Almost everyone around the world knows about the most mysterious of mammals, the platypus. But how did it become what it is today? A new study from Denmark provides new insight into its genome. Also on the show, this is the summer of cicadas. They are everywhere and they are deafening. Why are there so many this year? And last but not least, there are two different ways that makes us see colour.

Listen to Ben, Tim and Cat talking some serious science.

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Sources:

Platypus story:

Mapping the platypus genome: How Earth’s oddest mammal got to be so bizarre

Cicada story:

The cicada’s deafening shriek is the sound of summer, and humans have been drawn to it for thousands of years

Songs of summer: Where can you find the loudest cicadas?

The Great Cicada Blitz (NSW, Australia)

Colour story:

Structural coloration in nature