More or Less: Behind the Stats

Exploring the possibility of extraterrestrial life using the Drake Equation, the calculations for the number of habitable planets, and the challenges of finding and communicating with alien civilizations.

Exploring the claim that Indian women own 11% of the world's gold, discussing the cultural significance of gold in India, the global breakdown of gold holdings, the distribution of gold ownership in India, and the reasons for high Indian demand for gold.

Dr Kate Kitagawa, co-author of 'The Secret Lives of Numbers', explores the overlooked mathematicians throughout history. From female mathematicians in imperial China to pioneers in the Middle East, she reveals the global history of mathematical advances. Discover the contributions of Al-Khwarizmi, the rivalry between Newton and Leibniz in inventing calculus, and the unique methods of the Kerala School in India.

Reporter Perisha Kudhail, Dr Lawrence Ball from Kent Wildlife Trust, and Professor Lynn Dicks from University of Cambridge discuss the 'windscreen phenomenon' and its implications for insect decline. They cover the Bugs Matter Project measuring insect abundance, potential causes for the decline, and studies showing a decrease in insect biomass.

Harvard professor Claudia Goldin, Nobel Economics Prize winner, discusses her groundbreaking research on women's employment and the persisting gender pay gap. Topics include factors influencing women's pay, the impact of 'greedy jobs' on gender equality, and the potential for redefining jobs post-pandemic.

Dr Beth Malory, lecturer in English Linguistics at University College London, discusses the claim that almost half the words in English are of French origin. She explains the different ways of counting and differentiating between directly borrowed and indirectly derived words. The impact of the Norman Conquest on the English language and the presence of French-derived words in various domains is also explored.

Controversial claims by YouTuber John Campbell regarding excess deaths and the Covid vaccine are debunked. The effectiveness of a new Alzheimer's treatment, Dannanamab, is examined, including its ability to slow down the progression of the disease and remove amyloid plaques from the brain. Beth Mallory discusses the impact of French words in the English language and the challenge of constructing a sentence using only French-derived words.

Tim Harford talks to Hannah Ritchie, author of "Not the End of the World", about the UK's carbon emissions record and its position compared to other countries. They discuss the country's impressive carbon emission reductions within the G7, the differences between the UK and China in terms of emissions, and the responsibility of wealthy countries in leading decarbonization efforts.

This podcast covers topics such as NHS consultant pay, net zero claims, Scottish ferry issues, and infrastructure building in Britain. It debunks the myth of million-pound salaries for NHS consultants and reveals their median earnings of £126,100. The decline in consultant pay compared to inflation is explored, along with the UK's progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The high costs of obtaining planning permission for infrastructure projects and the reliability issues of Scotland's ferry service are also discussed.

Guests including Giovanni Giusto, Venice City Councillor and David Edwards-May, Inland Waterways International discuss whether Venice or Birmingham has more canals. They also explore the definition of canals and rank cities based on canal lengths. The podcast also explores the canals of Basra and Yangzhou, comparing their historical significance and canal networks.