BBC Inside Science

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SCIENCE
UPDATED WEEKLY

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A weekly programme that illuminates the mysteries and challenges the controversies behind the science that's changing our world.

3 DAYS AGO

Are boys doing better than girls at maths and science?

There’s a big “gender gap” between boys and girls in maths and science - that’s according to a new report out this week. Boys in England in years five and nine are now “significantly” outperforming girls in both subjects, the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study suggests. Ben Garrod is joined by physicist Dr Jess Wade, from Imperial College London, and maths teacher and National Numeracy ambassador Bobby Seagull, to discuss the issue. Also this week, we discuss the mind-blowing effects of living in space on the human body and science journalist Caroline Steel joins us with her picks of the week’s science news, including the environmental impact of the North Sea collision and a study that suggests scientists should be cracking more jokes... Presenter: Professor Ben Garrod Producers: Sophie Ormiston & Gerry Holt Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth  To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University.

28 min
3 APR

Better Than Gold: Critical Minerals

Critical minerals have hit the headlines of almost every news outlet this week as US President Donald Trump made his desires to mine them in Ukraine clear. These precious resources are a hot geopolitical bargaining chip thanks to our reliance on them in everything from mobile phones to wind turbines. This week, Inside Science unearths everything you need to know about critical minerals; what they are, why they’re critical, and what we do when there’s no more left to mine. Also this week, we come to the end of a laborious seven-year journey of collecting and identifying Scotland’s most valued Jurassic fossil. And Nature journalist Lizzie Gibney brings us her pick of the week’s science news, including moon landers and woolly mice. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton Producers: Sophie Ormiston, Gerry Holt, Ella Hubber Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University.

29 min
27 MAR

AI in Science: Promise and Peril

This week, Google has launched a new AI tool called Co-Scientist. We hear from one researcher who has tried it out with stunning results. But how much should we trust tools like this - and what are the dangers? And what about the problem of AI generated text and images? We talk to an ‘image integrity analyst’ who hunts down fake or manipulated pictures in scientific papers. Finally, the planets of the solar system are coming into an unusual alignment. Astronomer Royal for Scotland Catherine Heymans shares how to glimpse the planetary parade. Presenter: Victoria Gill Producers: Ilan Goodman, Sophie Ormiston & Ella Hubber Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth

28 min
20 MAR

Biotech Risks and Asteroid Anxiety

Scientists gather this week to tackle emerging risks from cutting-edge biotech, echoing the landmark Asilomar conference that shaped genetic engineering safety 50 years ago. What new threats face us, and how can the scientific community stay ahead of them? Also in the programme: are you feeling asteroid anxiety? We take a closer look at the chances that ‘2024 YR4’ will hit us... We get the latest calculations on this space rock's potential collision course with Earth in 2032. And, as members of the Royal Society debate whether to expel Elon Musk from their ranks, we explore past fellows who rattled the establishment. Fellows meet next month to decide his fate. If you want to find out more about the history of genetic engineering - from the Asilomar conference to the present day - search for Matthew Cobb's series 'Genetic Dreams, Genetic Nightmares' on BBC Sounds. To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University. Presenter: Victoria Gill Producers: Ilan Goodman, Sophie Ormiston & Ella Hubber Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth

28 min
13 MAR

US science in chaos

The United States is the world’s science superpower. But right now, much of its research community is in a state of confusion. In the past few weeks, the Trump administration has issued a huge number of orders – amongst them, large funding cuts for scientific institutions. We unpick what the implications are for the country’s role on the global scientific stage. Also in the programme, we take another look at phone bans in schools. Why are the results of a recent study so different to the personal experience of teachers and students? And Britain has a new snake – and it’s apparently thriving. Where has it come from and should we be worried? To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University. Presenter: Victoria Gill Producers: Ilan Goodman & Sophie Ormiston Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Josie Hardy

28 min
6 MAR

The World’s Biggest Iceberg

It’s the biggest story of recent weeks. Literally. Trillion-tonne iceberg A23a is on the move. But where is it headed and why – and what might it mean for the scientists and penguins in its path? And from a giant ‘megaberg’ to a giant pile of highly radioactive material, we find out what locking away a load of radioactive waste has in common with baking a cake. And we’re joined by science journalist Caroline Steel to guide us through this week’s science news. We’ll hear about the first study into whether banning phones in schools works, why scratching an itch might have benefits beyond just satisfaction, and the perfect formula to boil an egg... Presenter: Victoria Gill Producers: Sophie Ormiston, Ilan Goodman & Gerry Holt Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinators: Jana Bennett-Holesworth & Josie Hardy Science-backed boiled egg recipe: - You need two pans… and exactly 32 minutes - Keep one pan at 100 degrees Celsius (boiling) and the other pan at 30 degrees Celsius - Move the egg between the two every two minutes for 32 minutes Enjoy! To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University.

28 min
27 FEB

Is 1.5 still alive?

1.5C. It’s THE number we talk about when we talk about climate change. But what does 1.5C actually mean now – and as the world saw record-breaking heat last year, does it even matter anymore? Climate scientist Mark Maslin and environmental psychologist Lorraine Whitmarsh discuss. Also this week, new clues about how life may have begun from a dusty space rock called Bennu, and New Scientist’s Graham Lawton brings us the science of the week, including AI’s ‘Sputnik moment’, the mice born with two fathers, and how often do unexpected discoveries happen? Presenter: Victoria Gill Producers: Sophie Ormiston, Ella Hubber & Gerry Holt Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth  If you want to test your climate change knowledge, head to bbc.co.uk search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University to take the quiz.

28 min
20 FEB

Next-gen batteries and 'dark oxygen'

Following a devastating fire at the world’s largest lithium-ion battery plant, Inside Science probes the present and future of a technology we rely on every day. Lithium-ion batteries were a technological breakthrough, powering everything from mobile phones to electric vehicles, but as funding is poured into researching alternatives, are we on the verge of something safer, faster, and more efficient? Also this week, we learn about the “dark oxygen” potentially being produced in the deep ocean and friend of Inside Science, Anjana Ahuja, brings us her favourite science stories of the week, including a new material described as ‘chainmail on steroids’ and contagious urination. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton Producers: Ella Hubber, Sophie Ormiston & Gerry Holt Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University.

28 min

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Join friends since birth Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver twice a week for their transatlantic catch-ups, discussing everything from the highs and lows of their lives to the biggest cultural moments of the week. Every Monday, Lily and Miquita will throw the show open and invite questions on a theme; celebrity weddings, indie sleaze, orgasms, lies… Then on Thursdays, they’ll pick apart the world around them with unfiltered conversation on everything from intimacy to interiors, from exercise to elections. Email: missme@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: 08000 304 090 (+44 8000 304 090 from outside the UK) Credits: Producer: Flossie Barratt Technical Producer: Will Gibson Smith Production Coordinator: Hannah Bennett Executive Producers: Dino Sofos and Ellie Clifford Assistant Commissioner for BBC: Lorraine Okuefuna Commissioning Editor for BBC: Dylan Haskins Miss Me? is a Persephonica production for BBC Sounds

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PERSONAL JOURNALS
Global perspectives on one big story. In-depth insights from the BBC, the world's most trusted international news provider. Make sense of the news with our experts around the world, every Monday to Friday. Episodes will be ready by 10:30 GMT. Host Katya Adler and our BBC teams guide you through one major global news story each episode. From Beijing to Boston, Baghdad to Bangalore, our unrivalled reach will take you beyond the headlines to help understand and explore what’s happening. The Global News Podcast brings you the latest updates and, on The Global Story, we will drill deep into a single story. From the climate emergency, to the burning questions around Artificial Intelligence, to the movements of money and markets, and the power of the ballot and the bullet. Katya Adler has been a BBC correspondent and editor for more than 25 years, covering conflicts in the Middle East, political and economic crises in Europe, and drug cartels in Mexico. The Global Story team would like to hear your stories and experiences on the issues that we’re covering on the podcast. Please get in touch: theglobalstory@bbc.com #TheGlobalStory and tell us your thoughts on what you would like us to talk about.

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DAILY NEWS
Investigating every aspect of the food we eat

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FOOD
The breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Hear the most important global stories from the BBC, the most trusted name in international news. With reporters on the ground in every country, we’re always where the story is. We bring you unparalleled access and exclusive updates that you won’t get anywhere else. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. From Trump’s White House to Putin’s Kremlin, from the Ukraine War to the Israel-Gaza conflict. From Damascus to Delhi, from Silicon Valley to Singapore, from Washington DC to Wuhan. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Subscribe now and never miss a moment. Also listen to The Happy Pod, every Saturday, for the best global good news. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

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DAILY NEWS
When sport collides with true crime.

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SPORT
Hannah Fry and Dara Ó Briain tackle listeners' conundrums with the power of science!

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SCIENCE