The World, the Universe and Us

New Scientist
  • 4.4 (95)
  • SCIENCE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

From the evolution of intelligent life, to the mysteries of consciousness; from the threat of the climate crisis to the search for dark matter, The world, the universe and us is your essential weekly dose of science and wonder in an uncertain world. Hosted by journalists Dr Rowan Hooper and Dr Penny Sarchet and joined each week by expert scientists in the field, the show draws on New Scientist’s unparalleled depth of reporting to put the stories that matter into context. Feed your curiosity with the podcast that will restore your sense of optimism and nourish your brain. For more visit newscientist.com/podcasts

  1. 2D AGO

    The Male G-Spot Has Finally Been Found

    Episode 358 The male G-spot exists - and scientists have found it. The most comprehensive study of the human penis has identified one specific location most involved in sexual pleasure - and it’s not what science thought. 14 penis slices from deceased donors were inspected under the microscope - and one region in particular was packed with nerve endings. Medical literature has long thought a different region was home to the most nerves, but this new finding debunks the old textbooks. Now we know the ‘frenula delta’ is the male g-spot, what can this teach us about male sexual health?  To discuss this, Rowan Hooper is joined by New Scientist Australia reporter Alice Klein.To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    13 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Food shock is inevitable due to the Iran war – and it could get bad

    Episode 357 A global food shock is on the way because of the ongoing war in Iran. Your food bill is expected to rise significantly. The conflict is showing just how fragile our food system is, as spikes in fuel, fertiliser and pesticide prices begin to have knock-on effects around the world. With food availability in jeopardy, should we be stocking supplies at home? Coupled with the worsening climate and environment crises - and governments increasingly incentivising the production of biofuel - there could be tough times ahead. So how can we prepare? From eating less meat and raising less livestock, to countries focusing on renewable energy and becoming more self-sufficient - will this shock finally be what’s needed to force leaders to take action? To discuss this critical issue, Rowan Hooper is joined by climate, energy, and food systems professor Paul Behrens - and New Scientist reporter Michael Le Page. To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    29 min

  3. MAR 27

    World’s First Antimatter Truck Carries Most Valuable And Volatile Substance on Earth

    Episode 356 A truck carrying antimatter has been driving around the campus at CERN, home of the Large Hadron Collider. But why are scientists transporting this delicate and extremely expensive substance? Antimatter is regular matter’s counterpart, first theorised in the 1920s. Producing and storing it has proved difficult, as it’s prone to annihilating the moment it meets its opposite half. But CERN scientists found a way - and it’s the only facility on Earth able to create these particles. Carrying just 92 antiprotons, this truck experiment is the first step in setting up an antimatter delivery service, allowing scientists to send little pieces of antimatter on trucks to labs around Europe. To discuss why an antimatter delivery service is even needed, Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet are joined by Alex Wilkins, who recently visited the lab and saw the antimatter factory in person. We also hear from the new director-general of CERN, Mark Thomson. To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    19 min

  4. MAR 25

    Scientists Can Now Preserve a Brain After Death - What’s Next?

    Episode 355 An entire pig’s brain has been preserved after death, using a technique that will keep the structure of the brain intact - potentially for hundreds of years. Scientists say they will offer the treatment to terminally ill humans, in the hopes that one day, in the distant future, we’ll be able to reconstruct their minds and bring them back to life. Because of the speed at which scientists need to preserve the brain tissue, the method will only work on people who opt in for assisted dying. But will we ever be able to digitally upload and reanimate a brain, or is this just offering false hope to those already suffering? And if we do develop the technology, what kind of world will these people wake up to? To discuss this new method, the ethics and science of consciousness, Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet are joined by Alexandra Thompson and Thomas Lewton.To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    18 min

  5. MAR 23

    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

    17 min

  6. MAR 21

    Rebecca Solnit On Why the Future Isn’t as Dark as It Looks

    Episode 353 The world might feel dark right now, but life is actually getting better, rapidly. From the rise of feminism and antiracism to environmental movements and shifting understandings of gender, the Western world looks nothing like it did 75 years ago.  Yet despite so many historic victories for rights and ideas in recent times, it often feels like we’re living in dark times - with progress that’s stalling or going backwards. In her new book, The Beginning Comes After the End: Notes on a World of Change, writer and activist Rebecca Solnit explores how for decades social movements reshaped the world in ways we often fail to notice. Solnit argues that we are witnessing nothing less than the slow dismantling of an old worldview. And it’s time we pay attention.  Rowan Hooper speaks to Solnit about the power of a good story, our growing understanding of the interconnectedness of nature and humanity - and why recognising progress may be essential to shaping the future. To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min

  7. MAR 19

    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

    21 min

  8. MAR 13

    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

    24 min
See All (425)

Hosts & Guests

4.4
out of 5
95 Ratings

About

From the evolution of intelligent life, to the mysteries of consciousness; from the threat of the climate crisis to the search for dark matter, The world, the universe and us is your essential weekly dose of science and wonder in an uncertain world. Hosted by journalists Dr Rowan Hooper and Dr Penny Sarchet and joined each week by expert scientists in the field, the show draws on New Scientist’s unparalleled depth of reporting to put the stories that matter into context. Feed your curiosity with the podcast that will restore your sense of optimism and nourish your brain. For more visit newscientist.com/podcasts

Information

More From New Scientist

You Might Also Like