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Michael Le Page

Science reporter for New Scientist, providing reporting and analysis on the approaching global food shock and the impacts of fuel, fertilizer, and pesticide supply disruptions.

Top 10 podcasts with Michael Le Page

Ranked by the Snipd community
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53 snips
Feb 6, 2026 • 38min

Why Elon Musk plans to put 1 million satellites in orbit; Should we be giving sleep drugs to kids?; Why global pesticide risk is not improving

Jonathan O’Callaghan, space reporter covering SpaceX and Starlink, outlines Musk’s million-satellite and orbital data centre ambitions. Alice Klein, science reporter, examines rising melatonin use in children and regulatory concerns. Michael Le Page, science journalist on agriculture, reveals a new ‘total applied toxicity’ measure showing pesticide risk rising. They dig into feasibility, safety and measurement challenges in short, sharp conversations.
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39 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 41min

The 5 worst ideas of the 21st century – and how they went wrong

Joshua Howgego, journalist on effective altruism, questions its ethical twists. Michael Le Page, science writer, debunks carbon offsets and alternative fuels. Leah Crane, science journalist, outlines Bitcoin and its huge energy cost. Matt Sparkes, technology reporter, traces social media’s shift from connection to attention-harvesting. They discuss how each idea went wrong and why fixing them is so hard.
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36 snips
Aug 1, 2025 • 28min

Ozempic and Wegovy slow down biological ageing; creation of synthetic bacterium; geology of the Russian earthquake

Michael Le Page, a reporter for New Scientist, joins to discuss groundbreaking topics. Weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy show promise in reversing biological aging—participants in trials experienced a surprising drop in their biological age. Le Page also reveals the creation of a synthetic bacterium with 101,000 genomic alterations, potentially revolutionizing genetic engineering. Finally, he provides insights into the recent rare earthquake off Russia's coast, its geological implications, and how effective tsunami warnings played a crucial role.
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33 snips
Oct 24, 2025 • 29min

How mRNA vaccines teach your body to kill cancer; Grim state of climate action; Why birds sing the dawn chorus

Michael Le Page, a science journalist, discusses how mRNA vaccines have unexpectedly improved cancer immunotherapy outcomes, nearly doubling survival rates. Meanwhile, Sophie Boehm, a climate researcher, highlights alarming findings from the State of Climate Action 2025 report, revealing failures to meet Paris climate goals. They share the urgency of addressing issues like deforestation and coal reliance, while emphasizing the importance of global climate accountability. Lastly, they explore why birds sing at dawn, unveiling intriguing theories tied to light, melatonin, and social dynamics.
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30 snips
Dec 12, 2025 • 33min

Orcas and dolphins are now hunting together; Genetic root of psychiatric conditions; Black hole stars and cosmic ecology

Journalist Alec Luhn shares startling observations of orcas and dolphins forming an unlikely partnership to hunt massive chinook salmon, sparking conversations about interspecies cooperation. Meanwhile, science writer Michael Le Page reveals groundbreaking research classifying 14 psychiatric conditions into five genetic clusters, promising new insights for treatment. Astrophysics journalist Alex Wilkins dives into how supernovae might be crucial for planetary formation and shares fascinating discoveries about black hole stars captured by the James Webb Telescope.
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26 snips
Apr 2, 2026 • 29min

Food shock is inevitable due to the Iran war – and it could get bad

Michael Le Page, New Scientist reporter, explains how war-driven spikes in fuel, fertiliser and pesticide costs threaten global food supplies. Paul Behrens, Oxford professor of climate, energy and food systems, outlines fragile supply chains, storage gaps and policy levers. They discuss how biofuel policies, farming practices and dietary change could amplify or ease the coming shock.
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26 snips
Nov 28, 2025 • 39min

The evolution of sperm and the enduring mystery of the scrotum; How our brain rewires itself 4 times in life; The (real) disaster scenarios of imminent climate breakdown

Sam Wong, an insightful science reporter, dives into the fascinating evolutionary journey of sperm, revealing surprising origins that predate animals. Health reporter Carissa Wong discusses groundbreaking MRI research showing that our brains undergo significant rewiring at four key life stages, with implications for understanding mental health. Michael Le Page shares alarming insights from the National Emergency Briefing, where experts warned about escalating climate risks, including starvation and societal chaos, yet offered messages of hope and empowerment for effective action.
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11 snips
Nov 13, 2025 • 29min

Why the claims about Hitler’s genome are misleading

Turi King, a geneticist known for her forensic DNA work, explores the implications of sequencing Adolf Hitler's genome. She addresses the risks of genetic determinism, emphasizing that DNA does not dictate behavior. Historian Alex Kay adds historical context, cautioning against sensationalism and the importance of understanding Hitler's upbringing. New Scientist reporter Michael Le Page critiques the documentary's framing, highlighting how it could mislead viewers into overemphasizing genetics rather than understanding the broader societal factors at play.
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11 snips
Jun 27, 2025 • 30min

Mice with two dads; perfect your sleep with science; how lizards survived dinosaur-killing asteroid

Michael Le Page, a reporter known for his insights into groundbreaking science, discusses a revolutionary experiment showing that healthy mice can be born from two biological fathers. This breakthrough raises exciting possibilities for gay couples wanting biological kids. The conversation also dives into the surprising cognitive benefits of power naps, proving they can boost creativity significantly. Lastly, Le Page shares fascinating details about ancient night lizards, whose survival since the time of dinosaurs sheds light on resilience in the face of extinction.
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10 snips
Aug 22, 2025 • 21min

Could we end winter illness?; Cold fusion’s comeback; The delicious microbiome of chocolate

Michael Le Page, an expert in immunity and viral infections, discusses groundbreaking mRNA-based treatments for boosting our defenses against seasonal illnesses. He explores how a potential inhaler could provide immune protection against viruses like COVID-19. The conversation also revives the controversial cold fusion concept, as researchers explore room-temperature nuclear fusion for future tech. Lastly, dive into the fascinating world of chocolate, where microbes enhance flavors, paving the way for delicious new varieties through fermentation.

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