Nature Podcast

How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems is the new book from XKCD cartoonist Randall Munroe. In this Podcast Extra, Randall talks about the book, its inspiration and the bizarre thought experiments it contains. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode:00:44 A global media collaborationThis week, Nature is taking part in the Covering Climate Now project. What is it, and why has Nature joined? Editorial: Act now and avert a climate crisis05:49 ‘Climate change’ vs ‘climate emergency’In early 2019, The Guardian changed the wording they use when covering climate stories. Our panel discusses the importance of phrasing, and how it evolves. The Guardian: Why the Guardian is changing the language it uses about the environment13:40 Choosing climate imagesWhat makes a good image for a climate change story? What do they add to a written news story?This episode of the Backchat is part of Covering Climate Now, a global collaboration of more than 250 media outlets to highlight the issue of climate change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, absurd advice from XKCD’s Randall Munroe, and a conversation with climate lawyer turned activist Farhana Yamin.In this episode: 00:46 How to do things (badly)Cartoonist Randall Munroe tell us about his new book: How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems.08:21 Research HighlightsHow insemination makes honeybee queens lose their way, and ‘toe maps’ in the brain. Research Highlight: Sex clouds queen bees’ vision; Research Highlight: ‘Toe maps’ in the brain guide painters born without hands10:31 From climate lawyer to climate activistAfter three decades of climate advocacy, renowned IPCC lawyer Farhana Yamin decided to join Extinction Rebellion – she tells us why. Comment: Why I broke the law for climate change17:48 News ChatHow nations are progressing towards limiting greenhouse-gas emissions, and climate cash flow. News Feature: The hard truths of climate change — by the numbers; News Feature: Where climate cash is flowing and why it’s not enoughThis episode of the Nature Podcast is part of Covering Climate Now, a global collaboration of more than 250 media outlets to highlight the issue of climate change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, modelling embryonic development, and an analysis of male dominated conferences.In this episode:00:44 Imitating implantationResearchers have created a system that uses stem cells to model the early stages of pregnancy. Research article: Zheng et al.; News and Views: Human embryo implantation modelled in microfluidic channels08:03 Research HighlightsTraces of baby turtle tracks, and Titan’s explosive past. Research Highlight: A baby sea turtle’s ancient trek is captured in a fossil; Research Highlight: Giant explosions sculpted a moon’s peculiar scenery09:36 ‘Manferences’Nature investigates the prevalence of conferences where most of the speakers are male. News Feature: How to banish manels and manferences from scientific meetings15:41 News ChatAn update on India’s latest moon mission, drugs that may reverse biological age, and this year’s Breakthrough Prize winners. News: India loses contact with its Moon lander minutes before touchdown; News: First hint that body’s ‘biological age’ can be reversed; News: First-ever picture of a black hole scoops US$3-million prize Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Salmonella spreading antibiotic resistance, and the drivers of urban heat islands.In this episode: 00:46 Antibiotic resistance reservoirsResearchers have identified how Salmonella ‘persister’ cells can spread antibiotic resistance genes in mice intestines.Research article: Bakkeren et al.08:12 Research HighlightsBright barn owls stun prey, and the evolution of dog brains. Research Highlight: Zip-lining owls reveal what really scares their prey; Research Highlight: A dog’s breed is a window onto its brain10:13 Urban heatingCities are generally hotter than their surroundings, but what are the causes of these ‘heat islands’? Research Article: Manoli et al.16:54 News ChatA cryptic Russian radiation spike, and India’s moon mission gets closer to touchdown. News: How nuclear scientists are decoding Russia’s mystery explosion; News: ‘The most terrifying moments’: India counts down to risky Moon landing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.They’re found in home-testing kits for pregnancy, hospital tests for MRSA, and in six out of ten of the best-selling drugs today. But monoclonal antibodies have kept a surprisingly low profile since their debut in a Nature paper in 1975. This podcast follows them from that time through patent wars, promising drug trials and finally to blockbuster status today.This episode was first broadcast in August 2013.From the archive:Continuous cultures of fused cells secreting antibody of predefined specificity, by Köhler & MilsteinMargaret Thatcher speech clips courtesy of the Margaret Thatcher Foundation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.