Science Weekly

Discover a groundbreaking technique that turns skin transparent using food dye, reminiscent of 'The Invisible Man.' Explore a concerning new case of bird flu in a person with no animal contact, raising critical public health questions. Dive into fascinating research revealing how adolescent girls experienced accelerated brain aging during the COVID pandemic. Learn about the unique challenges lockdowns posed on their emotional and neural development, underscoring the importance of social interactions in their growth.

Damian Carrington, an environment editor who boldly ventured to Greenland with scientists, joins interviewer Madeleine Finlay to discuss their groundbreaking expedition. They explore the uncharted abyss beneath the glaciers, investigating how ice and sea interact and the implications for rising sea levels. The conversation reveals the innovative technologies used, like the NERID Underwater submersible, and the urgency of understanding glacial dynamics in the context of climate change. Their findings could reshape our understanding of this critical issue.

Trudie Lang, a professor of global health research and director at the University of Oxford, discusses the urgent mpox outbreak declared a global health emergency. She highlights the alarming emergence of the Clade 1b strain and its unique transmission dynamics. Lang delves into the historical context of mpox in Africa and the recent global outbreak, emphasizing the critical role of vaccines and collaborative public health strategies. Ethical concerns in science, particularly AI's influence on health responses, also take center stage.

Pjotr Sauer, a reporter covering Russian affairs, and technology journalist Alex Hern discuss the recent arrest of Telegram's CEO, Pavel Durov, in Paris. They delve into the implications for social media's content moderation practices and the balance between free speech and government regulation. The conversation highlights Durov's challenging journey from Vkontakte to Telegram, revealing tensions around user privacy and political conflicts. The duo also tackles how platforms like Telegram can empower activists while grappling with legal responsibilities.

Chris French, a psychologist renowned for his research on paranormal claims, discusses the allure of ‘weird shit’ in our lives. He dives into the psychology behind beliefs in the paranormal, dissecting cognitive biases that fuel fascination with coincidences and conspiracy theories. French explains how our minds seek rationality in extraordinary experiences and explores why we attribute meaning to seemingly random events. With engaging stories and mental experiments, he unveils the surprising patterns in human thought and belief.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Eleanor Raffan, a researcher focused on genetic influences on obesity, teams up with Prof. Giles Yeo, an expert in metabolic diseases, to explore the fascinating connection between canine and human obesity. They dive into how a genetic mutation in Labradors affects their eating behavior and what this reveals about human weight struggles. The conversation highlights the significant role of genetics and environment in obesity, challenging the idea that it's merely a matter of personal choice, and offers valuable insights for managing health.

Ivan Oransky, co-founder of Retraction Watch, and Sholto David, a vigilant blogger, dive into the alarming rise in retracted scientific papers, which reached 10,000 in 2023. They discuss a high-profile case of errors in research from a notable cancer institute and the implications for scientific integrity. The conversation highlights the role of platforms like Retraction Watch and PubPeer in promoting accountability. Together, they reveal how problematic incentives in publishing can compromise research quality, calling for urgent reforms in the academic landscape.

Dr. Julia Rohrer, a personality psychologist from the University of Leipzig, dives into the science behind birth order and its effects on personality. She unpacks the familiar stereotypes of siblings, revealing that firstborns may lean toward leadership roles while younger siblings often find their niche in creative fields. The discussion also touches on how sibling dynamics, influenced by gender, can shape personal choices and careers. Ultimately, Rohrer emphasizes that while birth order can play a role, individual experiences vary widely.

Dr. Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation, and Matthew Hayes from the Banking on Butterflies project discuss the alarming decline of butterfly populations in the UK. They reveal that 80% of monitored species have drastically decreased since the 1970s, primarily due to habitat destruction and climate change. The duo emphasizes butterflies as critical indicators of environmental health and explores innovative strategies to combat their decline, including citizen science efforts and the creation of butterfly banks to support their survival.

Tim Stockwell, a scientist at the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, sheds light on the complex relationship between alcohol consumption and health. He challenges previous studies that suggested moderate drinking might promote longevity, revealing how flawed comparisons distorted these findings. Stockwell discusses the historical significance of alcohol and the risks associated with its consumption, particularly highlighting the need for clearer health warnings. This conversation navigates the changing cultural attitudes toward drinking and its potential dangers.