Discovery

The Francis Crick Institute, in the centre of London, is the UK’s brand new, game-changing centre for biology and medical research. Roland Pease joins the scientists as they move into the building. Sir Paul Nurse, Nobel Laureate, one of the UK’s top biologists and director of the Crick explains what makes the new institute so special. Professor Richard Treisman, who helped shape its vision, shows Roland how the building is designed to encourage collaboration. And Roland learns how cancer researcher Dr Caroline Hill is packing up and moving her experimental subjects – thousands of fish. Named for Francis Crick – the British scientist who unravelled the structure of DNA and how it codes the design of the molecules of life – this central London Institute is set to be the heart of British biomedical science – bringing together experts from 3 other world famous institutes, from three of London’s great universities, and from industry.Picture: Scientists Move Into The Newly-built Francis Crick Institute in King's Cross on August 25, 2016, credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesPresenter: Roland Pease Editor: Deborah Cohen

The discovery of gravitational waves by the LIGO observatory opens up a new form of astronomy, which will allow scientists explore the ultimate fate of dead stars, Black Holes. Roland Pease reports.(Photo: Gravitational waves © Nasa)

Explore the evolution of menopause in killer whales and human females, delving into the reasons behind this rare phenomenon. Discover the crucial role of matriarchs like 'Granny' in orca family structures and the parallels between complex social relationships in animal groups. Learn about the research being conducted to unlock the secrets behind this intriguing aspect of evolution.

Discover the latest breakthroughs in Parkinson's treatment with cell therapy and stem cells, aiming to replace dying cells and improve dopamine production. Dive into the challenges and advancements in patient trials, ethical considerations, and potential benefits of pathogenic stem cells in medical research.

Space scientist Lucie Green and astrophysicist Andrew Pontzen discuss the cost and challenges of sending litter into space, exploring options like space elevators. They also delve into why things in space are mainly spherical, touching on historical beliefs in celestial spheres and the physics of achieving perfect spheres in fluids.

Investigating why some people faint at the sight of blood or certain triggers, with experiments to induce fainting. Delving into the ability of horses to count, inspired by Clever Hans and modern studies on equine counting. Exploring numerical abilities in animals like parrots, chicks, and chimpanzees, questioning whether counting skills are innate or developed through training.

How does traffic jam? And, why do some people shout into their cellphones in public places? Two subjects guaranteed to annoy even the most patient listeners.The Phantom Jam Listener Matthew Chandler wrote to us: "I travel on the motorway for work and often I find myself sitting in a traffic jam for ages, thinking there must be roadworks or an accident ahead, then suddenly the jam mysteriously disappears to reveal… nothing! There's no apparent reason whatsoever."Doctors Rutherford and Fry discover the cause of these phantom jams. Adam ventures on to the M25 in search of a tailback, and Hannah looks at projects around the world designed to thwart traffic tailbacks.This case features Neal Harwood from the Transport Research Laboratory and BBC technology reporter, Jane Wakefield. Plus a special guest appearance from Greg Marston, aka 'Masdar City Man'.The Aural Voyeur Listener Daniel Sarano, from New Jersey, asks why people shout on their mobile phones in public: "I have no interest in hearing about people’s private lives. I don’t enjoy the aural voyeurism. If people want to say 'honey I’m running late, be home in 5'. That’s OK, but discussing business or, worse, personal details…. I hate it. The whole idea would have seemed an anathema to older generations. I think they would have considered it rude to talk loudly in public. No sense of that in the 21st Century.”We discover the answer to this annoying modern habit by delving into the inner workings of telephony. What follows is a tale of engineering rivalry, Victorian etiquette and early otolaryngology. Providing the answers are acoustic technologist Nick Zakarov and historian Greg Jenner, author of 'A Million Years in a Day: A Curious History of Daily Life'.If you have any everyday mysteries for the team to investigate using the power of science, please email curiouscases@bbc.co.ukProducer: Michelle MartinImage: A man on a phone, Credit: Thinkstock

Investigating the mysteries of crying and tea-making. Discovering the biological reasons behind tears and emotional reactions. Exploring the chemistry of tea and the debate on whether to add milk first or last. Unraveling the science behind the perfect cup of British tea.

Discover the mysteries behind red hair genetics and the evolutionary purpose of body hair. From fancy mice to Tudor queens, dive into the origins of ginger gene. Laugh along with a discussion on pubic hair's evolutionary role and the pain of back waxing experiences.

China is super-sizing science. From building the biggest experiments the world has ever seen to rolling out the latest medical advances on a massive scale and pushing the boundaries of exploration in outer space - China’s scientific ambitions are immense.Just a few decades ago the nation barely featured in the world science rankings. Now, in terms of research spending and the number of scientific papers published, it stands only behind the US. But despite this rapid progress, China faces a number of challenges. Rebecca Morelle discusses China's science with Charlotte Liu, Nature Springer publishers.Image: Artist impression of completed Fast radio telescope, China © BBCPresenter: Rebecca Morelle Producer: Paula McGrath