

BBC Inside Science
BBC Radio 4
A weekly programme that illuminates the mysteries and challenges the controversies behind the science that's changing our world.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 21, 2024 • 28min
Laboratory-Grown Meat
Meaty rice and synthetic meat, the advancements and doubts in lab-grown meat production. Intriguingly pregnant stingray raises questions. Unusual asteroid entering Earth’s atmosphere sparks curiosity. Personal encounters with nature: adopting goats, swimming with octopus, and more.

Mar 14, 2024 • 28min
The Gulf Stream’s tipping point
A study suggests the Gulf Stream could collapse, impacting global climate stability. Polar bears in Hudson Bay facing challenges with longer ice-free seasons. Updates on CERN's plans for a new particle accelerator. Concerns about the future of French cheeses due to lack of fungus diversity.

Mar 7, 2024 • 28min
Ancient Roman writings revealed
Machine learning deciphers ancient Roman scrolls, NASA's PACE satellite monitoring Earth, bird flu impacting penguin and seal populations, International Day of Women in Science celebrated with profile of Dr. Jess Wade

Feb 29, 2024 • 27min
When brains and computers meet
Neuralink's brain chips, enhancing rugby safety with smart technology, decoding chicken emotions, and improving chicken welfare are some fascinating topics discussed in this episode

9 snips
Feb 22, 2024 • 28min
Hydrogen and the race to net zero
Exploration of UK's largest hydrogen hub, humpback whales mystery singing patterns, hermit crabs using plastic bottle caps as homes, challenges of carbon storage and hydrogen use, and Japanese Space Agency's moon lander mission update.

Feb 15, 2024 • 28min
A New Volcanic Era?
Scientists discuss the recent volcanic activity in Iceland and advancements in predicting eruptions. A study reveals the vast amount of microorganisms in the ocean. The creation of a global catalog of ocean genes is explored. The possibility of a new species related to the Tyrannosaurus Rex is debated.

8 snips
Feb 8, 2024 • 28min
Understanding Flood Forecasting
Learn about flood forecasting and the challenges of sending out flood alerts and warnings. Discover the potential habitability of Jupiter's moon, Europa, and the design of the Europa Clipper spacecraft. Explore the effects of exercise and video gaming on brain power and cognitive abilities. Dive into a study on the effects of immersive video games and the relationship between the body and the brain. Plus, find out the scientific explanation behind a viral video of a mouse tidying up objects in a shed.

Feb 1, 2024 • 29min
Space Exploration
Upcoming lunar missions to the Moon in 2024, including NASA's Artemis II mission with the first manned lunar flyby since 1972 and China's Chang'e 6 mission to collect rock samples from the far side of the moon. Insight into the Artemis II mission and its culinary delights in space. China's use of a relay satellite for their lunar mission and the impact of the Wolf Amendment. Potential discoveries from exploring the moon's surface and below, such as water-containing glass bits and high-density materials. The Europa clipper mission's goal to search for habitable environments on Europa and other icy ocean worlds.

Jan 25, 2024 • 28min
12 days of Christmas - science version
This Christmas edition of BBC Inside Science covers fascinating topics like a newly discovered tree frog species and promising drugs for Alzheimer's disease. It also delves into sonification of NASA's telescope images, an ancient wooden structure found in Zambia, and the discovery of thousands of new species in the ocean depths. Other interesting topics include video-calling parrots, the cognitive abilities of parrots, and the record high global ocean surface temperature.

Jan 18, 2024 • 28min
The Science of the South Pole
Scientists studying the carbon cycle at the South Pole discuss the hibernation habits of copepods and their role in carbon storage. The podcast also covers an eruption in Iceland, challenges faced by a scientific research team in the Southern Ocean, and the exciting adventures of exploring the South Pole. It concludes with a discussion on the science of creating a festive playlist and choosing the right music after Christmas dinner.