James Gallagher

James Gallagher, BBC health and science correspondent, explains a new universal nasal vaccine tested in mice. Caroline Hawley, BBC Middle East correspondent, reports on verified deaths and intimidation of Iranian athletes. Sarah Smith, Senior BBC North America editor, covers the arrest and international reactions to former Prince Andrew. They discuss these major global stories in concise, on-the-ground reporting.

Why are non-African monkeypox cases causing concern? Also, the first complete human genome from a Pompeiian cadaver, and how YouTube is aiding animal behaviourists.As cases of monkeypox appear strangely dispersed around Europe and elsewhere in the world outside of Africa, BBC health and science correspondent James Gallagher outlines to Vic the symptoms and some of the mysterious elements of this outbreak.In Pompeii, scientists have for the first time managed to sequence the whole genome of an individual killed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD. Serena Viva of the University of Salento describes the site of two individual's tragic demise all that time ago, one female aged around 50 years, and a younger male, both leaning on a couch in a dining room. Geneticist Gabriele Scorrano describes how the ancient DNA (aDNA) was preserved and extracted, and how the male individual's genome was so well preserved it could be sequenced in full. As they suggest this week in Nature, there weren’t too many surprises in what they found, but the ability to do this sort of science opens up a new era of Pompeiian archaeological treasure.Faced with covid lockdowns and unable to observe in the wild, elephant conservationists Nachiketha Sharma and Sanjeeta Sharma Pocharel decided to see if videos uploaded to YouTube could enlighten science on rare behaviours of Asian elephants. African Elephants are known to have a strange fascination, even respect, for the death of other elephant individuals, especially those near to their families such as calves and parents. Asian elephants’ thanatological (death related) behaviour is less well observed however. But the researchers turned to videos of strange grieving-like behaviour to begin a catalogue of the different reactions such as carrying dead calves, standing guard, or vocalizing. They dedicate their work, published by the Royal Society, to the elephants involved.This sort of research, using video observations captured and shared by members of the public are proving rather useful to zoologists and animal behaviourists. Ximena Nelson of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand was one of the first scientists to suggest the usefulness of trawling the internet for odd video of animals and explains a bit more to Vic.Presented by Victoria Gill Produced by Alex Mansfield

Scientists discuss breakthrough in embryo modeling using stem cells, the potential implications for understanding early pregnancy and ethical concerns. The podcast also explores the rise and fall of the Qing dynasty, highlighting factors like population growth, stratification, and limited leadership opportunities. Scientific advancements include the development of a synthetic human embryo model and a breathing ball for anxiety relief.

James Gallagher, a BBC health and science correspondent, discusses a revolutionary anti-malarial compound designed to combat the parasites causing most malaria cases. He dives into the challenges of insecticide resistance and innovative solutions combining drug treatments with bed nets. The conversation shifts to President Trump's new executive order on drug pricing, exploring its potential global impact. Additionally, Gallagher highlights the alarming rise of scorpion stings in Brazil linked to urbanization and climate change, presenting a growing public health concern.

Chhavi Sachdev, journalist covering India’s snakebite crisis and national plan. Dr Antoine Abou Fayad, Beirut-based microbiologist studying conflict-driven drug resistance. James Gallagher, BBC health correspondent explaining outbreak responses. They discuss how war fuels multidrug resistance, heavy metals causing cross-resistance, spread of pan‑resistant strains across borders, meningitis outbreak responses and vaccine safety, and India's antivenom challenges.

James Gallagher, a renowned BBC health correspondent, discusses the revolutionary gene therapy that may slow Huntington’s disease by 75%. He also reveals a case of a Danish donor whose sperm linked to a cancer gene has led to nearly 200 children. Mary Roach, popular science author, dives into the emotional dilemma surrounding amputation versus prosthetics and the advances in limb technology. Mohsen Rajabi sheds light on how teachers in Iran are crucial in providing mental health support for refugee children facing numerous challenges.

In this insightful discussion, health journalist Layal Liverpool shares crucial findings from the Lancet report, detailing the dire health impacts of surpassing 1.5°C in global warming. Professor Lance Price uncovers a study linking contaminated meat to urinary tract infections, highlighting grocery contamination and its socioeconomic links. James Gallagher contextualizes a large analysis of antidepressants, aiming to tailor treatments by evaluating their side effects. They also explore how walking patterns can significantly affect heart health, emphasizing the benefits of longer, continuous walks.

Joining the discussion are Luke Sullivan, former political director for Keir Starmer, shedding light on the strategic shifts in government policy, and James Gallagher, the BBC's health and science correspondent, who breaks down England's groundbreaking gonorrhea vaccination initiative. They dive into the implications of the recent U-turn on winter fuel payments affecting over 10 million pensioners. Gallagher also discusses antibiotic resistance and the importance of sexual health awareness as vital public health topics, all while keeping the conversation engaging and informative.

In this discussion, James Gallagher, BBC health and science correspondent, shares his insights on the political landscape as Keir Starmer aims to simplify nuclear power construction in the UK. The conversation delves into the government's handling of COVID-19, revealing the chilling predictions and consequences of early pandemic strategies. Gallagher also highlights the tension between political decisions and scientific guidance, underscoring how these experiences have shaped vaccine trust and health policy moving forward.

James Gallagher, a BBC health and science correspondent, brings his insights on the rising cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV). He aims to demystify HMPV, clarifying its historical context and seasonal nature amidst media sensationalism. The discussion also addresses the challenges elite female athletes face regarding fertility, focusing on intense training's impact on reproductive health. Furthermore, insights into Ukrainian veterans building drones for rehabilitation highlight resilience in the face of adversity. The conversation wraps up with predictions for global health by 2025.