In this episode:
00:45 Making a map of the human heartThe human heart consists of multiple, specialised structures that all work together to enable the organ to beat for a lifetime. But exactly which cells are present in each part of the heart has been difficult to ascertain. Now, a team has combined molecular techniques to create an atlas of the developing human heart at an individual cell level. Their atlas provides insights into how cell communities communicate and form different structures. They hope that this knowledge will ultimately help in the treatment of congenital heart conditions, often caused by irregular development of the heart.
Research article: Farah et al.
Nature video: Building a heart atlas
Residue in ceramic vases suggests that ancient Mesoamerican peoples consumed tobacco as a liquid, and a wireless way to charge quantum batteries.
Research Highlight: Buried vases hint that ancient Americans might have drunk tobacco
Research Highlight: A better way to charge a quantum battery
Menopause is a rare phenomenon, only known to occur in a few mammalian species. Several of these species are toothed whales, such as killer whales, beluga whales and narwhals. But why menopause evolved multiple times in toothed whales has been a long-standing research question. To answer it, a team examined the life history of whales with and without menopause and how this affected the number of offspring and ‘grandoffpsring’. Their results suggest that menopause allows older females to help younger generations in their families and improve their chances of survival.
Research Article: Ellis et al.
News and Views: Whales make waves in the quest to discover why menopause evolved
How the new generation of anti-obesity drugs could help people with HIV, and the study linking microplastics lodged in a key blood vessel with serious health issues.
Nature News: Blockbuster obesity drug leads to better health in people with HIV
Nature News: Landmark study links microplastics to serious health problems
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Audio long-read: The chase for fusion energy
Coronapod: everything we know about the new COVID variant
Researcher careers under the microscope: salary satisfaction and COVID impacts
Sea squirts teach new lessons in evolution
Coronapod: new hope from COVID antiviral drugs
The past and future of the Earth's climate
Audio long-read: How dangerous is Africa’s explosive Lake Kivu?
Podcast special: onboard the climate train to COP26
China’s COVID vaccines have been crucial — now immunity is waning
Genomics unwraps mystery of the Tarim mummies
Coronapod: can scientists harness COVID super-immunity?
Viking presence in the Americas pinpointed by ancient solar storm
Coronapod: the COVID scientists facing violent threats
How electric acupuncture zaps inflammation in mice
Coronapod: new data affirms the benefits of air filters and masks
The AI that accurately predicts the chances of rain
Starting up in science: behind the scenes
Starting up in science: Episode 4
Starting up in science: Episode 3
Starting up in science: Episode 2
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