Short Science Podcast 083: Cancun Climate Conference

Welcome to the eighty-third episode of the Short Science Podcast!

This is a very special 'Take-Over' edition of Short Science. Hosted by Elizabeth Hauke, this episode is written and presented by Thea Cunningham, Camila Ruz and Chloe McIvor.

In this special episode, we look at the run up to the Cancun climate conference, what actually happened at the conference, and what this means for the future. Plus, a very special round-up of the most memorable science news from 2010.

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 082: The Science of Christmas

Welcome to the eighty-second episode of the Short Science Podcast!

This is a very special 'Take-Over' edition of Short Science. Hosted by Elizabeth Hauke, this episode is written and presented by Anna Perman, Rosie Waldron and Lizzy Skrzypiec.

In this seasonal episode, we look at how Santa Claus uses science to deliver presents to children all around the world in one night. We also consider how Santa decides who's been naughty or nice, and how our Facebook pages may give this away! Finally we have a live mince pie tasting to decide the most important attributes of the little pastries and who makes the best!

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 081: Wikileaks

Welcome to the eighty-first episode of the Short Science Podcast!

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

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

- telescope gets a fibre optic upgrade

- GPs to test for cancer

- light provides lift

- developing world faces same hospital bugs battle

- Voyager nears edge of the solar system

- think it, don't eat it

- potato blight genes found

- safe sex warning for the party season

This week, Elizabeth and Pippa talk about the Wikileaks scandal. Elizabeth starts off by talking about what Wikileaks is, while Pippa goes on to talk about computer data encryption. We finish with a round-up of the latest news on the Wikileaks story.

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 080: End of the World

Welcome to the eightieth episode of the Short Science Podcast!

This is a very special 'Take-Over' edition of Short Science. Hosted by Elizabeth Hauke, this episode is written and presented by Ed Prosser, Katie Draper and Andy Bailey.

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

- new study offers hope for multiple sclerosis sufferers

- giant panda breeding breakthrough

- oriental hornets powered by solar energy

- index finger length possible clue to risk of prostate cancer

- artificial tornado created in Japan

- arsenic-eating microbe claims to redefine chemistry of life

This week, Ed, Katie and Andy are looking at potential 'end of the world' scenarios. After a run down of the top-five possibilities, they focus on nuclear annihiliation.

Guest Andrew Purcell talks about the science magazine I, Science.

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 079: World AIDS Day

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

Join Elizabeth Hauke and Charlie Harvey for all the very best science in brief!

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

- ALICE in plasmaland

- women not aware of heart risk

- woolly jumpers shrink in the heat of climate change

- memory booster helps mice

- female phone calls affected by fertility

- weather data could help healthcare planning

- new energy sources needed to combat climate change

- a quarter of sufferers unaware of HIV

In Capsule Medicine this week, we cover the basics of HIV and AIDS. We take a look in the archives to see when AIDS was first discovered and how it came into existence in the first place.

Charlie looks at managing HIV/AIDS on a global scale, and studio guest Monique Tsang talks about World AIDS Day.

We really battled the elements today to get this episode of Short Science recorded, and actually ended up recording the show from various locations around London. We apologise for the slight changes in recording quality throughout the show, and hope to be back recording in the studio next 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!