The Naked Scientists Podcast Malaria bites back, and the lunar base race
Jul 25, 2025
Jane Carlton, Director of the Malaria Research Institute, discusses alarming rises in malaria cases, attributing them to funding cuts and new mosquito threats. Richard Hollingham shares insights on South Korea's bold lunar base plans and the competitive landscape of space exploration. Jorge Chavarro reveals that baby gender is influenced by biological and behavioral factors, debunking the myth of random chance in sex determination. Together, they discuss the implications of these findings for global health, space policy, and family planning.
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Rising Malaria Threats Globally
- Malaria cases are rising in Africa due to US funding cuts and invasive mosquito species resistant to insecticides.
- This poses global risks as malaria can spread beyond Africa through travel and local mosquito populations elsewhere.
Baby Sex Is Not Random
- The sex of babies is not purely random; some parents are biologically biased to have more boys or girls.
- Human behavior often compensates by family planning choices, aiming for balanced sex distribution.
South Korea Joins Lunar Race
- South Korea aims for a lunar base by 2045 amidst growing global lunar competition.
- Moon bases serve political ambitions, resource exploitation, and act as stepping stones for further space exploration.