Episodios

  • Can the climate survive AI’s thirst for energy?

    Can the climate survive AI’s thirst for energy?
    Jul 16 2024
    Artificial intelligence companies have lofty ambitions for what the technology could achieve, from curing diseases to eliminating poverty. But the energy required to power these innovations is threatening critical environmental targets. Madeleine Finlay hears from the Guardian’s energy correspondent, Jillian Ambrose, and UK technology editor, Alex Hern, to find out how big AI’s energy problem is, and whether it can be solved before it is too late. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
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    18 m
  • ‘Lesbian’ seagulls and ‘gay’ rams: the endless sexual diversity of nature

    ‘Lesbian’ seagulls and ‘gay’ rams: the endless sexual diversity of nature
    Jul 11 2024
    Same-sex sexual behaviours have been reported in a wide variety of species, and a new study suggests that, although animal scientists widely observe it, they seldom publish about same-sex sexual behaviour in primates and other mammals. To find out why and to hear about some of the examples of sexual diversity from the animal kingdom, Ian Sample hears from Josh Davis, a science writer at the Natural History Museum in London and author of the book A Little Gay Natural History. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
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    18 m
  • ZOE and personalised nutrition: does the evidence on glucose tracking add up?

    ZOE and personalised nutrition: does the evidence on glucose tracking add up?
    Jul 9 2024
    You might have noticed that everyone has recently become a bit obsessed with blood sugar, or glucose. Wellness firms such as ZOE here in the UK – as well as Nutrisense, Levels and Signos – claim to offer insights into how our bodies process food based on monitoring our blood glucose, among other things. But many researchers have begun to question the science behind this. To find out what we know about blood glucose levels and our health, and whether the science is nailed down on personalised nutrition, Ian Sample hears from philosopher Julian Baggini, academic dietician Dr Nicola Guess of Oxford University and ZOE’s chief scientist, and associate professor at Kings College London, Dr Sarah Berry. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
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    29 m
  • ‘Spermageddon’: is male fertility really in crisis?

    ‘Spermageddon’: is male fertility really in crisis?
    Jul 4 2024
    Recent research has suggested a global reproductive crisis could be in the offing, with researchers in Israel saying average sperm counts may have more than halved in the past 40 years. But a study published last month appears to call this narrative into question. Ian Sample is joined by the Guardian’s science correspondent Nicola Davis to unpick why these studies have come to different conclusions – and what could be causing the crisis, if declines are as dramatic as they appear. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
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    17 m
  • Caroline Lucas on climate, culture wars, and 14 years as the only Green MP

    Caroline Lucas on climate, culture wars, and 14 years as the only Green MP
    Jul 2 2024
    As she steps down as the Green party’s first, and so far only, MP, Caroline Lucas tells Madeleine Finlay what it’s been like as the sole Green voice in parliament for the past 14 years, her hopes for her party in Thursday’s UK general election, and what she plans to do in her life beyond politics. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
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    19 m
  • The surprising psychology behind extremism, and how politics is driving it

    The surprising psychology behind extremism, and how politics is driving it
    Jun 27 2024
    Psychologists usually expect ambivalence to be a driver of political apathy. But a new study appears to show a link between ambivalence in our views and the likelihood that we’ll support extremist actions. Madeleine Finlay speaks to the study’s co-author Richard Petty, professor of psychology at Ohio State University, to find out what pushes people to take extreme actions, how politics could be driving this behaviour and how it could be combated. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
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    17 m
  • The infection that affects half of women and its link to antibiotic resistance

    The infection that affects half of women and its link to antibiotic resistance
    Jun 25 2024
    Anyone who has had a urinary tract infection knows how agonising they can be. Some infections go away on their own, but many need antibiotics. Beneath the surface of this very common infection lie many mysteries, unanswered questions, and unnecessary suffering. And it gets to the heart of the challenge of tackling antimicrobial resistance. Madeleine Finlay speaks to Dr Jennifer Rohn, head of the centre for urological biology at University College London, about what we now understand about how UTIs take hold, and the complexity surrounding their treatment. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
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    17 m
  • A black hole awakens and why some people avoid Covid: the week in science

    A black hole awakens and why some people avoid Covid: the week in science
    Jun 20 2024
    Ian Sample and science correspondent Hannah Devlin discuss some of the science stories that have made headlines this week, from a glimpse of a black hole awakening, to a new blood test that can detect Parkinson’s seven years before symptoms appear, and a study exploring how some people manage to avoid Covid infection. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
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    19 m