The world, the universe and us

Google's AI search engine woes, sound symbolism in language evolution, time as a quantum illusion, and the science of slowing down ageing are intriguing topics discussed in this podcast.

When you bring a giant magnet to Mars, apocalyptic eruptions are just the beginning. In an attempt to suck out all of the iron from the red planet, Leah Crane and Chelsea Whyte end up shattering it like an Easter egg.Their new cosmic plaything, a U-shaped Wile E. Coyote-esque magnet, is used in various different ways for the purposes of complete annihilation. With the help of science journalist and volcanologist Robin George Andrews, the team squeeze the core out like it’s toothpaste, turn the magnet into a projectile, bring multiple magnets to the fray to create a work of cosmic art and even hollow out the planet to fill it up with… SPIDERS!Dead Planets Society is a podcast that takes outlandish ideas about how to tinker with the cosmos – from punching a hole in a planet to unifying the asteroid belt to destroying the sun – and subjects them to the laws of physics to see how they fare.Your hosts are Leah Crane and Chelsea Whyte.If you have a cosmic object you’d like to figure out how to destroy, email the team at deadplanets@newscientist.com. It may just feature in a later episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Record hurricane season predicted for Atlantic Ocean with up to 25 storms. Sun's magnetic field works differently from Earth's. Scientists study rare element Promethium. Deer drive evolution of dwarf plants in Japan. Argentine ants improve learning with caffeine. Greek army uses heavy Bronze Age armor. Most powerful X-ray pulse observed on Earth.

From Dune to The Three Body Problem, is science fiction having a moment? Attention to the genre, as well as TV and films based on it, seems to have exploded in the past few years. With sci-fi often getting a bad rap, it’s time to ditch the snobbery and celebrate its complexity and diversity. And who better to do this with than New Scientist’s science fiction columnist – and our former editor – Emily H. Wilson?Wilson is a journalist and author. In 2023 she published Inanna, the first of The Sumerians, a trilogy set in the ancient civilisation of Sumer. The books are an epic, speculative retelling of some of the oldest myths ever recorded.In this episode, Rowan Hooper speaks to Wilson about the enduring popularity of the genre, and why you should be proud to call yourself a science fiction fan. Plus, the pair share loads of recommendations and explore sci-fi’s many different sub-genres, from climate fiction to cyberpunk.You can learn more about Emily’s trilogy, The Sumerians, here.To read about subjects like this and much more, visit newscientist.com.Books mentioned:- Three Body Problem, Cixin Liu- Children of Time, Adrian Tchaikovsky- Ancillary Justice, Anne Leckie- Annie Bot, Sierra Greer- Dune, Frank Herbert- The Chrysalids, John Wyndham- Day of the Triffids, John Wyndham- The Dispossessed, Ursula K. Le Guin- The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin- The Man in the High Castle, Philip K. Dick- Neuromancer, William Gibson- Burning Chrome, William Gibson- Mars, Kim Stanley Robinson- Red Moon, Kim Stanley Robinson- 2312, Kim Stanley Robinson- The Ministry for the Future, Kim Stanley Robinson- Parable of the Sower, Octavia Butler- Patternmaster, Octavia Butler- The Broken Earth, N. K. Jemisin- Middlemarch, George Eliot- Impressions of Theophrastus Such, George Eliot- Service Model, Adrian Tchaikovsky- Autonomous, Annalee Newitz- Excession, Iain M. Banks- A World Out of Time, Larry Niven- Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card- The Ballad of Halo Jones, Alan Moore and Ian Gibson- Tank Girl, Alan Martin and Jamie Hewlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Topics include hints of alien life using Dyson spheres, freezing human brains for research, ecoacoustic surveys in Costa Rica, orchids sharing food with offspring, and ancient Nile river mystery in pyramid construction.

Astronomer Vivian U joins Leah Crane and Chelsea Whyte to discuss creating unique galaxy shapes like octogalaxies and giraffe galaxies. They explore galaxy collisions, black holes, dark matter, and cosmic events to sculpt galaxies. The podcast delves into galaxy structures, gas density waves, sustainable matter addition, dark matter manipulation, and the potential for reshaping galaxies for communication.

Sperm whales might have their own alphabet through clicks; Dark energy mysteries challenge cosmology; US bird flu outbreak raises concerns; Quantum batteries could revolutionize charging technology

Journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Kolbert discusses the urgency and challenges of climate change in an engaging and informative conversation. Topics include the role of hope in inspiring action, meeting emission reduction targets, technological innovations, navigating uncertainty in climate preparedness, and the reality of climate change impacts. Kolbert's new book 'H is for Hope' is highlighted, along with the importance of narratives in shaping responses to the climate crisis.

#248Last year marked the hottest on record, shattering previous temperature benchmarks across both land and sea. The rapid escalation – seemingly at odds with the expected cooling after coming out of a La Niña cycle – has prompted scientists to question if climate change is accelerating beyond our models' predictions Just eight minutes of anger can significantly impair blood vessel function and potentially increase the risk of a heart attack. A study has looked into the physiological mechanisms of how intense emotions can affect cardiovascular health.GPS jamming continues to increase in European airspace, a concerning trend that has intensified since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Now, attacks in Estonia have prompted one airline to completely abandon flights to the city of Tartu. We discuss the implications for civilian and military aviation and the potential need for alternative navigation technologies.Birds do it, bees do it and so do many species of fly – it’s pollination. In fact, migrating flies play an even bigger role in pollination than we thought. These tiny travelers contribute to ecological diversity and resilience by transporting pollen over vast distances.Plus: A newly discovered sensory organ in praying mantises, used specifically for tasting leaves; the possibility of carbon negative cement; and just how thick is the boundary between air and water?Hosts Christie Taylor and Timothy Revell discuss with guests Madeline Cuff, Clare Wilson, Jeremy Hsu, and Michael Le Page. To read more about these stories, visit newscientist.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join space scientist Chelsea Whyte and astronomer Leah Crane as they discuss their mission to block the Sun from view at all times, recreating the primal fear of an eclipse. From modest sunshades in orbit to moving entire planets, they explore the risks and challenges of creating a constant solar eclipse on Earth. With the help of astronomer Bruce Macintosh, they even call on knitters to aid in creating the largest piece of art ever made. Listen in for outlandish ideas on tinkering with the cosmos, all subject to the laws of physics.