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Asbestos claims put Johnson’s Baby Powder on trial in the UK — we speak to an expert Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

Thousands of people have alleged that they, or a family member, developed forms of ovarian cancer after using Johnson’s Baby Powder — and are now seeking damages at the High Court in London.

The pharmaceutical giant has been accused of knowingly selling talcum powder in the UK that was contaminated with asbestos.

To find out more about the case and what comes next, we spoke to The Standard’s courts correspondent, Tristan Kirk.

We also spoke to Dr Adam Clancy, lecturer in Materials Chemistry at UCL, to learn more about the mineral talc, its connection to asbestos, and its potential effects on the human body.

Plus, Apple has introduced its new M5 chip across the iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and Vision Pro.

Health officials have also announced that newborn babies in England will be routinely screened for a rare genetic condition that can cause long-term health problems if left untreated.

Also in this episode:

UK railways get a brand new clock design for the first time in half a century

The Asus ROG Ally X handheld goes up for pre-order

Why experts are calling for an end to the “shrink it and pink it” approach to women’s running shoes

The ‘magical’ moment a 3,000-year-old secret of the Peebles Hoard is revealed

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Scientists find a way to “see” anxiety in the brain Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

Scientists have found a way to “see” anxiety in the brain.This is the first study of its kind looking at the intense "avoid-avoid conflict" anxiety.

Participants took part in a video game-style task, which was designed by PhD student Ben Stocker - who joins us to discuss the findings in more detail.

Meta has introduced a PG-13 cinema-style rating for teenagers using Instagram.

And an image of a rare hyena in a ghost town wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

Also in this episode:

-Scientists have warned the planet has reached its first catastrophic climate tipping point

-OpenAI’s ChatGPT will soon be able to have erotic conversations with users

-And new analysis of Ice Age fossils suggests hippos lived in Central Europe much later than previously thought

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Apple announces renewables investment across Europe Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

Apple has announced a major expansion of its renewables investment in Europe.

It's part of the company's ongoing effort to cut the carbon footprint caused by customers powering and charging Apple devices.

By 2030, Apple aims to become carbon neutral across its entire supply chain.

According to researchers from University College London, quitting smoking in middle age or later is linked to slower age-related cognitive decline over the long term.

To find out more, we spoke to lead author Dr Mikaela Bloomberg from UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care.

And – eating peppermints can increase alertness in people who are ill with the common cold.

Also in this episode:

Which breweries are using artificial intelligence to develop their latest beers?

TikTok: campaigners warn millions of users will be at risk if London office closes

Scientists say some dogs could be as addicted to toys as humans are with online gambling and gaming

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Is God real? French engineers say science can prove it | special Oct 13, 2025

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Is God real?

Since the Big Bang Theory was proposed, it has been a point of contention between science and religion.

To tie in with the release of the English edition of God: The Science, The Evidence, The Standard's features writer Claudia Cockerell spoke to one of its authors, French engineer Michel-Yves Bolloré.

Their book claims that there is evidence of the existence of God.

Claudia walks us through the book, their evidence, and the reaction from cosmologists.

To read the full article, click here.

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70,000 Discord users hit by cyber data breach Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

Around 70,000 users of Discord globally could have had sensitive data stolen by hackers.

The platform says criminals targeted a third-party service called 5CA, hired for age verification appeals.

Data stolen includes official ID photographs, and potentially personal information such as partial credit card numbers and messages.

A new tool is being developed by MI:RNA to help diagnose osteoarthritis in dogs earlier.

Qualified vet and Chief Scientific Officer, Robert Coultous, joins us to tell us more.

Acclaimed violinist Esther Abrami on London’s Southbank Centre and TikTok’s new accelerator programme for classical content creators.

Also in this episode:

-‘Viewing own face through baby filter could help unlock memories’

-Scientists transplant a pig liver into a human

-20,000 people to help drive mental health research

-Incense bowl and helmet handle among finds at National Trust estate dig

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REPLAY: Dame Helen Mirren - 'It's sad Kurt Cobain never got to see GPS' | Brave New World Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

On this replay preview of Brave New World, Evgeny Lebedev is in conversation with the Oscar-winning actor, Dame Helen Mirren.

Now, this is a bit of a break from the usual guests on Tech & Science Daily, but in this wide ranging conversation Evgeny and Dame Helen discuss everything from the evolution of technology, ageing, to the contemporary media landscape and social media.

“It’s so sad that Kurt Cobain died when he did, because he never got to see GPS”

Listen to the full conversation on the Brave New World podcast here.

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Teenagers arrested after nursery cyber attack Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

Two teenagers have been arrested after a ransomware attack stole data from a nursery chain in London.

The Met Police say the pair, aged 17, have been arrested on suspicion of computer misuse and blackmail.

Cyberhackers were said to be using the pictures and names of about 8,000 children, to demand ransom money.

Women who have a caesarean birth at an advanced stage of labour are about eight times more likely to devolop scars in the womb, which are known to increase the likelihood of premature births in the future.

To learn more, we’re joined by Anna David, Professor and Consultant in Obstetrics and Maternal Fetal Medicine at University College London Hospital, and she’s also Director of the Institute for Women’s Health at UCL.

Plus, why gold prices have rocketed to a new all-time high.

Also in this episode:

Meta updates Facebook's algorithm to give you more of what you actually want to see

A modified Land Rover that even had a propeller to cross the Bering Strait, is going to auction

An athlete runs the entire circumference of Cornwall to raise money for Alzheimer's disease

What city has used enough power to make over 850 billion cups of tea?

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Clean energy hits historic milestone as renewables surpass coal Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

The world may be at a crucial turning point in the transition to clean power.

A new analysis by energy think tank Ember shows renewable energy generation has overtaken coal globally for the first time on record.

We’re joined by Robert Palmer, deputy director at Uplift, to unpack what this milestone means for the future of energy — from falling costs and growing solar capacity to the political will needed to phase out oil and gas.

Also in this episode:

Spotify users can now use ChatGPT to find music and create playlists

The Met police dismantle a criminal network suspected of smuggling 40,000 stolen phones out of the UK

Jaguar Land Rover resumes manufacturing after major cyber attack

Nutrition science firm ZOE launches an AI-powered gut health app

Pine martens return to Exmoor National Park for the first time in a century

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What is motor neurone disease? Former England captain Lewis Moody reveals diagnosis Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

Former England captain and 2003 World Cup winner Lewis Moody has revealed that he’s been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).

What is motor neurone disease, what are the symptoms, how is it diagnosed, and can sport cause the condition?

We join UCL’s professor of clinical neurology, Andrea Malaspina.

Professor Malaspina is also clinical and academic lead of the Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre.

Also in this episode:

The world’s leading AI event, HumanX, is officially coming to Europe in 2026

The Big Issue partners with tech company Lenovo to equip charities with laptops

Storm Amy: Thousands of homes remain without power

The Andrew Law Gallery at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum reopens this October

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Breakthrough eczema technology 'could end misery for millions' | special Oct 03, 2025

Show notes

The device called Tissue Metrics could transform the way eczema is diagnosed and treated.

In the UK, there are 1.5 million adults who suffer from the condition.

Their tech aims to provide objective data for faster and more accurate eczema diagnosis and treatment - even within a week.

To find how the technology works and why this will “end misery for millions”, we speak to lead researcher, Professor Michael Crichton from Herriot-Watt University.

Clip courtesy of STV news.

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