Instant Genius

Join palaeontologists David Hone, a dinosaur biology researcher, and Mark P. Witton, a professional paleoartist, as they delve into the captivating world of spinosaurs. They discuss how fragmentary fossils challenge our understanding of these unique dinosaurs. Discover their distinctive features, from sailbacks to long snouts, and learn why many reconstructions are still hypotheses. The duo also offers insights into their feeding strategies, preferred aquatic habitats, and the ongoing quest for more complete fossils to unveil the mysteries surrounding these fascinating reptiles.

Join Dr. Hannah Critchlow, a Cambridge neuroscientist and author of The Science of Fate, as she unravels the mysteries of free will. Delve into how our genes and upbringing shape our decisions and beliefs. Discover insights from Libet's study on brain activity preceding choice and explore how our DNA can predict traits like impulsivity. Hannah also discusses the fascinating interplay of nature and nurture, the power of plasticity in learning, and even how therapy can alter epigenetic fears, suggesting a path to empower our choices.

In this engaging discussion, naturalist and author Amelia Thomas dives into the fascinating world of animal communication. She reveals how dogs have evolved their barks to express needs to humans and explores the emotional complexities of smaller creatures like cockroaches. Amelia emphasizes the importance of tone in understanding animal vocalizations and shares insights on how listening to animal sounds can enrich our lives. From dolphin whistles to pig vocalizations, she highlights the interconnectedness of all species and the value of being attentive to nature.

Tuck Seng Wong, a biomanufacturing professor, explores the urgent need for sustainable protein alternatives amidst rising meat demand. Julie Gray, a plant cell signaling expert, discusses regional protein shortages and the vital role of plant-based proteins. Dr. Kang Lan Tee, a chemical engineering lecturer, highlights innovative uses of insects and precision fermentation for protein production. Together, they emphasize the importance of being open-minded about food choices and the potential of alternative proteins to reduce environmental harm.

Dr. Bogdan Matei, a medical psychiatrist and master trainer for Hästens, delves into the critical connection between sleep and emotional health. He explains how sleep supports brain cleanup and regulates emotions, highlighting the chaos that lack of sleep can create in our emotional states. Using a factory analogy, he describes how chronic sleep deprivation leads to burnout. Dr. Matei also shares practical techniques like exercise and meditation to enhance sleep quality, thereby improving overall mood and mental clarity.

Dr. Natalia Falagán is an Agricultural Engineer and Senior Lecturer at Cranfield University, focused on food waste reduction. She discusses the staggering statistic that one-third of food is wasted globally and differentiates between food loss and waste. Highlights include the importance of cold chain logistics, the disconnect between producers and consumers regarding seasonal produce, and the role of 'ugly' fruits in reducing waste. She also offers practical tips like growing herbs and revisiting food origins to help combat this pressing issue.

Gary Marcus, a scientist and entrepreneur known for his critical insights on AI, dives into the realities of artificial intelligence. He critiques the current hype, highlighting the limitations and hallucinations of large models, and explains why scaling fails to deliver consistent results. Marcus discusses the opaque nature of private AI research and warns of a potential bubble that could impact investors and users alike. He also advocates for neurosymbolic AI as a more reliable path forward, emphasizing the need for a reset in AI development.

Dr. Dave Chandler, a crop researcher at the University of Warwick, tackles the pressing issue of global food security, highlighting that 670 million people face hunger. He discusses how current agricultural practices harm the environment and biodiversity. Chandler advocates for flexitarian diets to reduce carbon footprints and stresses the importance of increased fruit, vegetable, and pulse consumption. He also emphasizes the need for innovation in farming techniques, improved public understanding of agriculture, and policies that support sustainable food production.

Eduardo Mercado, a behavioral neuroscientist and author of Why Whales Sing, dives into the mysterious world of whale songs. He discusses how these melodic hymns may serve as a form of echolocation, similar to bats, rather than just for communication or mating. Mercado reveals that whale songs can last up to 40 hours and travel incredible distances, even 1,000 km. He also highlights the detrimental effects of increasing ocean noise from shipping and fishing, which disrupts these magnificent creatures' ability to navigate and communicate.

In this insightful conversation, Professor Sarah Berry, a nutritional scientist at King's College London and chief scientist at Zoe, explores the future of personalized nutrition. She discusses how individualized dietary responses challenge traditional one-size-fits-all advice. Sarah dives into the role of gut microbiomes in health, reveals the significance of large-scale dietary research like ZOE Predict, and explains how technologies such as remote monitoring and gamified apps can enhance dietary adherence. Tune in to learn how your food choices can be uniquely tailored to you!