Richard Van Norden, Nature's Features Editor, joins to discuss the highlights of 2024's scientific advancements. They chat about the impact of Ozempic in tackling obesity and diabetes, alongside entertaining yearly quizzes on major scientific breakthroughs. Insights on CAR T-cell therapies offer a glimpse into innovative cancer treatments. Highlighting Nature's 10, they celebrate key figures in science, including a savvy economist stepping into politics. Packed with humor and informative content, this conversation is both captivating and thought-provoking!
The podcast highlights the promise of Ozempic for obesity and diabetes, emphasizing its potential wider health benefits in 2024.
Nature's Ten celebrates influential figures in science, including leaders addressing critical reforms and tackling academic integrity issues.
Deep dives
Highlights from the Year in Science
The podcast reviews significant scientific advancements and stories from the past year, celebrating key developments that have shaped the research landscape in 2024. One of the notable mentions is the increased focus on Ozempic, a medication typically associated with diabetes and weight loss, which is now being researched for broader applications including cardiovascular health. The exploration of this drug's potential applications highlights the ongoing quest for innovative treatments to improve public health outcomes. Additionally, the episode includes a festive quiz that engages listeners with questions related to the year's scientific milestones.
Festive Quiz and Engaging Science
The episode features a festive quiz that humorously challenges participants on various scientific topics addressed throughout the year, fostering a lively and interactive environment. Contestants answer questions about AI language models, the microbiome, and significant archaeological discoveries using formats designed to evoke friendly competition. This segment not only entertains but reinforces knowledge retention by revisiting important stories, including the recovery of ancient cities through advanced technologies like LIDAR. The interplay between humor and education creates an engaging way for listeners to reconnect with the year’s most impactful research.
Prominent Figures in Science
The podcast introduces key individuals who have significantly influenced the field of science over the past year, featuring the Nature's Ten list that highlights their contributions. Amongst those discussed is Mohamed Yunus, who transitioned from social entrepreneurship to an interim political leadership role, addressing critical reforms in Bangladesh after a significant political shift. Another notable mention is Anna Abalkina, a researcher tackling fraudulent practices in scientific publications, highlighting the ongoing issue of academic integrity. These individuals exemplify the intersection of science, policy, and ethics, showcasing how diverse efforts drive progress in various fields.
Emerging Public Health Challenges
The podcast discusses the challenges posed by emerging public health threats, particularly the MPOX outbreak, underlining the importance of rapid response and research. Placidate Mbala, an epidemiologist from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is spotlighted for his efforts in monitoring and understanding the genetic variations of the virus, which has morphed into new strains. His work highlights the critical need for effective vaccination strategies, emphasizing disparities in access to treatments across different regions. The episode underscores the ongoing necessity for vigilance in public health, particularly in the face of evolving pathogens.
In the first of our annual festive songs celebrating the science of the past year, we pay homage to Ozempic, or Semaglutide, that's able to tackle obesity, diabetes and potentially a whole lot more.
05:20 A very scientific quiz
We gather an all-star cast and see how well they can remember some of the big science stories from 2024 in our annual festive quiz.
21:31 “CAR T Cells”
In the second of our festive songs, we look at CAR-T cells. These engineered immune cells have shown great promise at tackling cancer, but these treatments are not without their drawbacks.
25:43 Nature’s 10
Every year, Nature’s 10 highlights some of the people who have helped shape science over the past 12 months. We hear about a few of the people who made the 2024 list, including an economist who now needs to run a country, a Russian science-sleuth, a researcher who’s been sounding the alarm on Mpox, and a PhD student who won a salary bump for researchers in Canada.