Short Science Podcast 074: Magic

Welcome to the seventy-fourth episode of the Short Science Podcast!

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

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

- global warming may have a different impact than anticipated

- contraceptive gel on the cards

- new frogs discovered

- smoking increases dementia risk

- dormant retrovirus revived

- fertility depends on blood group

- space flight threatens climate

- paternal health neglected

This week we're looking at magic. In our first capsule we consider the concept of 'magic', looking at the historical and cultural roots of magical thinking.

In Capsule Medicine, we look at illusions, using the Shepherd scale to illustrate auditory illusions.

We have our first ever 'Sounds of Science' feature this week, from writer and producer Ed Prosser. Ed reports on the use of sonification to understand some of the data coming out of the LHC at Cern.

And finally, studio guests Polly Bennett and Rosie Waldron take over our quiz this week.

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!