Discovery

Software pioneer Stephanie Shirley, once known as Steve, revolutionized the tech industry by employing mothers to write code from home. She went from selling computer programs to building an empire of 8,000 employees. Now, she focuses on philanthropy and giving back, emphasizing the importance of making a positive impact.

Is our desire to wage war something uniquely human or can its origins be traced much further back in our evolutionary past? To suggest that warfare is a regular feature of human civilization would be to state the obvious. But just how deeply rooted is our desire to kill others of our species? Is lethal aggression a fixed part of our genetic code, something that has evolved from a common ancestor – and something therefore that has adaptive value? Or is warfare – and more generally, a predilection for lethal violence something that has emerged much more recently in human history? No longer the preserve of historians and philosophers, the question, as Geoff Watts discovers, is now argued over fiercely by anthropologists and biologists. Producer: Rami TzabarImage Credit: Chimpanzee, courtesy of Getty

Exploring the origins of human language through bird communication and vocal learning. Researchers investigate similarities between songbirds and humans in language acquisition. Delving into the role of the Fox P2 gene in language processing. Discussing dual layers of human language and the complexity of animal communication. Highlighting the evolution of human language through primate and bird connections.

Biologists are using light to explore the brain - and to alter it. Roland Pease meets some of the leading players in optogenetics, who use light-sensitive molecules to take direct control of neural systems in worms, flies, and maybe one day, humans. For some, it's a way of exploring the interplay of electricity and chemistry as neuron talks to neuron in complex brains. For others it opens the way to future therapies for conditions like motor neuron disease, in which dying nerves bring about paralysis, and epilepsy, brought about by runaway oscillations in brain waves.(Photo: Elegans nemotodes, or round worms, undergo examination by project scientists at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: Getty Images)

Learn about the game-changing potential of Perovskites in revolutionizing solar energy, addressing the need for more efficient and cheaper materials. Dive into the challenges of solar cell stability and composition, as well as the innovations in solar technology development. Discover the versatility of colorful Perovskite solar cells and the exciting advancements in solar hydrogen systems for sustainable energy storage.

Discover the forgotten genius of James Clerk Maxwell, a Scottish scientist who revolutionized color photography, solved the mystery of Saturn's rings with math, and laid the foundation for modern technology through his groundbreaking work on electromagnetism. Dive into Maxwell's life and contributions to science in this intriguing podcast.

Exploring the complexities of identifying stammering in children, including risk factors and early intervention. Discussing brain stimulation trials, global challenges, and varied support for stuttering worldwide. Highlighting initiatives in Rwanda and Burkina Faso to combat the stigma associated with stammering.

Jane Francis, Director of the British Antarctic Survey, shares her passion for petrified wood and fossilized leaves. She discusses camping in Antarctica, ancient climates revealed by fossils, and the urgent need to plan for rising sea levels due to melting ice caps.

Until recently, it was thought that human brain development was all over by early childhood but research in the last decade has shown that the adolescent brain is still changing into early adulthood. Jim al-Khalili talks to pioneering cognitive neuroscientist professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore who is responsible for much of the research which shows that our brains continue to develop through the teenage years. She discusses why teenagers take risks and are so susceptible to influence from their peers, as well as her childhood growing up with the constant threat of attacks from animal rights groups.(Photo: Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, courtesy of UCL)

Matt Taylor talks to Jim Al-Khalili about being in charge of the Rosetta space mission to the distant comet, 67P. It is, he says, 'the sexiest thing alive', after his wife. He describes his joy when, after travelling for ten years and covering four billion miles, the robot, Philae landed on the speeding comet 67P; and turned the image tattooed on his thigh from wishful thinking into a triumph for science. Matt's father, a builder, encouraged him to do well at school. He wanted him to get a job in science and Matt did not disappoint, joining the European Space Agency in June 2005. His charm and exuberance have brought competing teams together as they fight for their science to have priority on Rosetta. His enthusiasm has helped to spark and fuel a global interest in the mission and he deeply regrets his choice of shirt on one occasion.(Photo: Matt Taylor, BBC copyright)