Curious Cases

In this episode, Professor Manish Tiwari, a nanoengineering expert from University College London, and Dr. Jess Wade, a functional materials lecturer at Imperial College London, dive into the fascinating world of shark skin. They explore how the unique texture of dermal denticles could revolutionize vehicle and aircraft designs, enhancing speed and efficiency. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of nature-inspired nanoengineering, discussing superhydrophobic materials and the potential for innovative, eco-friendly technologies.

This week, Sophie Scott, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL, shares insights into the fascinating world of laughter. Why do we laugh, and is it just a quirky human trait? Sophie explains how laughter fosters social bonds and alleviates stress, revealing its power in relationships and even dating. The discussion dives into genuine laughs versus polite chuckles and explores the evolutionary significance of laughter in both humans and animals. Get ready to chuckle as they unveil the science behind that belly laugh!

Professor Leslie Vosshall from Rockefeller University and Professor Sarah Reece from Edinburgh University join for a hilarious dive into the world of mosquitoes. They debate why some humans attract these pests more than others, revealing the crucial role of unique scents. With funny sock experiments, they determine who has the stinkiest feet. The episode also uncovers the fascinating biology of female mosquitoes and their insatiable blood-feeding quests, as well as the cunning adaptation of malaria parasites within these insects.

Will Dixon, a Professor of Digital Epidemiology at the University of Manchester and author of "Cloudy with a Chance of Pain", discusses the intriguing relationship between weather and pain. He explains how changes in air pressure can affect joint aches and highlights that our genes might react to temperature shifts, potentially worsening certain conditions in the winter. The conversation also reveals that 21 degrees is considered the ideal temperature for optimal health—just in time for a perfect summer day!

Join experts Katie Field, a Professor of Plant-Soil Processes, and Phil Ayres, a Professor of Bio-Hybrid Architecture, as they explore the fascinating, often misunderstood world of fungi. They discuss mycelium's potential in sustainable materials and how it's revolutionizing interior design with sound-absorbing wall panels and eco-friendly insulation. Learn about innovative products like mushroom leather and NASA’s exciting plans to use fungi for habitats in space. This fungal journey is set to reshape our homes and beyond!

What happens in your brain when Cupid’s arrow strikes? As a teenager, Alison developed an intense crush on George Harrison from the Beatles. But, she wants to know, why do we develop these feelings for pop stars we’ve never actually met? And what potent swirl of neurochemistry drives those fierce emotions?With neuroscientist Dr. Dean Burnett and evolutionary anthropologist Dr. Anna Machin as their guides, Hannah and Dara investigate everything from the brain’s chemical fireworks during a crush to the evolutionary perks of love and bonding. Along the way, they dissect teenage infatuations, lifelong love affairs with football teams, and why love can feel as addictive as heroin.There’s even a guest appearance from two cute rodents: the monogamous prairie voles and their more, shall we say, commitment-phobic cousins, the montane voles, who gave us early clues about the role of the ‘cuddle’ hormone oxytocin. Whether you're a hopeless romantic or a hard-nosed skeptic, prepare to fall head over heels for the science of love.Contributors:Dr Anna Machin - evolutionary anthropologist and author of Why We Love Dr Dean Burnett - honorary research fellow at Cardiff Psychology School, author of The Idiot Brain and The Happy Brain. Carmine Pariante - Professor of Biological Psychiatry at King’s College LondonProducer: Ilan Goodman Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem A BBC Studios Audio Production

In this intriguing discussion, Matthew Bothwell, a Public Astronomer at the University of Cambridge and author of The Invisible Universe, teams up with Andrew Pontzen, a Professor of Physics at Durham University. They explore the fascinating question of invisibility, revealing how even our own faces emit infrared light! The conversation takes a cosmic turn as they uncover stunning invisible structures in our galaxy and the dazzling nature of black holes. They also tackle the challenges behind creating invisibility cloaks with metamaterials and dive into the mysteries of dark matter and energy.

For any of you who have ever told a porkie pie, don't worry, this week we hear why we all do it... and discover that deception is actually good for social bonding. From the red squirrels who cry wolf to scare off the competition, to kids who look you in the eye as they tell bare faced lies, this is a behaviour that occurs across all species. And one man who's particularly good at it is Traitors contestant Paul Gorton who reveals he felt absolutely no guilt about his tv trickery. But it seems that while we're masters at telling tall stories, we're terrible at detecting them, because we've all been focusing on completely the wrong cues. Contributors: Paul Gorton Professor Richard Wiseman Professor Sophie van der Zee Producer: Marijke Peters Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem A BBC Studios Audio Production

Julie Macpherson, a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Warwick, reveals the surprising science behind diamonds. She explains how these gems conduct heat better than anything else and can clean up pollutants from water with boron-doping technology. The discussion also touches on diamonds' role in high-performance electronics and even their geological secrets. With captivating demonstrations and quirky comparisons, the conversation shifts perspectives on diamonds from mere jewelry to powerful tools in science and tech.

Hannah Fry and Dara Ó Briain return to tackle listener's questions with the power of science!