Roland Pease

Dr. Rebecca Wragg Sykes, an expert on Neanderthals, discusses groundbreaking evidence suggesting early Neanderthals made fire 400,000 years ago, shedding light on their advanced technological skills and interactions with Homo sapiens. Dr. William Perry from Cardiff University advocates for genetic modifications in farmed salmon to safeguard endangered wild populations. Lizzie Gibney reviews recent studies, including AI’s persuasive abilities and new findings on dark matter, ensuring a mix of ancient history and cutting-edge science.

In this engaging discussion, guests tackle pressing scientific issues. Hannah Cloke, a hydrology professor, explores how warm ocean temperatures may have intensified Hurricane Melissa and whether we should expect worse storms in the future. Ian Brown, an avian virologist, warns about the growing concern of the H9N2 bird flu strain adapting to humans. Meanwhile, science journalist Roland Pease delves into the intrigue of interstellar comet 3I/Atlas, addressing wild conspiracy theories around it. Mathematician Katie Steckles adds fun with puzzling stories from the world of science.

Roland Pease, a veteran science journalist, discusses the significant changes to US research funding and the practical impacts, including halted projects and scientists self-censoring due to budget cuts. Caroline Steele highlights intriguing scientific studies, including the collision risk of satellites, the longevity of quahog clams, and groundbreaking timing in immune therapy that enhances lung cancer outcomes. This rich conversation reveals how scientific leadership is eroding while diving into fascinating modern research.

Science In Action host, Roland Pease, travels to South Africa to explore human origins. He visits locations with ancient footprints, speaks to experts studying the geochemistry of rocks, and discusses decolonizing the human story. Topics include the significance of prehistoric footprints, uranium series dating, Paranthropus robustus research, promoting diversity in human evolution research, and exploring the Langabond footprints.

El Niño expert Roland Pease discusses the impacts of El Niño on global weather patterns, including floods, droughts, fires, and altered weather patterns. Experts explain the science behind how El Niño affects different regions, such as causing rains in drought-ridden California and exacerbating fires in Indonesia. The podcast sheds light on the cyclical nature and challenges of predicting El Niño events, emphasizing the environmental and human impacts of these natural phenomena.