
BBC Inside Science Is climate change to blame for Hurricane Melissa?
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Nov 5, 2025 In this engaging discussion, guests tackle pressing scientific issues. Hannah Cloke, a hydrology professor, explores how warm ocean temperatures may have intensified Hurricane Melissa and whether we should expect worse storms in the future. Ian Brown, an avian virologist, warns about the growing concern of the H9N2 bird flu strain adapting to humans. Meanwhile, science journalist Roland Pease delves into the intrigue of interstellar comet 3I/Atlas, addressing wild conspiracy theories around it. Mathematician Katie Steckles adds fun with puzzling stories from the world of science.
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Hurricane Hunters Provide Key Data
- Air Force hurricane hunters provide crucial inside-the-storm measurements that improve modelling.
- Cloke hopes drones may replace crewed flights as storms grow more dangerous.
Migration Drives Seasonal Outbreaks
- Bird flu outbreaks rise in autumn as migratory waterfowl bring viruses into the UK.
- Ian Brown explains this seasonal migration increases risk to domestic poultry.
H5N1 Has Low Human Transmission Risk
- H5N1 currently poses very low human risk because it doesn't replicate well in the human upper respiratory tract.
- Brown says human infections require high exposure but not efficient human-to-human transmission.

