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In this Podcast Extra, we speak to John B Goodenough, from the University of Texas at Austin, in the US. Today, John was announced as one of the joint winners of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Reporter Benjamin Thompson went along to the Royal Society in London to chat with him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this Podcast Extra, we speak to physicist Didier Queloz, who was announced today as one of the joint winners of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics. Shortly after the winners were announced, Didier took part in a press conference to talk about his award. Reporter Benjamin Thompson went along to chat with him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, how new species may form by sexual imprinting, and a previously unknown way for mosquitoes to migrate. In this episode: 00:43 New species by sexual imprinting? A Central American frog chooses mates resembling its parents, a possible route for new species to form. Research Article: Yang et al. ; News and Views: Leapfrog to speciation boosted by mother’s influence 09:58 Research Highlights A light-based pacemaker, and the mathematics of the best place to park. Research Article: Mei et a...
This year, Nature celebrates its 150th birthday. To mark this anniversary we’re rebroadcasting episodes from our PastCast series, highlighting key moments in the history of science. Earthquakes, volcanoes, the formation of mountains; we understand all these phenomena in terms of plate tectonics (large-scale movements of the Earth’s crust). But when a German geologist first suggested that continents move, in the 1910s, people dismissed it as a wild idea. In this podcast, we hear how a ‘wild idea’...
This week, diamond-containing rocks may help uncover secrets of the Earth’s mantle, and a reflection on science since the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy was published. In this episode: 00:46 Earth’s Evolution Explosive eruptions have allowed researchers to study Earth’s mysterious mantle. Research Article: Woodhead et al. ; News and Views: Enigmatic origin of diamond-bearing rocks revealed 06:08 Research Highlights Supersonic cork popping, and the timing of vaccines. Research Highlight: An unco...
How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems is the new book from XKCD cartoonist Randall Munroe. In this Podcast Extra, Randall talks about the book, its inspiration and the bizarre thought experiments it contains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode: 00:44 A global media collaboration This week, Nature is taking part in the Covering Climate Now project. What is it, and why has Nature joined? Editorial: Act now and avert a climate crisis 05:49 ‘Climate change’ vs ‘climate emergency’ In early 2019, The Guardian changed the wording they use when covering climate stories. Our panel discusses the importance of phrasing, and how it evolves. The Guardian: Why the Guardian is changing the language it uses about the environment 13:40...
This week, absurd advice from XKCD’s Randall Munroe, and a conversation with climate lawyer turned activist Farhana Yamin. In this episode: 00:46 How to do things (badly) Cartoonist Randall Munroe tell us about his new book: How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems . 08:21 Research Highlights How insemination makes honeybee queens lose their way, and ‘toe maps’ in the brain. Research Highlight: Sex clouds queen bees’ vision ; Research Highlight: ‘Toe maps’ in the brain gui...
This week, modelling embryonic development, and an analysis of male dominated conferences. In this episode: 00:44 Imitating implantation Researchers have created a system that uses stem cells to model the early stages of pregnancy. Research article: Zheng et al. ; News and Views: Human embryo implantation modelled in microfluidic channels 08:03 Research Highlights Traces of baby turtle tracks, and Titan’s explosive past. Research Highlight: A baby sea turtle’s ancient trek is captured in a fossi...
This week, Salmonella spreading antibiotic resistance, and the drivers of urban heat islands. In this episode: 00:46 Antibiotic resistance reservoirs Researchers have identified how Salmonella ‘persister’ cells can spread antibiotic resistance genes in mice intestines. Research article: Bakkeren et al. 08:12 Research Highlights Bright barn owls stun prey, and the evolution of dog brains. Research Highlight: Zip-lining owls reveal what really scares their prey ; Research Highlight: A dog’s breed ...
This year, Nature celebrates its 150th birthday. To mark this anniversary we’re rebroadcasting episodes from our PastCast series, highlighting key moments in the history of science. They’re found in home-testing kits for pregnancy, hospital tests for MRSA, and in six out of ten of the best-selling drugs today. But monoclonal antibodies have kept a surprisingly low profile since their debut in a Nature paper in 1975. This podcast follows them from that time through patent wars, promising drug tri...
This week, a computer chip based on carbon nanotubes, and the potential pitfalls of sequencing ancient-human remains. In this episode: 00:45 A nanotube microprocessor Scientists are looking beyond silicon, by constructing a computer chip using carbon nanotubes. Research article: Shulaker et al. News and Views: Nanotube computer scaled up 08:38 Research Highlights Weighing neutrinos, and discovering a hidden Zika epidemic. Research Highlight: Lightest neutrino is at least 6 million times lighter ...
This week, the resilience of internet hate groups, and searching for early life. In this episode: 00:46 Tackling internet hate Researchers have been modelling how hate groups interact online, and have come up with suggestions to combat this activity. Research article: Johnson et al. ; News and Views: Strategies for combating online hate 08:55 Research Highlights Gallstone growth, and the reproductive strategies of hitchhiking stick insects. Research Highlight: The ‘net’ that leads to excruciatin...
This week, spilling nuclear secrets, and a mysterious period in the Universe’s history. In this episode: 00:46 "The most dangerous spy in history" We hear the story of Klaus Fuchs, who gave away the details of building an atomic bomb. Books and Arts: The scientist-spy who spilt secrets of the bomb 08:00 Research Highlights Environmental impacts of electric scooters, and the Goliath frog engineers. Research Highlight: Trendy e-scooters might not be as green as they seem ; Research Highlight: Enor...
This week, a mindset to improve school performance, and the complex story of how mercury accumulates in fish. In this episode: 00:46 Growth Mindset How a one hour course could improve academic achievement. Research article: Yeager et al. 11:47 Research Highlights An extinct giant parrot, and hacking Manhattan’s traffic. Research Highlight: Polly wants many crackers: fossils reveal first known giant parrot ; Research Article: Vivek et al. 13:42 Toxic Tuna Methylmercury levels in fish may increase...
This week, whether the placenta is lacking microbes, and new hardware for artificial intelligence. In this episode: 00:43 Microbe-free placentas? New research suggests that the placenta is sterile. Research article: de Goffau et al. ; News and Views: No bacteria found in healthy placentas 07:12 Research Highlights Antacids and allergies, and the source of unexplained radioactivity. Research Article: Jordakieva et al. ; Research Article: Masson et al. 09:13 AI hardware Making technology for AI ca...
This episode was first broadcast in July 2013. This year, Nature celebrates its 150th birthday. To mark this anniversary we’re rebroadcasting episodes from our PastCast series, highlighting key moments in the history of science. During the Second World War, scientists worked on secret projects such as the development of radar. Their efforts were hinted at in the pages of Nature but the details, of course, couldn't be published. In this episode, historian Jon Agar explains how war work gave physi...
This week, how the climate has changed throughout history, and why enforcing vaccination should be done with care. In this episode: 00:39 Climate through time Researchers have modelled how climate has changed throughout the past 2000 years. Research article: Neukom et al. ; Research article: Neukom et al. ; News and Views: The aberrant global synchrony of present-day warming 06:45 Research Highlights Making a self-propelling liquid, and the benefit of laugh tracks. Research Highlight: How to mak...
In this episode: 01:01 Breaking News The first image of a black hole took the world by storm, but what was it like reporting such a quickly developing story? News: Black hole pictured for first time — in spectacular detail ; Video: The first image of a black hole: A three minute guide ; Video: How scientists reacted to the first-ever image of a black hole 09:01 Digital Journalism When a new research paper came to light about pig brains being revived, we asked our audience what they wanted to kno...
This week, a new advance in silicon based quantum computing and experiences of how to recover when disaster strikes. In this episode: 00:45 Quantum logic A fast and accurate two-qubit logic gate has been designed in silicon. Research article: Simmons et al. 07:52 Research Highlights Teaching a computer to solve a Rubik’s cube and immigration in Chichén Itzá. Research Highlight: AI solves the Rubik’s cube ; Research Highlight: Death as a human sacrifice awaited some travellers to a Mayan city 10:...
This week, an extended chat about all things lunar with Alex Witze. Instead of a regular edition of the Nature Podcast , this week we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of humans walking on the Moon. Nick Howe catches up with planetary science reporter, Alex Witze. They discuss the latest US plans to land people on the moon by 2024, the history of the Apollo missions, and what’s next for the lunar exploration. News: Can NASA really return people to the Moon by 2024? Books and Arts: Propulsive r...
This week, using an algorithm to find properties in materials science, and the global consequences of sand-mining. In this episode: 00:47 Predicting properties A word-association algorithm is reading millions of abstracts to discover new properties of materials. Research article: Tshitoyan et al. ; News and Views: Text mining facilitates materials discovery 08:28 Research Highlights Tiny robot-jellyfish, and genome mutation hot-spots. Research Article: Multi-functional soft-bodied jellyfish-like...
This year, Nature celebrates its 150th birthday. To mark this anniversary we’re rebroadcasting episodes from our PastCast series, highlighting key moments in the history of science. According to the fables of early explorers, the gorilla was a terrible, man-eating monster. It was also thought to be man’s closest relative in the animal kingdom. Naturally, scientists and the public alike wanted to see these fierce beasts for themselves. But in the mid-nineteenth century, as the evolution debate he...
This week, how going barefoot affects what your feet can feel, and uncovering history with ancient proteins. In this episode: 00:44 A sole sensation A study of people who do and don't wear shoes looks into whether calluses make feet less sensitive. Research article: Holowka et al. ; News and Views: Your sensitive sole 08:50 Research Highlights Magma moving quickly, and twice-transforming 4D materials. Research Highlight: Volcano’s magma hit top speed ; Research Article: Wang et al. 11:09 Dating ...
This week, what makes birds invasive, and a robotic fish powered by a blood-like battery. In this episode: 00:44 How do alien bird species establish themselves? Researchers have been looking at how bird species settle in non-native locations. Research article: Redding et al. 08:22 Research Highlights Crafting the perfect crêpe, and anti-fungal wasp eggs. Research Highlight: Physicists tackle a delicate challenge: making the ideal crêpe ; Research article: Strohm et al. 10:09 Robot blood Multipur...
This week, a record-breaking magnetic field, and aerosols’ potential effects on the atmosphere. In this episode: 00:45 Making massive magnets Researchers have created the world’s strongest direct current magnetic field. Research article: S. Hahn et al. 08:38 Research Highlights Macaques’ musicality and human consumption of microplastics. Research Article: Divergence in the functional organization of human and macaque auditory cortex revealed by fMRI responses to harmonic tones ; Research Highlig...
This week, how gut microbes might be affecting drugs, and a new theory on the beginning of plate tectonics. In this episode: 00:45 Microbes metabolising drugs Researchers are investigating whether the gut microbiota can alter the activity of medicinal drugs. Research article: Zimmermann et al. 06:40 Research Highlights Elephants counting with smell, and audio activity monitoring. Research Highlight: Elephants have a nose for portion size Research Highlight: Deep learning monitors human activity ...
This year, Nature celebrates its 150th birthday. To mark this anniversary we’re rebroadcasting episodes from our PastCast series, highlighting key moments in the history of science. The discovery of the ozone hole in the mid-1980s was a shock. Scientists suspected that man-made gases called CFCs were damaging the ozone layer, but they didn’t expect to see such a dramatic decline. Nor did they expect the discovery to be made by a small group of British scientists in Antarctica. In this podcast, w...
This week, looking back at cold fusion, a ranking of gender balance in universities, and measuring the impact of wildfires. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, how climate change has affected plankton, the future of European science, and evidence of an ancient fungus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
