Episode 361

The Earth is about to enter an extremely strong climate phase that could cause major disruption on a planet-wide scale. This “super El Niño” - or “Godzilla El Niño” - threatens to make 2027 the hottest year on record.

If it’s as strong as scientists fear, the weather event will bring droughts to some areas of the world and floods to others, causing food shortages and billions of pounds of damage. And with the world already warming faster due to human activity, the effects will only be intensified.

To discuss what we can expect from the near future, Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet are joined by New Scientist climate reporter Alec Luhn.

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

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Episode 360

A new era of space travel is finally upon us. NASA’s Artemis II rocket successfully launched 4 astronauts around the moon and back. Reacting to the historic news is Britain’s first astronaut, Helen Sharman.

The high tech space race sees countries, once again, scrambling to be the first to land people on the lunar surface - but this time to set up a permanent base of operations. Artemis II has now tested the capabilities of the space craft. But Artemis III and IV are already in the works, with dozens of other launches planned, to get cargo and rovers to the moon.

Unlike the space race of the 1960s, this one is very clearly between the US and China. And it’s clear that no matter who lands first, each country will continue their efforts to reach the surface and benefit from the so-called “lunar economy”.

Rowan Hooper and Helen Sharman reflect on the success of the launch, nervousness about the spacecraft’s heatshields on reentry - and what it all signals for the future.

She also explains why we need cooperation now, more than ever, to ensure international collaboration when we do finally start building on the lunar surface. 

Chapters

(00:00) Intro - A new space race is now underway

(00:22) Introduction to Astronaut Helen Sharman

(01:09) Helen’s reaction to the Artemis II splashdown

(02:06) Problems with the heatshield

(04:33) What this mission means for new generations

(06:29) Will this actually lead to a sustained presence on the moon?

(10:47) Are private space companies a problem for the moon?

(11:52) The plan for Artemis III

(12:54) Why put nuclear reactors on the moon?

(14:56) What was Artemis II really trying to achieve?

(17:40 What did the astronauts see?

(20:34) Do we know what the landing site will be now?

(22:36) The many planned launches ahead

(24:57) Will we soon have holidays to the moon?

(27:08) Helen’s 35th astronaut anniversary

(29:58) Vision for an international future base on the moon

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

Image Credits: NASA

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The Lyrid meteor shower hits its peak on the evening of the 22nd April, but you can look for them any time between the 16th and 25th.

Listen along with New Scientist's Abby Beall as she guides you through what a meteor shower is, when to see the Lyrids and how to look for them.

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Episode 359

DNA analysis of 10 Neanderthal people is shedding light on why their populations declined 75,000 years ago - eventually leading to their extinction.

After being hit by a cold spell, we can see Neanderthals lost a lot of genetic diversity as their numbers dwindled. Living in small, isolated groups, we see evidence in both genetic and archaeological evidence that this pushed the human species to die out.

One exception to this trend is Thorin - known as the last Neanderthal. We explore why his tribe may have been able to cling onto existence for longer than the rest of their species.

It wasn’t long ago this kind of understanding about ancient human species was well out of reach. Now the field is moving forward rapidly. What will we find next? 

To discuss this new finding - and to look at the genetic history of interbreeding between humans and Neanderthals - Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet are joined by Alison George and Michael Marshall.

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

Image Credit: Neanderthal-Museum, Mettmann, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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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/

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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/

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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/

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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/

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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/

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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/

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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/

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