The Science Show on Cambridge 105

Cambridge scientists at work is from The Science Show on Cambridge 105 where maths, physics, chemistry and biology are put to use in ways they never told us about at school. We talk to scientists about their role, their discoveries and their motivation.

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Episodes

scientist 69: the science author – Michael Freemantle says WW1 was the chemists war (2014)

visitors this year: 1,455 The First World War, that began in 1914, put chemists to work. Their chemicals could harm as well as heal … but on balance the outcome was … horrific. As the author of two books about the First World War, Dr Michael Freemantle explains chemistry was the destructive force in the war but it also protected the troops, and healed the wounded. Scroll down for the recording. Additional notes by Roger Frost – with thanks to Dr Freemantle. Attitudes to chemical warfare back the...

Nov 11, 2018

scientist 68: the crop scientist – Julian Little & products for farming (2014)

visitors this year: 1,362 A podcast about the science of food crops. The growing world population leads to a demand to farm the land several times more effectively than we used to. But growing crops comes with risks. The farmer wants a guarantee that their efforts bear fruit. Consumers obviously want a guarantee that their food is free from harmful extras. What can be done to ensure the farmer’s crop succeeds? And what is being done to ensure our food is safe to eat? Roger Frost talks with Dr Ju...

Aug 14, 2018

scientist 67: the guitarist – guitar types & quality (2014)

visitors this year: 1,252 With many different types of guitars, we find out how much more is involved in the sound we get from various models, and whether or not this impacts on the price. Are we just paying for a brand name or the association with a particular musician? Today’s guest is Graham Buxton, a name that local music fans and musicians will recognise from a long musical pedigree. Graham has spent many years advising new musicians as to the pros and cons of each instrument. Neil asks Gra...

Aug 07, 2018

scientist 66: the science journalist – report from the MRC LMB Cambridge (2014)

visitors this year: 1,259 Dr Chris Creese and Roger Frost tour the LMB-MRC open day exhibition and learn about body clocks and worms. Follow-up link Read more at Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology www.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk The post scientist 66: the science journalist – report from the MRC LMB Cambridge (2014) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation ....

Aug 06, 2018

scientist 65: the cytologist – Melina Schuh oocytes and reproduction (2014)

visitors this year: 1,267 The topic is how we make the eggs that make our babies or in other words: meiosis in mammalian oocytes. Molecular biology research happens at the Medical Research Council lab of Molecular Biology in Cambridge. The LMB houses 50 research groups and over 400 scientists and one of the groups is led by scientist Dr Melina Schuh. Roger Frost was intrigued to know why we need to know more about making babies, so he asked Melina. The post scientist 65: the cytologist – Melina ...

Aug 05, 2018

scientist 64: the molecular biologist – Hugh Pelham at MRC LMB Cambridge (2014)

visitors this year: 1,512 The Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge is credited for landmark discoveries and cutting-edge techniques. This podcast offers an overview of what the LMB do. On the occasion of the Medical Research Council centenary, and a visit by HRH The Queen, Roger Frost speaks with the director of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Sir Hugh Pelham about the kind of research they undertake. We find out how the LMB choose what’s worth investigating. 29/06/2013 The post sci...

Aug 04, 2018

scientist 63: the molecular gastronomist – Peter Barham on gastronomy (2014)

visitors this year: 1,262 We talk with Peter Barham, a professor of ‘Molecular Gastronomy’ about what his delicious subject entails. He wrote the book “The Science of Cooking”. His idea is that “a kitchen is like science laboratory” and that cookery is indeed an experimental science. Professor Barham has worked with restaurant chefs including Heston Blumenthal of the celebrated “Fat Duck” restaurant in Berkshire. He was giving a talk in Cambridge for the Cambridge Society for the Application of ...

Aug 03, 2018

scientist 62: the science writer – big questions in popular science (2013)

visitors this year: 1,123 The author of a riveting book called “The Big Questions in Science” explains how they researched How did life begin? Why do we dream? And when can I have a robot butler? Science writer Mun Keat Looi talks about some of the most exciting and pressing questions facing humanity. Mun Keat explains how he and coauthors Hayley Birch and Colin Stuart gathered the most cutting edge science research to shed new light on the twenty biggest questions keeping us up at night, such a...

Aug 02, 2018

scientist 70: the biotechnologist – biosciences for Africa BFA (2014)

visitors this year: 1,166 A Cambridge project seeks to improve farming practices in Africa by sharing advances in biotechnology. They’re called Biosciences for Farming in Africa (www.b4fa.org). Chris Creese meets one of their founders Dr David Bennett. There’s a ‘demonstration farm’ in Cambridge called the National Institute of Agricultural Botany Innovation Farm, Lawrence Weaver Road, off Huntingdon Road. See www.innovationfarm.co.uk 22/03/2014 Tagged 105science, b4fa, biology, Chris Creese, en...

Aug 01, 2018

scientist 61: the grain business manager – Andrew Wingate wheat and flours (2014)

visitors this year: 1,231 CAMGRAIN is a farmer-owned central storage co-operative, set up 20 years ago to provide facilities for storing, analysing, cleaning and distributing grain to the food industry such as those who mill, brew and make breakfast cereal. This interview is about what happens when wheat leaves the farm. We take up the story after the August crop harvest and speak with Dr Andrew Wingate who tells how CAMGRAIN deliver quality assured wheat. Topics in this interview about the grai...

Jul 31, 2018

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