Briefing Chat: The Bunsen burner myth that turns out to be just hot air
Nature staff discuss an AI tool that can assess the impact of nine billion mutations — plus, how the Bunsen burner’s reputation for steriliz...
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Nature Podcast
The Nature Podcast brings you the best stories from the world of science each week. We cover everything from astronomy to zoology, highlighting the most exciting research from each issue of...
Episodes
20 of 926 episodes
Phone tutoring boosts math scores when schools are forced to close
In this episode: 00:46 How telephone teaching could boost education during school shutdowns Nature: Pick up the phone! Phone calls with tuto...
Briefing Chat: How 1,000 pairs of buried underpants helped measure soil health
In this episode: 00:21 Our picks of this year’s Ig Nobel prizes Nature: Buried underpants and a new definition of kissing win 2026 Ig Nobel...
Audio long read: Could mending damaged DNA prolong life?
Scientists are amassing evidence that unrepaired or poorly repaired DNA damage underlies many of the hallmarks of ageing. This has led to re...
Briefing Chat: How Dolly Parton left her mark on science
In this episode: 00:18 Researchers celebrate Dolly Parton's contributions to science Nature: Dolly Parton dies aged 80 — researchers celebra...
Highest-ever ocean temperatures recorded as El Niño intensifies
Why extreme temperatures are expected to weaken ocean carbon sinks — plus, how mitochondrial injections could treat vision loss. 00:46 The w...
Briefing Chat: New narcolepsy drug could unlock host of novel brain therapies
Nature staff discuss how an FDA-approved drug for narcolepsy could have promise beyond the condition, and the longest-lived human brain orga...
A black hole's spin could finally be measured by a high-speed star
Star orbiting close to Sagittarius A* could reveal its spin — plus, how exoskeletons might change the way humans move. 00:46 The star that c...
Briefing Chat: Anthropic rolls out new AI watermark — will it make a difference?
In this episode: 00:29 What does Anthropic’s new watermark mean for research? Nature: Can Anthropic’s invisible watermarks curb ‘AI slop’? R...
The probiotic bacteria engineered to treat diabetes
Genetically modified bacteria lower high blood-sugar in animal trials — plus, how to safely watch a solar eclipse. 00:45 A living diabetes t...
Briefing Chat: Is DNA repair the secret to a long life? Whales and mole-rats offer tantalizing hints
Nature staff discuss how animal studies are starting to uncover how DNA repair could prolong life, and how COVID-19 can reawaken dormant vir...
Junk plastic turns into high-value commodity with chemistry trick
Researchers untangle the chemistry behind turning PVC into high-grade motor lubricant — plus, how engineered yeast can help make a cancer dr...
Briefing Chat: Orcas smashed a sunfish to bits — researchers aren't sure why
In this episode: 00:24 The quest to count the Amazon's insects Nature: Tiny patch of Amazon likely holds 40,000 insect species — many new to...
Earthworks spotted in the Amazon hint at huge ancient civilization
In this episode: 00:45 Ancient structures hidden beneath the Amazon’s canopy Research article: Pärssinen et al. 09:15 Research Highlights Na...
Briefing Chat: Baby T. rex were killers from birth, suggest new fossils
Nature staff discuss the young but deadly dinosaur kings, the prowess of ancient Egyptian princesses, and how London is becoming the world’s...
What counts as a moon? Huge ‘exosatellite’ sparks debate
00:45 The discovery of a moon-like object in a distant star system Research article: Hoy et al. 10:34 Research Highlights Nature: Moving flo...
Briefing Chat: Sweet! Elusive sugar molecules found in space
In this episode: 00:24 A sweet discovery near the Milky Way’s centre Nature: First ‘true sugar’ molecule found in space — offering hints to...
‘Holy grail’ of naked mole-rat research reveals how queens rule
00:45 The secret scent behind a naked mole-rat's rule Research article: Khallaf et al. 08:34 Research Highlights Nature: Pair of ‘super-puff...
Briefing Chat: The 30 year-legacy of a science icon – Dolly the sheep
In this episode: 00:29 Dolly the sheep’s 30-year legacy Metro: Dolly the sheep at 30: The clone that changed science (and celebrity petdom)...
Nukes in space? Orbital detector could sniff out warheads
In this episode: 00:45 A neutron detector could sniff out a secret space nuke Research article: Danagoulian 11:52 Research Highlights Nature...