Safe Plastics Alternatives and Estimating the Brightness of Carrington Flare

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Scientists discuss their research on creating new compounds as alternatives to BPA in plastics, as well as estimating the brightness of the historic Carrington Flare using eyewitness reports and contemporary drawings.

In this episode:

00:46 A sustainably-sourced, super-strong adhesive

The modern world is held together by adhesives, but these fossil-fuel derived materials come at an environmental cost. To overcome this, a team have developed a soya-oil based adhesive, which also takes inspiration from the proteins that marine animals like mussels use to stick firmly to rocks. The researchers say their glue is strong, reversible, and less carbon intensive to produce than existing adhesives.

Research article: Westerman et al.

07:43 Research Highlights

Why chemicals derived from wood could be sustainable alternatives to a common plastic building block, and how historical accounts helped researchers estimate the brightness of a 1859 solar flare.

Research Highlight: Wood component yields useful plastics — without the health risks

Research Highlight: A historic solar flare’s huge intensity is revealed by new tools

10:08 New insights into childhood stunting and wasting

Around the world, millions of children are affected by malnutrition, which can result in stunting or wasting, both associated with serious health issues. Despite a widespread recognition of the seriousness of stunting and wasting, there are still questions about their extent, causes and consequences. To answer these, a team have pooled data from previous studies, and show that nutritional interventions targeting the earliest years of life could have the greatest impact.

Research article: Benjamin-Chung et al.

Research article: Mertens et al.

Nature Collection: Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals

20:29 Briefing Chat

This time, what rejoining the Horizon Europe research-funding programme means for UK research, and the 1.4-million-year-old stone balls that are mystifying scientists.

Nature News: Scientists celebrate as UK rejoins Horizon Europe research programme

Science: Were these stone balls made by ancient human relatives trying to perfect the sphere?

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