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Nature Podcast

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Springer Nature Limited

The Nature Podcast brings you the best stories from the world of science each week. We cover everything from astronomy to zoology, highlighting the most exciting research from each issue of the Nature journal. We meet the scientists behind the results and provide in-depth analysis from Nature's journalists and editors. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

#716

Living on Mars would probably suck — here's why

Humans setting up home in outer space has long been the preserve of science fiction. Now, thanks to advances in technology and the backing of billionaires, this dream could actually be realised. But is it more likely to be a nightmare? Kelly and Zach Weinersmith join us to discuss their new book A City on Mars and some of the medical, environmental and legal roadblocks that may prevent humanity from ultimately settling in space. A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through? Kelly and Zach Weinersmith Particular Books (2023) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

19 Apr 2024

38 MINS

38:11

19 Apr 2024

#715

Keys, wallet, phone: the neuroscience behind working memory

In this episode: 00:46 Mysterious methane emission from a cool brown dwarf --------------------------------------------------------- The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is revealing the makeup of brown dwarfs — strange space objects that blur the line between a planet and a star. And it appears that methane in the atmosphere of one of these objects, named W1935, is emitting infrared radiation. Where the energy comes from is a mystery however, researchers hypothesise that the glow could be caused by an aurora in the object’s atmosphere, perhaps driven by an as-yet unseen moon. Research Article: [Faherty et al.] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07190-w?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) 10:44 Research Highlights ------------------------- The discovery that bitter taste receptors may date back 450 million years, and the first planet outside the Solar System to boast a rainbow-like phenomenon called a ‘glory’. Research Highlight: [Bitter taste receptors are even older than scientists thought] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01031-6?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) Research Highlight: [An exoplanet is wrapped in glory] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01032-5?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) 13:07 How working memory works ------------------------------ Working memory is a fundamental process that allows us to temporarily store important information, such as the name of a person we’ve just met. However distractions can easily interrupt this process, leading to these memories vanishing. By looking at the brain activity of people doing working-memory tasks, a team have now confirmed that working memory requires two brain regions: one to hold a memory as long as you focus on it; and another to control its maintenance by helping you to not get distracted. Research article: [Daume et al.] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07309-z?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) News and Views: [Coupled neural activity controls working memory in humans] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00963-3?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) 22:31 Briefing Chat ------------------- The bleaching event hitting coral around the world, and the first evidence of a nitrogen-fixing eukaryote. New York Times: [The Widest-Ever Global Coral Crisis Will Hit Within Weeks, Scientists Say] (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/15/climate/coral-reefs-bleaching.html?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) Nature News: [Scientists discover first algae that can fix nitrogen — thanks to a tiny cell structure] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01046-z?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) Nature video: [AI and robotics demystify the workings of a fly's wing] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-guci0Exz8?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) Vote for us in the Webbys: [ https://go.nature.com/3TVYHmP] (https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2024/video/general-video/science-education) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

17 Apr 2024

34 MINS

34:10

17 Apr 2024

#714

The 'ghost roads' driving tropical deforestation

In this episode: 00:46 Mapping ‘ghost roads’ in tropical forests ----------------------------------------------- Across the world, huge numbers of illegal roads have been cut into forests. However, due to their illicit nature, the exact numbers of these roads and their impacts on ecosystems is poorly understood. To address this, researchers have undertaken a huge mapping exercise across the tropical Asia-Pacific region. Their findings reveal over a million kilometers of roads that don’t appear on official maps, and that their construction is a key driver for deforestation. Research Article: [Engert et al.] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07303-5?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) 10:44 Research Highlights ------------------------- How climate change fuelled a record-breaking hailstorm in Spain, and an unusual technique helps researchers detect a tiny starquake. Research Highlight: [Baseball-sized hail in Spain began with a heatwave at sea] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00966-0?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) Research Highlight: [Smallest known starquakes are detected with a subtle shift of colour] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00965-1?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) 13:02 Briefing Chat ------------------- A clinical trial to test whether ‘mini livers’ can grow in a person’s lymph node, and the proteins that may determine left-handedness. Nature News: [‘Mini liver’ will grow in person’s own lymph node in bold new trial] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00975-z?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) Nature News: [Right- or left-handed? Protein in embryo cells might help decide] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00977-x?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) Nature video: [How would a starfish wear trousers? Science has an answer] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxfTkjkgZt0) Vote for us in the Webbys: [https://go.nature.com/3TVYHmP] (https://vote.webbyawards.com/PublicVoting#/2024/video/general-video/science-education) [Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.] (https://www.nature.com/briefing/signup?utm_source=podcast-organic&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=briefing-signup&utm_content=shownotes) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

10 Apr 2024

23 MINS

23:01

10 Apr 2024

#713

Audio long read: Why are so many young people getting cancer? What the data say

Around the world, rates of cancers that typically affect older adults are increasing in those under 50 years old. Models based on global data predict that the number of early-onset cancer cases like these will increase by around 30% between 2019 and 2030. The most likely contributors — such as rising rates of obesity and early-cancer screening — do not fully account for the increase. To try and understand the reasons behind this trend, many researchers are searching for answers buried in studies that tracked the lives and health of children born half a century ago. This is an audio version of our Feature [Why are so many young people getting cancer? What the data say] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00720-6) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

05 Apr 2024

16 MINS

16:29

05 Apr 2024

#712

Pregnancy's effect on 'biological' age, polite birds, and the carbon cost of home-grown veg

In this episode: 00:35 Pregnancy advances your ‘biological’ age — but giving birth turns it back ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Growing a baby leads to changes in the distribution of certain chemical markers on a pregnant person’s DNA, but new research suggests that after giving birth, these changes can revert to an earlier state. Nature News: [Pregnancy advances your ‘biological’ age — but giving birth turns it back] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00843-w) 08:07 Bird gestures to say 'after you' -------------------------------------- A Japanese tit (Parus minor) will flutter its wings to invite their mate to enter the nest first. Use of these sorts of gestures, more complex than simply pointing at an object of interest, were thought to be limited to great apes, suggesting that there are more non-vocal forms of communication to be found in the animal kingdom. Scientific American: [Wild Birds Gesture ‘After You’ to Insist Their Mate Go First] (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/wild-birds-gesture-after-you-to-insist-their-mate-go-first) 13:34 The carbon cost of home-grown veg --------------------------------------- Research have estimated that the carbon footprint of home-grown food and community gardens is six-times greater than conventional, commercial farms. This finding surprised the authors — keen home-growers themselves — who emphasize that their findings can be used to help make urban efforts (which have worthwhile social benefits) more carbon-efficient. BBC Future: [The complex climate truth about home-grown tomatoes] (https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240322-the-most-climate-friendly-vegetables-to-grow-in-your-garden) 20:29 A look at next week's total eclipse ----------------------------------------- On 8th April, a total eclipse of the Sun is due to trace a path across North America. We look at the experiments taking place and what scientists are hoping to learn. Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

03 Apr 2024

24 MINS

24:32

03 Apr 2024

#711

How climate change is affecting global timekeeping

In this episode: 01:28 Inflammation’s role in memory ----------------------------------- How memories are stored is an ongoing question in neuroscience. Now researchers have found an inflammatory pathway that responds to DNA damage in neurons has a key role in the persistence of memories. How this pathway helps memories persist is unclear, but the researchers suggest that how the DNA damage is repaired may play a role. As inflammation in the brain is often associated with disease, the team were surprised by this finding, which they hope will help uncover ways to better preserve our memories, especially in the face of neurodegenerative disorders. Research Article: [Jovasevic et al.] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07220-7) News and Views: [Innate immunity in neurons makes memories persist] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00679-4) 08:40 Research Highlights ------------------------- The effect of wind turbines on property values, and how waste wood can be used to 3D print new wooden objects. Research Highlight: [ A view of wind turbines drives down home values — but only briefly] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00766-6) Research Highlight: [Squeeze, freeze, bake: how to make 3D-printed wood that mimics the real thing] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00767-5) 11:14 How melting ice is affecting global timekeeping ----------------------------------------------------- Due to variations in the speed of Earth’s rotation, the length of a day is rarely exactly 24 hours. By calculating the strength of the different factors affecting this, a researcher has shown that while Earth’s rotation is overall speeding up, this effect is being tempered by the melting of the polar ice caps. As global time kept by atomic clocks occasionally has to be altered to match Earth’s rotation, human-induced climate change may delay plans to add a negative leap-second to ensure the two align. Research article: [Agnew] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07170-0) News and Views: [Melting ice solves leap-second problem — for now] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00850-x) 20:04 Briefing Chat ------------------- An AI for antibody development, and the plans for the upcoming Simons observatory. Nature News: [ ‘A landmark moment’: scientists use AI to design antibodies from scratch] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00846-7) Nature News: [‘Best view ever’: observatory will map Big Bang’s afterglow in new detail] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00333-z) [Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.] (https://www.nature.com/briefing/signup?utm_source=podcast-organic&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=briefing-signup&utm_content=shownotes) [Subscribe to Nature Briefing: AI and robotics] (https://www.nature.com/briefing/ai-robotics) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

27 Mar 2024

26 MINS

26:49

27 Mar 2024

#710

AI hears hidden X factor in zebra finch love songs

This podcast has been corrected: in a previous version at 5:55 we stated that that the team's 200mm devices currently contain only a couple of magnetic tunnelling junctions, in fact they studied 500-1000 devices in this work. 00:48 How mysterious skyrmions could power next-generation computers -------------------------------------------------------------------- Skyrmions are tiny whirlpools of magnetic spin that some researchers believe have useful properties that could unlock new kinds of computing. However getting skyrmions to perform useful computational tasks has been tricky. Now researchers have developed a method to create and manipulate skyrmions in a way that is compatible with existing computing technology, allowing them to read and write data at a fraction of the energy cost of conventional systems. The team think this shows that skyrmions could be a viable part of the next generation of computers. Research Article: [Chen et al.] (https://go.nature.com/43v1wj5) News and Views: [Magnetic whirlpools offer improved data storage] (https://go.nature.com/4cqDYzW) 07:51 Research Highlights ------------------------- How robotically-enhanced, live jellyfish could make ocean monitoring cheap and easy, and how collective saliva tests could be a cost-effective way of testing for a serious infant infection. Research Highlight: [These cyborg jellyfish could monitor the changing seas] (https://go.nature.com/43vXDu9) Research Highlight: [Pooling babies’ saliva helps catch grave infection in newborns] (https://go.nature.com/43wqQW4) 10:01 AI identifies X factor hidden within zebra finch songs ------------------------------------------------------------ Male songbirds often develop elaborate songs to demonstrate their fitness, but many birds only learn a single song and stick with it their entire lives. How female birds judge the fitness between these males has been a long-standing puzzle. Now, using an AI-based system a team has analysed the songs of male zebra finches and shown that some songs have a hidden factor that is imperceptible to humans. Although it’s not clear exactly what this factor is, songs containing it were shown to be harder to learn and more attractive to females. The researchers hope that this AI-based method will allow them to better understand what makes some birdsong more attractive than others. Research article: [Alam et al. ] (https://go.nature.com/43vLrcW) News and Views: [Birds convey complex signals in simple songs] (https://go.nature.com/43sVwY0) 20:04 Briefing Chat ------------------- How H5N1 avian influenza is threatening penguins on Antarctica, and why farmed snake-meat could be a more environmentally-friendly way to produce protein for food. Nature News: [ Bird-flu threat disrupts Antarctic penguin studies] (https://go.nature.com/3vo4lG0) Scientific American: [Snake Steak Could Be a Climate-Friendly Source of Protein] (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/snake-steak-could-be-a-climate-friendly-source-of-protein) [Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.] (https://www.nature.com/briefing/signup?utm_source=podcast-organic&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=briefing-signup&utm_content=shownotes) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

20 Mar 2024

29 MINS

29:42

20 Mar 2024

#709

Killer whales have menopause. Now scientists think they know why

In this episode: 00:45 Making a map of the human heart ------------------------------------- The human heart consists of multiple, specialised structures that all work together to enable the organ to beat for a lifetime. But exactly which cells are present in each part of the heart has been difficult to ascertain. Now, a team has combined molecular techniques to create an atlas of the developing human heart at an individual cell level. Their atlas provides insights into how cell communities communicate and form different structures. They hope that this knowledge will ultimately help in the treatment of congenital heart conditions, often caused by irregular development of the heart. Research article: [Farah et al. ] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07171-z?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) Nature video: [Building a heart atlas] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0JF05dCe2w) 08:37 Research Highlights ------------------------- Residue in ceramic vases suggests that ancient Mesoamerican peoples consumed tobacco as a liquid, and a wireless way to charge quantum batteries. Research Highlight: [Buried vases hint that ancient Americans might have drunk tobacco] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00602-x?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) Research Highlight: [A better way to charge a quantum battery] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00652-1?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) 11:11 The evolution of menopause in toothed whales -------------------------------------------------- Menopause is a rare phenomenon, only known to occur in a few mammalian species. Several of these species are toothed whales, such as killer whales, beluga whales and narwhals. But why menopause evolved multiple times in toothed whales has been a long-standing research question. To answer it, a team examined the life history of whales with and without menopause and how this affected the number of offspring and ‘grandoffpsring’. Their results suggest that menopause allows older females to help younger generations in their families and improve their chances of survival. Research Article: [Ellis et al.] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07159-9) News and Views: [Whales make waves in the quest to discover why menopause evolved] (https://www.nature.com/articlesd41586-024-00658-9) 18:03 Briefing Chat ------------------- How the new generation of anti-obesity drugs could help people with HIV, and the study linking microplastics lodged in a key blood vessel with serious health issues. Nature News: [Blockbuster obesity drug leads to better health in people with HIV] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00691-8) Nature News: [Landmark study links microplastics to serious health problems] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00650-3) [Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.] (https://www.nature.com/briefing/signup?utm_source=podcast-organic&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=briefing-signup&utm_content=shownotes) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

13 Mar 2024

27 MINS

27:15

13 Mar 2024

#708

These tiny fish combine electric pulses to probe the environment

In this episode: 00:48 Bumblebees can learn new tricks from each other ----------------------------------------------------- One behaviour thought unique to humans is the ability to learn something from your predecessors that you couldn’t figure out on your own. However, researchers believe they have shown bumblebees are also capable of this ‘standing on the shoulders of giants’ approach to learning. Bees that were taught how to complete a puzzle too difficult to solve on their own, were able to share this knowledge with other bees, raising the possibility that this thought-to-be human trait could be widespread amongst animals. Research article: [Bridges et al.] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07126-4) News and Views: [Bees and chimpanzees learn from others what they cannot learn alone] (http://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00427-8) 16:55 Research Highlights ------------------------- Why the Krakatau eruption made the skies green, and the dining habits of white dwarf stars. Research Highlight: [Why sunsets were a weird colour after Krakatau blew its top] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00601-y) Research Highlight: [This dying star bears a jagged metal scar] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00564-0) 19:28 The fish that collectively, electrically sense ---------------------------------------------------- Many ocean-dwelling animals sense their environment using electric pulses, which can help them hunt and avoid predators. Now research shows that the tiny elephantnose fish can increase the range of this sense by combining its pulses with those of other elephantnose fish. This allows them to discriminate and determine the location of different objects at a much greater distance than a single fish is able to. This is the first time a collective electric sense has been seen in animals, which could provide an ‘early-warning system', allowing a group to avoid predators from a greater distance. Research Article: [Pedraja and Sawtell] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07157-x) 27:54 Briefing Chat ------------------- The organoids made from cells derived from amniotic fluid, and the debate over the heaviest animal. Nature News: [Organoids grown from amniotic fluid could shed light on rare diseases] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00656-x) The New York Times: [ Researchers Dispute Claim That Ancient Whale Was Heaviest Animal Ever] (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/29/science/giant-whale-perucetus.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ZU0.ylgi.BjIh0UdTAXWk) [Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.] (https://www.nature.com/briefing/signup?utm_source=podcast-organic&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=briefing-signup&utm_content=shownotes) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

06 Mar 2024

36 MINS

36:43

06 Mar 2024

#707

Could this one-time ‘epigenetic’ treatment control cholesterol?

In this episode: 00:49 What caused the Universe to become fully transparent? ----------------------------------------------------------- Around 13 billion years ago, the Universe was filled with a dense ‘fog’ of neutral hydrogen that blocked certain wavelengths of light. This fog was lifted when the hydrogen was hit by radiation in a process known as reionisation, but the source of this radiation has been debated. Now, researchers have used the JWST to peer deep into the Universe’s past and found that charged particles pouring out from dwarf galaxies appear to be the the main driver for reionization. This finding could help researchers understand how some of the structures we now see in the Universe were formed. Research article: [Atek et al.] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07043-6) 08:46 Research Highlights ------------------------- Ancient inscriptions could be the earliest example of the language that became Basque, and how researchers etched a groove… onto soap film. Research Highlight: [Ancient bronze hand’s inscription points to origins of Basque language] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00507-9) Research Highlight: [Laser pulses engrave an unlikely surface: soap films] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00513-x) 11:05 Controlling cholesterol with epigenetics ---------------------------------------------- To combat high cholesterol, many people take statins, but because these drugs have to be taken every day researchers have been searching for alternatives. Controlling cholesterol by editing the epigenome has shown promise in lab-grown cells, but its efficacy in animals was unclear. Now, researchers have shown the approach can work in mice, and have used it to silence a gene linked to high cholesterol for a year. The mice show markedly lowered cholesterol, a result the team hope could pave the way for epigenetic therapeutics for humans. Research Article: [Cappelluti et al.] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07087-8) 18:52 The gene mutation explaining why humans don’t have tails -------------------------------------------------------------- Why don’t humans and other apes have a tail? It was assumed that a change must have happened in our genomes around 25 million years ago that resulted in the loss of this flexible appendage. Now researchers believe they have pinned down a good candidate for what caused this: an insertion into a particular gene known as TBXT. The team showed the key role this gene plays by engineering mice genomes to contain a similar change, leading to animals that were tail-less. This finding could help paint a picture of the important genetic mutations that led to the evolution of humans and other apes. Nature News: [How humans lost their tails — and why the discovery took 2.5 years to publish] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00610-x) Research Article: [Xia et al.] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07095-8) News and Views: [A mobile DNA sequence could explain tail loss in humans and apes] (http://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00309-z) [Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.] (https://www.nature.com/briefing/signup?utm_source=podcast-organic&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=briefing-signup&utm_content=shownotes) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

28 Feb 2024

26 MINS

26:23

28 Feb 2024

#706

Audio long read: Chimpanzees are dying from our colds — these scientists are trying to save them

The phenomenon of animals catching diseases from humans, called reverse zoonoses, has had a severe impact on great ape populations, often representing a bigger threat than habitat loss or poaching. However, while many scientists and conservationists agree that human diseases pose one of the greatest risks to great apes today there are a few efforts under way to use a research-based approach to mitigate this problem. This is an audio version of our Feature [Chimpanzees are dying from our colds — these scientists are trying to save them] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00108-6?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

26 Feb 2024

24 MINS

24:39

26 Feb 2024

#705

How whales sing without drowning, an anatomical mystery solved

The deep haunting tones of the world's largest animals, baleen whales, are iconic - but how the songs are produced has long been a mystery. Whales evolved from land dwelling mammals which vocalize by passing air through a structure called the larynx - a structure whichalso helps keep food from entering the respiratory system. However toothed whales like dolphins do not use their larynx to make sound, instead they have evolved a specialized organ in their nose. Now a team of researchers have discovered the structure used by baleen whales - a modified version of the larynx. Whales like Humpbacks and Blue whales are able tocreate powerful vocalizationsbut their anatomy also limits the frequency of the sounds they can make and depth at which they can sing. Thisleaves them unable to escape anthropogenic noise pollution which occur in the same range. Article: [Evolutionary novelties underlie sound production in baleen whales] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07080-1) [Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.] (https://www.nature.com/briefing/signup?utm_source=podcast-organic&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=briefing-signup&utm_content=shownotes) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

23 Feb 2024

14 MINS

14:28

23 Feb 2024

#704

Why are we nice? Altruism's origins are put to the test

In this episode: 00:45 Why are humans so helpful? -------------------------------- Humans are notable for their cooperation and display far more altruistic behaviour than other animals, but exactly why this behaviour evolved has been a puzzle. But in a new paper, the two leading theories have been put the test with a model and a real-life experiment. They find that actually neither theory on its own leads to cooperation but a combination is required for humans to help one another. Research article: [Efferson et al.] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07077-w) News and Views: [Why reciprocity is common in humans but rare in other animals] (http://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00308-0) 10:55 Research Highlights ------------------------- The discovery of an ancient stone wall hidden underwater, and the fun that apes have teasing one another. Research Highlight: [Great ‘Stone Age’ wall discovered in Baltic Sea] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00409-w) Research Highlight: [What a tease! Great apes pull hair and poke each other for fun] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00410-3) 13:14 The DVD makes a comeback ------------------------------ Optical discs, like CDs and DVDs, are an attractive option for long-term data storage, but these discs are limited by their small capacity. Now though, a team has overcome a limitation of conventional disc writing to produce optical discs capable of storing petabits of data, significantly more than the largest available hard disk. The researchers behind the work think their new discs could one day replace the energy-hungry hard disks used in giant data centres, making long-term storage more sustainable. Research Article: [Zhao et al.] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06980-y) 20:10 Briefing Chat ------------------- The famous fossil that turned out to be a fraud, and why researchers are making hybrid ‘meat-rice’. Ars Technica: [It’s a fake: Mysterious 280 million-year-old fossil is mostly just black paint] (https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/02/its-a-fake-mysterious-280-million-year-old-fossil-is-mostly-just-black-paint) Nature News: [Introducing meat–rice: grain with added muscles beefs up protein] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00398-w) [Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.] (https://www.nature.com/briefing/signup?utm_source=podcast-organic&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=briefing-signup&utm_content=shownotes) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

21 Feb 2024

30 MINS

30:41

21 Feb 2024

#703

Smoking changes your immune system, even years after quitting

00:45 Smoking's long-term effects on immunity --------------------------------------------- It's well-known that smoking is bad for health and it has been linked to several autoimmune disorders, but the mechanisms are notfully understood. Now, researchers have investigatedthe immune responses of 1,000 people. Whilst some effects disappear after quitting, impacts on theT cell response lingers long after. The team hopes that this evidence could help better understand smoking's association withautoimmune diseases. Research article: [Saint-André et al.] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06968-8?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) News and Views: [Smoking’s lasting effect on the immune system] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00232-3?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) 07:03 Research Highlights ------------------------- Why explosive fulminating gold produces purple smoke, and a curious act of altruism in a male northern elephant seal. Research Highlight: [Why an ancient gold-based explosive makes purple smoke] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00316-0?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) Research Highlight: [‘Altruistic’ bull elephant seal lends a helping flipper] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00319-x?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) 09:28 Briefing Chat ------------------- An author-based method to track down fake papers, and the new ocean lurking under the surface of one of Saturn's moons. Nature News: [Fake research papers flagged by analysing authorship trends] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00344-w?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) Nature News: [The Solar System has a new ocean — it’s buried in a small Saturn moon] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00345-9?utm_source=naturepod&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=shownotes) [Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.] (https://www.nature.com/briefing/signup?utm_source=podcast-organic&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=briefing-signup&utm_content=shownotes) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

14 Feb 2024

21 MINS

21:35

14 Feb 2024

#702

Why we need to rethink how we talk about cancer

For over a century, cancer has been classified by areas of the body - lung cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer etc. And yet modernmedical research is telling us that the molecular and genetic mechanisms behind cancers are not necessarily tied to parts of the body. Many drugs developedto treat metastatic cancers have the capacity to work across many different cancers, and that presents an opportunity for more tailored and efficient treatments.Oncologists are calling for a change in the way patients, clinicians and regulatorsthink about naming cancers. In this podcast, senior comment editor Lucy Odling-Smee speaks with Fabrice André from Institute Gustave Roussy, to ask what he thinks needs to change. Comment: [Forget lung, breast or prostate cancer: why tumour naming needs to change] (https://open.acast.com/#) [Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.] (https://open.acast.com/#) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

09 Feb 2024

14 MINS

14:53

09 Feb 2024

#701

Cancer's power harnessed — lymphoma mutations supercharge T cells

In this episode: 0:46 Borrowing tricks from cancer could help improve immunotherapy ------------------------------------------------------------------ T cell based immunotherapies have revolutionised the treatment of certain types of cancer. However these therapies — which involved taking someone’s own T cells and reprogramming them to kill cancer cells — have struggled to treat solid tumours, which put up multiple defences. To overcome these, a team has taken mutations found in cancer cells that help them thrive and put them into therapeutic T cells. Their results show these powered-up cells are more efficient at targeting solid tumours, but don’t turn cancerous themselves. Research article: [Garcia et al.] (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07018-7) 11:39 Research Highlights ------------------------- How researchers solved a submerged-sprinkler problem named after Richard Feynman, and what climate change is doing to high-altitude environmental records in Switzerland. Research Highlight: [The mystery of Feynman’s sprinkler is solved at last] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00246-x) Research Highlight: [A glacier’s ‘memory’ is fading because of climate change] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00244-z) 14:28 What might the car batteries of the future look like? ----------------------------------------------------------- As electric cars become ever more popular around the world, manufacturers are looking to improve the batteries that power them. While conventional lithium-ion batteries have dominated the electric vehicle market for decades, researchers are developing alternatives that have better performance and safety — we run though some of these options and discuss their pros and cons. News Feature: [The new car batteries that could power the electric vehicle revolution] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00325-z) 25:32 Briefing Chat ------------------- How a baby’s-eye view of the world helps an AI learn language, and how the recovery of sea otter populations in California slowed rates of coastal erosion. Nature News: [This AI learnt language by seeing the world through a baby’s eyes] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00288-1) News: [How do otters protect salt marshes from erosion? Shellfishly] (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00217-2) [Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.] (https://www.nature.com/briefing/signup?utm_source=podcast-organic&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=briefing-signup&utm_content=shownotes) Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information. ... Read more

07 Feb 2024

35 MINS

35:23