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 017

Welcome to the seventeenth edition of the Short Science Podcast.

Join Emma 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:

- DNA barcode to help reduce shopliftingof wildlife
- naked rats the answer to cancer
- tiny T-Rex helps elucidate evolutionary path of legendary giant
- drink your way out of brain injury

Emma gives her first ever Capsule Science on genetic modification.

Our guest Capsule this week is from Dr Roberto Trotta, Lecturer in Astrophysics at Imperial College, London. He talks about his life in science, and his views on the multiverse theory.

Elizabeth rounds off the capsules this week with Capsule Medicine, looking at pre-implantation diagnosis.

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 30th 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 Wednesdays at 12-1pm or listen again - all at http://www.icradio.com/.

Short Science Podcast 001 Now Available

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

Subscribe to the SHORT SCIENCE podcast!

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

- a distant star found to have an orbiting planet

- the tomato 'wonder' pill to combat heart disease

- Texan cattle ranchers harnessing the power of the wind

- a warning to take care out in the countryside as tick-related diseases on the increase

Georgie kicks off our Capsule series with this week's Capsule Physics - all you ever wanted to know about anti-matter. She takes us on a whistle stop tour of the terminology and gives us a firm footing for dinner-table discussion about anti-matter!

Our guest Capsule this week is from Geneticist Richard Gale, from King's College Hospital. He talks about his journey to becoming a scientist and his work in genetics. He fills us in on the need for research into neuro-degenerative diseases and talks about his latest work on Huntington's disease.

Elizabeth rounds off the capsules this week with Capsule Medicine - swine flu is 'debunked' with some back to basics information about viruses and infection. Just what actually is a virus made of?

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 Richard Gale by posting your profile and/or your 'Capsule Science'.

If you want to listen to the live 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/.

Our thanks to the team at Imperial College Radio Station for their assistance with setting us up!