Best Light Pollution News Podcasts (2025)

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November 2025: Tunable or Standard? 1:04:50

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3d ago1:04:50

1:04:50

This episode's guests: Tatsiana Thomson, Brome Bird Care. John Barentine, Dark Sky Consulting. Lynne Peeples, Author of the Inner Clock. Bill's News Picks: Spectacular drone show over Vatican recreates Michelangelo’s ‘Creation of Adam,’ Virgin Mary, Ariel Zilber, New York Post. As more cities get Dark Sky label, these Indigenous communities apply t…

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Light Pollution Dilemmas, Cosmic Parasol Proposals & Salvaging Space Junk 49:50

1h ago49:50

49:50

Light Pollution, Space Parasols, and Salvaging Satellites In this engaging Q&A episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner tackle a range of thought-provoking questions from listeners. From the effects of light pollution on stargazing to the intriguing concept of a space parasol for climate control, this episode is packed…

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Democracy against the odds – Happy Kayuni 42:57

2d ago42:57

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Malawi has once again gone to the polls, reaffirming its reputation as one of Africa’s most enduring democracies. In September 2025, former president Peter Mutharika returned to power after defeating Lazarus Chakwera in a peaceful transfer of power that defied global trends of democratic decline. Despite widespread poverty, inflation, and economic …

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UN Climate Talks Kick Off in Brazil, Pope and King Share a Prayer for Creation, Hurricane Melissa Recovery Effort and more. 51:40

2d ago51:40

51:40

The biggest climate negotiations of the year, COP30, are kicking off in Belem in the Brazilian Amazon. Longtime COP observer Jennifer Morgan joins us to preview COP30 and discuss the focus on closing the gap between current greenhouse gas reduction policies and what’s needed to limit warming to a safer level. Also, King Charles III, who leads the A…

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COP30: The world's climate future hinges on this meeting 31:30

2d ago31:30

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Episode 330 COP30 is nearly upon us - and this climate conference may be the most crucial so far. In a year where we’ve seen the first major global tipping point reached, destructive wildfires raging in Los Angeles and much more, joint action has never been more urgent. But as hope starts to wane and climate goals continue to be missed, many are qu…

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Meteorite Myths, Daylight Fireballs & the Secrets of Ultra-Faint Galaxies 48:24

3d ago48:24

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Sponsor Details: This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of NordVPN...our official VPN partners. For a special Space Nuts deal which includes huge discounts and 4 extra months for free, visit www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts or use the code SPACENUTS at checkout. Stay safe online and away from prying eyes...use NordVPN! Meteorite Myt…

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The protest that changed Serbia – Nemanja Džuverović 50:17

5d ago50:17

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One year after a deadly train-station collapse in Novi Sad that killed sixteen people, Serbia’s student-led protests have become a powerful challenge to corruption, impunity, and democratic decay. In this episode, Dan Banik speaks with Nemanja Džuverović, Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Belgrade, about how grief turned into the coun…

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One man's quest for a rare shellfish 24:10

7d ago24:10

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(Jessica Cornelison / KCUR 89.3) Trevor Starks is on a mission. He wants to help the humble but powerful creatures that clean the waters of the Neosho River: freshwater mussels. For decades, their populations dwindled due to overharvesting, pollution and dam construction. To right the wrongs of the past, Trevor and his colleagues are releasing rare…

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Spaghettification Mysteries, Neutron Stars vs. Black Holes & The Wormhole Debate 45:35

7d ago45:35

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Sponsor Details: This episode is brought to with the support of NordVPN....our official VPN partners. To get your special Space Nuts deal with 4 extra months for free, visit www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts and use the offer code SPACENUTS at the checkout. Q&A Edition: Spaghettification, Neutron Stars, and the Mysteries of Wormholes In this mind-bending e…

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Why choosing sides is out of style – Jorge Heine 41:46

9d ago41:46

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In this episode, Dan Banik speaks with Jorge Heine, a seasoned diplomat, former Minister of State, and Chile’s ambassador to China, India, and South Africa — three pivotal countries at the center of today’s shifting world order. Drawing on his extensive diplomatic experience, Heine discusses the growing influence of the Global South and the resurge…

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Climate Monster in the Caribbean, Gwich’in People Resist Arctic Drilling, Serial Killers and Lead Exposure, and more. 51:30

9d ago51:30

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Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm to hit the Caribbean in modern times, left a wake of destruction in Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti that will take years to recover from. A Jamaican climate physics professor describes the toll of this climate catastrophe, and a meteorologist joins us to explain how the storm grew so ferocious in the blink of a hurric…

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The collapse of America’s health data system; How sleep affects your focus; Life on Mars in liquid veins? 23:51

10d ago23:51

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Episode 329 America’s health data system is in crisis. The US government has been bleeding public health experts – many of whom run crucial public health surveys and databases which help identify, monitor and respond to health threats across the country. From drug use to food security and birth data, discover the 5 surveys most critically hit by th…

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Jupiter's Cosmic Blueprint, White Dwarf Feasts & Chiron's Evolving Rings 48:51

10d ago48:51

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Jupiter's Influence, Hungry White Dwarfs, and Chiron's Rings In this captivating episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner explore the dynamic forces shaping our solar system and beyond. From the pivotal role of Jupiter in planetary formation to the intriguing behaviors of white dwarfs and the rapid evolution of Chiron'…

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Who gains from AI? Human development in a divided world – Pedro Conceição 43:41

12d ago43:41

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In this episode of In Pursuit of Development, Dan Banik speaks with Pedro Conceição, Director of the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Report Office, about the enduring power and renewed urgency of the human development idea. The conversation begins with the origins of the Human Development Reports, tracing how Mahbub ul Haq …

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Solar Eclipses, Speeding Comets & the Enigma of Cosmic Event Horizons 41:29

14d ago41:29

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Q&A Edition: Sun-Moon Coincidences, Cosmic Event Horizons, and Hoag's Object In this thought-provoking episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner tackle intriguing questions from listeners that explore the wonders of the cosmos. From the fascinating similarities between the Sun and the Moon to the mysterious nature of Ho…

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Africa’s pulse: Listening to citizens in an age of uncertainty – Joseph Asunka 52:44

16d ago52:44

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As global politics shifts and economic pressures mount, understanding what citizens actually think — not what outsiders assume they think — has never been more important. In this episode, Dan Banik speaks with Joseph Asunka, CEO of Afrobarometer, the pan-African, non-partisan research network that has become the world’s leading source of high-quali…

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The Forest Cost of Beef, Media and the Meat Habit, Rebuilding Back Better After Wildfire and more. 51:57

16d ago51:57

51:57

A recent Human Rights Watch report found that illegal cattle ranching and clearing of the Amazon rainforest has led to the forced eviction of small farmers and indigenous people in the state of Pará, Brazil. We discuss the stakes for the planet and people, as well as possible solutions. Also, meat is the biggest single source of carbon emissions fr…

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How mRNA vaccines teach your body to kill cancer; Grim state of climate action; Why birds sing the dawn chorus 29:20

17d ago29:20

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Episode 328 Not only has the mRNA covid vaccine saved 14 million lives, it may also help our bodies fight off cancer. A study of cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy treatment showed those who received an mRNA vaccine lived nearly twice as long - and this effect was discovered by accident. In a trial of cancer vaccines, Elias Sayour’s team at t…

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SpaceX Innovations, Super-Puff Planets & the Mysterious South Atlantic Anomaly 54:37

17d ago54:37

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SpaceX Innovations, Low-Cost Telescopes, and the Mystery of Super-Puff Planets In this exhilarating episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner dive into the latest advancements in space exploration and the mysteries of the cosmos. With updates from SpaceX's recent successful launches to groundbreaking developments in low…

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Bangladesh: How a ‘basket case’ became a development pioneer – Naomi Hossain 44:17

19d ago44:17

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Bangladesh is often described as one of the great development success stories of recent decades. Poverty has fallen sharply, life expectancy has risen, and millions of women have entered the workforce. Today, however, that narrative sits uneasily beside new questions about data reliability, the cost-of-living crisis, and deepening inequality. What …

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Neuroscience of reality; Quest for dark matter; Folklore of geoscience (New Scientist Live Special) 28:29

21d ago28:29

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Episode 327 A special episode recorded on October 18 at New Scientist Live in London, featuring experts in geoscience, dark matter and neuroscience. Anjana Khatwa is an Earth scientist and TV presenter. In her new book, The Whispers of Rock, she brings together Western scientific knowledge about the evolution of our Earth and indigenous knowledge a…

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October 2025: Barely Tapped! 1:12:02

17d ago1:12:02

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This episode's guests: Yana Yakushina, Lawyer and Researcher. James Lowenthal, Astronomer. Vicky Derksen, Night Sky Tourist. Bill's News Picks: Randomised trial reveals a mismatch between preferences for and hormonal responses to anthropogenic light colour temperatures, PLOS One. Light Wavelength Modulates the Effects of Lighted Nights on Sleep, Me…

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Dark Matter Dilemmas, Betelgeuse's Fate & the Mysteries of Lagrange Points 42:08

21d ago42:08

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Sponsor Details: This episode is brought to you with the support of NordVPN....enhance your online privacy with the best in the game. To get our special Space Nuts price and bonus deal, visit www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts or use the code SPACENUTS at checkout. Q&A Edition: Dark Matter, Betelgeuse, and Lagrange Points In this fascinating episode of Spac…

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Coalition Defends Solar for All, Taming the Monsters of Halloween Waste, Chicago River Restored to Health and more. 51:53

23d ago51:53

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Facing lost jobs and higher energy prices after the Trump EPA canceled $7 billion in low-income solar grants, a coalition of labor, green and anti-poverty groups is teaming up to fight in court for clean energy jobs and save “Solar for All.” Also, one of the most frightening aspects of Halloween is the monstrous amounts of waste it can generate. We…

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First climate tipping point triggered; Man controls another person's body by brain implant; health worries over sumo wrestlers 34:00

24d ago34:00

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Episode 326 The world’s first major climate tipping point has been triggered. The decimation of warm water coral populations caused by rising temperatures is now irreversible - passing the point of no return. The global consequences of widescale coral dieback could be catastrophic, so experts are sounding the alarm. But is anyone listening? A man w…

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Sunlight Satellites, Near-Earth Asteroids & the 6,000th Exoplanet Revelation 53:17

24d ago53:17

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Sponsor Details: This episode is brought to you with the support of NordVPN....enhance your online privacy with the best in the game. To get our special Space Nuts price and bonus deal, visit www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts or use the code SPACENUTS at checkout. ontroversial Concepts: Sunlight Services, Near-Earth Asteroids, and the 6,000th Exoplanet In …

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How to Save the United Nations from Financial Meltdown — Ronny Patz 51:10

26d ago51:10

51:10

The United Nations is facing its worst financial crisis in decades. Compared to its 2023 peak, total UN spending has fallen by almost one-third. While some countries have withheld much of their funding, others are paying late. And still others have reduced or postponed contributions. Against this backdrop, Secretary-General António Guterres has lau…

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Space 2075: How Humanity Will Live, Work and Make Drugs off-planet | Live Recording at the Royal Society 53:35

27d ago53:35

53:35

A special episode all about the future of space exploration, recorded in front of a live audience at the Royal Society in London. Earlier this year, the Royal Society published ‘The Space: 2075 report’, which recognises the huge changes we’re seeing in space exploration, and urges for action to be taken to make sure the next 50 years of activity in…

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From crisis to possibility – Dan Banik 17:08

28d ago17:08

17:08

In the first episode of In Pursuit of Development Season 6, host Dan Banik returns after an unexpected year-and-a-half hiatus following a serious health emergency. Dan examines how the world has entered a period of profound flux. The once-stable liberal international order is giving way to a more fragmented and contested multipolar reality. He expl…

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Snowball Earth Theories, High-Energy Neutrinos & The Fascinating MWC349A 55:42

28d ago55:42

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Q&A Edition: Snowball Earth, and Cosmic Neutrinos In this thought-provoking episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Jonti Horner tackle a range of intriguing listener questions. From the complexities of climate change and its effects on Earth’s axis to the mysteries of snowball Earth and the record-breaking neutrino KM M3230213A, …

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China’s Climate Pledge, Balcony Solar, Remembering Jane Goodall and more. 51:51

27d ago51:51

51:51

China has for the first time committed to an absolute target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, by 7 to 10 percent by 2035. We discuss China’s growing dominance in the global clean energy transition while the current US administration doubles down on fossil fuels. Also, compared to traditional rooftop solar, “balcony solar” offers renters, apartme…

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How Jane Goodall changed the world; How the universe ends; How “selfish sperm” affect male fertility 43:27

1M ago43:27

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Episode 324 The legendary primatologist Jane Goodall died last week aged 91, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Her work studying tool use in chimpanzees completely reshaped the way we view animal intelligence. Fiercely protective of the natural world, she was also responsible for a huge amount of advocacy during her life. Primatologist Alejandra …

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Comet Updates, Meteor Showers & the Secrets of Uranus' Moon Ariel 54:48

1M ago54:48

54:48

Sponsor Details: This episode is brought to you with the support of NordVPN....enhance your online privacy with the best in the game. Tiy get our special Space Nuts price and bonus deal, visit www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts or use the code SPACENUTS at checkout. Comets, Meteor Showers, and Mysteries of Uranus In this engaging episode of Space Nuts, host…

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October 2025: 50 Tons a Day! 55:54

1M ago55:54

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By Light Pollution News / Bill McGeeney / Yana Yakushina / Vicky Derksen / James Lowenthal

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Prairie islands are popping up in a sea of corn and soybeans 28:42

1M ago28:42

28:42

(Jessica Cornelison / KCUR 89.3) The Midwest has a reputation for vast fields of corn and soybeans that stretch to the horizon. But on some farms, strips of wildflowers and little bluestem now interrupt the crops, tiny glimpses of the prairie that once dominated the region. They’re an effort to hold back the fertilizer runoff that pollutes drinking…

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Cosmic Collapses, Black Hole Illusions & Antimatter Mysteries 35:14

1M ago35:14

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Sponsor Details: This episode is brought to you with the support of NordVPN....enhance your online privacy with the best in the game. Tiy get our special Space Nuts price and bonus deal, visit www.nordvpn.com/spacenuts or use the code SPACENUTS at checkout. Cosmic Questions: Black Holes, Antimatter Stars, and Meteor Photography In this enlightening…

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Youth Climate Case, Salmon Run Fattens Bears, The Practice of Re-Enchantment and more. 51:55

1M ago51:55

51:55

In the federal youth climate case Lighthiser v. Trump, plaintiffs are seeking immediate relief from three executive orders and subsequent actions of the Trump administration that boost fossil fuels. But the federal government maintains that the Lighthiser plaintiffs, like those in the prior case Juliana v. United States, lack standing. Also, the ch…

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Emergency in Antarctica; How movement changes the brain; Why women live longer than men 30:56

1M ago30:56

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Episode 323 Temperatures in Antarctica have soared by over 35°C. Scientists are concerned about how quickly things are changing on the continent as these warmer temperatures impact the polar vortex. Coupled with record lows in sea ice cover over the last decade, this could be a sign that Antarctic weather patterns have shifted permanently. What’s d…

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Celebrating 25 Years of the ISS, Moon Crater Mining & Cutting-Edge Rocket Tech 31:44

1M ago31:44

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In this exciting episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson delve into the remarkable achievements of the International Space Station as it approaches its 25th anniversary of continuous human occupation. The discussion also explores the potential for lunar mining, particularly in the moon's craters, and the innovative adv…

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Why It's So Bright at Night? Interview with Vasudev Menon on Stargazr.org 10:07

1M ago10:07

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In this episode, Bill McGeeney interviews Vasu Menon, a NC State computer science student who created Stargazer.org - a revolutionary web app that solves every amateur astronomer's planning nightmare. Born from a frustrating full-moon stargazing trip to Virginia's Stanton River park, this tool combines dark sky locations, weather forecasts, and lun…

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Why It's So Bright at Night? Interview with Alona Rodeh on Street Lamps with Hats! 33:48

1M ago33:48

33:48

Episode Summary Discover how one artist is tackling light pollution through whimsical street art. Berlin visual artist Alona Rodeh joins the show to discuss her viral "Nightcaps" project - 3D-printed "hats" that transform unshielded street lamps into community art while reducing light pollution. Key Topics Covered The Nightcaps Project: 15 sculptur…

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Full Moon Myths, Space Curvature & The Simulation Debate 27:16

1M ago27:16

27:16

Full Moons, Curved Space, and the Simulation Hypothesis In this captivating Q&A episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson tackle an array of intriguing questions from listeners. From the effects of full moons on human behaviour to the complexities of curved space and the possibility of living in a simulation, this episod…

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Trump Denies, China Leads on Climate; Highway Reborn as Public Park; An Extraordinary New Telescope; and more. 51:48

1M ago51:48

51:48

Speaking to the UN, President Trump railed against climate science and clean energy, drawing sharp rebukes from other nations, rival politicians and business leaders. Meanwhile, China for the first time ever announced a specific target for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Also, the four-lane Great Highway used to run along the Pacific Ocean o…

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Skull rewrites story of human evolution; Autism and Tylenol; discovery of wind coming from black hole 33:57

1M ago33:57

33:57

Episode 322 An ancient skull discovered in China may have just rewritten the story of human evolution. It’s widely accepted that the common ancestor of Homo sapiens, Denisovans and Neanderthals came out of Africa. But this skull upends that assumption - potentially showing human evolution began in Asia. Discover how a new reconstruction of the Yunx…

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Wormholes, Artemis 2 Updates & The Einstein Cross Explained 33:22

2M ago33:22

33:22

Artemis 2, Wormholes, and Einstein Crosses In this thrilling episode of Space Nuts, hosts Andrew Dunkley and Professor Fred Watson bring you the latest updates from the world of astronomy. From the anticipated Artemis 2 mission to the tantalising possibility of wormholes, and the discovery of a rare Einstein cross, this episode is a cosmic journey …

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Gravitational Wonders, Fast Radio Bursts & Your Questions Answered 30:04

2M ago30:04

30:04

Sponsor Details: This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of Insta360. Capture your adventures with their latest game-changer, the GOUltra. For a special Space Nuts offer, visit store.insta360.com and use the promo code SPACENUTS at checkout. Help support Space Nuts and get a great deal. Win/win! NordVPN: This episode is also b…

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Heat Waves Linked to Company Emissions, Insurance and Homeowners Underwater, The Light Between Apple Trees and more. 51:53

2M ago51:53

51:53

New research finds that since 2010 killer heat waves have become 200 times more likely, thanks to greenhouse gas emissions, and the scientists say about half of the increase in heatwaves can be attributed to big coal, big oil, big gas and cement. Also, while the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has been relatively quiet, last year damages from three …

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The evolutionary price we pay for longer lives; the asteroid coming VERY close to Earth; how dinosaurs shaped the ecosystem 32:59

2M ago32:59

32:59

Episode 321 Humans live a lot longer than other primates - and much of that is down to our immune system. But there’s a price we pay for the capacity to fight off infections: inflammation. Chronic inflammation is to blame for a range of health issues, especially those related to older age. And now research has revealed exactly why inflammation is g…

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Mars Life Mysteries, Black Hole Stars & Quasi Moons Unveiled 33:21

2M ago33:21

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Sponsor Details: This episode of Space Nuts is brought to you with the support of Insta360. Capture your adventures with their latest game-changer, the GOUltra. For a special Space Nuts offer, visit store.insta360.com and use the promo code SPACENUTS at checkout. Help support Space Nuts and get a great deal. Win/win! And NordVPN. Just visit nordvpn…

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September 2025: 10 Point Scale! 46:30

2M ago46:30

46:30

This episode's guests: Steve Mariconda, MPH. Frank Turina, Educator / National Park Service / Night Sky Resource Center. Bill's News Picks: Natural experiments from Earth Hour reveal urban night sky being drastically lit up by few decorative buildings, Scientific Reports. Night lights versus conservation dreams: balancing human preferences with con…