How mRNA vaccines teach your body to kill cancer; Grim state of climate action; Why birds sing the dawn chorus
Episode 328
Not only has the mRNA covid vaccine saved 14 million lives, it may also help our bodies fight off cancer. A study of cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy treatment showed those who received an mRNA vaccine lived nearly twice as long - and this effect was discovered by accident. In a trial of cancer vaccines, Elias Sayour’s team at the University of Florida used standard mRNA vaccines as a control - they weren’t meant to do anything. Except they did - and the effect was huge. It’s still early days, but as we await more trial results, people are beginning to speculate how this might transform cancer treatment.
Ahead of COP30, the World Resources Institute has published the State of Climate Action 2025 report - and it doesn’t make for good reading. It finds that we have failed to meet any of the goals laid out in the Paris agreement to avoid breaching 1.5°C of global warming. From deforestation to coal use, we’re not moving fast enough on anything. Hear from the authors of the report, who offer an important message of hope.
Why do birds sing the dawn chorus? Many theories exist - 11 in fact - but a new one has emerged, after scientists were studying zebra finches in the lab. Hear their conclusion while enjoying the serenity of birdsong, recorded at some of the RSPB’s nature reserves.
Chapters:
(00:00) Intro
(00:34) How mRNA vaccines fight cancer
(10:00) State of Climate Action report
(21:13) Why birds sing the dawn chorus
Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet, with guests Michael Le Page, Clea Schumer and Sophie Boehm.
To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/
Learn more about Yakult at www.yakult.co.uk
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Neuroscience of reality; Quest for dark matter; Folklore of geoscience (New Scientist Live Special)
Episode 327
A special episode recorded on October 18 at New Scientist Live in London, featuring experts in geoscience, dark matter and neuroscience.
Anjana Khatwa is an Earth scientist and TV presenter. In her new book, The Whispers of Rock, she brings together Western scientific knowledge about the evolution of our Earth and indigenous knowledge and stories. She demonstrates this connection by exploring the volcanic formation of the Hawaiian islands, and the fascinating folklore attached to their origin.
Chamkaur Ghag is a Professor of Physics at University College London and an expert on dark matter. He discusses the LZ Dark Matter Experiment, which is operating one mile under the Black Hills of South Dakota, in the search for a signal of this illusive particle.
Daniel Yon is a psychologist and neuroscientist at Birkbeck, University of London. He explains how your brain influences your perception of reality - and how particular neurochemicals in the brain control our willingness to change, or to believe in a conspiracy theory.
Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet on the Engage Stage at the Excel Centre.
To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/
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28:29
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First climate tipping point triggered; Man controls another person's body by brain implant; health worries over sumo wrestlers
Episode 326
The world’s first major climate tipping point has been triggered. The decimation of warm water coral populations caused by rising temperatures is now irreversible - passing the point of no return. The global consequences of widescale coral dieback could be catastrophic, so experts are sounding the alarm. But is anyone listening?
A man with paralysis has telepathically controlled the hands of another person. Keith Thomas is unable to move or feel through his hands. But thanks to a new advancement, using brain and muscle electrodes, he was able to control the hands of a non-paralysed woman using his thoughts alone. Could this one day lead to Avatar-like body control technology?
For only the second time in its 1,500-year history, professional Sumo wrestling has left Japan. A Grand Sumo Tournament is being held at London’s Albert Hall, where over 40 elite wrestlers are competing in a five day tournament. Sumo writer John Gunning discusses the physics of sumo, the incredible diets of the wrestlers and the worrying consequences of the sport on their longevity.
Chapters:
(00:00) Intro
(01:34) Coral tipping point
(11:23) Avatar brain implant
(22:10) The longevity of sumo wrestlers
Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet, with guests Madeleine Cuff, Carissa Wong and John Gunning.
To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/
Learn more about Yakult at www.yakult.co.uk
Get your ticket for New Scientist Live here: https://live.newscientist.com/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Space 2075: How Humanity Will Live, Work and Make Drugs off-planet | Live Recording at the Royal Society
A special episode all about the future of space exploration, recorded in front of a live audience at the Royal Society in London.
Earlier this year, the Royal Society published ‘The Space: 2075 report’, which recognises the huge changes we’re seeing in space exploration, and urges for action to be taken to make sure the next 50 years of activity in space is sustainable and benefits all of humanity. We brought together a panel of space experts to discuss the accelerated advances we’re seeing.
Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut, blasted off Earth on a Soyuz rocket in 1991. She explains what it’s like to journey into space, the various ways it impacts the body and why humans still have the edge over robots for certain missions.
Irene Di Giulio is a Biomedical Engineer at King's College London. She explores her work helping to get the first disabled astronaut to space and why it’s critical we push towards making space flight accessible.
And Katie King is Co-Founder and CEO of BioOrbit, a pharmaceutical company which plans to make drugs in space. Discover why space is the perfect place to create drugs - potentially bringing at-home cancer treatments to the market.
Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Abby Beall.
To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/Get your ticket for New Scientist Live here: https://live.newscientist.com/
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How Jane Goodall changed the world; How the universe ends; How “selfish sperm” affect male fertility
Episode 324
The legendary primatologist Jane Goodall died last week aged 91, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Her work studying tool use in chimpanzees completely reshaped the way we view animal intelligence. Fiercely protective of the natural world, she was also responsible for a huge amount of advocacy during her life. Primatologist Alejandra Pascual-Garrido worked directly with Jane and shares the story of her life and work.
Will the universe end with a bang, or a quiet whimper? Katie Mack is a cosmologist, science communicator and best-selling author of The End of Everything. She explores why she’s fascinated by how the universe might end, the most likely scenarios for how it happens and why it’s an exciting time for both physics and cosmology. She also offers her thoughts on the recently announced Nobel Prize in Physics - and teases her upcoming book How To Build A Universe.
Older fathers may have a bigger impact on the health of their offspring than we realised. We know that sperm accumulates mutations as men age, but a study sheds new light on the risks. Men aged 70 are twice as likely to have children with serious genetic disorders. And it’s all to do with “selfish sperm”.
Chapters:
(00:51) Jane Goodall’s legacy
(20:52) Kate Mack on the end of the universe
(38:47) Selfish sperm
Hosted by Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet, with guests Alejandra Pascual-Garrido, Katie Mack and Michael Le Page.
To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/
Learn more about Yakult at www.yakult.co.uk
Get your ticket for New Scientist Live here: https://live.newscientist.com/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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
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