Science Queeries

17 Jan 2026

Paws for Thought: Are Dogs Happy?

Animals, Science & Medicine, Social Sciences

We spend over $20 billion a year on our dogs in Australia — but are our dogs actually happy, or just very well accessorised?

This week on Science Queeries, Dr Cat is sniffing out the science of dog happiness with interdisciplinary researcher at the University of Melbourne, Dr Mia Cobb. While animal welfare science has focused on preventing negative experiences, she is finally asking the tail-wagging question: are working dogs and pet dogs having positive experiences?

From behaviour and body language to hormones in saliva, Mia explains how researchers are working to create one of the first scientifically validated measures of dog happiness — and why humans are surprisingly bad at judging how our dogs are really feeling.

Originally aired 10th January, 2026.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:50 — 60.2MB)

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5 Mar 2026

Toad-ally Thirsty: Going Out with a Bang

Animals, Biology, Reproduction, Science & Medicine

When frogs face a life-threatening disease, you'd expect them to hunker down and focus on survival. But nature sometimes has ...

24 Feb 2026

Good Moon Rising: The Science of Lunar New Year

Astronomy, History, Science & Medicine, Social Sciences, Society & Culture

Chúc mừng năm mới! 恭喜发财! 새해 복 많이 받으세요! Happy New Year! Lunar New Year is celebrated by millions of people ...

15 Feb 2026

Sea-ing Change in Sydney Harbour

Biology, Environment, Natural Sciences, Science & Medicine, Sustainability

Sydney Harbour is one of the most iconic waterways in the world — but beneath the postcard views lies a ...