Nature Podcast

This week, a computer chip based on carbon nanotubes, and the potential pitfalls of sequencing ancient-human remains.In this episode: 00:45 A nanotube microprocessorScientists are looking beyond silicon, by constructing a computer chip using carbon nanotubes.Research article: Shulaker et al. News and Views: Nanotube computer scaled up 08:38 Research HighlightsWeighing neutrinos, and discovering a hidden Zika epidemic.Research Highlight: Lightest neutrino is at least 6 million times lighter than an electron; Research Highlight: Cuba’s untold Zika outbreak uncovered 10:29 Using ancient-human remains conscientiouslyWhile genetic sequencing of ancient-human remains is providing more information than ever, these remains must be safeguarded, warn researchers. Comment Article: Use ancient remains more wisely 17:21 News ChatThe discovery of a 3.8-million-year-old hominin skull, and using CRISPR to make ‘smart’ materials.News: Rare 3.8-million-year-old skull recasts origins of iconic ‘Lucy’ fossil News: CRISPR cuts turn gels into biological watchdogs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the resilience of internet hate groups, and searching for early life.In this episode:00:46 Tackling internet hateResearchers have been modelling how hate groups interact online, and have come up with suggestions to combat this activity. Research article: Johnson et al.; News and Views: Strategies for combating online hate08:55 Research HighlightsGallstone growth, and the reproductive strategies of hitchhiking stick insects. Research Highlight: The ‘net’ that leads to excruciating stones in the belly; Research Highlight: The insect that lost its homeland — and its sex life11:23 Hunting for early lifeFinding fossil evidence of Earth’s earliest life is fraught with difficulty. Research Article: Javaux18:43 News ChatChemists create a ring made only of carbon atoms, and inoculating newborns with their mothers’ microbes. News: Chemists make first-ever ring of pure carbon; News: Do C-section babies need mum’s microbes? Trials tackle controversial idea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, spilling nuclear secrets, and a mysterious period in the Universe’s history.In this episode:00:46 "The most dangerous spy in history"We hear the story of Klaus Fuchs, who gave away the details of building an atomic bomb. Books and Arts: The scientist-spy who spilt secrets of the bomb08:00 Research HighlightsEnvironmental impacts of electric scooters, and the Goliath frog engineers. Research Highlight: Trendy e-scooters might not be as green as they seem; Research Highlight: Enormous frogs heave rocks to build tadpole ‘nests’10:33 Signals from the ancient UniverseResearchers hope that radio signals from ancient hydrogen will further their understanding of galaxy formation News Feature: The quest to unlock the secrets of the baby Universe18:17 News ChatChanges to the US Endangered Species Act, and what a microbe might tell us about the evolution of complex life. News: Trump administration weakens Endangered Species Act; News: Scientists glimpse oddball microbe that could help explain rise of complex life Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, a mindset to improve school performance, and the complex story of how mercury accumulates in fish.In this episode:00:46 Growth MindsetHow a one hour course could improve academic achievement. Research article: Yeager et al.11:47 Research HighlightsAn extinct giant parrot, and hacking Manhattan’s traffic. Research Highlight: Polly wants many crackers: fossils reveal first known giant parrot; Research Article: Vivek et al.13:42 Toxic TunaMethylmercury levels in fish may increase due to climate change and overfishing, despite declines in emissions. Research Article: Schartup et al.19:15 News ChatIndia’s proposed protections for fossils, and trust of scientists in the United States. News: India’s geologists champion law to protect fossil treasures; News: US trust in scientists is now on par with the military Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, whether the placenta is lacking microbes, and new hardware for artificial intelligence.In this episode:00:43 Microbe-free placentas?New research suggests that the placenta is sterile. Research article: de Goffau et al.; News and Views: No bacteria found in healthy placentas07:12 Research HighlightsAntacids and allergies, and the source of unexplained radioactivity. Research Article: Jordakieva et al.; Research Article: Masson et al.09:13 AI hardwareMaking technology for AI can be challenging, so scientists try a new solution. Research Article: Pei et al.15:54 News ChatA worrying spike in HIV drug resistance, and approval of research into human-animal hybrids. News: Alarming surge in drug-resistant HIV uncovered; News: Japan approves first human-animal embryo experiments Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode was first broadcast in July 2013.This year, Nature celebrates its 150th birthday. To mark this anniversary we’re rebroadcasting episodes from our PastCast series, highlighting key moments in the history of science.During the Second World War, scientists worked on secret projects such as the development of radar. Their efforts were hinted at in the pages of Nature but the details, of course, couldn't be published. In this episode, historian Jon Agar explains how war work gave physicists a new outlook and led to new branches of science. We also hear from the late John Westcott, whose wartime job was to design radar systems.From the archiveNature Volume 150 Issue 3794, 18 July 1942Sound effects courtesy of daveincamas, piet.candeel@pandora.be, guitarguy1985 and acclivity at freesound.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, how the climate has changed throughout history, and why enforcing vaccination should be done with care.In this episode:00:39 Climate through timeResearchers have modelled how climate has changed throughout the past 2000 years. Research article: Neukom et al.; Research article:Neukom et al.; News and Views: The aberrant global synchrony of present-day warming06:45 Research HighlightsMaking a self-propelling liquid, and the benefit of laugh tracks. Research Highlight: How to make water flow uphill; Research Highlight: To make lame jokes funnier, cue the laugh track08:35 Make vaccines mandatory?Scientists have warned that enforcing vaccinations could backfire, so should be done carefully. Comment: Mandate vaccination with care14:15 News ChatThe UK’s new prime-minister, and the launch of an Indian moon mission. News: What Boris Johnson’s leadership could mean for science; News:India launches ambitious second Moon mission Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode:01:01 Breaking NewsThe first image of a black hole took the world by storm, but what was it like reporting such a quickly developing story? News: Black hole pictured for first time — in spectacular detail; Video: The first image of a black hole: A three minute guide; Video: How scientists reacted to the first-ever image of a black hole09:01 Digital JournalismWhen a new research paper came to light about pig brains being revived, we asked our audience what they wanted to know, and got a big response. Could this be the future of journalism? News: Pig brains kept alive outside body for hours after death; News Explainer: Disembodied pig brains revived: Your questions answered15:09 The Future of gene editingWith yet more stories emerging of the editing of human embryos, we discuss the ethical implications and what should happen next? News Feature: CRISPR babies: when will the world be ready?; News: Russian biologist plans more CRISPR-edited babies Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, a new advance in silicon based quantum computing and experiences of how to recover when disaster strikes.In this episode:00:45 Quantum logicA fast and accurate two-qubit logic gate has been designed in silicon. Research article: Simmons et al.07:52 Research HighlightsTeaching a computer to solve a Rubik’s cube and immigration in Chichén Itzá. Research Highlight: AI solves the Rubik’s cube; Research Highlight: Death as a human sacrifice awaited some travellers to a Mayan city10:43 Coping with calamityResearchers share how they are recovering from catastrophe. Career Feature: Explosions, floods and hurricanes: dealing with a lab disaster; News Feature: The battle to rebuild centuries of science after an epic inferno19:04 News ChatA campaign to open up the world’s research, and dinosaur egg-laying clubs. News: The plan to mine the world’s research papers; News: Ancient Mongolian nests show that dinosaurs protected their eggs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, an extended chat about all things lunar with Alex Witze.Instead of a regular edition of the Nature Podcast, this week we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of humans walking on the Moon. Nick Howe catches up with planetary science reporter, Alex Witze. They discuss the latest US plans to land people on the moon by 2024, the history of the Apollo missions, and what’s next for the lunar exploration.News: Can NASA really return people to the Moon by 2024?Books and Arts: Propulsive reading: books on the MoonNews Feature: These young scientists will shape the next 50 years of Moon researchVideo: Three generations of space experts react to the Moon landings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.