The World, the Universe and Us

Latest Episodes:

The origin and evolution of music: Steve Pretty plays the conch Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

Episode 333

It’s not often you get to see or hear someone playing music on a conch shell. So prepare yourself for a musical treat with musician and podcaster Steve Pretty, who brings into the studio a trumpet and a collection of his favourite conches, rigged up to some modern electronics.

Steve is best known as the bandleader of the Hackney Colliery Band, and also hosts the Steve Pretty On the Origin of the Pieces podcast.

Performing live on the show and recreating the acoustics of prehistoric cave gatherings (a rave in a cave!) Steve explains the science behind how conches and brass instruments can achieve so many different notes by manipulating air pressure and flow. He explores the evolution and origin of music - which may have evolved before language. And he explains the evocative nature of music, the different functions that it has in society and how it allows us to tap into different emotional states.

Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet.

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

Learn about Steve’s conch playing here: https://www.shellectronica.com/

And find his podcast here: https://www.originofthepieces.com/

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New genome of ancient human; 95% of us have a dormant virus that causes disease; Formula E cars faster than F1; Bill Bryson joins the pod! Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

Episode 332

For only the second time, the genome of an ancient Denisovan has been sequenced - thanks to the discovery of a 200,000-year-old tooth found in a Siberian cave. This ancient member of the human family has long been a mystery, so this genome is being described as a bombshell moment, revealing an early stage of Denisovan history. We explore how this reshapes our understanding about the origins of our species.

Some 95 per cent of us have a dormant virus, lurking in our bodies - waiting to strike when the moment’s right. Epstein-Barr virus causes glandular fever - also known as mono or kissing disease - but only in a small number of people. Though new evidence is showing that even dormant viruses may still cause long term health problems.

Formula E electric race cars may have surpassed their fossil fuel counterparts. From greater efficiency to faster acceleration, this is a big turning point for the sport - but they don’t have the edge on F1 cars in all areas just yet. We find out where they’re winning and where they’re falling behind - and how this could translate to better electric road cars for us.

And the legendary science writer Bill Bryson joins the team to discuss the process of revising his bestselling book A Short History of Nearly Everything. He explores some of the most fascinating (and surprising) facts he’s had to update in the 20 years since the book came out.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(01:45) Second Denisovan genome sequenced

(11:15) We all have dormant viruses that are causing diseases

(18:37) Are Formula E cars faster than F1?

(27:17) Bill Bryson on revising his bestselling book

Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet, with guests Bill Bryson and Alec Luhn.

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

Check out the CoLab feature with DEEP at https://newscientist.com/deep

Shop our Black Friday sale at www.newscientist.com/sale

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Why the claims about Hitler’s genome are misleading Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

Episode 331

This week sees the broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK of a documentary called Hitler’s DNA: Blueprint of a dictator. Geneticists have managed to find a DNA sample from Adolf Hitler and have sequenced it and verified it, and now we have his genome. The big question is what does this really tell us – what can we tell from someone’s genome?

In this special episode of the podcast, Rowan Hooper is joined by two of the lead figures on the documentary. Turi King is a geneticist at the University of Bath and is best known for the identification of the remains of Richard III, and Alex Kay is a historian of Nazi Germany based at Potsdam University in Germany.

Rowan also discusses the documentary with New Scientist reporter Michael Le Page.

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

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COP30: The world's climate future hinges on this meeting Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

Episode 330

COP30 is nearly upon us - and this climate conference may be the most crucial so far. In a year where we’ve seen the first major global tipping point reached, destructive wildfires raging in Los Angeles and much more, joint action has never been more urgent.

But as hope starts to wane and climate goals continue to be missed, many are questioning the value of the COPs. Even legendary figure Christiana Figueres is showing signs of doubt. So 10 years on from Paris, in a year that countries are meant to come back with renewed, more ambitious pledges - will their commitments be enough?

In a special COP30 episode of the podcast, we’re joined by Simon Evans, climate journalist and deputy editor of the website Carbon Brief, as well as Rupert Read, climate philosopher, activist and director of the Climate Majority Project.

Together they outline what has actually been achieved since the Paris agreement was signed - and whether the COP process is fit for purpose. They discuss the growing need for adaptation, and disagree on the failure of mitigation goals. And they touch on America’s absence from the conference, promises of raising climate finance goals, the problem with net-zero and more.

Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet.
To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

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The collapse of America’s health data system; How sleep affects your focus; Life on Mars in liquid veins? Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

Episode 329

America’s health data system is in crisis. The US government has been bleeding public health experts – many of whom run crucial public health surveys and databases which help identify, monitor and respond to health threats across the country. From drug use to food security and birth data, discover the 5 surveys most critically hit by the axing of over 20,000 jobs. If nothing is done to address this, vital health information will be missed and the results could be catastrophic.

Do you find it difficult to concentrate after a bad night’s sleep? This might be really common, but scientists are still trying to figure out why it happens. A new finding suggests it might have something to do with the brain’s “rinse cycle” – a process where your brain washes away metabolic waste and toxic proteins. Although this usually happens while you sleep, researchers have discovered it may continue in the day if you’re sleep deprived.

Life might exist on Mars right now, thanks to a network of liquid water on the Red Planet. Researchers examining Mars’ soil say there’s a good chance tiny veins of liquid water are hiding under the Martian permafrost and that they could support microbial life. This finding has scientists excited, with one suggesting “it’s not impossible that life could exist in the Martian near surface.”

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(01:00) The collapse of America’s health data system

(08:00) How sleep affects your focus

(16:40) Best place to search for life on Mars

Hosted by Penny Sarchet and Timothy Revell, with guests Grace Wade, Carissa Wong and Leah Crane.

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

Check out Carissa’s story on the lymphatic system here: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2499831-the-extraordinary-influence-of-the-lymphatic-system-on-our-health/

Find Wellcome’s podcast here: https://wellcome.org/insights/podcast

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How mRNA vaccines teach your body to kill cancer; Grim state of climate action; Why birds sing the dawn chorus Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

Episode 328

Not only has the mRNA covid vaccine saved 14 million lives, it may also help our bodies fight off cancer. A study of cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy treatment showed those who received an mRNA vaccine lived nearly twice as long - and this effect was discovered by accident. In a trial of cancer vaccines, Elias Sayour’s team at the University of Florida used standard mRNA vaccines as a control - they weren’t meant to do anything. Except they did - and the effect was huge. It’s still early days, but as we await more trial results, people are beginning to speculate how this might transform cancer treatment.

Ahead of COP30, the World Resources Institute has published the State of Climate Action 2025 report - and it doesn’t make for good reading. It finds that we have failed to meet any of the goals laid out in the Paris agreement to avoid breaching 1.5°C of global warming. From deforestation to coal use, we’re not moving fast enough on anything. Hear from the authors of the report, who offer an important message of hope.

Why do birds sing the dawn chorus? Many theories exist - 11 in fact - but a new one has emerged, after scientists were studying zebra finches in the lab. Hear their conclusion while enjoying the serenity of birdsong, recorded at some of the RSPB’s nature reserves.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(00:34) How mRNA vaccines fight cancer

(10:00) State of Climate Action report

(21:13) Why birds sing the dawn chorus

Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet, with guests Michael Le Page, Clea Schumer and Sophie Boehm.

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

Learn more about Yakult at www.yakult.co.uk

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Neuroscience of reality; Quest for dark matter; Folklore of geoscience (New Scientist Live Special) Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

Episode 327

A special episode recorded on October 18 at New Scientist Live in London, featuring experts in geoscience, dark matter and neuroscience.

Anjana Khatwa is an Earth scientist and TV presenter. In her new book, The Whispers of Rock, she brings together Western scientific knowledge about the evolution of our Earth and indigenous knowledge and stories. She demonstrates this connection by exploring the volcanic formation of the Hawaiian islands, and the fascinating folklore attached to their origin.

Chamkaur Ghag is a Professor of Physics at University College London and an expert on dark matter. He discusses the LZ Dark Matter Experiment, which is operating one mile under the Black Hills of South Dakota, in the search for a signal of this illusive particle.

Daniel Yon is a psychologist and neuroscientist at Birkbeck, University of London. He explains how your brain influences your perception of reality - and how particular neurochemicals in the brain control our willingness to change, or to believe in a conspiracy theory.

Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet on the Engage Stage at the Excel Centre.

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

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First climate tipping point triggered; Man controls another person's body by brain implant; health worries over sumo wrestlers Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

Episode 326

The world’s first major climate tipping point has been triggered. The decimation of warm water coral populations caused by rising temperatures is now irreversible - passing the point of no return. The global consequences of widescale coral dieback could be catastrophic, so experts are sounding the alarm. But is anyone listening?

A man with paralysis has telepathically controlled the hands of another person. Keith Thomas is unable to move or feel through his hands. But thanks to a new advancement, using brain and muscle electrodes, he was able to control the hands of a non-paralysed woman using his thoughts alone. Could this one day lead to Avatar-like body control technology?

For only the second time in its 1,500-year history, professional Sumo wrestling has left Japan. A Grand Sumo Tournament is being held at London’s Albert Hall, where over 40 elite wrestlers are competing in a five day tournament. Sumo writer John Gunning discusses the physics of sumo, the incredible diets of the wrestlers and the worrying consequences of the sport on their longevity.

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(01:34) Coral tipping point

(11:23) Avatar brain implant

(22:10) The longevity of sumo wrestlers

Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet, with guests Madeleine Cuff, Carissa Wong and John Gunning.

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

Learn more about Yakult at www.yakult.co.uk

Get your ticket for New Scientist Live here: https://live.newscientist.com/

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Space 2075: How Humanity Will Live, Work and Make Drugs off-planet | Live Recording at the Royal Society Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

A special episode all about the future of space exploration, recorded in front of a live audience at the Royal Society in London.

Earlier this year, the Royal Society published ‘The Space: 2075 report’, which recognises the huge changes we’re seeing in space exploration, and urges for action to be taken to make sure the next 50 years of activity in space is sustainable and benefits all of humanity. We brought together a panel of space experts to discuss the accelerated advances we’re seeing.

Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut, blasted off Earth on a Soyuz rocket in 1991. She explains what it’s like to journey into space, the various ways it impacts the body and why humans still have the edge over robots for certain missions.

Irene Di Giulio is a Biomedical Engineer at King's College London. She explores her work helping to get the first disabled astronaut to space and why it’s critical we push towards making space flight accessible.

And Katie King is Co-Founder and CEO of BioOrbit, a pharmaceutical company which plans to make drugs in space. Discover why space is the perfect place to create drugs - potentially bringing at-home cancer treatments to the market.

Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Abby Beall.

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/
Get your ticket for New Scientist Live here: https://live.newscientist.com/

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How Jane Goodall changed the world; How the universe ends; How “selfish sperm” affect male fertility Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

Episode 324

The legendary primatologist Jane Goodall died last week aged 91, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Her work studying tool use in chimpanzees completely reshaped the way we view animal intelligence. Fiercely protective of the natural world, she was also responsible for a huge amount of advocacy during her life. Primatologist Alejandra Pascual-Garrido worked directly with Jane and shares the story of her life and work.

Will the universe end with a bang, or a quiet whimper? Katie Mack is a cosmologist, science communicator and best-selling author of The End of Everything. She explores why she’s fascinated by how the universe might end, the most likely scenarios for how it happens and why it’s an exciting time for both physics and cosmology. She also offers her thoughts on the recently announced Nobel Prize in Physics - and teases her upcoming book How To Build A Universe.

Older fathers may have a bigger impact on the health of their offspring than we realised. We know that sperm accumulates mutations as men age, but a study sheds new light on the risks. Men aged 70 are twice as likely to have children with serious genetic disorders. And it’s all to do with “selfish sperm”.

Chapters:

(00:51) Jane Goodall’s legacy

(20:52) Kate Mack on the end of the universe

(38:47) Selfish sperm

Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet, with guests Alejandra Pascual-Garrido, Katie Mack and Michael Le Page.