Andrew Pontzen, a physicist from University College London, and Harry Cliff, a CERN physicist, debate the necessity of CERN's ambitious new particle collider project, weighing its hefty price against potential scientific returns. Meanwhile, science reporter Ella Hubber showcases innovative motion capture technology at the University of Bath, revolutionizing how athletes analyze their movements for performance enhancement. They also touch on chimps' unexpected communication skills, highlighting parallels with human language evolution.
CERN's Future Circular Collider proposal faces funding challenges yet promises significant societal benefits, evidenced by past scientific advancements.
Chimpanzees exhibit quick, structured communication similar to humans, providing insights into the evolutionary foundations of language and social behavior.
Deep dives
Future of Particle Physics
The discussion revolves around the proposal for a new particle accelerator, the Future Circular Collider (FCC), which aims to extend the capabilities of the current Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The FCC is expected to be much larger, with a circumference of about 90 kilometers, and will focus on colliding electrons and their antiparticles, allowing for cleaner experimental conditions. This shift from protons, which are composite particles, to elementary particles promises to provide more accurate measurements. However, funding remains a critical challenge, with Germany, a major contributor, currently unable to support this ambitious €17 billion venture, amid competition from China, which is planning to build a larger collider at a significantly lower cost.
Scientific and Societal Benefits
The case for the FCC is strengthened by historical precedents showing that major scientific projects often yield significant societal benefits. Examples include advancements in medical imaging technologies like MRI, and the development of the World Wide Web, which originated from CERN's initiatives. Furthermore, even unforeseen innovations can arise from fundamental research, as illustrated by Ernest Rutherford’s groundbreaking work in the 1930s, which later contributed to the understanding of nuclear energy. It is emphasized that while the investment is substantial, the long-term benefits to society can far exceed immediate returns.
Communication Evolution in Chimpanzees
Research has uncovered that chimpanzees engage in quick, back-and-forth gestural communications, akin to human conversation but occurring at even faster rates. Observations reveal that chimpanzees often take turns in communicating with a response time of about 120 to 180 milliseconds, highlighting an aspect of their social behavior that could mirror evolutionary traits shared with humans. The nuances of these exchanges have evolved over two decades of data collection, demonstrating that gestures can carry significant meaning, much like human language. This fascinating insight into primate communication invites further exploration into the evolutionary origins of human conversational norms.
Honoring Female Contributions in Science
The episode highlights the story of Rosemary Fowler, who received an honorary doctorate 75 years after her significant contribution to physics through the discovery of the kaon particle. Her journey reflects the challenges faced by women in scientific fields historically dominated by men, as she paused her academic career to raise her family during post-war years. The honor bestowed upon her serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women in science. This acknowledgement not only rectifies past oversights but also emphasizes the ongoing need for gender equality in scientific disciplines.
CERN’s plans to build a bigger, faster particle collider, with a hefty 17 billion Euro price tag, are in question. Physicists Andrew Pontzen and Harry Cliff discuss if the new machine is really worth it.
A place on the podium or disappointment in the Olympics can come down to the precise position of a foot or angle of the hips. Science reporter Ella Hubber visits the University of Bath to check out the motion capture tech that makes these measurements.
New research suggests our close cousins, the chimpanzees, chat just as fast as humans. Professor Cat Hobaiter from the University of St Andrews tells us what chimp chats can teach us about the evolution of language.
75 years after making a groundbreaking discovery, Rosemary Fowler has finally been awarded with an honorary doctorate. University of Bristol chancellor, Sir Paul Nurse, shares how important it is to celebrate and recognise Rosemary’s achievements.
Presenter: Victoria Gill
Producers: Ella Hubber and Sophie Ormiston
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
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