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Science Weekly

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The Guardian

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

#300

‘Soft and calorie dense’: Chris van Tulleken on how ultra-processed foods keep us hooked

Dr Chris van Tulleken has been at the forefront of the campaign to change our food system and better regulate the sale of ultra-processed foods (UPF). This year he will be giving the Royal Institution Christmas lectures, Britain’s most prestigious public science lectures, in which he’ll be investigating how food has fundamentally shaped human evolution, the importance of our microbiome – as the extra ‘organ’ we didn’t know we had – and how we can all eat better in future, for the sake of our own health and the health of the planet. Nicola Davis sat down with Van Tulleken to discuss the lectures, the challenge of understanding the impact of UPFs on our health, and his top tip for Christmas dinner. Madeleine Finlay hears from them both in this Christmas special edition of Science Weekly. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

19 Dec 2024

18 MINS

18:18

19 Dec 2024

#299

Is our model of the universe wrong?

For the past 10 years cosmologists have been left scratching their heads over why two methods for measuring the universe’s rate of expansion provide totally different results. There are two possible solutions to the puzzle, known as the Hubble tension: either something is wrong with the measurements or something is wrong with our model of the universe. It was hoped that observations from the James Webb space telescope might shed some light on the problem, but instead results published last week have continued to muddy the waters. To understand why the expansion rate of the universe remains a mystery, and what might be needed to finally pin it down, Madeleine Finlay speaks to Catherine Heymans, the astronomer royal for Scotland and a professor of astrophysics at the University of Edinburgh. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

17 Dec 2024

17 MINS

17:45

17 Dec 2024

#298

Does Google’s ‘mindboggling’ new chip bring quantum computers any closer?

On Monday Google unveiled its Willow quantum computing chip. The new chip takes just five minutes to complete tasks that would take 10 septillion years for some of the world’s fastest conventional computers to complete. But despite its impressive power, it’s not clear the chip has any practical applications. So does it bring quantum computing any closer? To find out Ian Sample speaks to Winfried Hensinger, professor of quantum technologies at the University of Sussex. Because of industrial action taking place by members of the National Union of Journalists at the Guardian and Observer this week, you may notice some disruption to the availability of new episodes in your Guardian podcast feeds in the coming days. All the work on this episode was done before the strike action began. For more information please head to theguardian.com. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

12 Dec 2024

18 MINS

18:03

12 Dec 2024

#297

The science of laughing

Madeleine Finlay speaks to Sophie Scott, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at University College London, to dig into the science of laughter. Sophie explains what exactly laughter is, the many different purposes it serves for humans and animals, and how prioritising it could make us all feel a little better. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

10 Dec 2024

18 MINS

18:17

10 Dec 2024

#296

Revisited: Secrets of the gut microbiome

Ian Sample speaks to colorectal surgeon and researcher James Kinross about the miraculous world of our gut microbiome, how modern life is impacting it, and what we can do to look after it Because of industrial action taking place by members of the National Union of Journalists at the Guardian and Observer this week, we are re-running an episode from earlier in the year. For more information please head to theguardian.com. We’ll be back with new episodes soon.. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

05 Dec 2024

21 MINS

21:21

05 Dec 2024

#295

What really helps with hangovers?

What if you could take a pill or a shot that could reduce your blood alcohol level and make you feel better in the morning? That’s the promise of a range of wellness products aiming to be the next big hangover antidote. But what exactly are hangovers, and which methods of preventing them are backed by science? Madeleine Finlay speaks to Dr Sally Adams, an alcohol researcher and associate professor of psychology at the University of Birmingham. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

03 Dec 2024

18 MINS

18:13

03 Dec 2024

#294

What’s going on with fluoride?

The conversation about fluoride’s health benefits has exploded recently after a US federal toxicology report, court ruling and independent scientific review all called for updated risk-benefit analysis. Ian Sample hears from Catherine Carstairs, professor of history at the University of Guelph in Canada, about how attitudes to fluoridation have evolved, and Oliver Jones, professor of chemistry at RMIT University in Australia, about where the science stands today. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

28 Nov 2024

16 MINS

16:06

28 Nov 2024

#293

‘Travesty of justice’: Cop29’s controversial deal

Madeleine Finlay hears from the Guardian’s environment editor, Damian Carrington, about the controversial climate finance deal that brought Cop29 negotiations to a close in the early hours on Sunday morning in Baku, Azerbaijan. Developing countries asked rich countries to provide them with $1.3tn a year to help them decarbonise their economies and cope with the effects of the climate crisis. But the final deal set a pledge of just $300bn annually, with $1.3tn only a target. Damian tells Madeleine how negotiations unfolded, and what we can expect from next year’s conference in Brazil. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

25 Nov 2024

15 MINS

15:31

25 Nov 2024

#292

The science behind yo-yo diets, bird flu news and which Brits can spot a fake accent

Science editor Ian Sample joins host Madeleine Finlay to discuss some of the most intriguing science stories of the week. From a study finding that fat cells ‘remembering’ past obesity drives yo-yo dieting, to concerning developments in the bird flu virus, and research pinpointing which parts of the UK are best at spotting fake accents. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

21 Nov 2024

21 MINS

21:12

21 Nov 2024

#291

What does it take to become an astronaut?

It’s a dream for many children, but what does it actually take to become an astronaut? Science correspondent Hannah Devlin tells Ian Sample about her trip on a zero gravity flight with the European Space Agency (Esa). Back on solid ground she also got to speak to Rosemary Coogan, one of Esa’s newest recruits, about the rigorous process that led to her being chosen from more than 20,000 applicants, to become an astronaut, and what she hopes to achieve in her role. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

19 Nov 2024

15 MINS

15:46

19 Nov 2024

#290

Secrets of happiness: the happiness hacks backed up by science

At a moment when the world feels like a particularly unsettling place, Science Weekly is asking what it is that makes humans happy – and how we can bring more happiness into our lives. In episode two, Ian Sample asks which happiness strategies are backed up by science. He hears from Elizabeth Dunn, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, who recently scrutinised a whole lot of happiness research to work out which recommendations are most reliable. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

14 Nov 2024

16 MINS

16:45

14 Nov 2024

#289

Secrets of happiness: what makes a country happy?

At a moment when the world feels like a particularly unsettling place, Science Weekly is asking what it is that makes humans happy – and how can we bring more happiness into our lives? In episode one, Ian Sample asks what makes a country happy? Johannes Eichstaedt, assistant professor of psychology and human-centred AI at Stanford University, explains why the Nordic countries often rank highly in the annual World Happiness Report, and what we can learn if we look beyond them. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

12 Nov 2024

18 MINS

18:18

12 Nov 2024

#288

What will Trump 2.0 mean for science?

Madeleine Finlay talks to science editor and podcast co-host Ian Sample about how Donald Trump approached science when in office last time, and what his second term is likely to mean for the environment, health and scientific research. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

06 Nov 2024

17 MINS

17:43

06 Nov 2024

#287

Could we really live on Mars?

Space-settling enthusiasts have long had an eye on Mars, and now they have the backing of the world’s richest man. Elon Musk recently claimed that humans could be on the planet by 2030 and be living there in a self-sustaining city within 20 years. But is it really that simple? Madeleine Finlay heads to Imperial College London where Prof Sanjeev Gupta gives her a tour of the red planet, and meets Kelly Weinersmith who, along with her husband, Zach, recently won the Royal Society Trivedi science book prize for their book A City on Mars. She explains why life on Mars may not be the idyll some would have us believe. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

05 Nov 2024

21 MINS

21:25

05 Nov 2024

#286

Love motels and gridlocked talks: all the news from Cop16

Biodiversity correspondent Phoebe Weston takes Madeleine Finlay through the news from the UN Cop16 biodiversity summit in Cali, Colombia. Countries are wrangling over funding to protect nature and who should profit from the natural resources of the world’s least developed nations. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

31 Oct 2024

15 MINS

15:35

31 Oct 2024

#285

The US tech startup promising smarter babies

A startup company, Heliospect Genomics, is offering to help wealthy couples screen their embryos for IQ using controversial technology that raises questions about the ethics of genetic enhancement. Science correspondent Hannah Devlin tells Madeleine Finlay about the joint investigation into the company by the Guardian and the campaign group Hope Not Hate. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

29 Oct 2024

19 MINS

19:43

29 Oct 2024

#284

What’s at stake for the climate if Trump wins?

With less than two weeks until the US election, Madeleine Finlay speaks to climate activist and author Bill McKibben to find out what a win for Donald Trump could mean for the environment and the world’s climate goals. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

24 Oct 2024

16 MINS

16:29

24 Oct 2024

#283

How the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs made ants into farmers

Madeleine Finlay hears from Ted Schultz, curator of ants at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, about his recent study into the origins of fungi farming in ants. He tells Madeleine about the incredibly complex way that ants cultivate and protect their fungi gardens, and how the asteroid that hit Earth 66 million years ago could have kickstarted it all. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

22 Oct 2024

16 MINS

16:26

22 Oct 2024

#282

Is sleep perfectionism making us more exhausted?

As the sleep tracking industry booms, some worry that it could be driving orthosomnia, the medical term for an unhealthy obsession with attaining perfect sleep, usually driven by a wearable device. Madeleine Finlay speaks to consultant neurologist and sleep physician Dr Guy Leschziner to find out whether this tech is helping or hindering our chances of maximising sleep’s health benefits. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

17 Oct 2024

17 MINS

17:23

17 Oct 2024

#281

What Milton and Helene reveal about the future of hurricanes

Ian Sample speaks to Bernadette Woods Placky, chief meteorologist at nonprofit Climate Central, about the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season so far, and what it tells us about how hurricanes will behave in future. Help support our independent journalism at [theguardian.com/sciencepod] (https://www.theguardian.com/sciencepod) ... Read more

15 Oct 2024

15 MINS

15:22

15 Oct 2024

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#300

‘Soft and calorie dense’: Chris van Tulleken on how ultra-processed foods keep us hooked

#299

Is our model of the universe wrong?

#298

Does Google’s ‘mindboggling’ new chip bring quantum computers any closer?

#297

The science of laughing

#296

Revisited: Secrets of the gut microbiome

#295

What really helps with hangovers?

#294

What’s going on with fluoride?

#293

‘Travesty of justice’: Cop29’s controversial deal

#292

The science behind yo-yo diets, bird flu news and which Brits can spot a fake accent

#291

What does it take to become an astronaut?

#290

Secrets of happiness: the happiness hacks backed up by science

#289

Secrets of happiness: what makes a country happy?

#288

What will Trump 2.0 mean for science?

#287

Could we really live on Mars?

#286

Love motels and gridlocked talks: all the news from Cop16

#285

The US tech startup promising smarter babies

#284

What’s at stake for the climate if Trump wins?

#283

How the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs made ants into farmers

#282

Is sleep perfectionism making us more exhausted?

#281

What Milton and Helene reveal about the future of hurricanes