'Beastly Bodies' Kids Special - Steve Backshall, Jess French and Adam Kay
Jul 24, 2024
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Join Steve Backshall, Jess French, and Adam Kay as they engage with curious kids at the Cheltenham Science Festival discussing a battle between a shark and crocodile, the evolution of sweating in dogs, potential AI communication with animals, and the use of bacteriophages in fighting pandemics.
AI can aid in understanding animal communication, potentially enabling direct interactions.
Dogs pant to dissipate heat, relying on limited sweat glands unlike humans with widespread sweating ability.
Deep dives
Importance of Bacteriophages in Future Pandemics
Bacteriophages, viruses that consume bacteria, are abundant on earth and show potential in combating antibiotic resistance and unknown illnesses like Ebola. Virophages, though in laboratory stages, hold promise against challenging viruses like HIV. Utilizing AI and advanced technology to understand bacteriophages can revolutionize medical treatment and responses to global health crises.
Communication with Animals Through Advanced Technology
Advancements in AI show promise for enhancing communication with animals in the future, potentially enabling direct, technology-mediated interactions. Currently in the data analysis phase, research focuses on deciphering various animal languages, including whales and dolphins. While caution is urged in playing animal recordings back due to the risk of spreading misinformation, ongoing research aims to decode animal communication effectively.
Unique Cooling Mechanisms in Animals
Dogs employ panting as a primary method to dissipate heat due to limited sweat glands in areas covered by fur. While dogs do sweat slightly from their paw pads and noses, panting remains their main cooling mechanism. In contrast, humans have evolved sweat glands throughout the body, allowing for efficient temperature regulation during physical exertion.
Evolving Methods to Understand Animal Communication
Scientists are delving into animal communication methods beyond sound, such as body language, tail and ear movements, and vocal cues. Extensive data collection globally aids in deciphering intricate animal languages and behaviors. Advancements in AI offer insights into complex communication patterns, like dolphin self-identification, paving the way for enhanced cross-species understanding.
Brian Cox and Robin Ince are joined by adventurer and naturalist Steve Backshall, veterinarian Jess French, and comedian and former doctor Adam Kay, as they are put to the test by an audience of curious children at Cheltenham Science Festival. We find out who would win in a battle between a shark and a crocodile (the answer involves a tennis court), why dogs don’t sweat like humans, whether macrophages might help us overcome antibiotic resistance and if AI might one day enable us to understand and directly communicate with animals.
Producer: Melanie Brown
Exec Producer: Alexandra Feachem
BBC Studios Audio Production
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