BBC Inside 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.

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.

Kate Bishop, a leading HIV researcher at the Francis Crick Institute, discusses promising advancements toward a 'functional' cure for HIV, focusing on broadly neutralising antibodies. Professor Ulf Büntgen from Cambridge shares intriguing links between tree rings, volcanic activity, and the historical spread of the Black Death. Roland Pease explores groundbreaking ancient DNA findings from southern Africa, revealing insights into human ancestry. Meanwhile, science broadcaster Caroline Steele highlights fascinating recent discoveries, including satellite photobombing and innovations in programmable plastics.

Claire Booth, a leading gene therapy professor at Great Ormond Street Hospital, discusses the challenges of making gene therapies more common, addressing cost and complexity. Dr. Jennifer Millard shares insights on the Atacama Cosmology Telescope's final observations of ancient cosmic light and the implications for understanding the universe. Roland Pease reports on geological developments from the Afar eruption and its connection to human evolution. Lastly, Penny Sarchet highlights recent fascinating research on brain changes and genetics in golden retrievers.

Camilla Bourne, former adviser to the COP26 president, shares her insights on the strategic language used in COP negotiations and its impact on climate diplomacy. Kit Yates, Professor of Mathematical Biology, delves into the mathematical probabilities of breaking sports records and how these relate to climate trends. Georgina Reinhard provides live updates from COP in Belém, emphasizing indigenous involvement and Brazil's political stance. Roland Pease discusses Iran's severe water crisis, exploring the environmental mismanagement behind the drought.

Dr. Chris Powell, a director at Cambridge BioPharma Consultants, discusses the potential to replace animal testing in drug development with innovative technologies. Dr. Matthias Huss, a glaciologist, reveals that Swiss glaciers have lost 25% of their ice over the past decade and shares his efforts to preserve a piece of glacier history in his freezer. Science journalist Roland Pease dives into the discovery of stellar coronal mass ejections and their implications for exoplanet habitability, showcasing the fascinating interplay of technology and nature.

Lizzie Gibney, a senior physics and AI reporter at Nature, shares new revelations about orcas hunting great white sharks and a groundbreaking interactive map of Roman roads. Carlos Frenk, a Durham University cosmologist, discusses the universe's expansion and the intriguing possibility that dark energy might be weakening, hinting at drastic cosmic implications. Geoffrey Hinton, a pioneer in AI, issues urgent warnings about the risks of superintelligence and the need for proactive measures to ensure humanity's safety in an era of advanced technology.

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.

In this discussion, Professor Francesca Cordeiro reveals how a bionic eye implant helps blind patients regain their ability to read. Brenna Hassett shares groundbreaking techniques for extracting hormones from ancient remains, shedding light on early human reproduction. Stephen Burt highlights the vital role of manual rainfall observations in climate science, emphasizing the human touch in data collection. Science broadcaster Caroline Steele introduces intriguing stories, including Martian ice formation and induced menstruation in mice, captivatingly bridging the past and future of scientific discovery.

Gilly Forrester, a professor of evolutionary psychology, shares insights on why play is crucial for learning and social bonding, revealing surprising similarities in problem-solving between humans and chimpanzees. Dr. Katie Steckles, a mathematician, explains game theory and how it can optimize strategies, including the fascinating dynamics of the Prisoner’s Dilemma. Jaz Singh, a former contestant on The Traitors, delves into the intense psychological gameplay experience, discussing deception and strategy in high-stakes environments.