Whether you’re curious about getting healthy, the Big Bang or the science of cooking, find out everything you need to know in under 30 minutes with Instant Genius. The team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine talk to world-leading experts to bring you a bite-sized masterclass on a new subject each week.Then when you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Genius. Dive deeper with Instant Genius Extra, where you’ll find longer, richer discussions about the most exciting ideas in the world of science and technology. Only available on Apple Podcasts. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
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Hidden geometry, with Jordan Ellenberg
Mathematician Jordan Ellenberg tells us about his book, Shape, and why geometry is about so much more than triangles and circles.Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Genius, dive deeper with Instant Genius Extra, where you’ll find longer, richer discussions about the most exciting ideas in the world of science and technology. Only available on Apple Podcasts.Produced by the team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine. Visit our website: sciencefocus.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Neanderthals, with Dr Rebecca Wragg Sykes
Dr Rebecca Wragg Sykes tells us all about Neanderthals, and reveals how they continue to shape our view about deep human history.Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Genius. Dive deeper with Instant Genius Extra, where you’ll find longer, richer discussions about the most exciting ideas in the world of science and technology. Only available on Apple Podcasts.Produced by the team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine. Visit our website: https://www.sciencefocus.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The golden age of dinosaur discovery, with Prof Steve Brusatte
Prof Steve Brusatte tells us how the latest findings in palaeontology have turned our picture of dinosaurs on its head.Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Genius, dive deeper with Instant Genius Extra, where you’ll find longer, richer discussions about the most exciting ideas in the world of science and technology. Only available on Apple Podcasts.Produced by the team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine. Visit our website: https://www.sciencefocus.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The Big Bang, with Prof Jim Al-Khalili
Jim Al-Khalili, a theoretical physicist and Professor of Public Engagement in Science, tells us about the origins of the Universe.Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Genius, dive deeper with Instant Genius Extra, where you’ll find longer, richer discussions about the most exciting ideas in the world of science and technology. Only available on Apple Podcasts.Produced by the team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine. Visit our website: https://www.sciencefocus.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Your brain chemistry and you, with Ginny Smith
Science journalist and presenter Ginny Smith tells us about the chemicals that run your brain.Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Genius, dive deeper with Instant Genius Extra, where you’ll find longer, richer discussions about the most exciting ideas in the world of science and technology. Only available on Apple Podcasts.Produced by the team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine. Visit our website: https://www.sciencefocus.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The science of cooking, with Dr Stuart Farrimond
Food scientist, doctor and TV presenter Stuart Farrimond tells us about how you can use science to upgrade your cooking.Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Genius, dive deeper with Instant Genius Extra, where you’ll find longer, richer discussions about the most exciting ideas in the world of science and technology. Only available on Apple Podcasts.Produced by the team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine. Visit our website: https://www.sciencefocus.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The end of the Universe, with Dr Katie Mack
Theoretical astrophysicist, author and one of Twitter’s most-followed scientists Dr Katie Mack tells us about the Universe's ultimate fate.Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Genius, dive deeper with Instant Genius Extra, where you’ll find longer, richer discussions about the most exciting ideas in the world of science and technology. Only available on Apple Podcasts.Produced by the team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine. Visit our website: https://www.sciencefocus.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
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The podcast that gives you the chance to be an expert in everything. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
How AI and androids could shape the music of the future
While Daft Punk may have sadly split, machine-created music may be about to skyrocket in popularity. Not only are artificial intelligence neural networks now capable of creating original melodies, but scientists are also developing robots capable of playing – and improvising – live music.So, will AI and androids soon top the charts? And could they even replace human musicians entirely?On this week's episode of the Science Focus Podcast, Prof Nick Bryan-Kinns, director of the Media and Arts Technology Centre at Queen Mary University of London, joins staff writer Thomas Ling to explain groundbreaking new music technology.Let us know what you think of the episode with a review or a comment wherever you listen to your podcasts.Subscribe to the Science Focus Podcast on these services: Acast, iTunes, Sticher, RSS, OvercastListen to more episodes of the Science Focus Podcast:Could these gloves be the future of music? – Imogen HeapWhy do humans make music?The psychology of the sea shanty: Why work songs are such earwormsMeet the computer scientist teaching an AI to play Dungeons and DragonsThe creator of Bellingcat on using the internet to investigate global affairsThe future of human flight, with real-life Iron Man Richard Browning See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Could 'counterfactuals' solve the biggest problems in physics?
Most laws of physics tell us what must happen. Throw a ball in the air and it will come back down. But physicist Chiara Marletto, a Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, says that laws like this only tell us part of the story.She believes that the rest lies in 'counterfactuals': things that could be.In her new book, The Science of Can and Can’t (£20, Allen Lane), she explains how these counterfactual properties could solve many of science’s biggest outstanding problems.Let us know what you think of the episode with a review or a comment wherever you listen to your podcasts.Subscribe to the Science Focus Podcast on these services: Acast, iTunes, Sticher, RSS, OvercastListen to more episodes of the Science Focus Podcast:Prof Avi Loeb on what 'Oumuamua tells us about the problem with modern physicsMarcus Chown: Does the Big Bang really explain our Universe?Dr Douglas Vakoch: Should we try to contact aliens?Katie Mack: How will the Universe end?Sonia Contera: How will nanotechnology revolutionise medicine?Everything You Wanted To Know About… Physics with Jim Al-Khalili See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
What happens to you after 40 days with no natural light?
Around two months ago, a group of 15 people – scientists, explorers and medics – travelled deep into a cave in the south of France. The expedition descended to a point so deep that natural light could not reach them, and there the team stayed for 40 days and 40 nights without clocks, phones or anyway of telling the time.The project’s goal was to understand what happens to our brains and bodies when we’re deprived of an external measure of time and they hoped to discover how a group of people could adapt to such an extreme situation.Just two weeks ago, that team emerged from the cave, and Christian Clot, the expedition’s leader and the designer of the DEEP TIME mission, joins editor Daniel Bennett on this week's episode of the Science Focus Podcast to talk about what the experiment discovered, how the expedition changed him and what ultimately happened when the team returned to the surface.Let us know what you think of the Science Focus Podcast by filling out our survey. By submitting it, you enter the prize draw to win one of seven £100 Voucher Express Gift Cards. It should take no more than five minutes. UK residents only. Full T&Cs.Take part in the surveySubscribe to the Science Focus Podcast on these services: Acast, iTunes, Sticher, RSS, OvercastListen to more episodes of the Science Focus Podcast:Why realistic humanoid robots need to learn to lip-syncThe psychology of the sea shanty: Why work songs are such earwormsMental health and your brain: What happens when it goes wrongWhy you can’t multitask (and why that’s a good thing)How to maximise your motivation, according to a neuroscientistProf John Drury: The psychology of lockdowns See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Why do humans make music?
Our lives are full of music, from the songs we sing along to on the radio to the orchestral scores that bring a film to life. But why is it that humans love to make music, and how did it evolve in the first place?Musicologist Prof Michael Spitzer, author of the new book The Musical Human (£30, Bloomsbury), joins BBC Science Focus online assistant Sara Rigby on this week’s episode to explain.Let us know what you think of the Science Focus Podcast by filling out our survey. By submitting it, you enter the prize draw to win one of seven £100 Voucher Express Gift Cards. It should take no more than 5 minutes. UK residents only. Full T&Cs.Take part in the surveySubscribe to the Science Focus Podcast on these services: Acast, iTunes, Sticher, RSS, OvercastListen to more episodes of the Science Focus Podcast:The psychology of the sea shanty: Why work songs are such earwormsCould these gloves be the future of music? – Imogen HeapThe neuroscience of happiness – Dean BurnettDr Pete Etchells: Do video games encourage gambling behaviour?Why you can’t multitask (and why that’s a good thing)Phobias, paranoia and PTSD: Why virtual reality therapy is the frontier of mental health treatment See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The future of human flight, with real-life Iron Man Richard Browning
In this week's episode of the Science Focus Podcast, we talk to the "real-life Iron Man" – not Marvel's Tony Stark, but inventor Richard Browning.He’s the creator of the ‘Jet Suit’, which can fly one person through the air at speeds of 135km/h. He’s also founder and chief test pilot of Gravity Industries and author of new book Taking on Gravity (£20, Bantam Press).He explains his quite literal rise to success – and the future of human flight.Let us know what you think of the episode with a review or a comment wherever you listen to your podcasts.Subscribe to the Science Focus Podcast on these services: Acast, iTunes, Sticher, RSS, OvercastListen to more episodes of the Science Focus Podcast:Podcast: Why realistic humanoid robots need to learn to lip-syncRitu Raman: Can you build with biology?Dr Erin Macdonald: Is there science in Star Trek?Meet the computer scientist teaching an AI to play Dungeons and DragonsHow virtual reality is helping patients with phobias, anxiety disorders and moreDr Pete Etchells: Do video games encourage gambling behaviour? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Why realistic humanoid robots need to learn to lip-sync
In this week's episode of the Science Focus Podcast, commissioning editor Jason Goodyer speaks to Dr Carl Strathearn, a research fellow at the School of Computing at Edinburgh Napier University.He's currently conducting research on realistic humanoid robots, specifically on more realistically synchronising their speech and mouth movements.He tells us about how to get robots out of the Uncanny Valley, why the way a robot looks is so important, and why Data from Star Trek is an inspiration for his work.Read an edited excerpt from this interviewLet us know what you think of the episode with a review or a comment wherever you listen to your podcasts.Subscribe to the Science Focus Podcast on these services: Acast, iTunes, Stitcher, RSS, OvercastRead the full transcription of this episode [this will open in a new window]Listen to more episodes of the Science Focus Podcast:How virtual reality is helping patients with phobias, anxiety disorders and moreDr Pete Etchells: Do video games encourage gambling behaviour?Rana el Kaliouby: What if computers could read our emotions?Ritu Raman: Can you build with biology?Dr Erin Macdonald: Is there science in Star Trek?Robert Elliott Smith: Are algorithms inherently biased? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
How to understand statistics in the news and when to trust them
In this week's episode of the Science Focus Podcast, editor Daniel Bennett speaks to Tom Chivers and David Chivers.Tom is a veteran science journalist and author and David is lecturer in economics at the University of Durham. As well as a surname, they share a passion for statistics, or more precisely for the way that numbers are used and presented in the media. Together they’ve written a new book: How to Read Numbers: A Guide to Statistics in the News and Knowing When to Trust Them.They talk to Daniel about how to understand the sometimes confusing stats surrounding health and risk, how to spot a suspicious claim when you see one, and how to think about the current concerns surrounding the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.Let us know what you think of the episode with a review or a comment wherever you listen to your podcasts.Subscribe to the Science Focus Podcast on these services: Acast, iTunes, Stitcher, RSS, OvercastRead the full transcription of this episode [this will open in a new window]Listen to more episodes of the Science Focus Podcast:Sir David Spiegelhalter: There's no such thing as Blue MondayMatt Parker: What happens when maths goes horribly, horribly wrong?Hannah Fry: How much of our lives is secretly underpinned by maths?Prof Linda Scott: Why is there still economic inequality between men and women?Hannah Fry: What's the deal with algorithms?Robert Elliott Smith: Are algorithms inherently biased? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.