New Scientist Weekly

Episode 281 In this special episode recorded live at the Science Museum in London, we celebrate some of the best, most awe-inspiring science stories of 2024.  Round one kicks off with the panelist’s stories of the year, including the discovery that thousand-year-old preserved brains are much easier to find than we realised, that metallic nodules found on the sea floor could be acting as “geobatteries”, creating oxygen in the deep sea, plus a surprising finding involving Dyson Spheres that may hint at the existence of advanced alien life. In round two the panelists discuss their cultural highlights of the year. On the line up is an installation in London called ‘Breathing with the Forest’, a time-travel novel called ‘The Other Valley’, the stage show reimagining of ‘Dr Stangelove’ and an absurdist comedy about climate diplomacy called ‘Rumours’. Round three is a quiz for the audience asking questions like, do warm drinks taste more alcoholic than cold ones? What animal can be added to milk to initiate the yoghurt-making fermentation process? And which animal can survive with almost no sleep?  And round four celebrates stories that will make you say “Wow!”, plus a moment of good cheer. These include flowers that can sequester nickel and be turned into metal, how brains and other body parts can be brought back from the dead, the discovery of the world’s largest coral reef and the invention of a hospital for fungal-infected frogs. On the panel are Rowan Hooper, Catherine de Lange, Sam Wong and Madeleine Cuff. To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 280 Google claims it has pulled ahead in the race for quantum supremacy. Its new Willow chip has completed a task in 5 minutes that a classical computer would take 10 septillion years to complete. But the biggest breakthrough is how it excels in error correction. Find out what this means and why some scientists believe this new quantum computer proves the existence of the multiverse. Data from one of the world’s largest collections of brain scans is shedding new light on how to keep our brains young. Analysing scans from the UK Biobank project, scientists have identified 13 proteins that are responsible for how quickly or slowly your brain ages. But research on how to target these proteins is still ongoing. For now, the team reveals 8 science-backed ways you can keep your brain young and boost longevity right now. Get the New Scientist Christmas issue here: https://www.newscientist.com/issue/3521/  To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 279 Antarctic sea ice is melting at an unprecedented rate. A collapse like the one we’re seeing was given just a 1 in 700 billion year chance of happening, based on climate models - we basically thought it was impossible. Melting ice in Antarctica will have global scale, knock-on ecological and climate consequences. To address the crisis, five hundred researchers met in Australia for an emergency summit for the future of the Antarctic. Sarah Thompson, one of the scientists at the conference, is working in Antarctica right now and shares her experiences assessing the damage in the region. Also hear from Sharon Robinson from the University of Wollongong, who explores how the ecology of the region is changing. A new type of brain implant technology is being developed that will allow direct access to a patient’s brain in a more intimate way. Most devices place metal electrodes and wires into the brain, but this method is instead using living neurons to form a connection with the brain. Brain-computer interfaces are used to help treat conditions like ALS or stroke, as well as allowing patients to control technology with their mind. Researchers at the Science Corporation in California have tested their new method on mice - but can it be done in humans? If you’re looking for a great science-based TV series or film to get stuck into this December, our resident TV critic Bethan Ackerley is here with all the highlights of 2024. She discusses everything from the unconventional superhero show ‘Supacell’, to the fabulous ‘3 Body Problem’ and the latest ‘Planet of the Apes’ film. Read Beth’s complete TV and film review here: https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26435200-500-the-best-science-fiction-tv-shows-of-2024/  To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 278 Concerns about bird flu are rising as two cases in North America suggest the virus is adapting to humans. Evidence of human-to-human transmission is not yet conclusive but public health experts are worried. This year outbreaks have been found in both poultry and dairy cows in the US. Although it only causes mild symptoms in people at the moment, is there a chance it could evolve to become deadly? A last-minute deal has been struck at the UN climate summit COP29 – and people are not happy. Richer nations have agreed to give money to poorer nations to help them go green, but the financing promised doesn’t come close to what’s needed. Another year, another unsatisfactory outcome, once again begging the question is the COP process no longer fit for purpose?  Fancy stock-piling a load of new books ahead of the holiday season? We present to you 5 of the best science books of 2024, fiction and non-fiction. On the list are A City on Mars, What the Wild Sea Can Be, Frostbite, Nuclear War: A Scenario and Question 7. Read the full article of 18 must-reads here. Sign up to the New Scientist Book Club here:  https://www.newscientist.com/sign-up/bookclub/ Find more information about the Book Club here: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2442618-welcome-to-the-new-scientist-book-club/ To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices