Summer picks: what can our dogs teach us about obesity?
Labradors are known for being greedy dogs, and now scientists have come up with a theory about the genetic factors that may be behind their behaviour. In this episode from April 2024, the Guardian’s s...
27 Aug 202420min
Summer picks: why are so many science papers being retracted?
A record 10,000 research papers were retracted in 2023. In this episode from February 2024, Ian Sample speaks to Ivan Oransky, whose organisation Retraction Watch has been monitoring the growing numbe...
22 Aug 202419min
Summer picks: what does the science say about birth order and personality?
We all know the cliches about older siblings being responsible, younger ones creative, and middle children being peacemakers. But is there any evidence our position in the family affects our personali...
20 Aug 202416min
What’s happened to all the butterflies?
Butterfly numbers in the UK appear to be at the lowest on record after a wet spring and summer dampened their chances of mating. This comes on top of a long and worrying trend of decline. To find out ...
15 Aug 202416min
Just how bad is alcohol for us?
For the regular drinker it is a source of great comfort: the fat pile of studies that say a daily tipple is better for a longer life than avoiding alcohol completely. But a new analysis challenges tha...
13 Aug 202416min
How Team GB’s psychologist gets the athletes mentally ready
Jess Thom, lead psychologist for Team GB, tells Madeleine Finlay how she prepares athletes for failure and success – and the challenges that arise when the games are over and they have to return to no...
8 Aug 202416min
Secrets of ageing: making our last years count
Humans have always been obsessed with getting old, or rather staying young, but now science is beginning to catch up. Longevity has become a hot topic, from university laboratories to Silicon Valley s...
6 Aug 202418min
Secrets of ageing: how long could I live?
Humans have always been obsessed with getting old, or rather staying young, and now science is beginning to catch up. Longevity has become a hot topic from university laboratories to Silicon Valley st...
1 Aug 202423min
