Unexpected Elements

This week, get ready for a whole loot box of gaming-related stories!First up, we find out about a video game that could give people the power to battle misinformation. We also hear how scientists are putting harbour seals in front of a computer monitor to decipher how they navigate under the water. And Dr Brett Kagan from Cortical Labs joins us down the line to tell us why he taught a clump of brain cells to play the 1970s arcade game Pong. Along the way, we discover what happens when artificial intelligence tries to explain idioms, we learn about a tiny frog named after Bilbo Baggins and try to establish whether or not video games benefit your brain. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements.     Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Kai Kupferschmidt and Leonie Joubert Producer: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with Margaret Sessa Hawkins, Imaan Moin and Minnie Harrop

With the new Mission Impossible film playing in cinemas, the Unexpected Elements team is channelling Tom Cruise’s energy to see if scientists can push the boundaries of what is considered ‘impossible.’ First up, we fuse medieval alchemy with particle physics and explore a method to turn lead into gold. We then look at the latest research that uses artificial intelligence to help us humans communicate with animals. We put the spotlight on a favourite trope of science-fiction films – time travel! String theorist Brian Greene of Columbia University explains how going to the past, or back to the future, may or may not be hypothetically possible. We also ponder ancient auroras, whether ants can plan a Hollywood-style heist, and what it takes to understand our consciousness.    Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Affelia Wibisono and Andrada Fiscutean Producer: Imaan Moin, with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell Studio engineer: Mike Mallen

Kathryn Kenney, a book and paper conservator at the Folger Shakespeare Library, dives into the fascinating world of preserving centuries-old texts. She explains the intricacies of maintaining Shakespeare's rare folios and shares eco-friendly conservation methods, like using bats to control pests. The discussion also touches on why our brains crave stories, the unique experience of those with aphantasia who can't visualize narratives, and the impact of storytelling on empathy. Plus, they explore the whimsical concept of phantom islands and the role of fiction in addressing climate change.

Meghann Christian, a European Space Agency astronaut with a year at Antarctica's Concordia Station under her belt, discusses endurance on the final frontier. She delves into the genetic influences on endurance performance and shares insights from extreme environments like the Antarctic. The conversation explores the effects of air pollution on runners, humorous tales of resilience, and the fascinating connection between human endurance and animal adaptations, all while revealing the mental and physical tenacity required to conquer such challenges.

Mariella Superina, a leading conservationist from the IUCN, and Ryan Garrett, an expert ant wrangler, dive deep into the fascinating world of ants and their intricate societies. They discuss the surprising case of ant smuggling in Kenya and the ecological importance of various ant species. The conversation takes a quirky turn with insights into how ants have even made their way into space! Mariella shares the unique adaptations of anteaters and the unexpected dangers of plant smuggling, revealing a captivating connection between these remarkable creatures.

Carl Öhman, a researcher at Uppsala University and author of 'The Afterlife of Data,' shares enlightening insights on what happens to our digital legacies after we die. He discusses the emotional connections tied to our data and the urgent need for conversations about digital remains with loved ones. The podcast also explores ancient funerary rituals, the communal nature of grief, and the surprising world of life in graveyards. Prepare to rethink how we remember and celebrate our connections, both in life and in the digital afterlife.

This week the Unexpected Elements team left our windowless BBC studio and paid a visit to the CGIAR conference in Nairobi, Kenya. In this episode, we find out about the Kenyan invention that’s pulling clean, safe water from thin air, before discovering what makes Kenyan coffee taste so great. Next, we hear about the problems with burning charcoal and the ways in which briquettes could offer a cleaner, more sustainable solution. Plus, we’re joined by Joyce Maru, the regional director for Africa at the International Potato Centre. She reveals the science behind the orange-flesh sweet potato and explains how it could improve livelihoods and boost health across Africa. We then hear about the story of the two Kenyan inventors who have created a Swahili-speaking robot. Finally, our panellists go against the clock in our Kenyan Science Showdown. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements.     Presenter: Alex Lathbridge, with Christine Yohannes and Phillys Mwatee Producers: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with Sophie Ormiston and Harrison Lewis Studio engineers: Andrew Garratt and Gayl Gordon

This week is the Christian celebration of Easter, which sent the Unexpected Elements team scrambling for egg-related stories. First up, we find out about the rise of a vegan egg substitute. Next, we discover how to cook the perfect boiled egg, according to science. We then turn our attention to climate change, and find out how it is affecting the breeding patterns and nesting behaviour of sea turtles. Plus, we are joined by Dr Luis Welbanks, who tells us about a nearby exoplanet that reeks of rotten eggs. Finally, we delve into the science behind IVF. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Chhavi Sachdev and Sandy Ong Producer: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with Debbie Kilbride, Robbie Wojciechowski and William Hornbrook

The Aurora Borealis – also known as the Northern Lights – won’t be at their peak activity much longer, and the Unexpected Elements team dreams of going north to see them. And that has got us looking at the science of navigating our way north! We hear about how humans have been using the sky to navigate for millennia, and we learn about how relying on GPS may be impacting our memory ability. And while humans use maps to get around, how do animals know where to go on their long migrations? To find the answer, we speak to Dr Kayla Goforth at Texas A&M University who studies exactly how sea turtles and monarch butterflies innately know how to navigate the world around them. We also learn why polar bears keep themselves ice-free, and we hear old records of the first men to reach the North Pole. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Caroline Steel, with Andrada Fiscutean and Phillys Mwatee Producer: Imaan Moin, with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Noa Dowling and William Hornbrook

On World Rat Day, we’re getting ratty! We look at the biology behind the eternal struggle between rats and rat poison, and we hear about rat-on-rat warfare and other forms of pest control. We don’t play games when it comes to rats, but we know someone who does. Dr Michael Brecht from the Humboldt University of Berlin tells us how he played hide-and-seek with lab rats and what that tells us about the behaviour of play. On the topic of ‘rat’ behaviour, we are joined by Dr Zach Berry from the University of Southern California to talk about the psychology behind ratting people out in the workplace, testing the loyalty and morals of the Unexpected Elements team. And speaking of rats in the workplace… we hear a first-hand report on whether African giant pouched rats might just be better staff members than humans when it comes to detecting tuberculosis at APOPO labs. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Anand Jagatia, with Tristan Ahtone and Christine Yohannes Producer: Imaan Moin, with Debbie Kilbride, Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Noa Dowling, Harrison Lewis and Sophie Ormiston. Studio Manager: Cath McGhee