Best Fossil Farms Podcasts (2025)

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Audio long read: Autism is on the rise — what’s really behind the increase? 25:36

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13m ago25:36

25:36

In April, Robert F. Kennedy Jr held a press conference about rising diagnoses of autism, and said he would soon be announcing a study to find the responsible agent. Although Kennedy said that environmental factors are the main cause of autism, research has shown that genetics plays a bigger part. Also, the rise in prevalence, many researchers say, …

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[Episode #259] – 10th Anniversary: New Marching Orders 29:39

2d ago29:39

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For our 10th anniversary, we reflect on our work so far, and consider what the next ten years might require. Whereas we spent the past decade focusing on techno-economic subjects, like explaining climate science and climate policy, and showing that energy transition technologies are practical and affordable, the next decade is likely to be far more…

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How a dangerous tick-borne virus sneaks into the brain 32:42

2h ago32:42

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00:48 New insights into tick-borne encephalitis Researchers have identified a key protein that helps tick-borne encephalitis virus enter the brain. In rare cases an infection can lead to serious neurological symptoms, but little was known about how the virus interacts with human cells. Now, a team show that a protein found on the outside of cells p…

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The Conflicted Role of Auditors in Carbon Markets 42:16

1d ago42:16

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Auditors are billed as carbon market watchdogs. But conflicts of interest may undermine their credibility. --- The voluntary carbon market is poised for rapid growth, with airlines soon required to use offsets for international flights and pressure building on other industries to follow suit. But recent studies show many offsets fail to deliver rea…

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Apocalypse then: how cataclysms shaped human societies 27:39

5d ago27:39

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Science journalist Lizzie Wade’s first book, Apocalypse: A Transformative Exploration of Humanity's Resilience Through Cataclysmic Events explores some of the cataclysmic events that humans have faced through history. Lizzie joined us to discuss what modern archaeology has revealed about these events, and the role these they’ve have played in shapi…

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Can we change what a society eats? (with Sarah Lake) 32:03

6d ago32:03

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What if changing what we eat wasn’t about persuasion, but about reshaping everyday food choices? With Sarah Lake, CEO of Tilt Collective, we explore how meat and ultra-processed foods came to dominate U.S. diets – and how Tilt Collective is building a future where healthy and sustainable foods compete on convenience, price, and accessibility. For m…

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This AI tool predicts your risk of 1,000 diseases — by looking at your medical records 35:31

7d ago35:31

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00:50 The AI tool that predicts disease risk Researchers have developed an AI tool that can calculate a person’s risk of developing over 1,000 different diseases, sometimes years in advance. The system, called Delphi-2M, was trained to identify patterns of disease progression using 400,000 people's health records from data repository the UK Biobank…

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Detecting gravitational waves 10:21

12d ago10:21

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In 2015, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) facilities in the US directly detected ripples in space-time, known as gravitational waves. These waves were produced by the final spiral of two orbiting black holes that smashed into each other, sending ripples across the Universe. In this podcast, Benjamin Thompson speaks to …

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[Episode #258] – Alaska’s Railbelt Utilities 21:26

14d ago21:26

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Alaska is an energy superpower with more untapped renewable resources than most countries. Yet its largest population, in the Anchorage area, faces a real risk of blackouts beginning in 2027 due to declining gas supply from the nearby Cook Inlet gas field, which is likely to force this historical major supplier of oil and gas to import LNG to keep …

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Feeling the heat: fossil-fuel producers linked to dozens of heatwaves 36:39

14d ago36:39

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00:45 Attributing extreme heat events to major energy producers Major energy producers increased the likelihood and intensity of heatwaves, according to research published in Nature. Using data from an international disaster database, a team developed a methodology to investigate how much anthropogenic climate change had influenced heatwaves. They …

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U.S.–China Competition in the Age of Trump’s Energy Law 40:18

15d ago40:18

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Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act reorients U.S. energy policy, redefining its rivalry with China and the global transition. --- Once, climate and clean energy were common ground between the United States and China, most notably in the lead-up to the 2015 Paris Agreement. In the years since, cooperation has given way to competition. China has emer…

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Research misconduct: how the scientific community is fighting back 52:13

16d ago52:13

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In 2016, Brian Wansink wrote a blog post that prompted scientific sleuths to investigate his work. They found evidence of data manipulation, and, after several news articles and two investigations by his institution, he would found to have committed misconduct, as defined by Cornell University. His work had been used to inform US policy around food…

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Nature goes inside the world’s largest ‘mosquito factory’ — here’s the buzz 10:57

19d ago10:57

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Raising mosquitoes to tackle disease might sound like an odd concept, but that’s what a facility in Brazil is aiming to do. Millions of mosquitoes are produced there every week, but these insects carry harmless Wolbachia bacteria that curbs their ability to spread deadly human viruses. Nature reporter Mariana Lenharo visited the facility and told u…

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Why food needs a systems approach (with Corinna Hawkes) 24:23

20d ago24:23

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What do Yorkshire beaches, Sierra Leone’s new food strategy, and New York City school lunches have in common? For Corinna Hawkes, they all shaped her journey toward understanding how systems shape food. In this episode, we trace her path from a childhood fascination with shifting sands to her current role at the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organizati…

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Two ants, two species, one mother 27:06

21d ago27:06

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00:45 The ant queen that can produce two different species Researchers have made an unusual observation that appears at odds with biology: an ant, known as the Iberian Harvester Ant can produce offspring of two completely different species. Many ants need to mate with other species to produce workers that are a genetic mix of the two, known as hybr…

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Hunting for Fossils ft Eli Wait #172 45:03

25d ago45:03

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This week I'm looking for fossils with Eli Wait as well as chatting to Mark Everard about his work raising money for Prostate Cancer UK. New Book Just Giving Prostate Cancer Buy Me a CoffeeBy Jack Perks

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Audio long read: How to detect consciousness in people, animals and maybe even AI 19:57

26d ago19:57

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The search for signs of consciousness has expanded, thanks to advanced neuroimaging techniques. These tools allow researchers to detect consciousness in unresponsive humans, and now researchers are looking to develop tests that work in animals and perhaps even artificial intelligence systems of the future. This is an audio version of our Feature: H…

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[Episode #257] – Remote Microgrids in Alaska 21:31

28d ago21:31

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Most people probably think of a “microgrid” as a campus or neighborhood that can “island” itself and run independently when needed, but otherwise stays connected to the main grid most of the time. But in Alaska’s remote communities that aren’t even accessible by road, residents depend on microgrids for their very survival in extreme conditions. For…

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Viral spread: how rumours surged in revolutionary France 24:44

28d ago24:44

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00:48 How the 18th-Century 'Great Fear’ spread across rural France In the late 1700s, rural France was beset with rapidly spreading rumours of aristocratic plots to suppress revolutionary ideas. But how, and why, these rumours were able to spread so quickly has puzzled historians. Now, using modern epidemiological modelling, a team suggests that a …

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Promo - live shows this Autumn! 0:51

1M ago0:51

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Hi Seekers! Hope you’re all enjoying the summer holidays - it’s great to know so many of you are listening to The Seekers Podcast on your travels. The Time Seekers is back with more live shows this Autumn - our interactive time travelling adventure for 3-8 yr olds and their families. We will be touring from the end of September to Oxford, Cambridge…

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Fusion energy gets a boost from cold fusion chemistry 19:57

1M ago19:57

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00:46 Electrochemical fusion Researchers have used electrochemistry to increase the rates of nuclear fusion reactions in a desktop reactor. Fusion energy promises abundant clean energy, but fusion events are rare, hindering progress. Now, inspired by the controversial claim of cold fusion, researchers used electrochemistry to get palladium to absor…

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From the Energy Policy Now Archive: How Virtual Power Plants Could Strengthen the Electrical Grid 26:24

1M ago26:24

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For the month of August, we’re highlighting episodes from the 2024-2025 season of Energy Policy Now. We’ll be back with new content, and a new season, on September the 9th. Virtual power plants can help electric grid operators address supply shortages and reliability concerns, but policy support is needed. --- (This episode was recorded on October …

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Controversial climate report from Trump team galvanizes scientists into action 13:05

1M ago13:05

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In this Podcast Extra, we discuss a report released by the US Department of Energy, which concluded that global warming is “less damaging economically than commonly believed”. However, many researchers say that the report misrepresents decades of climate science. We discuss how scientists are trying to coordinate a unified response amidst concerns …

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[Episode #256] – Electric Farming in New Zealand 1:26:07

1M ago1:26:07

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In October 2024, Chris visited the world’s first all-electric farm while traveling across New Zealand. In today’s episode, we speak with the farm’s owner and founder, Mike Casey. In addition to operating the farm, Mike is CEO of Rewiring Aotearoa, a sister organization to Rewiring America. Rewiring Aotearoa works to advance New Zealand’s energy tra…

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Sun-powered flyers could explore the mysterious mesosphere 31:53

1M ago31:53

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00:46 Tiny solar flyer Researchers have used a phenomenon known as thermal transpiration to create a solar-powered flying device that can stay aloft without any moving parts. The diminutive device, just one centimetre across, consists of two thin, perforated membranes that allow air to flow through the device, generating lift. Although only a proof…

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Live at Global Birdfair: Wildlife Photography & Working With Nikon ft Tom Mason #171 34:15

1M ago34:15

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This week I'm live at Global Birdfair in Rutland as I talk to Tom Mason a professional wildlife photographer, Nikon Ambassador and Youtuber as we chat about how he got into it, how to do photography on a budget and more! New Book Buy Me a Coffee Facebook Page Twitter InstagramBy Jack Perks

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Underwater glue shows its sticking power in rubber duck test 28:14

2M ago28:14

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00:45 Researchers develop a new glue and test it on a rubber duck Aided by machine learning, researchers have developed a super-sticky compound that works as an underwater adhesive. Inspired by animals like barnacles, the team developed a new kind of a material called a hydrogel. The material is capable of securely fastening objects together even w…

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From the Energy Policy Now Archive: Bridging the Partisan Climate Divide 46:27

2M ago46:27

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For the month of August, we’re highlighting episodes from the 2024-2025 season of Energy Policy Now. We’ll be back with new content, and a new season, on September the 9th. Former Republican U.S. congressman Bob Inglis offers a conservative perspective on climate solutions in discussion with Penn climatologist Michael Mann. --- (This episode was re…

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Hunger on our doorstep (Part 1) 38:41

2M ago38:41

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"Hunger on our Doorstep" is a two part podcast about food poverty in the UK. It explores the issues and potential solutions through the eyes of three food campaigners with firsthand experience of food poverty in urban communities, as well as others working to tackle the problem. The often bleak picture of poverty, inequality and exclusion painted i…

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[Episode #255] – Dwellings in Alaska 23:38

2M ago23:38

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In the summer of 2025, Chris traveled to Alaska to explore the state’s unique energy transition story by interviewing some of its energy experts. Like every place, Alaska has a unique set of challenges and opportunities in the energy transition, and can offer insights drawn from its experience to the rest of the world. Alaska’s extreme conditions a…

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Earth's deepest ecosystem discovered six miles below the sea 33:03

2M ago33:03

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00:45 The deepest ecosystem ever discovered Researchers have dived down to more than 9,000 metres below the surface of the Pacific and discovered surprisingly complex communities of life living in deep ocean trenches. The new research shows an array of animal life that appears to be using methane as a source of energy. The researchers are planning …

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Episode 22: Summer Special! 19:16

2M ago19:16

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Join Alph, Betty and Gammo in this summer special episode as they journey to the Sahara Desert! Who will they meet on their surprise summer holiday, and will they ever find the oasis? The Seekers Podcast is created by Jack Drewry, Jesse Meadows, Helena Middleton and Ben Vardy. With Emily-Mae Walker as the voice of Dr Doctor. Featuring our fantastic…

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Giant laser heats solid gold to 14 times its melting point 35:38

2M ago35:38

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00:46 How hot can solid gold get? A new study suggests that gold can be superheated far beyond its melting point without it becoming a liquid. Using an intense burst from a laser, a team heated a gold foil to 14 times its melting point, far beyond a theoretical limit put forward in previous studies. The team suggest that the speed at which they hea…

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Why This Energy Transition is Different 45:00

2M ago45:00

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Though today’s energy transition is often framed as new, it follows patterns we’ve seen before. Cutler Cleveland of Boston University’s Institute for Global Sustainability explores the historical context of today’s shift. --- Today’s shift to carbon-free power is commonly called “the energy transition,” yet the label can suggest that this is the fi…

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AI, bounties and culture change, how scientists are taking on errors 49:19

2M ago49:19

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A simple methodological error meant that for years researchers considered drinking moderate amounts of alcohol to be healthy. Now plenty of evidence suggests that isn't the case, but errors like this still plague the scientific literature. So, how can the scientific literature become more error-free? In the first episode of this two-part series, to…

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[Episode #254] – Global Electricity Review 2025 27:19

2M ago27:19

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This episode cuts through the noise around energy transition progress with hard data from one of the year’s most important reports. Despite claims from both “fossil gradualists” who would like to see the energy transition fail, and “net-zero puritans” who deny that the energy transition is happening at all because emissions are still rising, the tr…

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‘Stealth flippers’ helped this extinct mega-predator stalk its prey 32:50

2M ago32:50

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In this episode: 00:48 The ancient mega-predator with a ‘stealth mode’ The extinct marine mega-predator Temnodontosaurus had specialised adaptations to stealthily hunt its prey, suggests an analysis of a fossil flipper. Although Temnodontosaurus was a member of a well-studied group of marine reptiles called ichthyosaurs, its lifestyle has been a my…

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Three weeks in a hide to spot one elusive bear: the life of a wildlife film-maker 12:47

3M ago12:47

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Vianet Djenguet is an award-winning wildlife film-maker and camera operator whose work has featured in a number of major nature documentaries. In this podcast, Vianet joins us to talk about his career, how wildlife film-making have changed, and his experiences working with local researchers to capture footage of endangered animals on the new televi…

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Transmission: Power to the people 14:35

3M ago14:35

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Power lines may not look as high-tech and inspiring as a wind turbine or a solar field. But as MIT’s Joshua Hodge explains, these lines—and the rest of the sprawling “machine” that is the transmission system—are critical for harnessing clean, cheap, reliable power. In this episode of TILclimate, we explore what we stand to gain from a bigger, bette…

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Ancient DNA reveals farming led to more human diseases 37:06

3M ago37:06

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00:48 The past 35,000 years of disease Ancient DNA evidence shows that the advent of agriculture led to more infectious disease among humans, with pathogens from animals only showing up 6,500 years ago. The DNA, extracted from human teeth, shows the history of diseases present in Eurasia over tens of thousands of years. The approach used could be a…

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Using AI to Record Fish Numbers ft Jeff Tuhtan #170 18:37

3M ago18:37

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This week I'm in Estonia as I talk to jeff Tuhtan from Taltech University about how AI is being used to record fish numbers New Book Buy Me a Coffee Facebook Page Twitter InstagramBy Jack Perks