Toad-ally Thirsty: Going Out with a Bang

Toad-ally Thirsty: Going Out with a Bang

Author: JOY 94.9 - Rainbow Community Podcasts for our LGBTI, LGBTIQA+, LGBTQIA+, LGBT, LGBTQ, LGB, Gay, Lesbian, Trans, Intersex, Queer Communities March 4, 2026 Duration: 41:44

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

A deadly disease caused by a chytrid fungus has decimated 500+ amphibian species. Over 90 are already extinct because of it. The green and golden bell frog has an interesting response to it…

Conservation biologist Venice Chan studies frog reproductive biology in response to chytrid fungus at the University of Melbourne. We’re chatting about the fact that infected frogs literally go all in on reproduction, putting all their eggs (or rather, sperm) in one basket. Male green and golden bell frogs exposed to chytrid fungus produce more sperm volume and more sperm cells. It’s nature’s way of saying: if you’re going down, you’re going down hard.

This episode is toad-ally ribbiting!

Originally aired 24th February, 2026.

The post Toad-ally Thirsty: Going Out with a Bang appeared first on Science Queeries.


Curiosity meets community in Science Queeries, a space where the wonders of the natural world and the vibrant spectrum of human identity intersect. Hosted by Cat, this podcast from JOY 94.9’s Rainbow Community collection approaches learning with a warm, questioning spirit. It’s less a formal lecture and more a series of engaging conversations that unpack scientific concepts through an inclusive, queer lens. You’ll hear explorations that connect the dots between biology, sociology, technology, and lived experience, making complex ideas both accessible and personally relevant. Each episode invites you to consider how science shapes and is shaped by the diverse LGBTIQA+ communities it seeks to understand. The tone is thoughtful and welcoming, designed for anyone who’s ever felt on the outside looking in at traditional science communication. Whether discussing the latest research or the fundamentals of how things work, this podcast consistently centers a perspective that is often overlooked. It’s a place for learning, questioning, and finding connection in the shared pursuit of knowledge. Tune in for a refreshing take that proves science is for everyone, and that some of the most insightful discoveries begin with a simple, open-minded query.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 55

Science Queeries
Podcast Episodes
A cell of a day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Dr Cat cell-abrates the World Day of Immunology with Dr Keit Loi, Lecturer in immunology at The University of Melbourne. Together, they’ll infect you with an appreciation of the randomness and chaotic yet impressive coor…
The fluoride of your life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Dr Cat chats to Dr Jamie Robertson AM about the tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth. Dr Jamie is filling us in on the root causes of dental inequality – and reminding us that oral health isn’t just about a…
Water’ll we do? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Dr Cat and Amber Craig splashy deep dive into water — where it goes, who gets it, and what happens when there’s way too much… or not nearly enough. From drenched cities to parched paddocks, they wade through the ripple e…
I lichen like that! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
It’s an episode lichen you’ve never heard before! Dr Cat and science educator Finn McHenry literally queer-ied lichens – those curious little lifeforms that are part fungus, part algae, and 100% symbiotic slay. They ask…