Science Weekly podcast

Science Weekly

Twice a week, the Guardian brings you the latest science and environment news

Twice a week, the Guardian brings you the latest science and environment news

 

#300

Have we got the appendix all wrong?

For a long time the appendix was considered disposable. After all, millions of people have... more

Yesterday

13 MINS

13:26

Yesterday


#299

Surviving 200 snake bites, decoding ancient scrolls and the countries ‘flourishing’

Science correspondent Hannah Devlin joins Ian Sample to discuss three intriguing science s... more

08 May 2025

21 MINS

21:22

08 May 2025


#298

How old are we really? What a test can tell us about our biological age

Direct to consumer tests that claim to tell us our biological – as opposed to chronologica... more

06 May 2025

16 MINS

16:24

06 May 2025


#297

Why did Spain and Portugal go dark?

Authorities are still trying to understand what triggered the massive power outage that le... more

01 May 2025

16 MINS

16:29

01 May 2025


#296

Why did Just Stop Oil just stop?

Just Stop Oil, the climate activism group behind motorway blockades, petrol station disrup... more

29 Apr 2025

18 MINS

18:27

29 Apr 2025


#295

Evidence of alien life, a clue about the rise of bowel cancer, and a new colour?

Madeleine Finlay and Ian Sample discuss three intriguing science stories from the week. Fr... more

24 Apr 2025

20 MINS

20:43

24 Apr 2025


#294

Is ‘de-extinction’ really possible?

The American biotech company Colossal Biosciences recently made headlines around the world... more

22 Apr 2025

16 MINS

16:26

22 Apr 2025


#293

RFK Jr’s mixed messages on vaccines

As a measles outbreak expands across the US, comments by health secretary Robert F Kennedy... more

17 Apr 2025

17 MINS

17:53

17 Apr 2025


#292

What 40 years as Observer science editor has taught Robin McKie

Robin McKie reflects on his 40 years as science editor for the Observer and tells Madelein... more

15 Apr 2025

19 MINS

19:43

15 Apr 2025


#291

Streams of medicines: how Switzerland cleaned up its act

Switzerland is leading the world in purifying its water of micropollutants, a concoction o... more

10 Apr 2025

15 MINS

15:54

10 Apr 2025


#290

Streams of medicines: what’s hiding in the UK’s waterways?

The UK is known for its national parks: areas of outstanding natural beauty with rolling h... more

08 Apr 2025

15 MINS

15:55

08 Apr 2025


#289

‘Parasites should get more fame’: the nominees for world’s finest invertebrate

Invertebrates don’t get the attention lavished on cute pets or apex predators, but these u... more

03 Apr 2025

18 MINS

18:16

03 Apr 2025


#288

Keto: what’s the science behind the diet?

While other diet fads come and go, the ultra low carbohydrate Keto diet seems to endure. B... more

01 Apr 2025

17 MINS

17:16

01 Apr 2025


#287

The rise and fall of DNA testing company 23andMe

The genetic testing firm 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, another twist in the story of a... more

27 Mar 2025

21 MINS

21:49

27 Mar 2025


#286

Where do our early childhood memories go?

It’s a mystery that has long puzzled researchers. Why can’t we remember our early childhoo... more

25 Mar 2025

18 MINS

18:37

25 Mar 2025


#285

What a dark energy discovery means for the fate of the universe

Dark energy, the mysterious force powering the expansion of the universe, appears to be we... more

20 Mar 2025

16 MINS

16:08

20 Mar 2025


#284

A mysterious millionaire and the quest to live under the sea

Before billionaires dreamed of setting up communities on Mars, the ocean was seen as the n... more

18 Mar 2025

16 MINS

16:02

18 Mar 2025


#283

Use it or lose it: how to sharpen your brain as you age

Many of us believe that cognitive decline is an inevitable part of ageing, but a new study... more

13 Mar 2025

14 MINS

14:03

13 Mar 2025


#282

Mars-a-lago? Did the red planet once have sandy beaches?

The Mars we know now is arid and dusty, with punishing radiation levels. But, as science c... more

11 Mar 2025

13 MINS

13:52

11 Mar 2025


#281

Moon missions, Musk v scientists, sperm and longevity

Madeleine Finlay and Ian Sample discuss three intriguing science stories from the week. Fr... more

06 Mar 2025

22 MINS

22:46

06 Mar 2025