Science Weekly

The Guardian

4.1 (601)
SCIENCE
UPDATED TWICE WEEKLY

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

2 DAYS AGO

‘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 unsung heroes are some of the most impressive and resilient creatures on the planet. So when the Guardian opened its poll to find the world’s finest invertebrate, readers got in touch in their droves. A dazzling array of nominations have flown in for insects, arachnids, snails, crustaceans, corals and many more obscure creatures. Patrick Barkham tells Madeleine Finlay why these tiny creatures deserve more recognition, and three readers, Sandy, Nina and Russell, make the case for their favourites.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

18 min
4 DAYS AGO

Keto: what’s the science behind the diet?

While other diet fads come and go, the ultra low carbohydrate Keto diet seems to endure. But as scientists begin to understand how the diet works, more is also being discovered about its risks. To find out more, Madeleine Finlay speaks to Javier Gonzalez, professor in the department of health at the University of Bath, with a special interest in personal nutrition. He explains how the diet works, what it could be doing to our bodies and what could really be behind the weight loss people experience while on it. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

17 min
27 MAR

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 company that promised a pioneering approach to precision health. Now users are scrambling to delete their personal data, with the future ownership of the firm uncertain. To understand the highs and lows of 23andMe’s journey, Madeleine Finlay hears from the Guardian US tech reporter and editor Johana Bhuiyan, and from Timothy Caulfield, a professor of law at the University of Alberta, who has a special interest in health and biotechnology. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

22 min
25 MAR

Where do our early childhood memories go?

It’s a mystery that has long puzzled researchers. Why can’t we remember our early childhood experiences? Freud called the phenomenon infantile amnesia, and for many years scientists have wondered whether it’s a result of failure to create memories or just a failure to retrieve them. Now new research appears to point to an answer. To find out more, Ian Sample talks to Nick Turk-Browne, a professor of psychology at Yale University.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

19 min
20 MAR

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 weakening over time, according to a major cosmological survey that has thrown the laws of modern physics into doubt. Ian Sample tells Madeleine Finlay how this new finding could shed light on the ultimate fate of the cosmos, and Saul Perlmutter, who won a Nobel prize for his work proving the universe is expanding, describes how the new development could upend assumptions about how this mysterious force operates. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

16 min
18 MAR

A mysterious millionaire and the quest to live under the sea – podcast

Before billionaires dreamed of setting up communities on Mars, the ocean was seen as the next frontier in human habitation. Reviving this dream is Deep, a project backed by an anonymous millionaire to the tune of more than £100m that aims to establish a ‘permanent human presence’ under the sea from 2027. Guardian Seascape editor Lisa Bachelor visited the project just outside Chepstow on the Welsh border, and tells Madeleine Finlay what scientists hope to learn about the ocean by spending extended periods living underwater. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

16 min
13 MAR

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 looking at how our skills change with age challenges that idea. Ian Sample talks to Ludger Wößmann, a professor of economics at the University of Munich and one of the study’s authors, to find out how the team delved into the data to come to their conclusions, and what they discovered about how we can all maintain our faculties for as long as possible. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

14 min
11 MAR

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 correspondent Nicola Davis tells Madeleine Finlay, two new studies add weight to the idea that billions of years ago the red planet was a much wetter place. Nicola explains why researchers now think it was once home to sandy beaches, what a study looking into the type of rust on the planet has revealed about its damp past, and what all this might tell us about the former habitability of Mars. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

14 min

See All (465)

4.1

out of 5

601 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 ? ;)
Aging

08/08/2024

buffy flow and spike

Science based examination of our inevitable journey to old age and the conclusion that we need not fear it if we take more control over our last years and live in the moment.
secrets of aging

06/08/2024

Scot in England

Excellent trio of programmes on aging. The science to inform and examples of following certain routes, processes. Focusing on what people may know already re the factors for healthy aging but also talking to experts and looking at the research that provides us with insight in that area.
Nuggets of knowledge

06/08/2024

afmartini

I’ve been listening to the Guardian’s Science Weekly for years, and while sometimes I wish the episodes were longer, I absolutely love my weekly appointment with it. Make sure to know interesting facts and curiosities to share with friends and family!
Interesting and informative

19/06/2024

Dan Brownlie

Interesting, informative, easily digestible and great selection of topics
Science is everywhere

09/03/2023

disappointed soprano

This brilliant podcast finds its subjects in films, politics and health as well as the natural world - all in compact 15 minute packages. Varied and always informative.
Octopus farming

12/07/2023

John0303

The podcast focused on the emotional question if “how intelligent is an octopus”. This is one question yes, but my questions would be “what does an octopus eat”? And “where will that food come from”. If we have to send out a fishing fleet to catch 10tonnes of fish to produce 1tonne of octopus, how does that improve our food chain? We do not farm foxes or wolves, why would we farm Octopus or even salmon?