Rach and Simon are on the hunt for human upgrades again. This week: origami robots, the menopause, why old people exist, the CAPTCHA test, magnetic kids, fish with human teeth and the gob faced squid.If you enjoyed this episode you can now become a patron of the show via Patreon, at www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman, support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more i...
Nov 22, 2017•21 min
Stuart Goldsmith improves human with Simon Watt in this special episode recorded in association with the Society for Endocrinology at Latitude Festival. Our experts are materials scientist Anna Ploszajski and Neuroscientist Dr. Giles Yeo.The panel discuss why camels put all their fat in their backs, whether fecal transplants are better as 'transpoosions' or 'crapsules', and whether human knees are still fit for purpose.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo ...
Nov 15, 2017•36 min
Simon and Rachel rifle through the week's science news in search for human upgrades. This week, reproductive isolation, robobees and why aliens might already have landed.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com. Su...
Nov 08, 2017•26 min
Samantha Baines is looking for upgrades which can utilise social media in this episode, recorded at the Wellcome Genome Campus. Joining Simon this week are computational geneticist Dr. Carl Anderson, and postdoctoral research fellow Dr. Shanade Dunn to suggest upgrades for humans from their areas of research. Plus we have audience suggestions and an intriguing idea inspired by a camel.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music...
Nov 01, 2017•48 min
Simon and a somewhat fragile Rach leaf through the latest science news in search for advances for the human race. This week: a company that promises to offer a head freezing service within a decade, honey making wasps, why Quakers make the best chocolate and the pitfalls of receiving a phone call directly into your brain.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Wee...
Oct 25, 2017•22 min
Ben van der Velde joins Simon to judge suggestions by sleep expert Russell Foster and researcher Catherine Green.The panel discuss sleep, why you should clean your teeth in the dark and whether humans have a squirrelly ancestor.Listen right to the end for a message from our friends at the Worst Foot Forward podcast!If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, w...
Oct 18, 2017•1 hr
LUH producer, Rachel Wheeley, joins Simon for a brand new 'extra' show to sort through some topical science news. On the pile this week:- Scientists at Sun Yat-sen University in China have used base editing for the first time in human embryos to change a single letter in a faulty gene.- Why a barn owls' hearing is awesome, and why it doesn't deteriorate with age.- How we could one day be represented in court by a computer.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.p...
Oct 11, 2017•35 min
Paul Sinha joins Simon to judge Royal Society fellows Liz Tunbridge, Robert Pal and the studio audience at the Science Museum in London.The panel discuss why horse tranquilisers might be useful in the treatment of depression, why researchers are stockpiling legal highs and Paul is concerned that many upgrades will make it easier for people to cheat in quizzes.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed...
Oct 04, 2017•41 min
Sam Baines joins Simon to sort the genetic wheat from the chaff in this episode recorded live at the Wellcome Genome Campus during Cambridge Science Festival. Postdoctoral fellow Anne Neville and Andy Yates, head of the Genomic Technology Infrastructure team, pitch suggestions for human improvement along with the studio audience and an emerald sea slug.The panel discuss elephant fit bits, an egalitarian society and why we should learn to love the microbes that live in and on us.If you enjoyed th...
Sep 20, 2017•37 min
Neil Delamere judges suggestions for future humans by Lara Dungan and David McKeown with Simon Watt attempting to keep some kind of order.The panel discuss memory foam people, somebody offers Neil a hug and we find out why owls might not be as wise as people think.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Well...
Sep 06, 2017•52 min
Zoe Lyons joins Simon to find an upgrade for Human 2.0 from England rugby cap Dame Maggie Alphonsi, Dean Burnett and the studio audience at Winchester Science Festival.The panel discuss motivation, limb regeneration and an unusual approach to birth control.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Tru...
Aug 23, 2017•44 min
Jay Lafferty joins Simon to judge suggestions for the next humans from hummingbird expert Dr. Sue Healy and cross cultural researcher Erin Robbins. The panel discuss internal fit bits, how animals lie and why you might need to vape on your baby.Recorded as part of Explorathon, the European Researchers' Night at St. Andrews University.If you enjoyed this podcast you can now become a patron of the show: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphic...
Aug 09, 2017•47 min
Paul Sinha joins Simon for this special episode in collaboration with the Royal Society. Paul judges suggestions from neuroscientist Dr. Holly Bridge, bio-physical chemistry researcher Steve Lee and the studio audience live at the Science Museum.The team discuss fluorescing frogs, brain plasticity and why we need to milk a lot of spiders to improve care for stroke patients.If you enjoy Level Up Human you can now donate via Patreon: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and perf...
Jul 26, 2017•29 min
Jack Heal judges suggestions by Hayley Pye, Maddy Coke and the Omni tent audience, Einstein's Garden at the 2016 Green Man festival. Simon Watt is in the chair as ever.The panel discuss whether we need leaders, a blood test that can reveal every virus you've ever had, and whether we actually need bodies any more at all.If you're enjoying the podcast, you can make a regular donation via our Patreon: www.patreon.com/leveluphumanOur theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics b...
Jul 12, 2017•39 min
Ellie Taylor joins Simon Watt to judge suggestions by archaeologist Paul Duncan McGarrity, psychologist Dr. Julia Shaw and the studio audience at the Science Museum. The panel discuss the imperfect nature of memory, why spiders scare us and how easy it is to desecrate graves. Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley. For more information, go to www.leveluphu...
Jun 28, 2017•37 min
Steve Cross, Mathew Tata and Catie Williams join Simon for some more Level Up fun at the first ever recording at the Bloomsbury theatre studio. The team discuss a loggerhead turtle with a titanium jaw, a machine that monitors your face to understand your emotions and Steve wants to rip everyone's spines out to replace them with more efficient titanium.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Tru...
Jun 14, 2017•31 min
Jack Heal joins Simon to sort the wheat from the evolutionary chaff in this special episode recorded at the 2016 Green Man Festival.Melissa Bovis and Jon Chase pitch ideas from their areas of expertise and we have contributions from the live audience in the Omni Tent in Einstein's garden. Only one suggestion can win!Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.F...
May 31, 2017•27 min
Amy Howerska judges suggestions for human improvement from writer and broadcaster Timandra Harkness and then Dr. James Logan, now Professor James Logan!The panel discuss landmine clearing 'hero' rats, how to remember names and Amy Howerska's world of improved empathy where hospitals are run by high-functioning sociopaths.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Whee...
May 17, 2017•47 min
Danielle Ward joins Simon along with Cam Robinson and Nick Hawes. This episode was recorded before we had a guest judge, so the suggestions are judged by the studio audience at the Science Museum!Pitches include enhanced navigation, tails and people nappies?!Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com. We release...
May 03, 2017•34 min
Gemma Flynn just wants an easy life. Vying for her attention are philosopher Michael Wheeler and roboticist Eli Sheppard, with Simon Watt keeping score. We get a helping gene or two from the scrotum frog, and find out about the evolution of the haircut.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com. We release each ...
Apr 19, 2017•29 min
Robert Llewellyn joins Simon to judge suggestions for the next humans from chemist Kathryn Harkup, evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod, the studio audience at the Cheltenham Science Festival and the amazing lyre bird.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphuman.com. We release each episode to our patrons a week before e...
Apr 05, 2017•26 min
Jonny Berliner judges suggestions for levelled up humans by bio-engineer Dr. Michelle Rogers, biodiversity theorist Dr. James Rosindell and the studio audience at Imperial College. The panel discuss naturally occurring gyroscopes, telescopic generation and why you shouldn't drill a hole in your skull.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more informat...
Mar 22, 2017•32 min
Jay Lafferty settles in to judge suggestions for human enhancement from psychologist Dr. Kate Cross and researcher, lecturer and podcaster, Dr. Anindya Raychaudhuri. Simon Watt officiates as ever.The panel discuss sequential hermaphroditism, head transplants and the incredible legs of the giraffe. We find out why cooking has ruined our digestive abilities and why female hyenas are bigger than males.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by...
Mar 08, 2017•30 min
Lorcan McGrane joins Simon Watt to judge suggestions for future humans by Helen Arney and Tony Bjourson. The panel discuss fecal transplants, and then more about fecal transplants. There is talk of beards for all, and we find out why Helen Arney's ukelele never gets any bigger.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more information, go to www.leveluphu...
Feb 22, 2017•36 min
Dan Schreiber joins Simon Watt to judge suggestions from neuroscientist Professor Sophie Scott and real life levelled up human Frank Swain at the Albany theatre as part of SMASHfest.This episode is absolutely jam packed full of stuff including a demonstration of audible wifi signals, the fourteen facial expressions of horses, running so fast it makes you blind, and the reason animals can't talk.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian...
Feb 08, 2017•41 min
Ben van der Velde judges suggestions from Steinar Halldorsson, Dr. Catherine Green and the studio audience under the watchful eye of Simon Watt.The panel discuss immuno-privileged organs, dislocating limbs and whether you'd want to try a crème brûlée made from the eggs and milk of a duck billed platypus.This episode was recorded live at the Amey theatre as part of Oxfordshire Science Festival.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian B...
Jan 25, 2017•36 min
Neil Delamere sifts through evolutionary upgrades suggested by rocket scientist David McKeown and soon to be double doctor, Lara Dungan. Simon Watt is in the chair.The panel discuss whether shark skin would be useful to humans, whether it's worth evolving immortality, and find out why David wants to put giant electromagnets in our chests.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The produc...
Jan 11, 2017•48 min
Jo Caulfield chooses human improvements with pitches by Dr. Kate Shoenrock, Shaun Killen, Mother Nature and the studio audience at the Glasgow Science Festival. Simon Watt is in the chair.The panel discuss bio-electrics, how pigeons outperform humans at task-switching and why you might want a fish in your drink.Theme music written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics by Theo Weedon, web design by Ian Bridgeman and support from the Wellcome Trust. The producer is Rachel Wheeley.For more infor...
Dec 28, 2016•47 min
Robin Ince joins Simon Watt to judge suggestions for human enhancement from science writer and broadcaster, Kat Arney, zoologist Jules Howard and the audience at Brighton Science Festival.Jules Howard has written off Robin Ince for being too old, Kat Arney wants a hangover free life and we discuss audience suggestions including cuddling improvements and more knee caps.Our theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen. Graphics are by Theo Weedon and our website was designed by Ian Bridg...
Dec 14, 2016•30 min
Zoe Lyons chooses ideas for future human, taking in suggestions from doctor of neuroscience Dean Burnett, champion rugby player Maggie Alphonsi, the studio audience at Winchester Science Festival and the 'smurf bird' cassowary.We discuss bird brains, horse health monitors and whether it's time for an alternative, doped, Olympics?Theme music was written and performed by Laurence Owen, graphics are by Theo Weedon and web design by Ian Bridgeman. Level Up Human is produced by Rachel Wheeley and sup...
Nov 30, 2016•47 min
