Nature Podcast

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.

This week, using an algorithm to find properties in materials science, and the global consequences of sand-mining.In this episode:00:47 Predicting propertiesA word-association algorithm is reading millions of abstracts to discover new properties of materials. Research article: Tshitoyan et al.; News and Views: Text mining facilitates materials discovery08:28 Research HighlightsTiny robot-jellyfish, and genome mutation hot-spots. Research Article:Multi-functional soft-bodied jellyfish-like swimming; Research Highlight:How DNA ‘hotspots’ snarl the search for cancer genes10:48 Sand under strainResearchers warn that the mining of sand is unsustainable. Comment:Time is running out for sand15:44 News ChatThe results of a bullying survey, and the spread of microbial disease through opioid use. News: Germany’s prestigious Max Planck Society conducts huge bullying survey; News: The US opioid epidemic is driving a spike in infectious diseases 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.According to the fables of early explorers, the gorilla was a terrible, man-eating monster. It was also thought to be man’s closest relative in the animal kingdom. Naturally, scientists and the public alike wanted to see these fierce beasts for themselves. But in the mid-nineteenth century, as the evolution debate heated up, getting a live gorilla to Europe from Africa was extremely difficult. In 1876, the pages of Nature report the arrival in England of a young specimen.This episode was first broadcast in June 2013. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, how going barefoot affects what your feet can feel, and uncovering history with ancient proteins.In this episode:00:44 A sole sensationA study of people who do and don't wear shoes looks into whether calluses make feet less sensitive. Research article: Holowka et al.; News and Views: Your sensitive sole08:50 Research HighlightsMagma moving quickly, and twice-transforming 4D materials. Research Highlight: Volcano’s magma hit top speed; Research Article: Wang et al.11:09 Dating fossils with proteinsArchaeologists turn to proteins to answer questions DNA cannot. News Feature: Move over, DNA: ancient proteins are starting to reveal humanity’s history19:38 News ChatA special report from the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the ongoing Ebola crisis. News: The doctor who beat Ebola — and inspires other survivors to care for the sick; News: Meet the Ebola workers battling a virus in a war zone; News: World Health Organization resists declaring Ebola emergency — for third time Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, what makes birds invasive, and a robotic fish powered by a blood-like battery.In this episode:00:44 How do alien bird species establish themselves?Researchers have been looking at how bird species settle in non-native locations. Research article: Redding et al.08:22 Research HighlightsCrafting the perfect crêpe, and anti-fungal wasp eggs. Research Highlight: Physicists tackle a delicate challenge: making the ideal crêpe; Research article: Strohm et al.10:09 Robot bloodMultipurpose battery fluid both moves and powers a robot fish. Research article: Aubin et al.; News: Robo-fish powered by battery ‘blood’16:30 News ChatResearchers reviewing misconduct investigations, and redefining pressure. News: What universities can learn from one of science’s biggest frauds Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.