New Scientist

•

Kanal • 4 Sendungen

Wissenschaft

Wissenschaft

Wöchentlich
Wissenschaft

Wissenschaft

26.04.2021
Wissenschaft

Wissenschaft

09.09.2024
Wissenschaft

Wissenschaft

9. Apr.

13. März

Mathematics is Undergoing the Biggest Change in its History

Episode 351 Artificial intelligence is starting to solve mathematical theorems better than humans. Mathematicians say AI is now an existential threat to their work. As one professor puts it; “We are running out of places to hide.” From winning gold medals at mathematics competitions, to solving previously unanswered Erdős problems, multiple AI achievements have come together recently to exceed all expectations of its capabilities. Find out just how quickly the tech is advancing, how we can tell the AI isn’t just hallucinating answers, why it may help us formalise all of mathematics - and whether it will really put humans out of a job. And 10 years on since Google’s AlphaGo AI first beat human Go master Lee Sedol, we reflect on that epic moment and hear from Chris Maddison who saw it all unfold. Rowan Hooper is joined by New Scientist’s Alex Wilkins to discuss “one of the most remarkable stories” he’s ever worked on. Chapters (00:00) Intro - The biggest moment in the history of mathematics (01:10) The many problems AI is now solving (04:11) Are these models similar to ChatGPT or Claude? (05:09) Will AI help us advance the field of mathematics? (07:28) How can we check AI’s answers - are they just hallucinations? (10:51) Why it’s important to “formalise” maths (12:03) Will we become too reliant on this AI? (13:00) 10 years on since AI beat Lee Sedol at Go (14:54) AI creativity: The famous ‘Move 37’ (16:50) How it felt to watch this epic moment (19:21) How AlphaGo led to the LLMs of today (20:25) Are regular chatbots becoming more creative? To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13. März

•

24 Min.
23. März

The Dangerous Bias Shaping the Future of AI

Episode 354 Women are being erased from AI technologies. When world-changing technology is built primarily by men, the impact for women is hugely damaging. This was the focus of a recent conference at the Royal Society in London. Panellists discussed how women are being left out of this major tech revolution, with Silicon Valley becoming increasingly hostile towards them. And as the conversation increasingly shifts to the existential risks of artificial intelligence, some argue the focus is intentionally being shifted away from making this tech more inclusive. But as AI is set to completely transform how we work, educate our children and treat diseases, what happens when women are cut out of the equation? AI gender biases already show up in our datasets and chatbots…so can we fix the current models, or is it time we start all over again? Penny Sarchet discusses the issue with Catherine de Lange, who was at the conference. Also hear from Rumman Chowdhury, CEO of Humane Intelligence. To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23. März

•

17 Min.
1. Mai

Craig Venter’s Legacy: The Most Influential Geneticist Since Watson and Crick

Episode 365 Craig Venter, one of the world’s most influential geneticists, has died aged 79. He leaves behind an incredible - and complicated - legacy. Venter is primarily known for playing a leading role in the sequencing of the human genome. Later he pioneered the field of synthetic biology, creating what was described as the first synthetic life form - a feat that was not without controversy. So what drove Venter? And why was he so compelled to promote the idea of science as a competitive race? We discuss his many achievements, including his work in marine biology - and explore the pioneering methods behind it all. Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet are joined by science writer Mike Marshall, and former New Scientist editor Roger Highfield. To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Image Credits: Marjorie McCarty, CC BY 2.5 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5, via Wikimedia Commons Arienette22, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons The original uploader was Bruno Comby at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 1.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0, via Wikimedia Commons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1. Mai

•

27 Min.
19. März

Why The Iran War Is Speeding The End Of The Fossil Fuel Era

Episode 352 Notwithstanding President Trump’s efforts to slow the growth of renewable energy, the US/Israeli attack on Iran has given the green revolution a huge boost. In response to the war in Iran, the Islamic Republic has stopped almost all traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which one-fifth of global oil and one-fifth of seaborne gas supplies pass. They’ve also struck oil and gas fields with drones and missiles. This has given countries a much-needed wake-up call, showing just how precarious it is to rely so heavily on foreign states for energy security. As the cost of oil jumps from $70 to more than $100 a barrel, many countries are looking to produce more energy closer to home, accelerating plans to transition to clean and renewable energy. Rowan Hooper and Alec Luhn discuss whether this is the beginning of the end for fossil fuels. Also hear from Pavel Molchanov from Raymond James & Associates and Sam Butler-Sloss from Ember. Chapters (00:00) Intro - War in Iran speeds up the clean energy transition (00:59) A precedent set by the Ukraine/Russia war (02:27) Asia’s wake-up call (03:20) Are smaller countries pivoting to renewables already? (04:24) An energy security issue (07:16) Why oil is being impacted more than gas (08:56) Could China win big from this? (14:17) The impact on nuclear energy (15:57) When will countries give up fossil fuels for good? (18:05) The political will is shifting To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19. März

•

21 Min.
21.11.2025

The origin and evolution of music: Steve Pretty plays the conch

Episode 333 It’s not often you get to see or hear someone playing music on a conch shell. So prepare yourself for a musical treat with musician and podcaster Steve Pretty, who brings into the studio a trumpet and a collection of his favourite conches, rigged up to some modern electronics. Steve is best known as the bandleader of the Hackney Colliery Band, and also hosts the Steve Pretty On the Origin of the Pieces podcast. Performing live on the show and recreating the acoustics of prehistoric cave gatherings (a rave in a cave!) Steve explains the science behind how conches and brass instruments can achieve so many different notes by manipulating air pressure and flow. He explores the evolution and origin of music - which may have evolved before language. And he explains the evocative nature of music, the different functions that it has in society and how it allows us to tap into different emotional states. Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet. To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn about Steve’s conch playing here: https://www.shellectronica.com/ And find his podcast here: https://www.originofthepieces.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

21.11.2025

•

31 Min.
Trailer zur Staffel 1, Folge 1

Trailer

Are you tired of hearing about coronavirus? Has lockdown left you worn out? Then perhaps it’s time to escape. Join Rowan Hooper and the team at New Scientist in this covid-free space, as they discuss all that’s right with the world - the stories that remind us of how wonderful this planet really is. Find out more at newscientist.com/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trailer zur Staffel 1, Folge 1

•

2 Min.
05.12.2025

How exercise shrinks tumours and starves cancer; Weird molecules found on comet 3I/ATLAS; Einstein v Bohr on the nature of light

Episode 335 Exercise has been shown to shrink tumours by 60 per cent. A new study shows another link between regular exercise and cancer prevention, this time revealing that muscle cells may outcompete cancer cells for energy - basically starving them. We explore the links between metabolism and glucose - with the caveat that so far this has only been demonstrated in mice, in a small study. The interstellar object 3I/ATLAS may be even weirder than we thought. Ever since we spotted this comet from another star system, scientists have been studying every inch of it. And no - it’s not an alien spacecraft. But it does seem to be home to surprising amounts of chemicals like carbon dioxide and methanol - essential ingredients for life. Could this shed light on the origin of life in the universe? A 100-year-old debate between two titans of physics has finally been settled. In the 1920s, Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr butted heads about the nature of light. Einstein said light is a particle. Bohr said it’s both a particle and a wave. They came up with an experiment to settle the argument - the trouble is, they had no way to run it. Now, 100 years later, we finally have the technology to perform the test - and the winner is… Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet, with guests Alexandra Thompson, Alex Wilkins and Jacob Aron. To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

05.12.2025

•

25 Min.
9. Apr.

The future of Humanity, decoded in London

About this episode SXSW London is the preeminent forum for the new ideas and leading thinkers who are sculpting the future. In this episode, we talk to Kat Sherling, head of conference at the event to explore the cultural and technological forces driving the agenda at this year’s festival and discover some of the speakers who will be there in June. This is a New Scientist CoLab production, sponsored by the SXSW London. Your host is Justin Mullins. Find out more about how we’re adapting to a rewired world with this New Scientist CoLab article : https://www.newscientist.com/article/2517346-can-humanity-find-a-place-in-the-rewired-world/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9. Apr.

•

31 Min.
14.11.2025

New genome of ancient human; 95% of us have a dormant virus that causes disease; Formula E cars faster than F1; Bill Bryson joins the pod!

Episode 332 For only the second time, the genome of an ancient Denisovan has been sequenced - thanks to the discovery of a 200,000-year-old tooth found in a Siberian cave. This ancient member of the human family has long been a mystery, so this genome is being described as a bombshell moment, revealing an early stage of Denisovan history. We explore how this reshapes our understanding about the origins of our species. Some 95 per cent of us have a dormant virus, lurking in our bodies - waiting to strike when the moment’s right. Epstein-Barr virus causes glandular fever - also known as mono or kissing disease - but only in a small number of people. Though new evidence is showing that even dormant viruses may still cause long term health problems. Formula E electric race cars may have surpassed their fossil fuel counterparts. From greater efficiency to faster acceleration, this is a big turning point for the sport - but they don’t have the edge on F1 cars in all areas just yet. We find out where they’re winning and where they’re falling behind - and how this could translate to better electric road cars for us. And the legendary science writer Bill Bryson joins the team to discuss the process of revising his bestselling book A Short History of Nearly Everything. He explores some of the most fascinating (and surprising) facts he’s had to update in the 20 years since the book came out. Chapters: (00:00) Intro (01:45) Second Denisovan genome sequenced (11:15) We all have dormant viruses that are causing diseases (18:37) Are Formula E cars faster than F1? (27:17) Bill Bryson on revising his bestselling book Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet, with guests Bill Bryson and Alec Luhn. To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Check out the CoLab feature with DEEP at https://newscientist.com/deep Shop our Black Friday sale at www.newscientist.com/sale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

14.11.2025

•

45 Min.
6. Feb.

Why Elon Musk plans to put 1 million satellites in orbit; Should we be giving sleep drugs to kids?; Why global pesticide risk is not improving

Episode 344 Elon Musk has announced he wants to merge SpaceX with another of his companies, xAI, and launch one million satellites into space. One reason - according to Musk - is to eventually harness the entire power of the sun, a sci-fi sounding idea that would make us a Kardashev Type II civilisation. But he also wants the satellites to help power AI and move data centres off Earth. Is his goal realistic… and what would be the consequences? Parents desperate to get their children to sleep are resorting to melatonin gummies - and it’s proving very effective. Melatonin is a sleep hormone which is only available on prescription in many countries. So some parents are importing them from America - where they can be bought over-the-counter. The trouble is the long-term side effects are not really known - and cases of melatonin overdose in children are on the rise. Despite global agreement to cut the "overall risk" from pesticides by at least half by 2030 - new data shows we’re not even close. Countries made this commitment at a UN biodiversity meeting in 2022, but so far it’s been almost impossible to measure success. Thanks to a researcher in Germany, we now have a way to track our progress - and it’s not looking good. Could an increase in organic farming be the solution, or CRISPR gene editing? Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet, with guests Jonathan O’Callaghan, Alice Klein and Michael Le Page. To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6. Feb.

•

38 Min.

Keep up with the latest scientific developments and breakthroughs in the weekly podcasts from the team at New Scientist, the world’s most popular weekly science and technology magazine.

Kanal-Website

New Scientist

Top-Sendungen

Mathematics is Undergoing the Biggest Change in its History

The Dangerous Bias Shaping the Future of AI

Craig Venter’s Legacy: The Most Influential Geneticist Since Watson and Crick

Why The Iran War Is Speeding The End Of The Fossil Fuel Era

The origin and evolution of music: Steve Pretty plays the conch

Trailer

How exercise shrinks tumours and starves cancer; Weird molecules found on comet 3I/ATLAS; Einstein v Bohr on the nature of light

The future of Humanity, decoded in London

New genome of ancient human; 95% of us have a dormant virus that causes disease; Formula E cars faster than F1; Bill Bryson joins the pod!

Why Elon Musk plans to put 1 million satellites in orbit; Should we be giving sleep drugs to kids?; Why global pesticide risk is not improving

Info

New Scientist

Top-Sendungen

Top-Folgen

Info