Mosaic Science Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Light at the end of the scalpel Dec 24, 2018

Show notes

Telling cancer from non-cancer is tough for brain surgeons. Scorpions, Amazon.com and the legacy of a dying girl might change that, writes Alex O'Brien.

Written by Alex O'Brien, read by Kirsten Irving, produced by Barry J Gibb

For more stories and to read the text original, visit mosaicscience.com

If you liked this story, we recommend listening to Decisions on a knife edge, by Charlotte Huff, also available as a podcast.

Abortion, contraception, pregnancy: how women’s bodies became a battlezone Dec 17, 2018

Show notes

Women’s reproductive rights are under attack across the globe. Sophie Cousins investigates the challenges women face in accessing abortion and contraception in two very different countries – India and the USA.

Written by Sophie Cousins

Read by Kirsten Irving

Produced by Graihagh Jackson

If you liked this story, we recommend Postpartum psychosis: "I'm afraid of how you'll judge me, as a mother and as a person", by Catherine Carver, also available as an audiobook.

The fat city that declared war on obesity Dec 10, 2018

Show notes

Oklahoma has lost a million pounds of fat. Ian Birrell asks how – and whether declaring ‘war on obesity’ can really change a city’s infrastructure and encourage healthy living.

Written by Ian Birrell, read by Kirsten Irving, produced by Barry J Gibb

If you liked this story, we recommend listening to Brazil's billion dollar gym experiment by Ian Birrell, also available as a podcast.

Violent crime is like infectious disease – and we know how to stop it spreading Dec 03, 2018

Show notes

Headlines scream about “epidemics” of shootings and stabbings – but what if we took that literally? From Chicago to Glasgow, treating violence as a public health problem has produced great results.

Written by Samira Shackle

Read by Kirsten Irving

Produced by Graihagh Jackson

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If you liked this story, we recommend 'The women that kill, abuse and torture' by Katarine Quarmby, also available as a podcast.

Can you supercharge your brain? Nov 26, 2018

Show notes

Applying mild electrical currents to your head could take away pain, help memory and improve attention – and the US military is very interested. Emma Young reports.

Written by Emma Young, read by Kirsten Irving, produced by Barry J Gibb

If you liked this story, we recommend Can you think yourself into a different person? by Will Story, also available as a podcast.

Sick building syndrome: is it the buildings or the people who need treatment? Nov 19, 2018

Show notes

In Finland, people whose sickness is linked to certain buildings fear being labelled as mentally ill, while scientists search for evidence that their condition is ‘real’.

Written by Shayla Love

Read by Graihagh Jackson

If you liked this story, we recommend Shayla Love's story 'Meet the dogs with OCD', also available as a podcast.

Hacking the nervous system Nov 12, 2018

Show notes

One nerve connects your vital organs, sensing and shaping your health. If we learn to control it, the future of medicine will be electric.

Written by Gaia Vince, read by Kirsten Irving, produced by Barry J Gibb, edited by Geoff Marsh

For more stories and to read the text original, visit mosaicscience.com

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If you liked this story, we recommend Mosaicscience – Can-you-supercharge-your-brain by Emma Young, also available as a podcast.

How the mafia is causing cancer Nov 05, 2018

Show notes

When doctors in rural Italy began to see a surge in cancer cases, they were baffled. Then they made the link with industrial waste being dumped by local crime syndicates. Ian Birrell learns about the tragic consequences.

Written by Ian Birrell

Read by Michael Regnier

Produced by Graihagh Jackson

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If you liked this story, we recommend 'Brazil's cancer curse' by Sue Armstrong, also available as a podcast.

Hungary's cold war with polio Oct 29, 2018

Show notes

"Polio was unpredictable. Often no more harmful than any other childhood infection, it could on occasion ‘turn’ with swift, inexplicable savagery, destroying a child’s nerve cells and leaving him paralysed for life. If it damaged the nerves controlling his lungs they could freeze up and György would either die or spend the rest of his life inside an iron lung that breathed for him."

Trapped by the Cold War and scarred after a failed revolution, Hungary fought one of its greatest battles against polio.

Written by Penny Bailey, read by Pip Mayo, audio editor Geoff Marsh, produced by Barry J Gibb

For more stories and to read the text original, visit mosaicscience.com

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If you liked this story, we recommend Mosaicscience – Prisoners-of-war, also available on our podcast.

The sex workers who are stopping HIV Oct 23, 2018

Show notes

Sex workers in Mozambique are providing health support to those at the margins of society. They face political and financial challenges, but against the odds they are helping thousands.

Written by Jules Montague

Read by Kirsten Irving

Produced by Graihagh Jackson

For more stories and to read the text original, visit mosaicscience.com

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If you liked this story, we recommend 'How HIV became a matter of international security' by Alexandra Ossola, available to read here.