BBC Inside Science

Exploring the mysterious workings of anaesthetics, including a quantum level theory. Analyzing seismic activity before the Chilean earthquake and challenges in prediction. Using art to engage in climate change conversations. Impact of jellyfish blooms on industries and importance of citizen science.

Paleontologist Paul Barrett discusses the discovery of early dinosaurs in Venezuela. Scientists at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh explore genetic editing in chickens to combat diseases. Rhys Phillips explains why lightning is jagged. The Rosetta spacecraft reaches the comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko. University of Galway researchers modify diatom shells for drug delivery.

Science teacher and filmmaker Alom Shaha shares DIY science experiments for kids to encourage scientific thinking. The Rosetta spacecraft will study Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko to learn about comets and Earth's water origins. Massive Open Online Courses offer diverse subjects but face criticism for creating educational tiers.

Privacy issues in facial recognition technology discussed with Professor Colin Bennett and Luke Dormehl. Glasgow University analyzes facial expressions. Evolutionary psychology theories critiqued by David Canter. Podcast delves into complexities of human behavior and facial traits.

Plants and bees The relationship between flowering plants and bees is a long-evolved, complex one. Plant scientists at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are currently conducting field trials to see how Acontium, or Monkshood, uses toxins to protect itself against nectar-thieving, short-tongued bumblebees. But how does it make sure it doesn't poison the helpful, pollinating long-tongued bumblebees?Plants from Roots to Riches Professor Kathy Willis, Director of Science at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew will be presenting a new series on BBC Radio 4 exploring our relationship with plants from the birth of botany through to modern day. She describes some of the series highlights.The Azolla Event A tiny ancient fern-like pond weed could have been responsible for changing the fate of the planet. Some scientists think that Azolla could have played a significant role in reversing an increase in the greenhouse effect that occurred 55 million years ago. The researchers claim that massive patches of Azolla growing on the (then) freshwater surface of the Arctic Ocean consumed enough carbon dioxide from the atmosphere for the global greenhouse effect to decline, eventually causing the formation of ice sheets in Antarctica and the current "Icehouse period" which we are still in.Chomping caterpillars Plants can hear. Well, they can sense sound-vibrations. New research from the University of Missouri shows that when the mustard-like Arabidopsis senses the chomping sounds of a caterpillar munching on leaves, it primes itself for a chemical response.Composting low down A listener asks why orange peel takes so long to rot down in the compost heap? Is it because it's an exotic fruit? Adam asks Kew's Head of Horticulture and 'keeper of the heap' Dave Barns.Producer: Fiona Roberts.

Airport security protocols and behavioural profiling, evolution of pigments and lighting in art restoration, Roman expertise in building Hadrian's Wall, insights from the Cassini mission to Saturn

Informed consent Facebook has been under fire for running a controversial 'emotion manipulation' study on 689,003 Facebook users. The experiment, to find out whether emotions were contagious on the social network, involved minor changes to users' news feeds. It's contentious because the users were not informed that they were taking part in an experiment. Facebook says, check the terms and conditions, but Dr Chris Chambers at Cardiff University says that the ethical standards for science are higher, and should involve informed consent. Dan O'Connor, Head of Medical Humanities at the Wellcome Trust, gives a short history of consent in experimentation.El Nino According to the Met Office, the world is almost certain to be struck by the "El Nino" phenomenon this year, with the potential to induce "major climactic impacts" around the world. Roland Pease investigates this flip in the climate state of the Pacific basin, and asks the experts studying this phenomenon, whether it'll be a major event and how it might affect the climate.Gravitational Waves The announcement, earlier this year, that the BICEP 2 telescope at the South Pole had detected evidence that gravitational waves exist may have been premature. Gravitational waves are theoretical phenomena, based on observation of polarisation of ancient cosmic light. Finding them, adds to the evidence that the Universe is expanding. The data has now been made public, but the confidence in the numbers is being questioned.Cloud cover A listener asks about cloud cover and night time temperatures, and how air temperature and moisture content interact. Our expert Peter Sloss from the Met Office answers.Producer: Fiona Roberts.

The podcast discusses the Longitude Prize winner focusing on antibiotic resistance. It also covers the discovery of new species like parasitic wasps and the innovative use of magnesium chloride in solar cells. The episode touches on the challenges of finding and documenting new species, and the importance of sustainable fishing practices in Fiji.

Exploring Antarctica's vulnerability to invasive species, innovative water filtration solutions, DNA-detecting microchips for personalized healthcare, and combating antibiotic resistance with improved diagnostics.

Neurophysiologist Miguel Nicolelis discusses robotic exo-skeletons at the World Cup. Sophie Morgan showcases her robot exo-skeleton. Anil Seth debates the Turing test in AI. Scientists develop 'cyborg plants' with sensors. Project aims to decode music memorability.