Curious Cases

Dr. Daniel Mitchard, a particle physicist from Cardiff University’s Lightning Lab, dives into the electrifying world of lightning. He discusses the surprising fact that no lightning occurs at the poles and reveals why a car is the safest shelter during storms. Lightning survivor Kerry Evans shares her harrowing experiences, while Professor Karen Aplin explains the discovery of lightning on other planets, like Mars. They uncover whimsical atmospheric phenomena like sprites and pixies, merging science with captivating stories.

Professor Julia Simner and Professor Jamie Ward from the University of Sussex dive into the captivating world of synesthesia. They explore how people like 11-year-old Esther visualize days of the week and how others taste words. The discussion highlights the overlap between senses, revealing how sounds can evoke colors and distinct tastes. They also touch on the creative advantages synesthetes may have and the fascinating connections between perception, memory, and emotions, shedding light on the rich tapestry of human experience.

Dr. Maria Witek, a cognitive psychologist, reveals the fascinating science of 'groove' and its therapeutic applications, even for Parkinson's patients. Neuroscientist Professor Nina Kraus shares insights on how drummers' brains differ, linking rhythm to improved language skills in kids. Joining them is Mark Richardson, drummer for Skunk Anansie, who demonstrates rhythm-based challenges, highlighting drumming's mental and physical complexities. Discover how rhythm influences our lives, from social interactions to personal expression!

In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Felix Flicker, a theoretical physicist from the University of Bristol, and Professor Stuart Reid from the University of Strathclyde delve deep into the fascinating world of mirrors. They explore how subatomic interactions create reflections, the role of astonishing reflective films in devices, and the precision behind the $2 million mirrors at LIGO. The episode wraps up with amusing insights into how a pint behaves in space, highlighting the quirky side of physics!

Don Schaffner, a food microbiologist from Rutgers University, leads the discussion challenging the validity of the '5-second rule,' revealing that even the most innocent-looking food can harbor hidden dangers. Sally Bloomfield, a home hygiene expert, highlights the risks we take daily, including improper fridge temperatures, while Ellen Evans discusses our behavior around food safety. They explore how wet foods like watermelon attract more bacteria, and offer practical tips to navigate cleanliness in our kitchens without sacrificing our snacks.

Dr. Helen Czerski, an oceanographer and physicist, and Dr. Justin Burton, a physicist focusing on giant bubbles and fluid mechanics, dive into the whimsical world of bubbles. They explore how to make colossal bubbles, including the feasibility of encasing the Earth. Fun anecdotes reveal NASA's role in bubble record-breaking and the chemistry behind stable bubbles. The duo also investigates bubbles in zero gravity as a potential climate solution, showcasing their vital role in oxygen absorption and carbon dynamics in oceans.

Curious Cases is returning! Superstar mathematician and broadcaster Hannah Fry teams up with legendary comedian and fellow science nerd Dara Ó Briain for an all-new series of the show which takes your quirkiest questions and solves them with the power of SCIENCE.In this short preview ep, our dynamic duo tease some of the upcoming episodes in which they enlist the world’s top experts to tackle the most profound and puzzling questions to have ever trickled through your curious minds: Could you power a spaceship with a lemon? Can you actually die of boredom? Why do some people *taste* words? Why does Hannah have absolutely no sense of rhythm? And could we stop climate change with massive space bubbles!? Producers: Marijke Peters and Ilan Goodman Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem A BBC Studios Audio Production

There is a bizarre number in maths referred to simply as ‘i’. It appears to break the rules of arithmetic - but turns out to be utterly essential for applications across engineering and physics. We’re talking about the square root of -1. WHICH MAKES NO SENSE.Professor Fry waxes lyrical about the beauty and power of this so-called ‘imaginary’ number to a sceptical Dr Rutherford. Dr Michael Brooks tells the surprising story of the duelling Italian mathematicians who gave birth to this strange idea, and shares how Silicon Valley turned it into cold hard cash. It's all about oscillations, Professor Jeff O’Connell demonstrates. And finally, Dr Eleanor Knox reveals that imaginary numbers are indispensable for the most fundamental physics of all: quantum mechanics. Imaginary, impossible…but essential! Contributors: Professor Jeff O’Connell, Ohlone College California, Dr Michael Brooks, Author of 'The Maths That Made Us', and Dr Eleanor Knox, Philosopher of Physics at KCL and a Senior Visiting Fellow at the University of Pittsburgh.Producer: Ilan Goodman

This episode will render you oblivious, conked out and blissfully unaware. It’s about anaesthetics: those potent potions that send you into a deep, deathly sleep. Listener Alicia wants to know how they work, so our sleuths call on the expertise of consultant anaesthetist Dr Fiona Donald. Fiona shares her experience from the clinical frontline, and explains what we do and don’t know about how these chemicals work their mind-numbing magic. We hear about ground-breaking research led by Professor Irene Tracey, which reveals how a pattern of slow brain waves can be used to determine the optimum dosage of these dangerous drugs. And finally, Drs Rutherford and Fry wonder: what does all this tell us about normal consciousness? Professor Anil Seth shares how we can use brain tech to measure different levels of conscious awareness – from sleepy to psychedelic.Presenters: Hannah Fry and Adam Rutherford Producer: Ilan Goodman

‘Can we bring back extinct species?’ wonders listener Mikko Campbell. Well, Professor Fry is pretty excited by the prospect of woolly mammoths roaming the Siberian tundra once more. And everyone is impressed with the science that might make it happen. But Dr Rutherford comes out STRONGLY against the whole thing. Can our expert guests win him over? Dr Helen Pilcher shares the tale of Celia the lonely mountain goat, and makes the case for cloning to help protect species at risk of extinction. Professor Beth Shapiro sets out how biotech company ‘Colossal’ plans to engineer Asian elephants’ DNA to make a new group of mammoth-like creatures. And we hear how genetic technologies are being used in conservation efforts around the world. BUT WHAT ABOUT T-REXES? Not gonna happen. Sorry.Contributors: Dr Helen Pilcher, author of ‘Bring Back the King: The New Science of De-Extinction’, Professor Beth Shapiro from the University of California Santa Cruz, Dr Ben Novak of Revive and Restore and Tullis Matson from Nature’s SAFE.Presenters: Hannah Fry and Adam RutherfordProducer: Ilan Goodman