The World, the Universe and Us

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Weekly: All You Need To Know For Science in 2025 Jan 03, 2025

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Episode 283

On this special episode of the podcast, we set you up for the year ahead. 2025 has been declared the year of humanoid robots. Futuristic robots that look like us are already being rolled out by companies like BMW and Tesla - and production is set to ramp up. One company is even planning to create an army of 10,000 warehouse robots called Digit.

We’re going to see big changes in the food industry too, as the US is set to approve CRISPR gene editing for pigs. The idea is to create elite livestock that are less prone to illness and can feed more people. Bananas are having their genes edited too, so they can fight off a major fungal disease that’s spreading around the world. And new types of butter, chocolate and ice cream are being made without the help of agriculture, just microbes.

Ozempic is showing surprising promise in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Based on a growing body of evidence, two big trials are looking into this unlikely connection and are set to conclude in 2025. If the results are positive, this could be a real breakthrough for the treatment of the disease.

Geoengineering is picking up, with more research and financing going towards plans to artificially cool the planet. Many methods are being explored, but one major area of interest this year is solar geoengineering, with the world’s largest conference on the subject set to take place in South Africa in May.

COP30 arrives this year and after the blowout that was COP29, tensions are high and motivation is low. With the US set to pull out of the Paris Agreement, will we be able to move forward on climate action, or will we be dragged backwards?

And it’s been more than 20 years since the last flight of Concorde, a supersonic commercial plane which failed for multiple reasons - one of those being just how loud it was. Now, in 2025, NASA is trying to fix that problem by creating a quiet supersonic plane, with other companies following suit. Will we go supersonic again this year?

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

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Weekly: The Best of New Scientist in 2024: From Volcanic Diamonds to Immortal Brains Dec 27, 2024

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Episode 282

Looking back at some of the best stories New Scientist has published in 2024, this episode is a treasure trove of knowledge that will serve you well over the holiday season. Rowan Hooper hosts a panel of New Scientist journalists, as they take it in turn to highlight their favourite moments from the year.

Head of features Josh Howgego kicks off by looking at the race to find an amazing and strange form of hydrogen, known as ‘gold hydrogen’ - a game-changer for sustainability which may be more abundant than we first realised. He also discusses the mystery of kimberlites, supersonic volcanoes that spew diamonds which went extinct millions of years ago.

Alison George takes on the story of Thorin the neanderthal, whose remains are shedding light on how the ancient species died out - and surprisingly, it may not have been our fault. She also explores the new science of tinnitus and how it might help us cure hearing loss one day.

Thomas Lewton looks at some mad physics stories from the year, including an unnerving idea that a quantum fluctuation involving the Higgs boson could cause the universe to vanish at any moment. They also explore an old theory that quantum effects explain consciousness, which has been revived thanks to new research into anaesthetics and brain organoids.

And Linda Rodriguez-McRobbie throws some nuance into the discussion about screen-time, something often blamed for the current youth mental health crisis - and why it might not be all bad. She also explains how researchers this year were able to reanimate a pig’s brain, four hours after it was separated from its body, upending our concept of death.

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

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Weekly: Most Amazing Science Stories of 2024 | Live at the Science Museum Dec 20, 2024

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Episode 281

In this special episode recorded live at the Science Museum in London, we celebrate some of the best, most awe-inspiring science stories of 2024.

Round one kicks off with the panelist’s stories of the year, including the discovery that thousand-year-old preserved brains are much easier to find than we realised, that metallic nodules found on the sea floor could be acting as “geobatteries”, creating oxygen in the deep sea, plus a surprising finding involving Dyson Spheres that may hint at the existence of advanced alien life.

In round two the panelists discuss their cultural highlights of the year. On the line up is an installation in London called ‘Breathing with the Forest’, a time-travel novel called ‘The Other Valley’, the stage show reimagining of ‘Dr Stangelove’ and an absurdist comedy about climate diplomacy called ‘Rumours’.

Round three is a quiz for the audience asking questions like, do warm drinks taste more alcoholic than cold ones? What animal can be added to milk to initiate the yoghurt-making fermentation process? And which animal can survive with almost no sleep?

And round four celebrates stories that will make you say “Wow!”, plus a moment of good cheer. These include flowers that can sequester nickel and be turned into metal, how brains and other body parts can be brought back from the dead, the discovery of the world’s largest coral reef and the invention of a hospital for fungal-infected frogs.

On the panel are Rowan Hooper, Catherine de Lange, Sam Wong and Madeleine Cuff.

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

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Weekly: Does Google’s new quantum computer prove the multiverse exists?; 8 ways to keep your brain young Dec 13, 2024

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Episode 280

Google claims it has pulled ahead in the race for quantum supremacy. Its new Willow chip has completed a task in 5 minutes that a classical computer would take 10 septillion years to complete. But the biggest breakthrough is how it excels in error correction. Find out what this means and why some scientists believe this new quantum computer proves the existence of the multiverse.

Data from one of the world’s largest collections of brain scans is shedding new light on how to keep our brains young. Analysing scans from the UK Biobank project, scientists have identified 13 proteins that are responsible for how quickly or slowly your brain ages. But research on how to target these proteins is still ongoing. For now, the team reveals 8 science-backed ways you can keep your brain young and boost longevity right now.

Get the New Scientist Christmas issue here: https://www.newscientist.com/issue/3521/

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

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Weekly: Antarctica special, brain implant made from living cells, best TV and film of 2024 Dec 06, 2024

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Episode 279

Antarctic sea ice is melting at an unprecedented rate. A collapse like the one we’re seeing was given just a 1 in 700 billion year chance of happening, based on climate models - we basically thought it was impossible. Melting ice in Antarctica will have global scale, knock-on ecological and climate consequences. To address the crisis, five hundred researchers met in Australia for an emergency summit for the future of the Antarctic. Sarah Thompson, one of the scientists at the conference, is working in Antarctica right now and shares her experiences assessing the damage in the region. Also hear from Sharon Robinson from the University of Wollongong, who explores how the ecology of the region is changing.

A new type of brain implant technology is being developed that will allow direct access to a patient’s brain in a more intimate way. Most devices place metal electrodes and wires into the brain, but this method is instead using living neurons to form a connection with the brain. Brain-computer interfaces are used to help treat conditions like ALS or stroke, as well as allowing patients to control technology with their mind. Researchers at the Science Corporation in California have tested their new method on mice - but can it be done in humans?

If you’re looking for a great science-based TV series or film to get stuck into this December, our resident TV critic Bethan Ackerley is here with all the highlights of 2024. She discusses everything from the unconventional superhero show ‘Supacell’, to the fabulous ‘3 Body Problem’ and the latest ‘Planet of the Apes’ film. Read Beth’s complete TV and film review here:

https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435200-500-the-best-science-fiction-tv-shows-of-2024/

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

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Weekly: Is bird flu spreading between people? Plus 2024’s best science books Nov 29, 2024

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Episode 278

Concerns about bird flu are rising as two cases in North America suggest the virus is adapting to humans. Evidence of human-to-human transmission is not yet conclusive but public health experts are worried. This year outbreaks have been found in both poultry and dairy cows in the US. Although it only causes mild symptoms in people at the moment, is there a chance it could evolve to become deadly?

A last-minute deal has been struck at the UN climate summit COP29 – and people are not happy. Richer nations have agreed to give money to poorer nations to help them go green, but the financing promised doesn’t come close to what’s needed. Another year, another unsatisfactory outcome, once again begging the question is the COP process no longer fit for purpose?

Fancy stock-piling a load of new books ahead of the holiday season? We present to you 5 of the best science books of 2024, fiction and non-fiction. On the list are A City on Mars, What the Wild Sea Can Be, Frostbite, Nuclear War: A Scenario and Question 7. Read the full article of 18 must-reads here.

https://www.newscientist.com/sign-up/bookclub/

Find more information about the Book Club here: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2442618-welcome-to-the-new-scientist-book-club/

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

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Weekly: Why chimps are still in the Stone Age and humans are in the Space Age Nov 22, 2024

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Episode 277

Chimps are an intelligent species, capable of using tools and developing culture - so why have humans surpassed them to such a huge extent? How is it that we are busy exploring space while chimps remain stuck in the Stone Age? It’s long been thought it’s because their culture doesn’t evolve cumulatively, but that assumption has just been challenged. Hear from Cassandra Gunasekaram, the lead author of a paper that shows chimp culture develops in a more complex way than we realised. We also hear from primatologists Andrew Whiten from the University of St Andrews and Andrea Migliano of the University of Zurich.

How often do you check the calories of your meal, before ordering at a restaurant? In 2020 in the UK it became mandatory for many restaurants to print calories on their menus, as part of an anti-obesity campaign - the question is, has it been effective or a complete waste of time? We dig into new research and the results may surprise you. We also explore why 85 per cent of overweight or obese people who lose a significant amount of weight end up putting it all back on again within a year.

In a Black Mirror-like development, computer scientists have managed to create simulated replicas of 1000 real people. These digital twins were created using the model behind ChatGPT and can accurately simulate their personalities. The method is surprisingly simple to recreate - so should we be worried?

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

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Weekly: COP29: Are UN climate summits failing us and our planet? Nov 15, 2024

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Episode 276

Are the COP climate summits doing enough to help us avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change, or are they not fit for purpose, and designed to fail? COP29 is underway in petrostate Azerbaijan, headed by a CEO who was secretly filmed making oil and gas deals. Despite this, the team finds reason for optimism. They also hear from climate philosopher and activist Rupert Read, who runs the Climate Majority Project. He argues the COP process was designed to fail, that 1.5 degrees is dead and that adaptation - not mitigation - is the way to go. What do you think?

Bird migration is an extraordinary feat of evolution - but how exactly do they do it? We know the Earth’s magnetic field has something to do with it, but we’ve only just discovered the astonishing level of detail birds are able to get from it. Raising questions about bird intelligence, the team also hears how birds evolved from dinosaurs.

Gophers have an incredible capacity to shape their landscape. Gophers are small, burrowing rodents with long front teeth. And a decades-long study has shown that just one day of work by a gopher can completely revitalise soil in an area, changing its microbial diversity and preventing disease. Gopher productivity surely puts humans to shame.

Hosts Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet discuss with guests Madeleine Cuff and Sophie Bushwick.

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

Learn about the Climate Majority Project here.

Find Rupert Read’s book here.

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Weekly: The origins of writing revealed; world’s largest (and oldest?) tree Nov 08, 2024

Show notes

Episode 275

The origins of the world’s oldest known writing system are being uncovered. Cuneiform was invented around 3200 BC in ancient Mesopotamia, but before it came a much simpler form of writing called proto-cuneiform. Researchers are now shedding light on how writing began along with the cultural factors that spurred on its invention.

Just as the rather disappointing COP16 biodiversity conference comes to a close, another COP is nearly upon us. The famous climate conference is in its 29th year and is taking place in Azerbaijan. It’s fair to say the stakes are extremely high. With global emissions cuts still not happening fast enough, the existence of some countries hanging in the balance and Donald Trump returning to the White House, can COP29 move the needle?

Pando, a quaking aspen in Utah, is the world’s largest tree – and it’s very, very old. Until now its exact age has been hard to pinpoint, but researchers have now found it is among the oldest organisms on the planet, alive during the time of the woolly mammoth. But just how old is it?

Did you know vampire bats can… run? And they’re pretty fast too. Researchers stuck some of these bats on treadmills to learn about their unusual diets. How exactly do they survive only eating fresh blood?

Hosts Penny Sarchet and Timothy Revell discuss with guests Michael Marshall, Madeleine Cuff, Rowan Hooper, James Woodford and Matthew Sparkes.

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

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Weekly: Microbiome special: how to boost your vital gut bacteria Nov 01, 2024

Show notes

Episode 274

World leaders are in Colombia for the COP16 biodiversity summit. As delegates hash out a path forward, have we actually made any progress to protect global biodiversity since they last gathered?

What would a Trump presidency mean for the climate? With the US election taking place on 5th November, two climate experts weigh in with their concerns. Leah Stokes works on climate policy at the University of California, Santa Barbara and Naomi Oreskes is a professor of earth and planetary science at Harvard.

And in a special mega feature on the microbiome, take a deep dive into the science of our guts:

First up, we know that antibiotics wipe out good and bad bacteria alike, but until now we didn’t realise just how intense those effects were. Now researchers have uncovered how many species of bacteria in our guts are killed off by antibiotics - and the truth of how long those impacts last.

We also learn how our guts are battlegrounds, where microbes are in a constant state of war, fighting for resources and territory. Most surprising of all is how some microbes are turned traitors and end up killing off their own kind.

And we provide a one-stop shop for all the science-backed ways to care for your gut and learn how the balance of microbes impacts healthy ageing, mental health and inflammation.

Hosts Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet (yes, she’s back!) discuss with guests James Dinneen, Michael Le Page, Carissa Wong and Alison George.

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

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