Short Science Podcast 100: 100th Episode Special!

Welcome to the one hundredth episode of the Short Science Podcast!

Join Elizabeth Hauke and Emma Berger for all the very best science in brief!

Today we're playing out some of our favourite moments from the last hundred episodes, including:
- our first ever capsule on anti-matter
- our interview with Professor Robert Winston
- Rob Broderick's Special Relativity Rap
- Natty Adams demonstrating chip tunes music
- Ed Prosser's Sounds of Science looking at the LHC sound project
- The 'End of the World' show's emergency broadcast
- our capsule explaining what the internet is made of

Plus we'll be checking out a few Short Science facts and figures!

If you'd like to take part in a show and get your voice on air, just call in to our recording service on +44 (0)7401 856 681 and record your thoughts. We'll play out every recording we get. Alternatively, you can email material to studio@shortscience.co.uk. For more details check out our website on www.shortscience.co.uk.

Short Science Podcast 059: Self Destruction

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

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

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

- news from Planck

- vitamin D a must for healthy babies

- from sea to sky

- asbestos under the radar

- dragonfly trick makes missiles harder to dodge

- prosper and live long

- genetic heritage-print

- mixed news for home births

We continue our new features in the show this week, including the Short Science News Archive and Statistic of the week.

Georgie presents a Capsule Science looking at self-destruction in movies and real life, while Elizabeth looks at what can happen in the human body when our immune systems turn against us in Capsule Medicine.

Plus we hear from Harriet Vickers who has sent in a special report about lupus, and discusses the use of art to communicate science with Henry Elliott.

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 053

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

Join Elizabeth and Georgie for this very special first birthday episode!

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

- blue light smells like bananas
- deadly skin cancer rates double in men
- snails on speed shed light on human memory
- acupuncture pain molecule identified

Georgie fills us in her new role as a Senior Policy Advisor in the Government Office for Science.

Studio guest and international journalist Paola Faraca tells us about the 'Festival Radio Universitarie' in Perugia, where Elizabeth was representing Short Science and IC Radio. She also talks about the media in Italy.

Elizabeth presents a 'Capsule Short Science', recapping all the great and not-so-great things that Short Science has achieved over the last year.

Please send in any questions or requests to studio@shortscience.co.uk for a mention on the show. For more information, see the Short Science website at www.shortscience.co.uk.

Elizabeth rounds off the capsules this week looking just how our taste sensation works.

Please send in any comments or questions to studio@shortscience.co.uk. Send us in suggestions for science topics that you think we should cover, or offer up your own science and join us on the show. See our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/!

If you'd prefer to listen to the broadcast show (which contains some fabulous eighties music tracks) then join us live on http://www.icradio.com/ at 12-1pm (UK time) every Wednesday lunchtime or at any time for the listen again links!

Short Science Podcast 051

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

Join Elizabeth and Emma for all the very best science in brief.

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

- science minister warns of tough times ahead
- premature babies feel more pain
- internet security on the sea floor
- meningitis C vaccine wearing off

Emma kicks off the capsules this week with a Capsule Science looking at science, politics and government bodies.

Elizabeth catches up with Short Science veteran Georgie Gould and finds out about life in commerical science communication.

Elizabeth rounds off the capsules this week looking at the history and development of the NHS.

Please send in any comments or questions to studio@shortscience.co.uk. Send us in suggestions for science topics that you think we should cover, or offer up your own science and join us on the show. See our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/!

If you'd prefer to listen to the broadcast show (which contains some fabulous eighties music tracks) then join us live on http://www.icradio.com/ at 12-1pm (UK time) every Wednesday lunchtime or at any time for the listen again links!

Short Science Podcast 032

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

Join Elizabeth Hauke for this very special edition of Short Science.

In this second special show, we're taking a look back at the rest of the very best Short Science from 2009.

Featuring interviews with Jungian analyst Christopher Hauke and Jane Seymour, Hollywood actress and all round super-star! Plus we take a look back at some of our capsules, wit Georgie covering quarks and Emma uncovering the science behind fireworks. We finish with stand up comedian Rob Broderick, rapping about special relativity.

Please send in any comments or questions to studio@shortscience.co.uk. Send us in suggestions for science topics that you think we should cover, or offer up your own science and join us on the show. See our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/!

If you'd prefer to listen to the broadcast show (which contains some fabulous eighties music tracks) then join us live on http://www.icradio.com/ at 12-1pm (UK time) every Wednesday lunchtime or check out www.icradio.com/shortscience for the listen again links!

Short Science Podcast 031

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

Join Elizabeth Hauke for this very special edition of Short Science.

In this special end-of-year show, we're taking a look back at the very best Short Science 2009. And due to popular demand, there will be another best-of show next week, so if your best bits aren't included today, listen in next week!

Featuring our very first ever capsule, with Georgie taking us through the basics of anti-matter. Plus interviews with Professor Robert Winston, and Natty Adams, chip musucian extraordinaire! And, bearing in mind all that festive excess, there's the alcohol capsule as well. We finish with stand up comedian Rob Broderick, rapping about skin moles.


Please send in any comments or questions to studio@shortscience.co.uk. Send us in suggestions for science topics that you think we should cover, or offer up your own science and join us on the show. See our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/!



If you'd prefer to listen to the broadcast show (which contains some fabulous eighties music tracks) then join us live on http://www.icradio.com/ at 12-1pm (UK time) every Wednesday lunchtime or check out www.icradio.com/shortscience for the listen again links!

Short Science Podcast 015

Welcome to the fifteenth edition of the Short Science Podcast.

Join Georgie and 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:
- diamonds for softies
- HIV shows its weakspot
- earth-sized planets just right for life
- using stem cells to recreate the devastation of diabetes

Georgie continues our Capsule series by looking at the science of sound waves in Capsule Physics.

Our guest Capsule this week is from Dr Amisha Kothari, a London-based doctor, talking about her journey through training and qualification as a general practitioner.

Elizabeth rounds off the capsules this week with Capsule Medicine, looking at types and uses of music therapy.

And for a bit of light relief after all this mighty serious science (!) a short quiz, and a maths conundrum for you to take a crack at! Just send in your answers by 10am (UK time) on Wednesday 16th September 2009.

Contact us with your comments and suggestions at studio@shortscience.co.uk.

Send us your requests for topics to cover, or offer up your science and join us on the show!

Visit our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/.You can also join our guests by posting your profile and/or your 'Capsule Science'.

If you want to listen to the broadcast show (which includes some light musical interludes) then catch us live on Thursdays at 12-1pm or listen again - all at http://www.icradio.com/.

Short Science Podcast 014

Welcome to the fourteenth edition of the Short Science Podcast.

Join Georgie and 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:

- tevatron in the running to find the Higgs boson first

- bionic brain chips to repair spinal cord injury

- microscopes zoom in on molecules

- lasers pre-empt dentists' drilling

Georgie continues our Capsule series by looking at the science involved in radio broadcasting in Capsule Physics.

Our guest Capsule this week is from Dr Colin Deane from King's College Hospital, who tells all about his life in science and his work with ultrasound.

Elizabeth rounds off the capsules this week with Capsule Medicine, looking at the mechanisms of hearing and how we process what we have heard in the brain.

And for a bit of light relief after all this mighty serious science (!) a short quiz, and a maths conundrum for you to take a crack at! Just send in your answers by 10am (UK time) on Wednesday 9th September 2009.

Contact us with your comments and suggestions at studio@shortscience.co.uk.

Send us your requests for topics to cover, or offer up your science and join us on the show!

Visit our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/.You can also join our guests by posting your profile and/or your 'Capsule Science'.

If you want to listen to the broadcast show (which includes some light musical interludes) then catch us live on Thursdays at 12-1pm or listen again - all at http://www.icradio.com/.

Short Science Podcast 013

Welcome to the thirteenth edition of the Short Science Podcast.

Join Georgie and 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:

- instant full colour printing inspired by plants and insects
- man-made fibres muscle in on tissue injury
- speeding up emergency exits by blocking the way
- drinkers should wake up to sleep problems

Georgie continues our Capsule series with this week's Capsule Physics, taking a look at staying in touch via email - just what is an email and how does it work?

Our guest Capsule this week is from Fiona Palfry of Exscitec who tells all about her work engaging children around the world in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Elizabeth rounds off the capsules this week with Capsule Medicine, taking a look at food poisoning and how to avoid it!

And for a bit of light relief after all this mighty serious science (!) a short quiz, and a maths connundrum for you to take a crack at! Just send in your answers by 10am (UK time) on Wednesday 2nd September 2009.

Contact us with your comments and suggestions at studio@shortscience.co.uk.

Send us your requests for topics to cover, or offer up your science and join us on the show!

Visit our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/.You can also join our guests by posting your profile and/or your 'Capsule Science'.

If you want to listen to the broadcast show (which includes some light musical interludes) then catch us live on Thursdays at 12-1pm or listen again - all at http://www.icradio.com/.

Short Science Podcast 012

Welcome to the twelfth edition of the Short Science Podcast.

Join Georgie and 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:

- turning seawater into jet fuel

- cancer cells prove good navigators

- black hole parasites

- snuff as bad as smoke

Georgie continues our Capsule series with this week's Capsule Physics, taking a look at all things flighty.

Our guest Capsule this week is from Geoffrey Hewitt, Emeritus Professor of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London, talking about his life in science and his work on multiphase fluid flow and heat transfer.

Elizabeth rounds off the capsules this week with Capsule Medicine, taking a look at just why jet-lag has such a powerful effect on us.

And for a bit of light relief after all this mighty serious science (!) a short quiz, and a maths connundrum for you to take a crack at! Just send in your answers by 10am (UK time) on Thursday 27th August.

Contact us with your comments and suggestions at studio@shortscience.co.uk.

Send us your requests for topics to cover, or offer up your science and join us on the show!

Visit our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/.You can also join our guests by posting your profile and/or your 'Capsule Science'.

If you want to listen to the broadcast show (which includes some light musical interludes) then catch us live on Thursdays at 12-1pm or listen again - all at http://www.icradio.com/.

Short Science Podcast 011

Welcome to the eleventh edition of the Short Science Podcast.

Join Elizabeth and special guest presenter Sarah for this jam-packed 'Science in Showbusiness' special edition of Short Science!

We kick off the podcast with a few prominent science news headlines from the week including:
- curing diseases before they're even invented
- giant meat-eating plant discovered
- new gel condom protects women from HIV
- new planet displays exotic orbit

Throughout the show, Sarah gives us an insight into her experiences of science and technology while recording her album 'Fool'. She has kindly let us include three tracks in the podcast - Fool, In Our Bubble and Voices. For more information about the album see her profile page on the Short Science website.

We kick off the Capsules this week with our first 'Capsule Science in Literature'. Dr Peter Bentley talks to us about being a popular science writer, and his book 'The Undercover Scientist'. We've also got a review of the book from Christopher Hauke.

Next we have a 'Capsule Science in Factual Television' with Ben Hauke reviewing a popular serialised documentary recently shown in the UK called 'Medicine Men Go Wild'.

In our 'Capsule Science in Television Fiction', Georgie speaks to Jane Seymour about her experiences of historical medicine in the hit TV show 'Dr Quinn Medicine Woman'.

And for a bit of light relief after all this mighty serious science (!) a short quiz, and a maths connundrum for you to take a crack at! Just send in your answers by 10am (UK time) on Thursday 20th August.

Contact us with your comments and suggestions at studio@shortscience.co.uk.

Send us your requests for topics to cover, or offer up your science and join us on the show!

Visit our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/.You can also join our guests by posting your profile and/or your 'Capsule Science'.

If you want to listen to the broadcast show (which includes some light musical interludes) then catch us live on Thursdays at 12-1pm or listen again - all at http://www.icradio.com/.

Short Science Podcast 010

Welcome to the tenth edition of the Short Science Podcast.

Join Elizabeth and special guest presenter Gareth for all the very best science in brief!

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

- better bone implants beckon

- feed your cancer to death

- the science of booze

- listerine resolves nerve injury

Gareth provides a capsule science this week on the future of nuclear fusion as an energy source.

Before Georgie jetted off to LA in preparation for our 'Science in Showbusiness' special next week, she caught up with Tom Pickerell of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain to find out about his life in science.

Elizabeth rounds off the capsules this week with Capsule Medicine, taking a look at just what is the deal with alcohol.

And for a bit of light relief after all this mighty serious science (!) a short quiz, and a maths connundrum for you to take a crack at! Just send in your answers by 10am (UK time) on Thursday 6th August.

Contact us with your comments and suggestions at studio@shortscience.co.uk.

Send us your requests for topics to cover, or offer up your science and join us on the show!

Visit our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/.You can also join our guests by posting your profile and/or your 'Capsule Science'.

If you want to listen to the broadcast show (which includes some light musical interludes) then catch us live on Thursdays at 12-1pm or listen again - all at http://www.icradio.com/.

Short Science Podcast 009

Welcome to the ninth edition of the Short Science Podcast. Join Elizabeth and special guest presenter Christopher for all the very best science in brief!

We kick off the podcast with a few prominent science news headlines from the week including:
- wireless electricity
- new way to repair broken hearts
- fuel economy remains poor in the States
- healthy fats not so healthy after all

Georgie continues our Capsule series with this week's Capsule Physics, telling us just what is interesting about printers.

Our guest Capsule this week is special guest presenter Christopher Hauke, talking about his work as a Jungian analyst and the differences between Jungian and Freudian psychology.


Elizabeth rounds off the capsules this week with Capsule Medicine, taking a look at diabetes.

And for a bit of light relief after all this mighty serious science (!) a short quiz, and a maths connundrum for you to take a crack at! Just send in your answers by 10am (UK time) on Thursday 6th August.

Contact us with your comments and suggestions at studio@shortscience.co.uk.

Send us your requests for topics to cover, or offer up your science and join us on the show!

Visit our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/.

You can also join our guests by posting your profile and/or your 'Capsule Science'. If you want to listen to the broadcast show (which includes some light musical interludes) then catch us live on Thursdays at 12-1pm or listen again - all at http://www.icradio.com/.

Short Science Podcast 008

Welcome to the eighth edition of the Short Science Podcast. Join Elizabeth and Georgie for all the very best science in brief!

We kick off the podcast with a few prominent science news headlines from the week including: - getting texts from your house
- artist's attempt to defy gravity

- stressed parents increase the risk of asthma in their children

- mystery of raindrop size down to explosions

- don't be fooled by calorie counting

Georgie continues our Capsule series with this week's Capsule Physics, taking us on a guided tour of special relativity. We also have the Special Relativity rap sent in by comedian and rap artist Rob Broderick.

Our guest Capsule this week is from Dr David Clements, talking about his work on the Herschel and Planck space telescope program.

Elizabeth rounds off the capsules this week with Capsule Medicine, getting to grips with epilepsy.

And for a bit of light relief after all this mighty serious science (!) a short mathematical quiz, and a maths connundrum for you to take a crack at! Just send in your answers by 10am (UK time) on Wednesday 29th July.

Contact us with your comments and suggestions at studio@shortscience.co.uk.

Send us your requests for topics to cover, or offer up your science and join us on the show!

Visit our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/.

You can also join our guests by posting your profile and/or your 'Capsule Science'. If you want to listen to the broadcast show (which includes some light musical interludes) then catch us live on Wednesdays at 12-1pm or listen again - all at http://www.icradio.com/.

Short Science Podcast 007

Welcome to the seventh edition of the Short Science Podcast. Join Elizabeth and Georgie for all the very best science in brief!

We kick off the podcast with a few prominent science news headlines from the week including:
- getting texts from your house

- brain surgery safer with better oral hygiene

- electronic crickets chirp out surviviors in rubble

- sweating not as copious as thought

Georgie continues our Capsule series with this week's Capsule Physics, following up her capsules on particles with a look at what has been going on with the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.

Our guest Capsule this week is from Robin North, talking about his work on the MESSAGE air pollution project and his life in science.

Elizabeth rounds off the capsules this week with Capsule Medicine, squeezing in a quick look at spots.

And for a bit of light relief after all this mighty serious science (!) a short science quiz.

Contact us with your comments and suggestions at studio@shortscience.co.uk.

Send us your requests for topics to cover, or offer up your science and join us on the show!

Visit our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/.

You can also join our guests by posting your profile and/or your 'Capsule Science'. If you want to listen to the broadcast show (which includes some light musical interludes) then catch us live on Wednesdays at 12-1pm or listen again - all at http://www.icradio.com/.

Short Science Podcast 006

Welcome to the sixth edition of the Short Science Podcast. Join Elizabeth and Georgie for all the very best science in brief!

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

- Ulysses to probe no more
- laser treatment to cure blindness

- new member of the black hole family
- listening to the music of the brain

Georgie continues our Capsule series with this week's Capsule Physics, answering the call of a listener to explain just how a laser reads a CD or DVD.

Our guest Capsule this week is from Richard Franzese, talking about his life in science his impending PhD in Biophysics.

Elizabeth rounds off the capsules this week with Capsule Medicine, getting physical to take a look at joints.

And for a bit of light relief after all this mighty serious science (!) a short science quiz.

Contact us with your comments and suggestions at studio@shortscience.co.uk.

Send us your requests for topics to cover, or offer up your science and join us on the show!

Visit our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/.

You can also join our guests by posting your profile and/or your 'Capsule Science'. If you want to listen to the broadcast show (which includes some light musical interludes) then catch us live on Wednesdays at 12-1pm or listen again - all at http://www.icradio.com/.

Short Science Podcast 005

Welcome to the fifth edition of the Short Science Podcast. Join Elizabeth and Georgie for all the very best science in brief!

We kick off the podcast with a few prominent science news headlines from the week including:
- statistics hint at fraud in Iranian election

- gene sleuths search for a way around Tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer

- biofuels may help clean up Chernobyl badlands

- animal fats confirmed to cause pancreatic cancer

Georgie continues our Capsule series with this week's Capsule Physics, leading us gently into particle physics with a look at quarks.

Our guest Capsule this week is from Adele Norman, talking about her life in science and her work on Multiple Sclerosis.

Elizabeth rounds off the capsules this week with Capsule Medicine, looking at why salt is both good and bad for us.

And for a bit of light relief after all this mighty serious science (!) a short science quiz.

Contact us with your comments and suggestions at studio@shortscience.co.uk.

Send us your requests for topics to cover, or offer up your science and join us on the show!

Visit our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/.

You can also join our guests by posting your profile and/or your 'Capsule Science'. If you want to listen to the broadcast show (which includes some light musical interludes) then catch us live on Wednesdays at 12-1pm or listen again - all at http://www.icradio.com/.

Short Science Podcast 004

Welcome to the fourth edition of the Short Science Podcast. Join Elizabeth and Georgie for all the very best science in brief!

Download episode 4 of this podcast

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

- the new meets the old this year at Wimbledon

- a last push is needed for polio eradication

- mobile phones provide the latest on climate change across Africa

- eat less by actually eating more

Georgie continues our Capsule series with this week's Capsule Physics, taking us on a magical, mystery tour of black holes.

Our guest Capsule this week is from Professor Robert Winston, talking about his life in science and the media.

Elizabeth rounds off the capsules this week with Capsule Medicine, so we'll be baring all to find out more about moles.

We also welcome Rob Broderick to the studio and challenge him to rap some Cliff Notes on our science by the end of the show, in his own unique hip-hop-come-funky-folk-back-beat style!

And for a bit of light relief after all this mighty serious science (!) a short science quiz.

Contact us with your comments and suggestions at

studio@shortscience.co.uk.

Send us your requests for topics to cover, or offer up your science and join us on the show!

Visit our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/.

You can also join our guests by posting your profile and/or your 'Capsule Science'. If you want to listen to the broadcast show (which includes some light musical relief) then catch us live on
Wednesdays at 12-1pm or listen again - all at http://www.icradio.com/.

Short Science Podcast 003

Welcome to the third edition of the Short Science Podcast. Join Elizabeth and Georgie for all the very best science in brief!

Download episode 3 of this podcast

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

- scientists find a new way to measure the amount of charge on single atoms

- men are being warned that they are at greater risk of cancer than women

- Europe's new billion-euro Herschel space observatory has reached a critical milestone

- how a new discovery could lead to a solution for the devastating pain that plagues sufferers of many cancers

Georgie continues our Capsule series with this week's Capsule Physics - answering the question on everybody's lips - just how does a television actually work?

Our guest Capsule this week gives us a chance to get to know one of our presenters a little better - Elizabeth Hauke talks about her life in medicine.

Elizabeth rounds off the capsules this week with Capsule Medicine - giving us some behind the scenes background on the cancer cell.

And for a bit of light relief after all this mighty serious science (!) a short science quiz.

Contact us with your comments and suggestions at studio@shortscience.co.uk.

Send us your requests for topics to cover, or offer up your science and join us on the show!

Visit our website for more information http://www.shortscience.co.uk/.

You can also join our guests by posting your profile and/or your 'Capsule Science'. If you want to listen to the broadcast show (which includes some light musical relief) then catch us live on

Wednesdays at 12-1pm or listen again - all at http://www.icradio.com/.