The World, the Universe and Us
New Scientist
From the evolution of intelligent life, to the mysteries of consciousness; from the threat of the climate crisis to the search for dark matter, The world, the universe and us is your essential weekly dose of science and wonder in an uncertain world. Hosted by journalists Dr Rowan Hooper and Dr Penny Sarchet and joined each week by expert scientists in the field, the show draws on New Scientist’s unparalleled depth of reporting to put the stories that matter into context. Feed your curiosity with the podcast that will restore your sense of optimism and nourish your brain.For more visit newscientist.com/podcasts
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 5, 2024 • 17min
Escape Pod: #6 All About Warmth: Emotional, Physiological and Geological
Bees generating warmth, geothermal energy, and robots portraying kindness and approachability are explored in this podcast. From the heat of the planet to emotional connections with robots, the team delves into various aspects of warmth.
Mar 1, 2024 • 29min
Weekly: Is personalised medicine overhyped?; Pythagoras was wrong about music; How your brain sees nothing
Debating the overhyped promises of personalized medicine; Pythagoras' flawed music theory; How our brains perceive 'nothing'; Making friends with dogs by mimicking their movements
8 snips
Feb 27, 2024 • 48min
CultureLab: What would life on Mars be like? The science behind TV series For All Mankind
Exploring the challenges and potential of living on Mars, with insights from NASA Astronaut Garrett Reisman and planetary scientist Tanya Harrison. They discuss the science behind the TV series 'For All Mankind' and the dream of human settlement on the Red Planet.
8 snips
Feb 23, 2024 • 28min
Weekly: ADHD helps foraging?; the rise of AI “deepfakes”; ignored ovary appendage
ADHD traits might aid in foraging efficiency according to a study. The rising temperatures on Earth are a growing concern for scientists. AI deepfake technology poses risks such as political impersonations and scams. The rete ovarii, once deemed 'useless,' may play a vital role in fertility.
Feb 21, 2024 • 20min
Escape Pod #5 Sound: Prepare to feel relaxed, tingly and amazed, in the space of 20 minutes
Explore the sounds of elephants communicating in infrasonic frequencies. Learn about ASMR and why people enjoy whispering and crisp packet sounds. Discover audio illusions and the soothing effects of white noise for relaxation.
Feb 16, 2024 • 26min
Weekly: Reversing blindness; power beamed from space; animal love languages
Researchers have found that glaucoma may be reversible, with new optic nerve cells growing in mice. Black holes may be spinning slower than previously thought, with new estimates revealing their history. MIT has successfully converted electricity from a satellite into microwaves, potentially offering a way to generate solar power in space. Apes playfully tease each other, showing similarities to human behavior.
Feb 13, 2024 • 23min
CultureLab: Where billionaires rule the apocalypse: Naomi Alderman’s ‘The Future’
Naomi Alderman, prize-winning author of The Power, discusses her latest book, The Future, which explores a post-apocalyptic world where tech billionaires survive. They delve into the appeal of starting anew, the mysteries of human evolution, and the limitations of artificial intelligence. They also touch on lesser-known biblical stories and the impact of the pandemic on Alderman's writing project.
Feb 9, 2024 • 26min
Weekly: Record-breaking fusion experiments inch the world closer to new source of clean energy
This week, two major milestones in fusion energy were achieved, bringing us closer to practical and sustainable fusion power. The Panama Canal is experiencing shipping delays due to a historic drought, raising concerns about the impact of climate change on shipping costs and Panama's economy. Microdosing LSD leads to changes in brain activity without psychedelic effects. Other topics include unique ocean thunderstorms, a riddle about a legless animal, and the discovery of a rare Somali worm lizard.
Feb 6, 2024 • 20min
Escape Pod: #4 Mass: from lightest creates on earth, to the heaviest things in the cosmos
From lightest creatures on earth to the heaviest things in the cosmos, this podcast explores the fascinating world of mass. Topics include fairy wasps, dark matter, and the evolving definition of a kilogram.
12 snips
Feb 2, 2024 • 24min
Weekly: Alzheimer’s from contaminated injections; Musk's Neuralink begins human trials; longest living dogs
Elon Musk, founder of Neuralink and SpaceX, discusses his mind-reading brain implant company Neuralink's first human trial. Contrails from airplane flights contribute to climate change, but small changes in altitude could reduce their formation. Tiny tornadoes inside fruit fly eggs may be essential to successful reproduction. Plus, the lifespan of dogs in the UK and identifying bot-like activity on Twitter.
