Science Weekly

The Guardian

4.5 (110)
SCIENCE
UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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

1 DAY AGO

‘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

16 min
6 DAYS AGO

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

21 min
NOV 19

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

16 min
NOV 14

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

17 min
NOV 12

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

18 min
NOV 6

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

18 min
NOV 5

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

21 min
OCT 31

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

16 min

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4.5

out of 5

110 Ratings

Sound content

May 14

wiggy woggy

Since this is the Guardian, naturally, the content is sound journalistic practice, but since this is a podcast, some of the content — that is the sounds themselves — is inappropriate. Please add things like music, but not weird sound effect instead of music.
Excellent series.

Aug 6

AV56$

Wonderful series about ageing. Thanks.
Makes you feel a bit wiser

Jul 20

Trickypat514

Stuff most of us feel we ought to know about, in a language and format that’s accessible and engaging. Makes you feel a bit wiser each time
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2020-12-21

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