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!