Science Weekly

The Guardian

4.1 (598)
SCIENCE
UPDATED WEEKLY

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

1 DAY AGO

How Trump unleashed chaos in science

In his first month in office the US president has thrown science in the US into chaos, delaying projects and casting the future of research funding and jobs into doubt. To understand everything that has happened in the month since he took office and what its impact could be, Madeleine Finlay hears from science editor Ian Sample and Prof Harold Varmus, a Nobel prize winner and former director of the National Institutes of Health under Bill Clinton. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

21 min
6 DAYS AGO

Singing mice, constipated kids and nurture beats nature: science stories of the week

Science editor Ian Sample joins co-host Madeleine Finlay to discuss some of the most intriguing science stories of the week. From a concerning rise in hospital diagnoses of constipation in children, to research suggesting that the environment is far more important for ageing and longevity than our genes, and how squeaks from genetically engineered mice are providing insight into how human language may have emerged. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

19 min
18 FEB

Should we ban cats?

The Scottish first minister, John Swinney, was recently forced to deny plans to ban cats after a report from independent experts said the species was a threat to Scotland’s wildlife. In the UK, it is estimated that cats kill or bring home 57 million mammals and 27 million birds every year. Ian Sample hears from cat-owner Madeleine Finlay and the ecologist Prof Robbie McDonald about the best ways to reduce our feline companions’ impact on wildlife without affecting welfare. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

16 min
13 FEB

What is ‘mirror life’ and why are scientists sounding the alarm?

Recently, a group of world-leading scientists called for a halt on research to create ‘mirror life’ microbes amid concerns that the synthetic organisms would present an ‘unprecedented risk’ to life on Earth. Ian Sample tells Madeleine Finlay about why this work initially seemed exciting for scientists and what the risks of it continuing could be. And Kate Adamala, assistant professor of genetics, cell biology and development at the University of Minnesota, describes what made her change her mind about pursuing her own research on mirror cells. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

17 min
11 FEB

Don’t look up: is an asteroid heading for Earth?

In a case of life imitating art, a 100-metre-wide asteroid has triggered global planetary defence procedures for the first time, after telescope observations revealed it had a chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. To find out what happens now and how worried we should be, Ian Sample hears from Richard Binzel, a professor of planetary sciences at MIT and inventor of the Torino scale, which is used to categorise the threat posed by objects such as asteroids and comets. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

16 min
6 FEB

DeepSeek, weapons and climate? What’s on the table at the Paris AI summit?

From the shockwaves caused by DeepSeek’s launch, to fears of a new AI arms race, and the continued questions over the technology’s energy use, AI continues to throw up new challenges. As world leaders gather for the Paris AI summit, the Guardian’s global technology editor, Dan Milmo, joins Madeleine Finlay to discuss what will be top of the agenda. And young people attending the Alan Turing Institute’s Children’s AI summit explain what their hopes and fears for the technology are. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

16 min
4 FEB

Can Trump and RFK Jr make America healthy again?

Senators are scheduled to vote today on whether to advance Robert F Kennedy Jr’s nomination as Secretary of State for Health and Human Services. RFK Jr is known for his vaccine skepticism and Make America Healthy Again slogan, which has won him support from everyone from wellness fans and ‘crunchy moms’ to traditional Republicans. US health reporter Jessica Glenza tells Ian Sample about how he fared at last week’s confirmation hearings, and what he might do if he takes a seat in Trump’s cabinet. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

18 min
30 JAN

Protein, weights and the best way to keep fit: your exercise questions answered

In the second episode of our listener questions special, Ian Sample tells Madeleine Finlay what he has uncovered about who the exercise guidelines were created for and whether they apply to all of us, which exercises are best for keeping us strong, whether we should be eating particular foods when we exercise, and how much protein we need to consume if we’re packing in the hours at the gym. With contributions from Jason Gill, professor of cardiometabolic health at the University of Glasgow; Benjamin Wall, professor of nutritional physiology at the University of Exeter; Clyde Williams, emeritus professor of sports science at Loughborough University; Victoria Taylor, head of clinical support at the British Heart Foundation and I-Min Lee, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

23 min

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4.1

out of 5

598 Ratings

Educational and clever!

2 Feb

morden

Love this podcast! My weekly injection of science 😁
Great Science

2 Feb

Findyourvoice

Always balanced, informed and intelligent treatment of important topics
Informative and Fascinating

1 Feb

Bhk1

Really enjoyed this - a great listen with lots of expert info presented in a very accessible way - while managing not to be patronising!
Science Daily ?

01/11/2024

ddaaannnn_

Very well produced , informative and enjoyable show from The Guardian — an insight into the world of science for your morning tea or afternoon break . Only downside ? There aren’t nearly enough episodes — please make it Science Daily ? ;)