Nature Podcast

Next week, we’ll be wrapping up Coronapod in its current form. Please fill out our short survey to let us know your thoughts on the show.In this episode:02:15 Simulating pandemicsResearchers have run numerous military-style simulations to predict the consequences of fictitious viral outbreaks. We discuss how these simulations work, what recommendations come out of them and if any of these warnings have been heeded.24:08 One good thingOur hosts pick out things that have made them smile in the last week, including audience feedback, the official end of the Ebola outbreak in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and an enormous t-shirt collection.News: World’s second-deadliest Ebola outbreak ends in Democratic Republic of the Congo28:50 The latest coronavirus research papersBenjamin Thompson takes a look through some of the key coronavirus papers of the last few weeks.News: Coronavirus research updatesCell: A SARS-CoV-2 Infection Model in Mice Demonstrates Protection by Neutralizing AntibodiesCell:

On this week’s podcast, how the molecular structure of tooth enamel may impact decay, and a mysterious planetary core from a half-formed gas giant.In this episode:00:46 Unravelling tooth enamelResearchers have been looking into the structure and composition of enamel in an effort to better understand tooth decay. Research Article: DeRocher et al.07:02 Research HighlightsAn adhesive patch to help heal heart-attacks, and a new technique to inspect the structure of 2D ‘wonder materials’. Research Highlight: A healing patch holds tight to a beating heart; Research Highlight: A snapshot shows off super-material only two atoms thick09:21 Unusual planetIn the region close to stars known as the ‘hot Neptune desert’ planets of Neptune’s size are rarely found, but this week scientists have uncovered one and are trying to untangle its mysteries. Research Article: Armstrong et al.14:52 Briefing ChatWe take a look at some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time we talk a

In a few weeks, we’ll be wrapping up Coronapod in its current form. Please fill out our short survey to let us know your thoughts on the show.In this episode:03:13 What have we learnt?We take a look back over the past six months of the pandemic, and discuss how far the world has come. It’s been a period of turmoil and science has faced an unprecedented challenge. What lessons can be learned from the epidemic so far to continue the fight in the months to come?Financial Times: Coronavirus tracked: the latest figures as countries start to reopenWellcome Open Research: What settings have been linked to SARS-CoV-2 transmission clusters?12:55 Unanswered questionsAfter months of intensive research, much is known about the new coronavirus – but many important questions remain unanswered. We look at the knowledge gaps researchers are trying to fill.Nature Medicine: Real-time tracking of self-reported symptoms to predict potential COVID-1920:36 How has lockdown affected fieldwork?The inability to travel during lockdown

On this week’s podcast, life lessons from poker, and keeping things civil during peer review.In this episode:00:44 Deciding to play pokerWhen writer Maria Konnikova wanted to better understand the human decision making process, she took a rather unusual step: becoming a professional poker player. We delve into her journey and find out how poker could help people make better decisions. Books and Arts: What the world needs now: lessons from a poker player09:12 Research HighlightsA sweaty synthetic skin that can exude useful compounds, and Mars’s green atmosphere. Research Highlight: An artificial skin oozes ‘sweat’ through tiny pores; Research Highlight: The red planet has a green glow11:21 Developing dialoguesThe peer-review process is an integral part of scientific discourse, however, sometimes interactions between authors and reviews can be less than civil. How do we tread the fine line between critique and rudeness? Editorial: Peer review should be an honest, but coll

In this episode:00:37 Lessons from the Ebola outbreakWe get an update on the pandemic response in the African countries still reeling from the 2014 Ebola crisis. Resource strapped and under pressure – can the lessons learned from Ebola help keep the coronavirus under control?15:32 Dexamethasone, a breakthrough drug?A UK-based drugs trial suggests that a cheap steroid could cut deaths by a third among the sickest COVID patients. We discuss what this could mean for the pandemic.News: Coronavirus breakthrough: dexamethasone is first drug shown to save lives20:06 One good thingOur hosts pick out things that have made them smile in the last week, including altruistic bone marrow donors, and skateboarding.22:48 The numbers don’t lieA huge amount of projections, graphs and data have been produced during the pandemic. But how accurate are numbers and can they be relied upon?News: Why daily death tolls have become unusually important in understanding the coronavirus pandemicSubscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmiss

This week, researchers make diamonds tough, and evidence of incest in a 5,000 year old tomb.In this episode:00:51 Tough versus hardDiamonds are famed for their hardness, but they are not so resistant to fracture. Now, researchers have toughened up diamonds, which could open up new industrial applications. Research Article: Yue et al.06:07 Research HighlightsA spacecraft helps physicists work out the lifespan of a neutron, and the icy hideaway of an endangered whale. Research Highlight: The vanishing-neutron mystery might be cracked by a robot in outer space; Research Highlight: A secluded icy fortress shelters rare whales08:33 Ancient inbreedingAnalysis of the genomes of humans buried in an ancient Irish tomb has uncovered many surprises, including evidence of incest amongst the elite. Research Article: Cassidy et al.; News and Views: Incest uncovered at the elite prehistoric Newgrange monument in Ireland21:13 #ShutdownSTEMNature reporter Nidhi Subbaraman

An instrument on the International Space Station is providing new insights into some of the Universe’s most baffling objects.Neutron stars have puzzled scientists for decades. It’s known that these ultra-dense objects are born from the remnants of supernovae, yet what’s under their surface, and what processes that go on within them, remain a mystery.Now, an instrument called the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer is providing new information to help answer these questions, ushering in a new era of research into these strange stars.This is an audio version of our feature: The golden age of neutron-star physics has arrived  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode:00:52 Testing disparitiesAs testing capacities increase, it is clear that not everyone has equal access. But grassroots organisations are trying to correct this inequity. We hear about one researcher’s fight to get testing to those below the poverty line in California.09:04 The hydroxychloroquine saga continuesAs a high profile study in the Lancet is retracted, the first data from clinical trials is coming in and it is not encouraging. We discuss the murky future of hydroxychloroquine as a COVID drug.News: High-profile coronavirus retractions raise concerns about data oversight12:31 Will the Surgisphere scandal erode trust in science?A questionable dataset from a mysterious company has forced high-profile retractions and thrown doubt over drug trials and public health policies. What will the fallout be and can researchers weather the storm?23:23 Back in the labAs lockdowns ease, researchers are starting to go back to the lab. But with various restrictions in place, what does science look

This week, the spaceborne lab that allows investigation of quantum states, and the debate surrounding how mountain height is maintained.Shutdown StemOn the tenth of June, Nature joined #ShutdownStem #strike4blacklives.Podcast: #ShutDownSTEM and the Nature Podcasthttps://www.shutdownstem.com/Editorial: Systemic racism: science must listen, learn and changeNews: Thousands of scientists worldwide to go on strike for Black livesIn this episode:01:18 Space labScientists have built a lab on the international space station, allowing them to remotely investigate quantum phenomena in microgravity. Research Article: Aveline et al.; News and Views: Quantum matter orbits Earth08:37 Research HighlightsTrackable ‘barcode’ bacteria, and physicists simulate near light speed cycling. Research Highlight: ‘Barcode’ microbes could help to trace goods — from lettuce to loafers; Research Highlight: What Einstein’s theory means for a cyclist moving at almost light speed10:48 Ma

On the tenth of June, Nature will be joining #ShutdownStem #strike4blacklives. We will be educating ourselves and defining actions we can take to help eradicate anti-Black racism in academia and STEM . Please join us.https://www.shutdownstem.com/Editorial: Systemic racism: science must listen, learn and changeNews: Thousands of scientists worldwide to go on strike for Black lives  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode:00:45 Black Lives MatterThe killing of George Floyd, a black man, by police in Minnesota has sent a shockwave of anger around the globe. As unrest continues, we discuss the protests in Washington DC and ask how scientists are reacting.04:01 The outsized toll of covid-19 on people of colourReports from around the globe are showing that ethnic minorities are at much higher risk of infection and death from the coronavirus. But why might that be? And what can be done about it?News: How to address the coronavirus’s outsized toll on people of colourWorld View: How environmental racism is fuelling the coronavirus pandemic16:27 Food for thoughtRichard Van Noorden suggests some inspirational listening to learn and reflect in difficult times.Podcast: George the poet18:27 Lessons from past pandemicsThe coronavirus pandemic is just the latest of hundreds throughout history. Nick Howe interviews author Frank M Snowden about how disease has shaped society.Books and Arts: How pandemics sh

This week, a new method to grow hairy skin in a dish, and new research takes aim at the RNA world hypothesis.In this episode:00:45 Hairy SkinResearchers may have developed a way to make skin that can grow hair in the lab, paving the way for treatment of a variety of skin disorders, and perhaps even baldness. Research Article: Lee et al.; News and Views: Regenerative medicine could pave the way to treating baldness08:56 Research HighlightsHow mercury moved during the ‘Great Dying’, and the link between mobile phones and gender equality. Research Highlight: Giant eruptions belched toxic metal during the ‘Great Dying’; Research Article: Rotondi et al.11:21 Does DNA predate life?The RNA world hypothesis posits that RNA formed spontaneously leading eventually to life. Now new research suggests that RNA and DNA formed together, before life. Research Article: Xu et al.; News and Views: How DNA and RNA subunits might have formed to make the first genetic alp

00:59 Chloroquine on rocky groundPresident Trump's preferred coronavirus treatment is the focus of a new study suggesting it could cause more harm than good, but not everybody agrees. We discuss the fallout as trials around the world are paused and countries diverge over policy advice.News: India expands use of controversial coronavirus drug amid safety concernsNews: Safety fears over hyped drug hydroxychloroquine spark global confusion12:12 Are we rushing science?Coronavirus papers are being published extremely quickly, while normally healthy scientific debate is being blown up in the world’s press. Is there a balancing act between timely research and accurate messaging?18:49 One good thingOur hosts pick out things that have made them smile in the last week, including hedgerow brews and a trip into the past using AI.Recipe: Elderflower 'Champagne'Video: Denis Shiryaev restores historic footage with AI22:30 The latest coronavirus research papersNoah Baker takes a look through some of the key co

This week, perfecting catalysts that split water using light, and the mystery of missing matter in the Universe.In this episode:00:44 Water splittingAfter decades of research scientists have managed to achieve near perfect efficiency using a light-activated catalyst to separate hydrogen from water for fuel. Research Article: Takata et al.; News and Views: An almost perfectly efficient light-activated catalyst for producing hydrogen from water05:37 Research HighlightsThe hidden water inside the earth’s core, and how working memory ‘works’ in children. Research Highlight: Our planet’s heart is watery; Research Highlight: A child’s memory prowess is revealed by brain patterns07:53 Measuring matterEstimations of baryonic matter in the Universe have conflicted with observations, but now researchers have reconciled these differences. Research Article: Macquart et al.13:42 Pick of the BriefingWe pick our highlights from the Nature Briefing, including the possibility

01:38 Trump vs the WHOPresident Trump has given the WHO an ultimatum in a tweet, threatening to pull out of the organisation within 30 days unless unclear demands are met. We discuss what this means for the pandemic, the USA and the future of international health cooperation.12:06 Where are we with vaccines?The first results from vaccine trials are in and they are encouraging, but scientists are still urging caution. We hear the lowdown on the types of vaccines being developed and what hope there is of rolling them out any time soon. News: Coronavirus vaccine trials have delivered their first results — but their promise is still unclearNews: The race for coronavirus vaccines: a graphical guideNews: If a coronavirus vaccine arrives, can the world make enough?25:20 One good thingOur hosts pick out things that have made them smile in the last week, including hopeful antibody research, at-home sketch comedy and printable board games.News: Potent human antibodies could inspire a vaccineVid

This week, crafting an artificial eye with the benefits of a human's, and understanding how disk-galaxies formed by peering back in time.In this episode:00:45 Biomimetic eyeResearchers fabricate an artificial eye complete with a human-like retina. Research Article: Gu et al.; News and Views: Artificial eye boosted by hemispherical retina09:27 Research HighlightsDazzling elephant seals to avoid predation, and helping blind people ‘see’ through brain stimulation. Research Highlight: Mighty seals humbled by prey that flickers and flashes; Research Highlight: Blind people ‘read’ letters traced on their brains with electricity11:36 Early disk-galaxyThere’s an open question about how disk-galaxies form, but now new observations are pointing to an answer, from the very early Universe. Research Article: Neeleman et al.; News and Views: Galaxy disk observed to have formed shortly after the Big Bang17:47 Pick of the BriefingWe pick our highlights from the Natu

With questionable coronavirus content flooding airwaves and online channels, what’s being done to limit its impact? In this episode: 00:57 The epidemiology of misinformationAs the pandemic spreads, so does a tidal wave of misinformation and conspiracy theories. We discuss how researchers' are tracking the spread of questionable content, and ways to limit its impact.News: Anti-vaccine movement could undermine efforts to end coronavirus pandemic, researchers warnNature Video: Infodemic: Coronavirus and the fake news pandemic 17:55 One good thingOur hosts pick out things that have made them smile in the last week, including walks in new places, an update on the Isolation Choir, and a very long music playlist.Video: The Isolation Choir sing What a Wonderful WorldSpotify: Beastie Boys Book Complete Songs22:30 Funding fears for researchersScientists around the world are concerned about the impacts that the pandemic will have on their funding and research projects. We hear from two who face uncer

This week, Elisabeth Bik tells us about her work uncovering potential image manipulation, and a new route for particulate pollution formation.In this episode:00:45 Seeing doubleElisabeth Bik spends her days identifying duplicated images in science papers. She tells us about her efforts, and why they’re important. Feature: Meet this super-spotter of duplicated images in science papers; News: Publishers launch joint effort to tackle altered images in research papers08:11 Research HighlightsNew insights on the mysterious Tully Monster, and how football fans can stoke air pollution. Research Highlight: Unmasking the Tully Monster: fossils help to tackle a decades-old mystery; Research Highlight: The meaty link between a city’s football matches and its foul air10:29 Understanding air pollutionParticulate pollution is a serious threat to human health, but the way that new particles form is poorly understood. This week, new research suggests a new mechanism for it to happen.&n

Outbreaks among those unable to isolate are spreading under the radar. We hear about the researchers scrambling to get a handle on the situation.In this episode:01:02 How is coronavirus spreading in group settings?In order to successfully stop the coronavirus pandemic, researchers have to understand how the virus is spreading among groups unable to isolate. We hear about efforts to uncover levels of infection among homeless populations in the US, and the challenges associated with doing so.News: Ignoring outbreaks in homeless shelters is proving perilous16:49 One good thingOur hosts pick out things that have made them smile in the last week, including a virtual tour of the world, dark humour, and experimental cocktails.Rijksmuseum Masterpieces Up Close20:04 Fears rise at US drug-abuse research instituteNora Volkow is director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). She tells us about her concerns for people living with substance-use disorders during the pandemic, and the damaging effect of lockdowns o

This week, a new way to study elusive subatomic particles - pions, and the story of Galileo remains relevant in a time of modern science denialism.In this episode:00:46 Probing pionsPions are incredibly unstable and difficult-to-study subatomic particles. Now researchers have come up with a clever way to examine them - by sticking them into helium atoms. Research Article: Hori et al.08:28 Research HighlightsA colourful way to cool buildings, and the rapid expansion of cities. Research Highlight: A rainbow of layered paints could help buildings to keep their cool; Research Highlight: Urban sprawl overspreads Earth at an unprecedented speed10:46 The life of GalileoA new biography of Galileo Galilei examines some of the myths about his life and draws parallels with problems facing scientists today. Books and Arts: Galileo’s story is always relevant16:42 Pick of the BriefingWe pick our highlights from the Nature Briefing, including botanical graffiti, and rock-eating bacter