Can we engineer ourselves out of a heatwave?

How do you immortalise natural history?

Jul 2, 202626 minSummary

In this episode of BBC Inside Science, the host visits the Royal Society’s Summer Exhibition to explore how modern technology is revolutionizing scientific research and preservation. The episode begins with an investigation into the use of advanced 3D scanning and CT technology to create permanent digital records of natural history specimens. By digitizing fossilized remains and internal anatomical structures, researchers can now preserve fragile specimens, perform non-invasive digital dissections, and share high-quality data with the global scientific community, effectively creating virtual research facilities. The discussion then shifts to the complexities of artificial intelligence and robotics. Experts explain why physical tasks, such as stacking blocks, remain significantly more challenging for robots than complex intellectual conversations. The program explores how researchers are developing world models grounded in physical laws to help robots better navigate the real world. Finally, the show examines the science of lightning through lab demonstrations and explores a fascinating study on "home advantage" in football, utilizing data from empty stadiums during the pandemic to determine how crowd influence affects player performance and referee decisions. Throughout the episode, the hosts highlight how these diverse fields of science push the boundaries of human knowledge.

Finding the evidence for the social media ban

Jun 18, 202626 minSummary

In this episode of BBC Inside Science, host Tom Whipple explores the complexities surrounding the United Kingdom's announcement to ban social media for those under sixteen. The program begins by gathering perspectives from students who question the scientific basis for the age limit and the potential for unintended consequences. The episode features expert insights from Professor Amy Orbin of the University of Cambridge and Dr. Katherine Sebastian from Wellcome. They discuss the challenges of establishing clear causal links between social media usage and mental health, noting that current evidence is often associational. The guests highlight the necessity of high-quality research, such as the upcoming randomized controlled trial in Bradford, to move beyond simple correlations and better understand the mechanisms of impact. Furthermore, the podcast introduces a segment on the science of football, where experts use the sport as a lens to study crowd psychology, game theory, and the societal effects of population-wide behavioral changes, such as the link between major matches and traffic accidents. The discussion ultimately frames the debate as a complex intersection of social policy and evolving scientific evidence.

How do you build an unbuildable tower?

Jun 11, 202626 minSummary

In this episode of BBC Inside Science, host Tom Whipple explores a diverse range of scientific topics, beginning with the architectural marvel of the Sagrada Família. Structural engineer Tristram Carfrey explains the complex, innovative techniques required to complete Antoni Gaudí’s vision, specifically detailing how "stressed stone" panels allowed for the construction of towers that were once considered unbuildable. The program then shifts to a thought-provoking discussion on bioethics with Dr. Gregory Kaebnick, who addresses the controversial question of whether humanity should intentionally drive the screwworm fly to extinction. The conversation weighs the immense suffering caused by the parasite against the potential ecological consequences of removing a species from the environment. Finally, the podcast highlights the "hidden infrastructure" of the planet: the vast, microscopic networks of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Researcher Toby Kiers reveals that these fungal threads, stretching quadrillions of kilometers, act as a vital global circulatory system, facilitating nutrient exchange between plants and soil while playing a significant role in carbon sequestration. The episode concludes with a look at new research regarding the long-term impact of the asteroid strike that devastated the dinosaurs.

How is AI going to change science?

Jun 4, 202626 minSummary

In this episode of BBC Inside Science, host Tom Whipple explores the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in research and discovery. The episode features Professor Claire Bryant, who shares her experience using an AI assistant to analyze complex protein data, noting that the technology effectively acted as a highly efficient research partner, potentially accelerating her work by two years. Pushmeet Kohli, Head of AI for Science at Google DeepMind, joins the discussion to explain how these new systems allow scientists to transcend the limitations of the human mind, transitioning from basic puzzle solvers to strategic architects of scientific inquiry. Beyond AI, the program delves into paleontology with Professor Steve Brusatte, who discusses the deep evolutionary connection between dinosaurs and modern birds. The conversation also shifts to the policy landscape, as the show examines concerns regarding proposed changes to U.S. federal science funding, which critics argue could compromise the autonomy of independent peer review. Finally, the episode covers lighter topics in scientific innovation, including ongoing research into geoengineering to preserve Arctic sea ice and the development of plasma-based technology for cleaning laundry in space.

Plankton's untapped potential

May 28, 202626 minSummary

In this episode of BBC Inside Science, host Tom Whipple visits the Hay Festival to explore the critical importance of the world’s oceans and the often-overlooked potential of plankton. He is joined by UN ocean advisor Dr. Vianney Dumasel and oceanographer Professor Helen Czerski to discuss the recent UN High Seas Treaty, a landmark legal framework designed to protect the global commons of the sea. The conversation highlights the ocean’s role as a vast, interconnected engine that regulates the Earth’s climate through complex currents like the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). A central theme is the "plankton manifesto," which argues that these microscopic organisms are the foundation of all life, responsible for oxygen production, carbon sequestration, and historical soil formation. Despite their significance, the guests emphasize that plankton are severely underrepresented in scientific research and biodiversity policy. They advocate for a shift in focus from charismatic megafauna toward the invisible, genetic riches of the ocean, noting that modern tools like AI and genomics are finally revealing the immense, untapped biological potential hidden within these microscopic ecosystems. Ultimately, the discussion serves as a call for increased scientific investment and global collaboration to understand and protect our blue planet.

El Niño is nigh, but so what?

May 21, 202626 minSummary

This episode of BBC Inside Science explores the far-reaching influence of the ocean on global systems, from the prehistoric origins of complex life to contemporary climate challenges. The discussion begins with the impending arrival of a strong El Niño event. Climatologist Amanda Maycock explains how the weakening of trade winds allows warm Pacific waters to shift eastward, potentially driving extreme weather patterns, significant global economic losses, and record-breaking temperatures in the coming year. The program then shifts to the deep past, with researcher Scott Evans highlighting his recent discovery of 580-million-year-old fossils in Canada’s remote Mackenzie Mountains. These findings offer rare insights into the Ediacaran period, suggesting that the stable, deep-ocean environment may have provided the necessary conditions for early, complex animal life to evolve. Finally, the episode addresses modern human impact on marine ecosystems through the lens of bottom trawling. Professor Amanda Vincent discusses a successful study off the Scottish coast, where a decade-long ban on trawling led to a notable rebound in biodiversity. The hosts also touch upon the practical risks of trawling, such as the disruption of undersea communication cables, and conclude with updates on solar radiation monitoring and wildlife management efforts in Japan.