Tech and Science Daily | The Standard

The Evening Standard
undefined
Aug 29, 2025 • 13min

NHS chickenpox vaccine, Microsoft's AI models, and glow in the dark plants, plus more

A vaccine for chickenpox will be rolled out on the NHS in England from January. The jab will be offered as a combined immunisation that will eventually replace the MMR vaccine.Microsoft have unveiled their two upcoming in-house AI models. MAI-Voice-1, a natural speech generation model, and MAI-1-preview, first homegrown foundation model trained end-to-end.An AI tool to end childhood sleep apnoea bottlenecks goes into NHS trials in Scotland. To find out more, we spoke to Haytham Kubba, chief investigator and paediatric ENT surgeon at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.Also in this episode:-Could glow in the dark succulents be the answer to sustainable lighting systems-The parents of a California teen are suing OpenAI over the death of their son-The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's AI-generated film of what a volcanic eruption of Mt Fuji would look like-Medieval document pours more doubt on the Shroud of Turin - the burial cloth claimed to have been worn by Jesus Christ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Aug 28, 2025 • 13min

“Totally wacky” spiky dinosaur discovered in Morocco

Professor Susannah Maidment, a palaeontologist at the Natural History Museum, joins us to discuss the world’s oldest ankylosaur, which roamed our planet some 165 million years ago.The spicomellus has been dubbed the world’s most unusual dinosaur.And, the DfT have announced the first electric car models eligible for £3,750 purchase grants.Plus, intelligence agencies from the UK and 12 allies issue a warning over Chinese cyber attacks on ‘critical sectors’.Also in this episode:-An upcoming sci-fi horror film has raised the heart rates of early viewers-A four-day work week pilot is a success in Scotland-Could e-scooters soon be regulated?-Summer ‘25 to be washed away by heavy rain and flooding-Princess Diana’s 90s time capsule is dug up earlier than planned Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Aug 27, 2025 • 10min

The "sci-fi" treatment to save babies with a fatal condition

We explore a new treatment delivering nanodiamonds into the womb in order to treat fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernias, a potentially fatal condition which affects one in 3,000 babies each year.For more, we join lead author Stavros Loukogeorgakis, associate professor of pediatric surgery at UCL and consultant surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College Hospitals.And, it’s lift-off for Elon Musk’s Starship rocket.After multiple failed attempts this year, Musk’s largest rocket has finally had a successful test launch.Plus, the UK's second mobile emergency alert drill is scheduled for September 7.Also in this episode:-6.3 million cancer cases could be diagnosed between now and 2040-Royal Mail rolls out its solar-powered post boxes-Anthropic is launching a preview of its Claude AI agent for browsers-The world's tallest bridge passes a load testThe image used for this episode is of Amelia Turner in hospital. Amelia was born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Aug 26, 2025 • 10min

Musk sues Apple and OpenAI over artificial intelligence competition

X and xAI lawsuits challenge Apple’s plans to integrate OpenAI’s chatbot into the operating systems of Apple’s products.Musk claims this violates competition law.Experts have developed an AI tool that can help doctors identify people at risk of developing a potentially fatal heart condition known as ‘heart block’.To find out how it works, we speak to senior author and associate professor at Imperial College London, Dr Fu Siong Ng.Plus, what caused a wall of dust to spread through parts of Arizona on Monday?Also in this episode:-A deadly flesh-eating parasite has been found in a human in the US-Warming waters in Japan are killing off a luxury dish-UK adventurer prepares to take on the full stretch of China's Yellow River on foot Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Aug 22, 2025 • 12min

Asteroid Bennu: scientists unlock clues to the origins of the solar system

We join Professor Russell, a planetary scientist and the co-author of two new major studies on asteroid Bennu.From studying its space dust, they believe they’ve unlocked clues to the origins of the solar system, as well as how the rock even helped Earth become habitable.TikTok is putting hundreds of jobs at risk in the UK, a new species of iguanodontian dinosaur has been discovered on the Isle of Wight, and floating Blue Dragon sea slugs close off beaches across southern Spain.Also in this episode:-A humanoid takes an unfortunate tumble at the first World Humanoid Robotic Games in China-Netflix and Ubisoft unveil teaser for anime series Splinter: Deathwatch-Drinking less water increases the stress hormone cortisol-Scientists discover the first known fossil evidence of fish testing life beyond water Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Aug 21, 2025 • 11min

Microsoft’s AI chief raises alarm over ‘AI psychosis’ reports

Microsoft’s head of artificial intelligence said he’s being “kept awake at night” as more people report suffering from “AI psychosis”.David Shrier, Professor of Practice, AI & Innovation at Imperial College London, told us "if someone is experiencing a psychotic episode, the AI might inadvertently reinforce the psychosis."And, scientists have found our internal compass.Russell Epstein, Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, told us how they used neuroimaging and virtual reality to identify two brain regions that help humans maintain their sense of direction while moving around.Also in this episode:-We speak to Lynda Scammell, head of borderline at the MHRA, about the product warning relating to Nutrition Ignition Magnesium Glycinate Gummies-US gamers will see a price hike for Sony’s PlayStation 5 console-Google have unveiled their 10th generation of phone.-A seabird that only poops while flying Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Aug 20, 2025 • 10min

Toothpaste made from hair could repair damaged teeth

A new study shows that a protein found in hair, skin and wool is better at protecting teeth than fluoride. We speak to Dr Sherif Elsharkawy from King’s College London about how keratin toothpaste can stop tooth decay.Children who vape are three times more likely to become smokers, that's according to an umbrella review published in Tobacco Control.UK ‘agreed to drop’ Apple data demand in privacy row, US chief says. Read more here.Plus, a new moon has been discovered orbiting UranusAlso in this episode:Meta announces a restructure of its AI departmentsThousands object to Tesla's bid to supply energy to UK homesRadio waves could improve sense of smell in humansFireball lights up night skies across southern Japan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Aug 19, 2025 • 11min

The world's largest animal crossing is being built in Colorado

Colorado has built the world's largest animal crossing. We speak to Kara Van Hoose from Colorado Parks and Wildlife about why Monument is building a bridge for animals.And are zombie rabbits real? Kara explains the disease affecting cottontail bunnies that gives them a horned appearance.Plus, the kids' magnesium supplement that the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency have advised customers to dispose of.Also in this episode:Water tests reveal ‘really concerning’ pollution in Lake WindermereA new trial offers hope for patients with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosaSir David Attenborough names a golden eagle chick'Good Boy' trailer released, the horror film from a dog's perspective Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Aug 18, 2025 • 11min

“Skibidi”, “tradwife”, and “delulu” added to the Cambridge Dictionary

Wendalyn Nichols, Cambridge Dictionary Publishing Manager, joins us to explain why “Skibidi”, “tradwife”, and “delulu” have been added to their dictionary.The UK government extends opening hours for 100 local health centres to speed up patient diagnosis.AI chatbot plushies have been developed for children as young as three. Rosie Weatherley from the mental health charity, Mind, speaks to us about the soothing benefits of crafting.Also in this episode: -Spain deploy an extra 500 troops to help battle ongoing wildfires.-A new trial has offered hope for patients living with a rare genetic disorder.-Stranger Things creators to leave Netflix for Paramount Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
undefined
Aug 15, 2025 • 11min

Disney+ deliver Alien: Earth egg to the Natural History Museum

Sci-fi fans… FX’s Alien: Earth landed on August 13th. From Noah Hawley and Ridley Scott, the new series is available to stream on Disney+ UK.To celebrate the launch, Disney+ delivered a Xenomorph egg to the Natural History Museum to be displayed within a new exhibit titled "Space: Could Life Exist Beyond Earth?".To find out more, we’re joined by the museum's head of collections and professor of planetary science, Caroline Smith.Due to increased demand for the weight loss drug Mounjaro, US manufacturer Eli Lilly will increase prices from SeptemberRead the full explainer by clicking here.And, the UK government is teaming up with TikTok to highlight the risks of travelling abroad for cosmetic procedures.Also in this episode:-Nearly 100 data centres will be built in the UK in the next 5 years-Norway accuse pro-Russian hackers of a cyberattack on a hydropower dam-NBCUniversal and Saber Interactive reveal a featurette for the upcoming Jurassic Park: Survival game Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app