope has expanded our Universal view. Where is it changing? Dr Karl gets an update from Professor Geraint.

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geraintflewis.com

Bird Brains are different. Professor Irene Pepperberg has been probing their psychology for decades. She is the author of the NY Times bestseller 'Alex and Me', the story of her 30-year experiment with a grey parrot. 

Alex the parrot

China has a Lunar landing program. It is as ambitious as NASA was in 1969. Dr Karl probes Space journalist Bradley Perrett on how soon we might see Chinese craft on the moon.

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NASA vs Space X vs Virgin vs China vs Russia. Today's Space Race is multi-dimensional and growing. Australia is about to start its own program. Dr Karl talks with space journalist Bradley Perrett about the road ahead.

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"Alternative facts" ? Claire Klingenberg is an expert at debunking such things. In Europe she engages, listens and changes hardened conspiracy and "woo" theorists. She is the Chair of the European Council of Skeptical Organisations and shares her wisdom with Dr Karl.

@ClaireAccendit

Drkarl.com

AI is hardware-based. It runs on electrons.  Synthetic biology is where Biotech meets IT. It will revolutionise manufacturing & automation. Is a simultaneous Green & IT revolution on its way? Professor Claudia Vickers tells us more.

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Is fair pay for workers a modern idea? How about sustainable agriculture ? A Sydney museum has artifacts to show these are ancient concepts from far away. Should they be sent home? Dr Karl discusses the merits of archaeological repatriation with Dr. Barker.

sydney.edu.au/museum drkarl.com 

Prof Geraint Lewis takes you back to the birth of our stars. He uses Optic fibres, Robotic observations, Grisms, Hermes and Galah. It all happens at the AAT using 2DF. All these terms are explained wonderfully. This is the art of looking at what's not there. (Warning this podcast may contain Backronyms). 

Kirsten Banks recently graduated from Sydney University. She has a deep passion for space and astronomy and writes on her twitter page "I won't be the next Brian Cox, I will be the first Kirsten Banks proud wirajuri woman ". Discover an entirely different view of the heavens from an Indigenous Australian. @astrokirsten

Research is showing that "Happy" meals are real. Not only do you feel better at the dinner table, those  feelings are long lasting. Also you can amplify the good effects by how you dine. Spoiler Alert - fast food is not the answer. http://healthyeatingquiz.com.au/

Covid19 is revealing stark truths. The preservation of human life is both economic and cultural. Is there a better path ? Dr Karl discusses the value of a human life with Australian economist Dr. Richard Denniss. Both sides of the balance sheet have merit.  

Summers Link

Eating ethically may become compulsory. If climate change escalates as estimated, carbon-intensive animals and crops may need to be rationed. Food scientist, Professor David Julian McClements, is optimistic that solutions may be at hand. Could we engineer less carbonised food and design a healthier diet ? Dr Karl samples the future of food.

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On the surface of Mars, the NASA Perseverance Rover is bottling rocks to be returned to Earth. How will they get back? Why are the samples so valuable? Dr Brown, Australian Scientist with the mission, has the latest news in the second part of his discussion with Dr Karl.

@DrAdrianJBrown1

drkarl.com 

While planet earth was in Covid lockdown, a NASA spacecraft left for Mars. Perseverance ("Percy" to its friends)  is on a mission to unlock planetary secrets. Dr Adrian Brown gives Dr Karl the latest news from the Martian surface. @DrAdrianJBrown1 drkarl.com

The world's largest coral reef is in trouble. Chief Scientist for Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Dr Wachenfeld, talks with Dr Karl about what he is seeing. Twenty five years ago waves of hot water were first measured. They continue with intensity. Will the COP Accords be enough to save our reefs?  

gbrmpa.gov.au\

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Particle physics makes discoveries each day. Professor Carena gives Dr Karl the latest on the relationship between dark matter and neutrinos. 

Professor Marcela Carena

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Particle physics is amazing science. Professor Carena works on the edge and gives Dr Karl an insight into why bosons matter.

Professor Marcela Carena

DrKarl.com

The last thing you expect to see at an oncology ward is a cash machine. Professor Robert Tindle discusses the unequal and sometimes unfair cost of treating cancer. Is your cancer common? Did a drug company successfully navigate the health system?  In Australia the difference can be  enormous. Robert's  book is "Your Cash or your Cancer."roberttindlescience.com

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Professor Peter Tuthill and Dr Karl live on stage at Sydney Ideas. They peel back how and why the James Webb Space Telescope (our Infrared Eye in the sky) has keys for survival. Earth is already out of balance with an extra 600,000 Hiroshima atom-bombs of heat every day. The good news? Climate change is measurable and can be stopped.  Audio Podcast edited for listening pleasure.

Sydney Ideas event and video:

https://www.sydney.edu.au/engage/events-sponsorships/sydney-ideas/2022/peter-tuthill-karl-kruszelnicki-invisible-infared.html

drkarl.com

If Antimatter exists, why isn't there anti-food ? Stuff you can eat to lose weight.  Dr Fuller has discovered interesting results from 2020 research based on thermogenisis. This is not a diet. It won't take weight off but it could cut weight gain by 250%. 

drkarl.com

interval weight loss

Twentieth-century futurists spoke warmly of a tech convergence where digital lives would become seamless. Now that data is omnipresent and society more connected than ever, how are we going?  Dr Karl gets a spot check from "Converge" author Associate Professor Catherine Ball and there's some good news.

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Are there more questions than answers ? Dr Karl probes Prof. Lewis on 5 numbers from a Science magazine.  How much (or little) do we know?

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geraintflewis.com

Taylah Griffin shares her inspiring career pathway from her early passion for STEM to being the first Indigenous person in Australia to graduate with an Honours degree in Electrical and Aerospace Engineering. She now works for Boeing Defence Australia and is on a fast career trajectory. #shirtloadsofscience #indigenousSTEM

Psychedelic drugs in the 50s & 60s offered hope for relief from some mental illnesses. Lawful access to these chemicals was shut off in 1971 by US President Nixon. Fifty years later the science is mounting for their therapeutic use. Dr. Bahceci works in this area and explains to Dr Karl the latest research. This podcast discusses mental health and suicide. Some may find this confronting or distressing. If this material raises concerns for you, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636

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Could 2023 be the year we stopped the Covid ? Dr Karl meets a Sydney virologist working on this mission. Dr Megan Steain gives a viral history of the past three years and an outline of her project to develop better vaccines.  

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@m_steain

Space exploration needs good communication.  Dr. Karl grills NASA veteran Dr. Younes.

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Their guts are called Nuclear Pasta. You need X-Ray space telescopes to capture their burps. Observations take kiloseconds. What kind of stellar monsters are inhabiting our galaxy? Dr Adele Goodwin gives Dr Karl an insight.

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Monopoles and Inflation are Cosmic.  Professor Lewis shows Dr. Karl their theoretical universal origins. 

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geraintflewis.com

There are more than a new set of lenses on the JWST. It has better eyes, a giant sun shield and a new brain. Professor Lewis helps Dr Karl interpret the astounding images coming from our Lagrange point.

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geraintflewis.com

 Antisocial behaviour is increasing. Why ? Professor Arvanitakis dissects the problem and gives Dr Karl some practical solutions.

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Prof Arvanitakis

Near the South pole is a buried time machine. It can take us back to our Ice Ages . Dr Jong explains what it is and why science in Antarctica is crucial in understanding Climate Change.  

So many earthly problems can be addressed- at least theoretically - with Hydrogen. Most involve switching from carbon but many engineering issues arise. We have never done this at scale.  Is Hydrogen the answer?  Dr Karl discusses a H2 Future with Dr Fiona Simon from the Australia's Hydrogen Council.

drkarl.com

h2council.com.au

The good news for intermittent fasters is that cutting calories reduces your weight. The bad news? Shorter eating windows may have no effect on your long-term health. intervalweightloss.com.au

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a universal health tool. Dr Karl and Dr Nick delve into its past and why it still is an indicator of good health despite many shortcomings.  intervalweightloss.com.au

Forensic science explores physical evidence at a crime scene. So what does forensic psychology add? Can behavioural patterns be left at crime scenes? Associate Professor Paterson explains this new field to Dr Karl.  drkarl.com

All our computers are obsolete - theoretically. On the horizon are superfast devices operating close to the speed of light at the extremity of the limits of physics. This is the world of Professor David Reilly. Dr Karl gets a glimpse of the Quantum PC.

drkarl.com 

What keeps gamblers in the game?  How many wins? Not as many as you think. Sociologist Dr Tobias-Webb explains to Dr Karl why some imagine they are on a winning streak when they are not - and the technology exploiting these beliefs.  A journey through the risk and reward structures of the human mind.

Drkarl.com

Jupiter is a huge planet. It is more than twice as massive as all the others combined. So what stops it from catching fire and becoming a star ? Professor Lewis describes the physics of gassy giants.

Babylonian clay tablets are not always as they seem. What looked like a Pythagorean spreadsheet turned out to be much more. An Australian mathematician has applied his rural experience and research skills to reveal links to social changes 4,000 years ago . Dr Karl and Dr Mansfield discuss why and how this is. NB - Base 60 will be mentioned.  drkarl.com

Dietetics Professor Collins has found four ingredients to improve our health. They are inexpensive, easy to prepare and natural. She has even road tested recipes to try.  htttps:\\drkarl.com https://nomoneynotime.com.au/

Virologists now agree on the area where the COVID-19 epidemic began in Wuhan, China. Dr Karl asks Professor Holmes how they arrived at this conclusion and the photos he took of the site before the outbreak began.

https\\:drkarl.com

Observe, Ask, Explain, Predict , Test. These are the steps scientists use to improve our knowledge. Dr. Suzie Sheehy is a particle physicist. She talks with Dr Karl about twelve significant experiments that changed the modern world.

https://drkarl.com https://suziesheehy.com   

Earth-like planets are rare but the hunt for more is on. Professor Glazebrook is Principal Investigator for the James Webb telescope and introduces Dr Karl to the world of infra-red observation.

https:\\drkarl.com

Dr Karl talks with an Aussie who works full time on the surface of Mars. Meet Dr Adrian and his RC explorer "Percy". They are looking for water on the red planet and pushing the boundaries of science . 

http:\\drkarl.com

@DrAdrianJBrown1