Dan Fox

Anand Jagatia, a science reporter and producer, shares groundbreaking findings on Neanderthals mastering fire in the UK 400,000 years ago. Their evidence includes heated sediment and ancient tools, suggesting a rich social life around fire. Dan Fox discusses the role of AI in detecting ancient biosignatures and the fascinating chemistry behind fading emerald green paints. Max Kozlov reveals how AI chatbots can dramatically sway political opinions, raising important questions about their influence and the potential risks in elections.

In this discussion, physicist Xiaojie Wang, renowned for his work on gamma-ray microquasars, and researcher Jamie Holder delve into the exciting discovery of a high-energy gamma-ray producing microquasar. They explore its potential as a natural particle accelerator and its role in unraveling the mysteries of galactic cosmic rays. They also highlight intriguing recent research on comb jellies fusing their bodies and archaeological findings from Siberian burials, drawing fascinating connections between biology and ancient cultures.

Dan Fox, science journalist who highlights recent research, and Sarah O'Connor, a Max Planck chemical ecology researcher who unraveled quinine biosynthesis. They trace the hunt for biochemical intermediates, isotope feeding tests, single-cell gene sleuthing, reconstituting the pathway in Nicotiana and making analogs. Short takes on battery durability and ancient parrot trade round out the conversation.