Science Weekly

Dr. James Kinross, a colorectal surgeon and author of Dark Matter, shares his expertise on gut health and the microbiome. He dives into factors beyond antibiotics that can harm our gut microbes, such as stress and sleep disturbances. Kinross discusses the complex relationship between alcohol and gut health, weighing its benefits and risks. He also compares probiotics from whole foods versus supplements, offering dietary tips to keep your microbiome thriving. A must-listen for anyone interested in nurturing their gut!

James Kinross, a colorectal surgeon and microbiome researcher, shares fascinating insights into gut health and its profound effects on our lives. He discusses how our microbiome develops from infancy and influences conditions like allergies and dementia. Kinross highlights the significant impact of antibiotics on gut bacteria and the potential long-term consequences. The importance of diet, sleep, and social connections in maintaining microbiome health is also explored, setting the stage for more intriguing revelations about our gut in future discussions.

A groundbreaking gene-editing therapy has successfully treated a baby with a severe genetic disorder, showcasing a remarkable leap in medical science. Experts discuss innovative techniques, like base and prime editing, that promise to correct DNA mutations linked to various diseases. However, barriers to accessibility remain a concern, highlighting the need for collaboration among scientists, regulators, and funders. The conversation also touches on the alarming decline in federal funding for crucial scientific research and the need for public support.

Leyland Cecco, a Toronto-based reporter for The Guardian, investigates a perplexing neurological syndrome affecting around 40 people in New Brunswick. He discusses the strange symptoms patients experienced, including hallucinations and memory issues. Despite a recent peer-reviewed study declaring no mystery illness exists, Cecco highlights the ongoing distrust among affected families and the possible links to environmental toxins. The conversation sheds light on the struggle for truth in a controversy shrouded by skepticism and misinformation.

Damian Carrington, the Environment editor at The Guardian, dives into the intriguing realm of geoengineering. He discusses upcoming UK experiments aimed at altering our climate system and the divided opinions among scientists on this contentious approach. The conversation touches on the potential promises and perilous risks involved, from modifying weather patterns to ethical implications. Catastrophic climate events, like the Mount Pinatubo eruption, serve as historical examples that shape the debate, making the need for solutions more urgent than ever.

Heather F Smith, a Professor of Anatomy at Midwestern University, shares fascinating insights into the often-misunderstood appendix. Once deemed dispensable, the appendix is now thought to play a role in immune system development and gut health. Smith discusses how recent research aligns with the emerging interest in the microbiome, suggesting the appendix could be more crucial than previously believed. She also touches on non-surgical treatments for appendicitis, challenging long-held assumptions about this enigmatic organ.

The conversation dives into a fascinating study ranking global well-being, revealing the UK sits near the bottom. A daring individual shares his journey of enduring over 200 snake bites to help create a universal antivenom. Additionally, cutting-edge x-ray technology offers fresh insights into the charred Herculaneum scrolls, potentially unlocking the wisdom of ancient philosophers. These topics highlight the relationship between health, history, and the pursuit of happiness in a rapidly changing world.

Brian H Chen, an epidemiologist at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, dives into the fascinating world of biological age vs. chronological age. He explains epigenetic clocks and their ability to measure our biological age based on DNA methylation patterns. The discussion covers the accuracy of these tests, potential lifestyle changes to lower biological age, and their intriguing applications in forensic science and clinical trials. Chen emphasizes that while these tests are popular, a healthy lifestyle remains key to aging well.

Authorities are still trying to understand what triggered the massive power outage that left the majority of the Iberian Peninsula without electricity on Monday. To understand what might have been at play, and whether there’s any truth to claims that renewable energy sources were to blame, Ian Sample hears from Guardian energy correspondent Jillian Ambrose. And Guardian European community affairs correspondent Ashifa Kassam explains what it was like to experience the blackout and how people reacted. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

In this engaging discussion, Damien Gayle, an environment correspondent at The Guardian, reflects on the rise and fall of Just Stop Oil. He delves into the group’s iconic protests, from motorway blockades to soup attacks on art. Damien reveals how shifting policies and stringent laws contributed to their disbanding. He also speculates on the future of climate activism in a landscape altered by legal challenges and evolving protest tactics. Join him as he unpacks the implications of their actions on public and governmental responses to climate issues.