Short Science Podcast 070: GM Foods

Welcome to the seventieth episode of the Short Science Podcast!

Join Elizabeth and Natty for all the very best science in brief!

We kick off the podcast with a few prominent science news headlines from the week, including:

- double-sided sticky tape catches volcanic ash

- breast is best at warding off infection

- Indian vegetable crisis

- genetic defect identified in migraine study

- sunflower origins uncovered

- laser diagnosis

- LHC yields 'interesting' results

- city dwellers adept at fighting off bugs

And we dip into the archives to see what was happening on this day in history.

We dedicate the capsules to genetic manipulation this week. Natty looks at the most basic and common form - selective breeding. Elizabeth looks at GM foods and the basics of genetic modification for this purpose.

Plus we find out what Natty has been up to since we last had him on the show in episode 026.

To be included in the show, leave any thoughts, questions or ideas on the Short Science answerphone +44 (0)7401 856 681, or send us an email to studio@shortscience.co.uk. More details can be found on our website www.shortscience.co.uk!

Short Science Podcast 069: iPod Touch

Welcome to the sixty-ninth episode of the Short Science Podcast!

Join Elizabeth for all the very best science in brief!

We kick off the podcast with a few prominent science news headlines from the week, including:

- Mars moon formed by huge explosion

- thinkers' brains different to most

- gibbons are forgotten apes

- bowel cancer study launched

- BP declares leaking well 'dead'

- vitamin D warning

- alien invasion unacceptable

- Africa leads a global decline in new HIV cases

And we dip into the archives to see what was happening on this day in history.

We dedicate the capsules to the mysteries of the iPod Touch this week. At the request of nine-year-old James, we look into just how the touchscreen works, and also how music is extracted from the device and played out through headphones.

Elizabeth talks to guest Professor Rick Lewis about his work on the Diamond Light Source, using electrons to produce very bright light waves that scientists can use to see incredibly small structures like proteins.

Plus we have a special report from Paola Faraca about how the age of the iPod and digital music has affected the music industry.

Plant expert Austen Zingel is on hand to tackle another listener question.

To be included in the show, leave any thoughts, questions or ideas on the Short Science answerphone +44 (0)7401 856 681, or send us an email to studio@shortscience.co.uk. More details can be found on our website www.shortscience.co.uk!

Short Science Podcast 068: BP Oil Spill Update

Welcome to the sixty-eighth episode of the Short Science Podcast!

Join Elizabeth and Greg for all the very best science in brief!

We kick off the podcast with a few prominent science news headlines from the week, including:

- intermediate black holes

- colon cancer set to rise by 50%

- handling mice the wrong way may lead to fuzzy results

- model for meningitis identification

- quantum cryptography used to be unhackable

- drug addicts ageing disgracefully

- Viking may have missed the goodies

- cost of ageing population wrong

And we dip into the archives to see what was happening on this day in history.

Greg presents a Capsule Science looking at the ecological consequences of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, while Elizabeth looks at the emotional toll in Capsule Medicine.

Plus we answer your questions and have a special report from Paola Faraca about the oil spill and the media coverage.

Plant expert Austen Zingel is on hand to tackle another listener question.

To be included in the show, leave any thoughts, questions or ideas on the Short Science answerphone +44 (0)7401 856 681, or send us an email to studio@shortscience.co.uk. More details can be found on our website www.shortscience.co.uk!