Scientist, Scientist, How Does Your Research Grow?

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A new analysis of the types of plants most likely to feature in scientific studies. A team of researchers looked at 280 studies published between 19 75 and 20 20. They found that eye catching plants, rather than rare or endangered ones, tended to attract scientists attention. In nature, your mouth is full ofmi ic organisms, and so were the mouths of other members of the human family tree. We'll be hearing about voyager one's latest findings from outside the solar system.

Smouldering fires lay dormant before bursting back into flame in spring.

In this episode:

00:56 The mysterious overwintering forest fires

Researchers have shown that fires can smoulder under snow in frozen northern forests before flaring up the following spring. Understanding how these so-called ‘zombie’ fires start and spread is vital in the fight against climate change.

Research Article: Scholten et al.

07:39 Research Highlights

Aesthetic bias means pretty plants receive the most research attention, and ancient tooth gunk reveals the evolution of the mouth microbiome.

Research Highlight: Flashy plants draw outsize share of scientists’ attention

Research Highlight: Microbes in Neanderthals’ mouths reveal their carb-laden diet

10:04 Briefing Chat

We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time, Voyager 1 detects a faint interstellar ‘hum’, and a trove of Neanderthal bones found in an Italian cave.

Reuters: Faraway NASA probe detects the eerie hum of interstellar space

The Guardian: Remains of nine Neanderthals found in cave south of Rome

Video: Hawaii’s surprise volcanic eruption: Lessons from Kilauea 2018

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