In this episode:
When it comes to the structure of DNA, everyone thinks they know Rosalind Franklin’s role in its discovery. The story goes that her crucial data was taken by James Watson without her knowledge, helping him and Francis Crick solve the structure. However, new evidence has revealed that this wasn’t really the case. Rosalind Franklin was not a ‘wronged heroine’, she was an equal contributor to the discovery.
Nature Podcast: 25 April 2023
Comment: What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
To prevent the loss of wildlife, forest restoration is key, but monitoring how well biodiversity actually recovers is incredibly difficult. Now though, a team has collected recordings of animal sounds to determine the extent of the recovery. However, while using these sounds to identify species is an effective way to monitor, it’s also labour intensive. To overcome this, they trained an AI to listen to the sounds, and found that although it was less able to identify species, its findings still correlated well with wildlife recovery, suggesting that it could be a cost-effective and automated way to monitor biodiversity.
Nature Podcast: 25 October 2023
Research article: Müller et al.
The first brain recording from a freely swimming octopus, and how a Seinfeld episode helped scientists to distinguish the brain regions involved in understanding and appreciating humour.
Research Highlight: How to measure the brain of an octopus
Research Highlight: One brain area helps you to enjoy a joke — but another helps you to get it
It’s recognized that multisensory experiences can create strong memories and that later-on, a single sensory experience can trigger memories of the whole event, like a specific smell conjuring a visual memory. But the neural mechanisms behind this are not well understood. Now, a team has shown that rich sensory experiences can create direct neural circuit between the memory regions involved with different senses. This circuit increases memory strength in the flies, and helps explain how sense and memories are interlinked.
Nature Podcast: 25 April 2023
Research article: Okray et al.
How elephant seals catch some shut-eye while diving.
New York Times: Elephant Seals Take Power Naps During Deep Ocean Dives
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Pluto's strange ice patterns explained by new theory
Coronapod: vaccines and long COVID, how protected are you?
How 'megastudies' are changing behavioural science
Coronapod: How has COVID impacted mental health?
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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
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