Podcast Extra: Detecting gravitational waves
As part of Nature 's 150th anniversary celebrations, we look back at an important moment in the history of science. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Nature Podcast
The Nature Podcast brings you the best stories from the world of science each week. We cover everything from astronomy to zoology, highlighting the most exciting research from each issue of the Nature journal. We meet the scientists behind the results and provide in-depth analysis from Nature's journalists and editors.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
24 October 2019: Quantum supremacy and ancient mammals
This week, a milestone in quantum computing, and rethinking early mammals. In this episode: 00:43 A quantum computing milestone A quantum computer is reported to have achieved ‘quantum supremacy’ – performing an operation that’s essentially impossible for classical computers. Research Article: Arute et al. ; News and Views: Quantum computing takes flight ; Editorial: A precarious milestone for quantum computing ; News: Hello quantum world! Google p...
17 October 2019: Mapping childhood mortality, and evolving ‘de novo’ genes
This week, investigating child mortality rates at a local level, and building genes from non-coding DNA. In this episode: 00:43 A regional view of childhood mortality Researchers map countries' progress towards the UN’s Sustainable Developmental Goals. Research Article: Burstein et al. ; World View: Data on child deaths are a call for justice ; Editorial: Protect the census 07:22 Research Highlights Astronomers identify a second visitor from beyond the solar s...
10 October 2019: Estimating earthquake risk, and difficulties for deep-learning
This week, a method for predicting follow-up earthquakes, and the issues with deep learning systems in AI. In this episode: 00:47 Which is the big quake? A new technique could allow seismologists to better predict if a larger earthquake will follow an initial tremor. Research Article: Real-time discrimination of earthquake foreshocks and aftershocks ; News and Views: Predicting if the worst earthquake has passed 07:46 Research Highlights Vampire bats transmitting rabies i...
Podcast Extra: Q&A with Nobel Prize winner John B Goodenough
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....
Podcast Extra: Q&A with Nobel Prize winner Didier Queloz
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....
03 October 2019: Leapfrogging speciation, and migrating mosquitoes
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.&nb...
Nature PastCast, September 1963: Plate tectonics – the unifying theory of Earth sciences
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, w...
26 September 2019: Mysteries of the ancient mantle, and the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
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.&nbs...
Podcast Extra: Absurd scientific advice
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.
Backchat: Covering Climate Now
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...
19 September 2019: XKCD, and Extinction Rebellion
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 br...
12 September 2019: Modelling early embryos, and male-dominated conferences
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...
05 September 2019: Persistent antibiotic resistance, and modelling hot cities
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...
Nature PastCast, August 1975: Antibodies’ ascendency to blockbuster drug status
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...
29 August 2019: Carbon-based computing, and depleting ancient-human genomes
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 mil...
22 August 2019: Combating online hate speech, and identifying early fossils
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 ‘...
15 August 2019: Atomic espionage in the Second World War, and exploring the early Universe
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 ;&...
08 August 2019: A mindset for success, and mercury in fish
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 ...
01 August 2019: The placental microbiome, and advances in artificial intelligence
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 ...
Nature PastCast, July 1942: Secret science in World War 2
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...
25 July 2019: The history of climate change, and making vaccines mandatory
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.&...
Backchat July 2019: Breaking news, audience-led journalism and human gene editing
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 ...
18 July 2019: Quantum logic gates in silicon, and moving on from lab disasters
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...
11 July 2019: The moon, past, present, and future
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:&...
04 July 2019: Machine learning in materials science, and sand’s sustainability
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-functio...
Nature PastCast, June 1876: Gorillas, man-eating monsters?
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...
27 June 2019: Callused feet, and protein-based archaeology
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 ...
20 June 2019: Non-native species, and a blood-inspired robot battery
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: Stro...
13 June 2019: Mighty magnets, and aerosols in the atmosphere
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 ...