Instant Genius
Instant Genius is a podcast from the team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine. It features bite-sized masterclasses on a wide range of topics, from health and the Big Bang to the science of cooking. Each week, two new episodes are released, with world-leading experts sharing their knowledge. The podcast also offers ad-free episodes on Apple Podcasts and has a YouTube channel for full episodes.
Episodes
Why this tiny organism is essential for the health of the planet
Although it often goes unnoticed, plankton is the most abundant form of life in Earth’s oceans, making up 95 per cent of all oceanic biomass. These tiny organisms are responsible for generating around half of the planet’s oxygen, play a vital role in the oceans’ food chains and were around for millions of years before we humans came onto the scene. Simply put, without plankton, the world would be
What happens in our bodies when our hormones misfire
Every minute of every day, our bodies are flooded with a complex web of hormones – chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream, coordinating everything from our blood pressure, body temperature, metabolic rate and even our emotions. When this system is functioning correctly, we barely notice its actions, but if it begins to misfire, it can lead to profound issues in everything from flu
What we can learn about parenting from the animal kingdom
Becoming a parent is undoubtedly one of the biggest events that can occur in any of our lifetimes – suddenly we have a tiny living being to take care of that demands the majority of our thoughts, time and attention. Of course, this can at times feel overwhelming and often leads us to look for help and advice from our parents, grandparents or close friends. But what strategies do parents in the ani
Don’t miss the upcoming Nature’s Unsung Heroes miniseries!
While the larger, more impressive or charismatic animal and plant species often receive the most attention, the natural world is filled with lesser-known or even misunderstood organisms without which life on planet Earth would look very different indeed.
If you’d like to learn how plankton plays a vital role in regulating the health of the entire planet, how, despite being a bit icky, parasites p
Why bisexuality is everywhere
In June of every year, the LGBTQ+ community across the world comes together to celebrate Pride Month – an annual event that began in 1970 to promote awareness, visibility and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals.
In this episode, to coincide with Pride Month, we’re joined by Dr Julia Shaw, a broadcaster, best-selling author and psychologist based at University
The past, present and future of DNA science
Whether it’s the swab tests many of us use to help us piece together our family trees, the painstaking detective work carried out by forensic scientists, or its use in medical screening to look for signs of our predisposition to develop certain diseases, DNA science has become a regular fixture in news stories, pop culture and dinner table conversations in many of our homes. But how exactly do the
Why ecoacoustics is the future of conservation
Traditionally, ecologists wanting to take stock of the diversity, health and population levels of animal species within a given environment have needed to tie on their boots, get out in the field and painstakingly record what they are able to observe manually. But the emerging field of ecoacoustics – the use of sound recording to survey the biodiversity within ecosystems – is promising to be a gam
Unlocking the invisible rainbows of the Universe
Our world may look vibrant and full of color. But in reality, our human eyes are only picking up the tiniest slice of all the light shining in the Universe. To astronomers this hidden light is just as important as the red greens and blues we can see. We talk to Alfredo Carpineti about what secrets are lying in the Universe beyond human vision, while celebrating another aspect that the rainbow has
Why birdsong is the pop music of the natural world
When it comes to the sounds we encounter in the natural world, few have the beauty, elegance and variety of birdsong. But these distinctive vocalisations are not simply static calls that are common to all birds of a certain species that are passed on from one generation to the next. They vary from region to region and even evolve in single populations over time in much the same way that the style
Why walking more is the best thing you can do to boost your health
Over thousands of years, human beings evolved to walk upright on two legs, efficiently and over long distances. But these days, thanks to changes in our lifestyles, we’re becoming more sedentary than ever, and this is having profound effects on our health and well-being.
In this episode, we’re joined by Courtney Conley, a doctor of chiropractic medicine, and Milica McDowell, a doctor of physical
How ultrasound tech could save hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are in decline all over Europe. These prickly little fellas are faced with so many threats – in their rural habitats, in our gardens, and on our roads. But new research about hedgehog hearing could help us protect these adorable creatures from going extinct.
As part of our Science of Sound miniseries, we speak to Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen, a scientist who has dedicated her life to hedgeh
Why ADHD is so challenging to diagnose
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is currently thought to affect around one in 20 of the world’s population, making it one of the most prevalent types of neurodivergence. Despite this, the condition is still surrounded by stigma, misunderstanding and significant challenges in diagnosis.
In this episode, we’re joined by Prof Ellie Dommett, a neuroscientist based at King’s College
Inside the project helping the hard of hearing listen to music
The vast majority of us take listening to and appreciating music for granted. But for those of us living with hearing loss, continuing to enjoy our favourite songs, symphonies or dance tracks can be something of a challenge. Maybe we find it difficult to distinguish one instrument from another, have a reduced ability to hear pitch, or struggle to make out a song’s lyrics.
As part of our Science o
Why your Neanderthal genes may be affecting your health
There’s so much we don’t know about Neanderthals. Our stocky, muscular relatives went extinct around 40,000 years ago, leaving a trail of mystery in their wake – about what they were like, how they lived, and why they disappeared. But, while Neanderthals themselves have gone, fragments of their DNA live on inside us.
In this episode, we speak to Prof Chris Stringer, scientific associate at London
Don't miss the upcoming Science of Sound Miniseries!
Would you like to hear about the fascinating new discoveries astronomers are making by listening to distant stars? Learn about the cutting edge tech scientists are using to help the hearing impaired listen to music or get up to date on what the latest research is saying about the nature and purpose of birdsong.
If so, why not check out the four-part Science of Sound Miniseries starting Monday 4t
How to help your brain thrive in a rapidly changing world
For thousands of years, the evolution of the human race has been driven by natural selection and the passing on of genes that have helped us to thrive in the environments we live in. However, in current times, advances in technology and rapid societal change are shaping our lives like never before. So, what impact is this having on the way we think and act, and how can we best position ourselves t
How to break free from imposter syndrome
No matter our level of ability, talent or achievement, at times some of us feel like we’re a fraud and have simply been blagging our way to success. This is known as imposter syndrome. While it’s not formally recognised as a clinical mental health condition, it can still play a significant role in our wellbeing. So, why are so many of us prone to these nagging feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy
The dawn chorus – why birds sing at the break of day
In springtime, as the Sun rises, the early morning air is filled with the glorious sound of birdsong. This is known as the dawn chorus. But why exactly are birds so vocal at this time of the day, what purpose does it serve, and how did their songs get so complex?
In this episode, we’re joined by the RSPB’s Adrian Thomas, a bird expert and author of the RSPB Guide to Birdsong.
He explains how thi
How to save the planet’s forests
Forests cover around one-third of all landmass on Earth and, as such, play a key role in the ecological health of the entire planet. However, thanks to decades of exploitation, climate pressures and natural disasters, this vital resource is beginning to struggle. So, what can we do to help these essential environments thrive?
In this episode, we’re joined by Suzanne Simard, a professor of forest
How flowers played a key role of the evolution of life on Earth
For most of us, our experience of flowers is limited to sending a bouquet to our loved ones on special occasions or perhaps picking up some pretty plants from the garden centre to cheer up our homes. But if we take a wider, more nuanced view, it quickly becomes clear that flowers have played an essential role in the evolution of the vast and varied ecosystems of the planet we live on. The fact is,
How chemistry underpins every area of our lives
While we may not always be consciously aware of it, chemical processes are busy whirring away every second of every day, no matter what we’re doing or where we look.
Be it the reactions that continuously occur in our own bodies to keep us alive, the manufacturing processes used to make the clothes we wear, the homes we live in and the products we rely on to make our lives more comfortable, or eve
How to engage more deeply with the natural world
Perhaps due to poor weather, the COVID pandemic, or a simple lack of motivation, these days many of us spend a lot of our time indoors. However, wherever we live, there are always opportunities to get out into nature and learn more about the world we live in. Doing so can not only enrich our own lives by more deeply engaging with the environments that surround us but can also help scientists and r
You’ve been pooping wrong, but here’s how to fix it
Smelly, dirty and a bit embarrassing – we tend to treat our poo as a private matter, to be dealt with in the bathroom and then stringently ignored. But, while we may not want to discuss toilet time at the dinner table, our bowel movements can give us invaluable information about our wider health.
In this episode, we speak to Dr Trisha Pasricha, a gastroenterologist, medical doctor and assistant p
Why it’s not too late to reverse Earth’s extinction crisis
Planet Earth is currently facing its sixth mass extinction event, with hundreds of species of plants and animals being lost for good every single day. For the first time in history, this devastating loss of the world’s flora and fauna is not being caused by natural phenomena, but by the actions of human beings. However, there is still hope that, if we start to take steps in the right direction, th
Why gout is on the rise, and how to lower your risk
If you were to mention the term gout, the chances are that most of us would think of the gluttonous sovereigns of yesteryear who ended up with the condition after years of gorging on rich foods and drinking fortified wines. But the fact is, cases of gout have been climbing significantly over the past few decades. So, what’s behind this increase and what measures can we all take to help us avoid th
How our intimate relationship with animals shaped human evolution
Thanks to our highly developed brains, sophisticated ability to communicate and use of advanced technology, it can be easy to think that we humans are separate from, and even superior to, the animals we share the Earth with.
But the truth is that animals have profoundly influenced the progress and evolution of human beings for tens of thousands of years.
In this episode, we’re joined by science
Why our brains struggle to keep up with a rapidly changing world
The human brain is undoubtedly one of the true marvels of nature. But many of the neural mechanisms that evolved to keep our ancestors alive over thousands of years are now leaving us feeling dissatisfied, anxious and depressed thanks to the rapid advances in technology and culture we now find ourselves faced with. The simple fact is, we’re living in an environment that our brains were not built t
Why we need to save ugly, creepy, scary and misunderstood animals
The natural world is filled with a rich tapestry of creatures, each occupying a unique evolutionary niche that helps to keep the ecosystems they live in functioning healthily. But the truth is, over the centuries, we humans have treated some of them better than others. Our tendency is to prefer cute, cuddly animals such as pandas or donkeys, or beautiful, majestic beasts such as elephants, eagles
How we look at the Universe with a radio
There’s an entire cosmos hidden from our human eyes. The only way to see it is by looking at the Universe with a radio. We talk to Dr Emma Chapman about how she uses radio telescopes to reveal the cosmic mysteries of the Universe.
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The best ways to spot a liar
How can we tell if someone we’re speaking to is being economical with the truth? Oftentimes, we’re told that the primary telltale signs lie in the use of body language – maybe someone is avoiding eye contact, touching their face a lot, or fidgeting and squirming. But there’s also a whole world of clues to look out for in the type of language that someone uses when they’re telling us lies.
In this
Why understanding what makes us hungry is key to weight loss
Chances are that if any of us are looking to drop a bit of excess weight, the first thing we’ll attempt is to cut down the number of calories we’re consuming. For decades, we’ve been told that balancing the number of calories we put into to our bodies with the energy that we burn can help us to maintain a healthy weight. While this is true, could it be that we’re putting our attention and effort i
How to slash your dementia risk in 12 weeks
Around the world, more than 50 million people are living with some form of dementia – a number expected to triple by 2050 as populations age. But the thing is, dementia is often talked about as a kind of genetic lottery. You either get lucky and escape it, or unlucky and develop it. But what if that framing is wrong? What if far more of our brain health is within our control than we’ve been led to
Why connecting with others is vital for our mental health
Statistics show that half of us will experience a mental health condition of some kind by the time we turn forty. Could this be due to the increasing pressures and looming crises we’re currently facing in the modern world, overstimulating natural responses in our brains and bodies that have evolved over hundreds of thousands of years to protect us from threats?
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr
How metabolism really affects your health, weight and wellbeing
Whether we’re working at a desk in an office, running a marathon or even asleep in bed, our bodies are host to thousands of chemical processes that are continually converting the food we eat into energy and repairing our bones, muscles and organs. Collectively these processes are known as the metabolism. But how are they affected by our genes, lifestyles and diet, and what can we do to make sure e
What faces reveal about us and the societies we live in
The human face contains more than 40 muscles, giving us an ability to visually express our thoughts and emotions that is unique in the animal kingdom. This has perhaps led to a long-held obsession to uncover the many mysteries of our faces that has persisted in everyone from artists, scientists and even anthropologists for thousands of years. But where is this trend heading? And is it doing more h
How our planet connects to the Solar System around it
We often think of our planet as an isolated island, solitary and cut off from the cosmic ocean it resides in. But the truth is, Earth is intimately connected with the Universe surrounding it. What’s more, by learning more about the Solar System around us, humanity has changed its own view of the world as well. Dr Dagomar Degroot from Georgetown University spoke to us to explore this idea in more d
How AI could help us create life from scratch
For the last several billion years, all life on Earth has progressed according to the rules of evolution by natural selection – a step-by-step process that has given rise to the fascinating complexity and beauty of all the living things we share our planet with. But now, due to advances in our knowledge of genetics and the rise of artificial intelligence, we’re on the brink of being able to design
What happens in our brains and bodies when we fall in love
The chances are that if any of us were asked to describe what it feels like to be in love we’d turn to art, poetry or music to help give us the answer. But what does science have to say about this uniquely human experience?
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Justin Garcia, an evolutionary biologist and sex researcher based at the Kinsey Institute in the US, to talk about his book, The Intimate A
Why gradual change is the true driving force of innovation
Over the past several decades, many technologists and policy makers have sought out huge, disruptive shifts in thinking in almost every area of science, business and commerce in the hope that they’d help to drive innovation forward in giant leaps, one brilliant new idea at a time. But how successful has this been, and should we instead be focusing on a more gradual, incremental approach to innovat
Why we need to rethink our concept of evil
If most of us are put on the spot and asked to name acts that we think would define a person as evil, it’s likely our minds would turn to murderers, rapists and war criminals, to name a few. But could it be that this commonly held conception of evil isn’t merely just an oversimplification, but rather a deeply flawed way of viewing the world based on a litany of personal biases, and one that is in
The hidden ways the Internet and social media are shaping healthcare
From famous actors and pop stars to the legions of social media influencers with millions of views, it seems almost everyone has something to say about the best ways to boost our health and wellbeing. But is this trend leading to many of us bypassing traditional sources of health advice and care such as GP practices and government health services and instead turning to the Internet, social media a
How to break free from the negative cycle of overthinking
While the human mind is capable of great insight, original thoughts and acts of tender kindness towards others, it can also, at times, act like our own worst enemy. Feelings of worthlessness, shame and disappointment can all stem from our brain’s natural inclination for overthinking.
This can give rise to a wide range of debilitating impacts on our lives, such as low self-esteem, anxiety and depr
How paleoartists bring dinosaurs to life
From the terrifying, hulking beasts portrayed in blockbuster movies to the friendly, charismatic characters often found in children’s cartoons, dinosaurs have made their way into almost every corner of popular culture. However, in terms of scientific accuracy, such depictions tend to leave a lot to be desired. So, how do we know what dinosaurs really looked like, whose job is it to show us, and ho
Why mental resilience is a skill we can all learn
At some points in our lives, we all face challenges or setbacks or find ourselves in difficult situations that can ultimately have a profound effect on our mental health and wellbeing. During such times, we need to draw on our reserves of mental resilience. But what techniques and strategies can we employ to develop this vital mental resource to enable us to better cope with whatever life throws a
The hidden scoring systems running our lives
In the world of games, scoring systems establish a framework that provides us with clear challenges, motivation, and ultimately delivers a huge amount of fun and pleasure. However, on the flip side, the increasing tendency to apply rankings and metrics to almost every area of our personal and professional lives can have a dehumanising effect, reducing our actions, performance, and even ourselves t
How to beat burnout in an increasingly fast-paced world
These days, it can be easy to feel like we have too much to do and too little time to do it in. This can lead to many of us feeling overwhelmed, or in extreme cases, can lead to burnout – a state of profound physical, mental and emotional exhaustion that can have far-reaching consequences for both our mental and physical health. So, what measures can we take to regain control of our lives if we ar
Why your next best friend may be an AI
Over the last several decades, the world has seen artificial intelligence undergo a rapid transformation. Since its beginnings in the 1950s as speculative theorising and novel thought experiments, AI has blossomed into a bona fide technological tool that can perform sophisticated tasks such as detecting signs of cancer or spotting signs of financial fraud, in many cases much more effectively than
How the arts can keep our bodies and brains healthier for longer
For many of us, consuming or making art – be it listening to music, playing an instrument, reading a book, painting a watercolour or attending a dance class – is seen as a pastime or hobby, a fun way to spend an evening or Sunday afternoon. But according to the latest scientific thinking, engaging with the arts can have a profound effect on our mental and physical well-being, and may even help us
Why social connection is vital for our health and well-being
There’s little doubt that we humans are a deeply social species; in many ways, our interactions with others define the very essence of who we are. But in recent times, studies have shown that we’re connecting with one another less and less, to the point where some say we may now be facing a loneliness epidemic. So, why are social interactions so vital to our health and well-being, what actually ha
Why the new era of life-saving drugs starts with plants
Chances are that if you open your bathroom cabinet, many of the medicines you find there were first discovered by studying the chemical processes of the plants that grow all around us. But with 450,000 plant species existing in the world, the truth is that we’re only just scratching the surface of this almost limitless resource.
In this episode, we’re joined by Prof Anne Osbourn, a group leader i
How to beat the alarming increase in childhood allergies
Currently, around 40 per cent of children in the UK have been diagnosed with an allergy of some form or another – the most common being food allergies, eczema, asthma, and hay fever. Why is this number so alarmingly high, what can we do to treat them, and what measures can we take to ensure that our children don’t develop allergies in the first place?
In this episode, we’re joined by Willem M. de
Our Universe could be trapped inside a black hole with no way out
It sounds like a theory plucked from the page of a science fiction novel, but according to Enrique Gaztañaga from the University of Portsmouth, our entire Universe could be trapped inside a black hole. It's a mind-blowing theory, but it could help us better understand the fundamental nature of our reality.
But how is it even possible for us to be inside a black hole? Will we ever know for sure? A
The real story behind Jurassic Park’s most controversial dinosaur
Chances are that when most of us think of spinosaurs our minds will turn to the hulking, predatory sail-backed dinosaur that famously took down a T. Rex in the Jurassic Park movies. But thanks to their highly fragmented fossil records, in the real world, our knowledge of these fascinating, ancient creatures is far from complete. Where did they live? How did they live? And what did they really look
How neuroscience is reshaping our understanding of free will
How much control do we have over our actions and decisions? For most of us, it’s likely that the answer is that, of course, all of the choices we make are our own. But it’s long been argued by some scientists and philosophers that this isn’t the case at all. Could it be that the trajectories of our lives are largely already written into our biology, genes and neural circuitry before we’re even bor
How to listen to what animals are trying to say
It’s likely that if any of us step and of our front doors and take a moment to listen to what’s going on around us, we’ll hear the vocalisations of dozens of different animals. But why are they making these sounds and can we ever really understand what they actually mean?
In this episode, we’re joined by naturalist and author Amelia Thomas to discuss her latest book What Sheep Think About the Wea
How widening our palates can help feed, and save, the planet
It’s currently thought that around one billion people worldwide aren’t getting enough protein to meet their daily needs. Alongside this, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the large-scale farming of livestock and the overfishing of the Earth’s oceans to provide us with vital sources of protein are causing great harm to the environment. But could the production of more alternative protein source
Why not getting enough sleep plays havoc with our emotions
Many of us will have experienced changes in our emotional states after failing to get a good night’s sleep. Maybe we find that we lose our temper more easily or that we’re more likely to feel sad or upset. But what exactly is going on in our bodies and brains when we lack sleep that gives rise to these, often troubling, effects?
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Bogdan Matei, a medical psychiat
How to combat the planet’s growing issue of food waste
According to the United Nations, around one-third of all the food currently produced across the planet is being lost or wasted, oftentimes before it even reaches our plates. As well as the loss of essential sources of nutrition needed to feed the global population, issues in food supply chains are using up other vital resources such as water, labour and energy. So, what can we do to ensure that as
The hidden forces driving the AI bubble
This episode was recorded on November 6th 2025.
Artificial intelligence has been the movement of the moment in recent years. Since it burst to prominence in 2022, hundreds of millions of people have started using AI systems every day – for everything from writing essays to coding software, generating art and planning their lives.
But with soaring valuations, constant hype, and growing concerns a
Earth is heading for a food emergency. Can we stop it?
Recent UN data tells us that currently 670 million people around the world are going hungry. There’s little doubt that food security is one of the most serious problems that the human race is facing. How have we reached this point of crisis and what solutions can we put in place to make sure everyone on the planet has enough nutritious food to eat without causing further harm to the environment?
How whales may be using their haunting songs as a navigation system
Along with their vast size and habit of jumping playfully out of the water, whales are renowned for their haunting melodic vocalisations. However, after decades of research, scientists still aren’t sure why these mysterious creatures sing their other-worldly songs. Could it be a form of sexual display? Maybe it’s a method of communication? Or is it possible that the giant marine mammals are using
How personalised nutrition is transforming our understanding of diet and health
Over the past several decades nutritional advice from doctors and expert researchers has largely relied on one-size-fits-all approach – eat five portions of fruit and veg a day, limit your intake of sugar and salt, stay away from overly fatty or processed foods as much as possible – but in recent times it has become clear that, while this is all good advice, the real-life picture is much more subt
What we all need to know about menopause
Throughout our lives we all go through several significant periods of change – puberty, young adulthood, middle age, retirement. Each comes with its own quirks and challenges, but perhaps one of the most underdiscussed of these stages is menopause. The lowering of hormone levels and eventual cessation of ovulation caused by menopause can affect women’s mental and physical health, performance in th
Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales on what AI and Elon Musk mean for the site's future
Wikipedia. It needs almost no introduction. Few websites are more well-known, more commonly used and more foundational to the web as we know it than the online encyclopedia. This week, we’re joined by its founder, Jimmy Wales, to talk about how the platform has evolved over the past two decades, the challenges of maintaining trust and neutrality in an age of misinformation, and how AI could shape
How psychedelics could kickstart the next mental health revolution
Hippies, the Beatles, flower power, magic mushrooms, raves and festivals – that’s what most of us associate with psychedelics. But there is mounting evidence that these drugs could also be used medicinally, particularly to treat mental illnesses such as depression.
In this episode, we speak to Prof David Nutt, a psychopharmacologist who has spent decades researching how drugs affect the brain. No
Don't miss the upcoming Future of Food miniseries!
What will we all be eating in 2050? How will it be produced? And how can our diets keep us healthier for longer? If these are questions you'd like answered, why not check out the upcoming Future of Food mini-series.
You'll discover how cutting-edge farming technology is helping us to produce food that's kinder to the environment, how overlooked foods such as algae and seaweed may soon become a co
How our bodies are host to mysterious cells that came from other people
The commonly held story goes that we all begin life as a single cell in our mother’s womb and go on from there to develop into fully formed adult human beings composed of cells of our own creation. However, recent research is showing that this isn’t quite the full picture. Not all of the cells in our bodies come from this single starting point. We are, in fact, all host to cells that have migrated
How human consciousness emerged from the fundamental processes of nature
Thanks to hundreds of years of scientific progress we now know, that like every other living thing on Earth, human beings are simply assemblages of atoms and molecules that evolved over eons through a series of complex, iterative processes. But somewhere along this long and meandering journey we developed consciousness – the deep sense of self-awareness that allows us to think, feel and even allow
The hunt for the first stars in the Universe
Stars feel like a fundamental feature of the Universe – as essential as planets, galaxies and space itself. But since we know the Universe had a beginning (the Big Bang), there must also have been a first star. Before it, there was only darkness; after it, the cosmos as we know it began to take shape.
Exactly what those first stars were like – and how they transformed everything that followed – r
The weird and wonderful science behind why humans are different
Humanity is beautifully diverse. Some of that diversity is visible, but hidden beneath the surface, there is also a hidden web of genetic variation that collectively tells a story about how people have adapted to their environments, sometimes in weird and wonderful ways.
In this episode, we speak to Prof. Herman Pontzer, an evolutionary anthropologist at Duke University, USA, and the author of Bu
The key role psychologists can play in the fight against ecological crime
Chances are that when most of us think about the notion of crime our minds turn to acts committed against an individual – be it theft, fraud or even physical assault. But every day ecological crimes are committed against the planet we all live on that often fly under the radar despite the significant, far-reaching effects they have on all of us.
In this episode, we’re joined by criminal psycholog
The psychology of paranormal experiences
Be it a cold, drafty room in a creaky old country house or a still, quiet forest on a dark night, chances are that at one point or another we’ll all have entered an environment that for some reason made us feel uneasy. But what exactly makes a certain place or situation feel so creepy, and why do we get these feelings in the first place?
In this episode, we’re joined by psychologist and magician
Inside the hunt for life-changing medicines
Chances are when we’re treated with medicines in hospital or pick up our prescriptions at the pharmacy, we don’t give much thought about how the drugs that are so vital for our health and wellbeing came to be. The fact is the journey that a new medicine takes from its beginnings in the laboratory to finally being administered to patients can be long and arduous. It typically takes the work of coun
From asteroids to aliens - how space is threatening our planet
Is our planet under threat from the depths of space? In this episode, we talk to solar physicist Dr Ryan French. Normally, Ryan is busy unravelling the mysteries of our Sun, but today we’ll be delving into a slightly darker topic – the many risks posed to our delicate planet from space. In his recent book, "Space Hazards: Asteroids, solar flares and cosmic threats”, Ryan covers all the many danger
Why we treat our pets and possessions like human beings
Many of us treat our pet dogs or cats with the same love and attention that with give to our human babies, some of us give our cars or other prized possessions human names and may even, at times, talk to them. This is known as anthropomorphism – the tendency within many of us to assign human qualities to non-human animals and even inanimate objects.
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Justin Greg
How bats became one of the planet’s most successful animals
It’s a little-known fact that bats are one of the most successful animals on Earth, with almost 1,500 different species currently identified. Their agility in flight and prowess as hunters, wide-ranging diversity in size and behaviour and ability to adapt to almost any environment have allowed them to conquer almost every corner of the globe. But despite their success, many species of bats are now
Why penguins are one of the planet’s most unique bird species
Thanks to their comical waddle-like way of walking, striking tuxedo-patterned plumage or graceful ability to seemingly ‘fly’ beneath the water, penguins are without doubt one of the planet’s most instantly recognisable animals. But the fact is that they are also one of its most endangered species of bird.
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Peter Fretwell, lead scientist at the British Antarctic
Busting the biggest myths in neuroscience
Relatively speaking neuroscience and psychology are young fields of scientific research that only really got going over the last hundred years or so. However, during this time several stubborn myths have arisen that, zombie-like, just don’t seem to go away.
In this episode, we speak to neuroscientist, best-selling author and long-time BBC Science Focus contributor Dr Dean Burnett.
He tells us ho
The positive tipping points that can help us solve the climate crisis
When it comes to climate change, we often think of tipping points as having a huge negative effect. Be it the loss of ice sheets in the Arctic, the deforestation of the Amazon rain forest or the alteration of ocean currents, scientists have identified several key systems on the Earth that will be impossible to reverse if they cross a critical threshold. But if we look at the situation from the opp
How cats became one of our most-loved domestic pets
From Lewis Carrol’s mysterious grinning Cheshire Cat and Jim Davis’s lazy, lasagne-loving comic strip tabby Garfield to the depictions of big cats found in palaeolithic cave art and the ancient Egyptian’s practice of worshipping cat-like deities, it’s clear we humans have had a long-standing fascination with felines. But how did this obsession with these charismatic animals begin?
In this episode
