Nature Podcast

Springer Nature Limited
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Nature Podcast

The Nature Podcast brings you the best stories from the world of science each week. We cover everything from astronomy to zoology, highlighting the most exciting research from each issue of the Nature journal. We meet the scientists behind the results and provide in-depth analysis from Nature's journalists and editors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 51 MIN AGO

    Fossilised faeces helps explain dinosaurs' rise to dominance

    00:50 Fossilised faeces give news insights into dinosaurs’ diets and riseA huge collection of fossilised digestive contents has provided clues as to how dinosaurs grew to become the dominant animals on the planet. Why these animals rose to dominance has been unclear, with one theory proposing that a chance event wiped out other species, whereas another suggests that dinosaurs had adaptations that better allowed them to thrive. By analysing over 500 vomit and faeces fossils, researchers have better identified what dinosaurs ate, and their interactions with other animals. The new work suggests both of these theories are correct, with dinosaurs benefiting from one or the other at different points in time. The researchers believe this work demonstrates how useful fossilised food contents are for understanding these ancient creatures. Research Article: Qvarnström et al. News and Views: Wastes of time — faeces and vomit track how dinosaurs rose to prominence News: Fossilized poo and vomit shows how dinosaurs rose to rule Earth 10:05 Research HighlightsBacteria found on an asteroid actually came from Earth, and why play helps chimps to cooperate. Research Highlight: Bacteria found on a space rock turn out to be Earth-grown Research Highlight: Chimps tickle and wrestle in play to pave the way for teamwork 12:46 A commensal fungus found in mouse gutsBy testing mice across the United States, researchers have identified a fungus that is well adapted to living in the gastrointestinal tracts of mice, an important step in modelling the role these microorganisms play in the body. Fungi are known to be a constituent of the gut microbiome, but very little is known about what they do. Now, a team has identified that the fungus Kazachstania pintolopesii is likely a long-term resident of mice guts, which they hope will allow them to study how these microbes interact with the immune system, and the role they play in host defence and allergies. Research Article: Liao et al. 21:57 The key takeaways from COP29The United Nations annual climate change conference, COP29, finished last week. Largely the discussions revolved around climate finance — the idea that wealthier countries who have benefitted most from past carbon emissions should pay to help poorer, vulnerable countries adapt to the effects of climate change. Although a last minute agreement was hammered out at the conference, not everyone was happy with the text and promised actions. We discuss this and the other key outcomes of COP29. Nature: Is the COP29 climate deal a historic breakthrough or letdown? Researchers react Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min

  2. 20 NOV

    Squid-inspired pills squirt drugs straight into your gut

    00:45 A squid-inspired device for needle-free drug deliveryInspired by squids’ ability to shoot ink, a team of researchers have developed swallowable devices that can deliver tiny jets of drugs directly into the gut lining, circumventing the need for needles. Previous studies have shown that most people prefer to take medication in pill form, rather than as an injection, but many drugs are degraded as they pass through the digestive system. The team’s new swallowable devices overcome this issue, and deliver drugs directly to where they need to be. So far, this approach has shown efficacy in animal models, but more work needs to be done to ensure their safety in humans. Research Article: Arrick et al. 10:50 Research HighlightsThe largest ‘terror bird’ fossil ever found, and a simple solution to help prevent premature births. Research Highlight: Huge carnivorous ‘terror bird’ rivalled the giant panda in size Research Highlight: Reducing pregnancy risk could be as easy as chewing gum 12:52 A milder way to break down ‘forever chemicals’.Two papers describe how light-activated catalysts could be used to break down toxic ‘forever chemicals’, hinting at a new way to clean up pollution caused by these persistent compounds. Forever chemicals contain multiple carbon-fluorine bonds that give them useful physical properties, but these bonds are some of the strongest in organic chemistry, making these compounds energetically difficult to break down. The new, light-based methods demonstrate low-energy ways to sever these bonds, a milestone that could make forever chemicals less permanent. Research Article: Zhang et al. Research Article: Liu et al. News and Views: Catalysts degrade forever chemicals with visible light 21:04 Briefing ChatAnalysis of far-side soil highlights the Moon’s turbulent past, and how CRISPR can help make sweeter tomatoes. Nature: First rocks returned from Moon’s far side reveal ancient volcanic activity CNN: Findings from the first lunar far side samples raise new questions about the moon’s history Nature: CRISPR builds a big tomato that’s actually sweet Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 min

  3. 13 NOV

    Bone marrow in the skull plays a surprisingly important role in ageing

    00:46 The role of skull bone marrow in ageingDuring ageing, bone marrow in the skull becomes an increasingly important site of blood-cell production. This is in stark contrast to most bones where the ability of marrow to make blood and immune cells declines. Studies in mice and humans showed that ageing results in skull bone-marrow expanding, and in mice this marrow was more resistant to inflammation and other hallmarks of ageing. The team behind the work hope by understanding this process better it may be possible to help organs become more resistant to ageing. Research Article: Koh et al. 08:56 Research HighlightsElderly big brown bats show remarkable resistance to age-related hearing loss, and why search-engine algorithms may not be the main driver steering people towards misinformation. Research Highlight: No hearing aids needed: bats’ ears stay keen well into old age Research Highlight: Don’t blame search engines for sending users to unreliable sites 11:38 How to make lead a useful material to date the Solar SystemResearchers have overcome a major hurdle preventing the radioactive isotope lead-205 from being used as a ‘clock’ to date the age of the Solar System. 205Pb is made in some stars and thanks to its half life of around 17 million years has been proposed as a potential way to date ancient astronomical processes. However, exactly how much 205Pb can escape a star were unclear, limiting its dating potential. Now, researchers have mimicked the conditions seen in stars to pin down how much 205Pb can escape into space, paving the way for its use as a clock. Research Article: Leckenby et al. 19:51 Briefing ChatHow millions of Android smartphones were used to map the Earth’s ionosphere, and the ethical implications of a virologist who treated her own cancer. Nature: Google uses millions of smartphones to map the ionosphere Nature: This scientist treated her own cancer with viruses she grew in the lab Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    35 min
  4. ’Rapture and beauty’: a writer's portrait of the International Space Station

    8 NOV

    ’Rapture and beauty’: a writer's portrait of the International Space Station

    Samantha Harvey's Booker Prize shortlisted novel Orbital is set inside an International Space Station-like vessel circling 250 miles above Earth. It looks at a day-in-the-life of the crew, investigating the contrasts they experience during the 16 orbits they make around the planet, crossing continents, oceans and the line separating night and day. On the latest episode of Nature hits the books, Samantha joins us to discuss why the ISS is a rich setting for fiction, the challenges of putting yourself in the shoes of an astronaut, and how distance can give new perspectives on global issues like climate change. Orbital Samantha Harvey Vintage (2024) Music supplied by Airae/Epidemic Sound Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min

  5. 6 NOV

    Surprise finding reveals mitochondrial 'energy factories' come in two different types

    00:46 Mitochondria divide their labour to help cells thriveResearchers have uncovered that mitochondria divide into two distinct forms when cells are starved, a finding that could help explain how some cancers thrive in hostile conditions. Mitochondria are cellular powerhouses, creating energy and vital metabolic molecules, but how they are able to do this when resources are limited has been a mystery. It turns out that in nutrient-poor situations, mitochondria split into two separate types, one which concentrates on energy production, the other on producing essential cellular building blocks. Together these allow cells to make everything they need. The team showed that this also happens in certain cancer cells, which may help them survive and grow under hostile conditions in the body. Research Article: Ryu et al. News and Views: Division of labour: mitochondria split to meet energy demands Video: A new kind of mitochondrion 07:53 Research HighlightsA tidy genome may explain naked mole rats’ long lifespans, and why the midlife crisis may not be as ubiquitous as previously thought. Research Highlight: Naked mole rats vanquish genetic ghosts — and achieve long life Research Highlight: The midlife crisis is not universal 10:41 A smashing way to snapshot an atomic nuclei’s shapePhysicists have revealed a new technique to image the shape of atomic nuclei — by smashing them together. The nucleus of an atom doesn’t really resemble what is shown in textbooks — they actually come in a variety of shapes, which drive an element’s behaviour. Current methods essentially take a long-exposure photo of an atom’s nucleus, which doesn’t capture the subtle variations in how the protons and neutrons arrange themselves. The new method overcomes this by colliding nuclei together and then using information on the resulting debris to reconstruct the shape of the nucleus. The researchers hope that this technique can help physicists resolve many more mysteries about atomic nuclei. Research Article: STAR Collaboration News: Scientists worked out the shapes of atomic nuclei — by exploding them 19:51 Briefing ChatAnalysing the genome of an ancient clone forest has revealed it could be up to 80,000 years old, and how putting limits on the famous infinite monkey theorem means they probably wouldn’t churn out Shakespeare before the end of the Universe. Nature: The world’s oldest tree? Genetic analysis traces evolution of iconic Pando forest The Guardian: Universe would die before monkey with keyboard writes Shakespeare, study finds Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min
  6. REBROADCAST: Talking politics, talking science

    3 NOV

    REBROADCAST: Talking politics, talking science

    This series was originally broadcast in 2020. Science and politics are not easy bedfellows - "Stick to the science" is a three part series which aims to find out why. In the third and final episode we try to get to the bottom of how journalists, communicators and policymakers influence how science is perceived. We discuss the danger of politicization and ask the question - can science be part of the political narrative without compromising its values? This episode was produced by Nick Petrić Howe, with editing from Noah Baker and Benjamin Thompson. It featured: Deborah Blum, Bruce Lewenstein, Dan Sarewitz, Hannah Schmid-Petri, Shobita Parthasarathy, and Beth Simone Noveck. Further Reading The great fish pain debate Politicization of mask wearing Masks work Donald Trump used a quote from Anthony Fauci to falsely suggest Fauci approved of his actions in the pandemic Comparing Norway and Sweden in their coronavirus combating actions Beth Simone Noveck argues for more open and transparent governance Solving Public Problems, by Beth Simone Noveck Smart Citizens, Smarter State: The Technologies of Expertise and the Future of Governing, by Beth Simone Noveck The Received Wisdom Podcast, with Shobita Parthasarathy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min
  7. REBROADCAST: Politics of the life scientific

    2 NOV

    REBROADCAST: Politics of the life scientific

    This series was originally broadcast in 2020. Science and politics are not easy bedfellows - "Stick to the science" is a three part series which aims to find out why. In this episode we're asking how politics shapes the life of a working scientist. Be it through funding agendas, cultural lobbies or personal bias, there's a myriad of ways in which politics can shape the game; influencing the direction and quality of research, But what does this mean for the objective ideals of science? This episode was produced by Nick Petrić Howe, with editing from Noah Baker and Benjamin Thompson. it featured contributions from many people, including: Mayana Zatz, Shobita Parthasarathy, Michael Erard, Peg AtKisson, Susannah Gal, Allen Rostron, Mark Rosenberg, and Alice Bell. Further Reading Brazil’s budget cuts threaten more than 80,000 science scholarships Move to reallocate funds from scientific institutions in São Paulo Backlash to “Shrimps on a treadmill” Explanation of the Dickey Amendment After over 20 years the CDC can now fund gun violence research Spirometer use “race-correction” software Black researchers less likely to get funding from the National Institutes of Health in the US Black researchers may get less funding from the National Institutes of Health due to topic choice Black researchers fill fewer academic roles in the UK Clinical trials use mostly white participants The Received Wisdom Podcast, with Shobita Parthasarathy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    25 min
  8. REBROADCAST: A brief history of politics and science

    1 NOV

    REBROADCAST: A brief history of politics and science

    This series was originally broadcast in 2020. Science and politics are not easy bedfellows - "Stick to the science" is a three part series which aims to find out why. In this episode we delve into the past, and uncover the complicated relationship between science, politics and power. Along the way, we come up against some pretty big questions: what is science? Should science be apolitical? And where does Nature fit in? This episode was produced by Nick Petrić Howe, with editing from Noah Baker and Benjamin Thompson. it featured contributions from many researchers, including: Shobita Parthasarathy, Alice Bell, Dan Sarewitz, Anna Jay, Melinda Baldwin, Magdelena Skipper, Steven Shapin, David Edgerton, Deborah Blum, Bruce Lewenstein and Chiara Ambrosio. Quotes from social media were read by: Shamini Bundell, Flora Graham, Dan Fox, Edie Edmundson and Bredan Maher. And excerpts from Nature were read by Jen Musgreave. Further Reading History of Education in the UK Nature’s History Nature’s Mission statement Nature editorial on covering politics Making “Nature”, by Melinda Baldwin Never Pure: Historical Studies of Science as if It Was Produced by People with Bodies, Situated in Time, Space, Culture, and Society, and Struggling for Credibility and Authority, by Steven Shapin David Edgerton’s writing on the history of science and politics in the Guardian The received wisdom podcast with Shobita Parthasarathy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 min
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About

The Nature Podcast brings you the best stories from the world of science each week. We cover everything from astronomy to zoology, highlighting the most exciting research from each issue of the Nature journal. We meet the scientists behind the results and provide in-depth analysis from Nature's journalists and editors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Springer Nature Limited
  • Years Active
    2005 - 2024
  • Episodes
    764
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Springer Nature Limited
  • Show Website
    Nature Podcast

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