The cost of cyber crime globally is projected to reach US$2 trillion this year, and a massive shortfall in Australian cyber security workers could leave us vulnerable to attack. Here's how Macquarie University is helping build Australia’s next generation line of defence.

Hypnosis is sometimes dismissed as a stage act or quick fix for those looking to quit smoking, without people realising that as a scientific discipline it can give fascinating insights into the inner workings of the mind and have tangible therapeutic benefits. Dr Vince Polito talks about his most recent research into hypnosis.

Distinguished Professor Michelle Leishman is Head of Macquarie University's Department of Biological Sciences, leader of the Green Cities Project, board member of the Royal Botanic Gardens, and all-around hero of the garden. Discussing the 'Living Labs' and 'Which Plant Where' projects, Professor Leishman leads us through the latest developments in urban greening, and of the risks facing both urban and agricultural planting in the face of climate change.

Did you know that Hobbits exist outside of fiction? Recent discoveries have thrown a spanner in the work of how we once understood the timeline of human evolution.

Professor Richard de Grijs is part of a team of astronomers from Macquarie University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences who have created the first accurate 3D map of the galaxy we call home. He discusses with host Sean Britten how the new map may help us understand more about dark matter and explains how the map was done.

Macquarie astrophysicists explain how an explosion triggered by the collision of neutron stars 130 million years ago was detected for the first time, and why this astonishing event has made global headlines.

We journey to the final frontier with Dr Lee Spitler and discuss life among the stars and ask him to tackle the age-old question: are there extra-terrestrial lifeforms out there?