Nature Podcast

Alex Witzy, a space reporter for Nature, dives into President Trump's ambitious plan to land humans on Mars. He discusses the significant financial implications of this initiative amidst proposed funding cuts that could shrink NASA's budget drastically. Critics are worried about prioritizing Mars missions while essential Earth studies face cancellation. Witzy highlights both the excitement and challenges of human exploration beyond our planet, alongside the urgent need for public and political support to make space dreams a reality.

Iron deficiency in mother mice can lead to male offspring developing female sex organs, challenging traditional genetic beliefs. This highlights the complex interplay between maternal nutrition and sex determination. Research also reveals the vital role of small-scale fishers, who contribute significantly to global nutrition and sustainable practices. Additionally, fascinating discoveries about protein ambidexterity and the unique eyesight of humpback whales shed light on evolutionary adaptations and the challenges faced by these majestic creatures in their environment.

Discover groundbreaking methods for cooling the Earth, including a US initiative that adds antacid to the ocean. Delve into an Atlantic experiment aimed at boosting carbon absorption, while examining the financial hurdles and political challenges affecting carbon removal technologies. Learn about innovative carbon uptake strategies in agriculture, featuring a Stanford initiative that leverages silicon minerals. The discussion also highlights Europe's essential approach to achieving net zero emissions, stressing the importance of immediate reductions over reliance on carbon removal.

Artificial intelligence is shaking up biomedical research, with a surge in papers raising concerns about quality and ethics. Meanwhile, Chinese scientists have developed revolutionary contact lenses that allow humans to see infrared light, potentially transforming search and rescue operations. On a more mysterious note, geologists have found evidence suggesting that the Earth's core might be leaking, revealing intriguing implications for our understanding of its composition. These topics blend cutting-edge science with thought-provoking questions about our planet.

Fredros Okumu, a malaria biologist at the University of Glasgow and Ifakara Health Institute, discusses innovative strategies for combating malaria. He highlights new compounds that can kill malaria-causing parasites within mosquitoes, potentially reducing disease transmission. This method could revolutionize malaria prevention, especially in communities facing insecticide resistance. Okumu also emphasizes the importance of field testing these groundbreaking approaches, offering hope for improved public health outcomes.

In this engaging discussion, Christian Smora, a researcher from Heinrich Heiner Universität Düsseldorf, unveils groundbreaking advancements in transporting antimatter. He shares the fascinating journey of their portable antimatter containment device, which recently took a test drive at CERN, paving the way for future particle transport. The conversation also highlights intriguing research on female divers in South Korea and the unique habits of a monogamous poison dart frog, showcasing the incredible interplay between science and nature.

Dan Garisto, a reporter for Nature specializing in science policy, breaks down the alarming recent decisions by the National Science Foundation to terminate numerous research grants and freeze funding for new projects. He discusses how these cuts, particularly aimed at diversity and misinformation research, could have lasting impacts on the scientific community. The conversation also delves into the proposed budget cuts from the Trump administration, raising concerns about funding shifts away from critical areas like health and climate change.

Aral Slotter, a researcher from the University of Marine Research in Norway, and David Adam, a writer focusing on AI's impact on mental health, dive into intriguing subjects. They discuss how selective fishing has disrupted herring migration, leading to a loss of traditional spawning knowledge among younger fish. This has implications for ecosystem health. They also explore the rise of AI companions, addressing their emotional benefits and the challenges these relationships pose for mental well-being and social skills.

In this episode:00:46 What will be left of US science after Trump 2.0?100 days into his term, President Donald Trump and his administration have already caused the biggest shakeup in modern scientific history, slashing funding, bringing large swathes of US research to a standstill and halting many clinical trials. But many fear these actions are just the beginning. We look at what the long-term impacts of these decisions might be for science in the United States and the world.Nature: Will US science survive Trump 2.0?13:42 Research HighlightsA distant planet that orbits two stars, at a right angle, and how fringe-lipped bats’ hearing helps them find palatable amphibians.Research Highlight: ‘Tatooine’-like planet orbits two stars ― but at a weird angleResearch Highlight: For these bats, eavesdropping is a valuable learnt skill16:07 Briefing ChatThe first skeletal evidence from bones that Roman gladiators fought lions, and scientists finally pinpoint the genes responsible for three of the pea traits studied by Gregor Mendel.BBC News: Bites on gladiator bones prove combat with lionNature: Century-old genetics mystery of Mendel’s peas finally solvedSubscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Research shows that, over the past two decades, rates of mental illness have been increasing in adolescents in many countries. While some scientists point to soaring use of smartphones and social media as a key driver for this trend, others say the evidence does not show a large effect of these technologies on teenagers’ psychological health.At the heart of the dispute is a large, complex and often conflicting body of research that different researchers interpret in different ways. This has left parents unsure what to do.This is an audio version of our Feature: Do smartphones and social media really harm teens’ mental health? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.