Discovery

Professor Ben Garrod, an evolutionary biologist, and Dr. Jess French explore the unique anatomy and evolutionary history of the red kangaroo. They discuss the kangaroo's powerful legs, reproductive system, and surprising adaptations for surviving in the harsh Australian outback. The podcast delves into the kangaroo's specialized locomotion techniques, anatomy of its foot and tail, and the fascinating functions of its tail for balance and manipulation.

In this podcast, Hannah Fry delves into stories of discovery and data. From uncovering bias in healthcare algorithms to revealing errors in debt data analysis, the episodes explore the impact of flawed systems on society. The discussions highlight the importance of transparency and fairness in algorithmic decision-making and the consequences of data errors on economic policies.

Explore the diverse experiences and cultural attitudes towards menopause worldwide, debunking myths and clarifying misconceptions. Learn about the physiological changes and symptoms of menopause, including hot flushes, incontinence, and psychological impacts. Discover treatment options like hormone replacement therapy and lifestyle changes, and the importance of workplace awareness and empathy towards menopausal symptoms. Delve into historical and cultural perspectives on menopause, highlighting liberation, freedom, and the need for education and support.

Hannah Fry explores two more tales of data and discovery.Gossip and rumour are plaguing a tile manufacturing company. The chatter is pulling morale to new lows, and amid it all, a question hangs in the air: who is spreading it? Can the science of networks find out? And, what is the secret to ageing well? One man believes he may have found the beginnings of an answer, and it is hiding in a convent.Produced by: Ilan Goodman and Lauren Armstrong Carter

Discover the surprising U-shaped pattern of happiness across different ages, challenging misconceptions about midlife crises. Explore the correlation between human and great apes' well-being and the impact of life stages on happiness. Dive into intriguing data analysis and decision-making processes based on graphs and patterns.

Discover the shocking truth behind a forged will implicating a doctor in suspicious events. Uncover Shipman's deadly deeds through statistical analysis. Explore the mystery of train disruptions in Singapore and the impact of social media on algorithmic divisions among youth.

Hannah Fry explores two tales of data and discovery.In a few specific years across the 20th Century, the proportion of boys born, mysteriously spiked. We follow one researcher’s obsessive quest to find out why. And next, a tale of science and skulduggery. Michael Mann was a respected climate scientist, unknown outside of a small academic circle, until he produced a graph that shocked the world and changed his life forever. Producer: Ilan Goodman

Humans have a long-held fascination with the idea of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a dystopian threat - from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, through to the Terminator movies. But somehow, we still often think of this technology as 'futuristic', whereas in fact, it's already woven into the fabric of our daily lives, from facial recognition software to translator apps. And if we get too caught up in the entertaining sci-fi narrative around AI and the potential threat from machines, there is a more pressing danger that we overlook real and present concerns - from deep fakes to electoral disinformation. Michael Wooldridge is determined to demystify AI and explain how it can improve our lives, in a whole host of different ways. A professor of Computer Science at the University of Oxford, and the director of Foundational AI Research at the Alan Turing Institute, Mike believes the most common fears around this technology are "misplaced". In a special 300th edition of The Life Scientific, recorded in front of an audience at London's Royal Institution (RI), Mike tells Jim al-Khalili how he will use this year's prestigious RI Christmas Lectures to lift the lid on modern AI technology and discuss how far it could go in future. Mike also reminiscences about the days when sending an email was a thrilling novelty, discusses why people love talking to him about the Terminator at parties, and is even challenged to think up a novel future use of AI by ChatGPT.Presenter: Jim al-Khalili Producer: Lucy Taylor Audio editor: Sophie Ormiston Production co-ordinator: Jonathan Harris

How do you solve a problem like CO2? As the curtain closes on the world’s most important climate summit, we talk to a scientist who was at COP 28 and is working to solve our carbon dioxide problem. Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer thinks saving the planet is still Mission Possible - but key to success is turning excess of the climate-busting gas, carbon dioxide, into something useful. And as Director of the Research Centre for Carbon Solutions at Heriot-Watt University and the UK’s Decarbonisation Champion, she has lots of innovative ideas on how to do this. She also has a great climate-themed suggestion for what you should say when someone asks your age… Presenter: Jim Al-Khalili Producer: Gerry Holt Audio editor: Sophie Ormiston Production Co-ordinator: Jonathan Harris

The Life Scientific zooms in to explore the intricate atomic make-up of metal alloys, with complex crystalline arrangements that can literally make or break structures integral to our everyday lives. Professor Sir Harry Bhadeshia is Professor of Metallurgy at Queen Mary University of London and Emeritus Tata Steel Professor of Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge. He’s been described as a ‘steel innovator’ – developing multiple new alloys with a host of real-world applications, from rail tracks to military armour. Harry’s prolific work in the field has earned him widespread recognition and a Knighthood; but it's not always been an easy ride... From his childhood in Kenya and an enforced move to the UK as a teenager, to the years standing up to those seeking to discredit the new path he was forging in steel research - Jim Al-Khalili discovers that Harry's achievements have required significant determination, as well as hard work. Presenter: Jim Al-Khalili Producer: Lucy Taylor Audio editor: Sophie Ormiston Production Co-ordinator: Jonathan Harris