How can we use AI to make drugs?
Put simply, most drugs work by binding to a protein and altering how they function. But how can we model how well a particular molecule will...
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Oxford Sparks Big Questions
'Will my bacon sandwich kill me?', 'Is vaping better than smoking?', 'How do you become an astronaut?' - just some of the Big Questions we ask some of the brightest minds behind Oxford scien...
Oxford Sparks Big Questions Podcast Guide
Listen to Oxford Sparks Big Questions, a Science & Medicine podcast by Fiona Jones. Stream 104 episodes in United Kingdom, follow new audio stories, and play episodes online on Radio and Podcast.
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How do you build the aeroplane of the future?
In 2022, 7% of the UK's total carbon emissions came from the aviation sector - a figure that's on the rise. This means that - while a flight...
Should I be freaked out by the hantavirus?
Until recently, most of us had probably never even heard of the hantavirus. Now - with memories of the global COVID-19 pandemic still fresh...
Should we kill animals for conservation?
'Killing animals' and 'conservation' sound mutually exclusive, but when it comes to managing populations that are having a negative environm...
Can you predict the lottery?
"It's as likely as winning the lottery." A phrase used in situations where something is, well, pretty near impossible. But is there anything...
How does reading work?
Aside from the odd unfamiliar or complicated word, a lot of us won't think twice when it comes to reading. It's a skill we take for granted....
What's it like for women working in F1?
Historically, only two women have ever started a Grand Prix race, and as of the 2026 season, no women are competing in Formula One. This mal...
How do you convert CO2 to rock?
We're living in an age of rapid technological development which - alongside many benefits - comes at an environmental cost. We speak to Dr S...
From the Milk on the Move podcast: Purity and Danger
This week we are featuring a special bonus episode from our friends at the Milk on the Move podcast. Milk on the Move explores milk's deep c...
What was Einstein doing in Oxford?
If you've had the chance to visit Oxford's History of Science Museum, you may have found yourself gazing upon a rather special blackboard. F...
Where do baby penguins come from?
For this year's Valentine's Day episode, we are getting up close and personal with those most beloved of birds - penguins. Giving us an insi...
How can I use AI to raise my salary?
How much more money could you earn - doing the exact same role - if you're in possession of some solid AI skills? That's one of the core que...
Could stuff be living on Saturn's moon?
Are we alone in the Universe? It's surely one of the biggest questions out there. In our first episode of 2026 we chat to Dr Carly Howett, A...
What happened to the birds in 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'?
We all know it. We've all sung it. Perhaps we've even answered a quiz question about it*. The Twelve Days of Christmas has become as quintes...
What is quantum computing?
Want to make something feel immediately complicated, inaccessible or downright mysterious? Stick the word 'quantum' in front of it. Or, at l...
Could vaccinations stop people from getting cancer?
Finding a cure for cancer is unarguably one of the biggest medical challenges that we face. But what if we could find a way to prevent cance...
Why do I bite my nails?
Many of us will be familiar with Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs), perhaps without even realising it. Such behaviours - which incl...
How do you find a theoretical particle?
How do you detect a particle that emits no light - in other words, something invisible? This is the intriguing challenge faced by scientists...
Is there a better way to screen blood?
What's the best gift you can give? To the millions of people whose lives have been saved by complete strangers, the answer would be simple:...
How does Ozempic actually work?
Whether you've been served an advert for it, or just heard about it in the media, it's likely that 'Ozempic' isn't a totally unfamiliar word...