Singing mice, constipated kids and nurture beats nature: science stories of the week

Loading player...

Science editor Ian Sample joins co-host Madeleine Finlay to discuss some of the most intriguing science stories of the week. From a concerning rise in hospital diagnoses of constipation in children, to research suggesting that the environment is far more important for ageing and longevity than our genes, and how squeaks from genetically engineered mice are providing insight into how human language may have emerged. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

19 Feb English United Kingdom Science · Nature

Other recent episodes

Should we ban cats?

The Scottish first minister, John Swinney, was recently forced to deny plans to ban cats after a report from independent experts said the species was a threat to Scotland’s wildlife. In the UK, it is estimated that cats kill or bring home 57 million mammals and 27 million birds every…

17 Feb 18 min

What is ‘mirror life’ and why are scientists sounding the alarm?

Recently, a group of world-leading scientists called for a halt on research to create ‘mirror life’ microbes amid concerns that the synthetic organisms would present an ‘unprecedented risk’ to life on Earth. Ian Sample tells Madeleine Finlay about why this work initially seemed exciting for scientists and what the risks…

12 Feb 20 min

Don’t look up: is an asteroid heading for Earth?

In a case of life imitating art, a 100-metre-wide asteroid has triggered global planetary defence procedures for the first time, after telescope observations revealed it had a chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. To find out what happens now and how worried we should be, Ian Sample hears from…

10 Feb 15 min

DeepSeek, weapons and climate? What’s on the table at the Paris AI summit?

From the shockwaves caused by DeepSeek’s launch, to fears of a new AI arms race, and the continued questions over the technology’s energy use, AI continues to throw up new challenges. As world leaders gather for the Paris AI summit, the Guardian’s global technology editor, Dan Milmo, joins Madeleine Finlay…

5 Feb 18 min

Can Trump and RFK Jr make America healthy again?

Senators are scheduled to vote today on whether to confirm Robert F Kennedy Jr as Secretary of State for Health and Human Services. RFK Jr is known for his vaccine skepticism and Make America Healthy Again slogan, which has won him support from everyone from wellness fans and ‘crunchy moms’…

3 Feb 17 min

All episodes