New Scientist Colab Podcasts

The production of medicines is a high-stakes industry where efficiency and environmental impact often collide.  Given that the pharmaceutical industry is one of society’s biggest polluters, solving this challenge requires massive, cross-continent collaboration to spark real change.

In this episode, we explore how some of the UK and Europe’s premier research institutes and pharmaceutical companies have joined forces to pioneer "greener" production methods. This work is funded by Horizon Europe, the European Union’s flagship €96 billion research and innovation funding programme.

We visit Barcelona to talk to Dr Laura Rodriguez and Dr Andrés Cruz from IRIS Technology Solutions. They share how their collaboration with UK research teams has yielded impressive results—and why the partnership itself has been a key factor in the success.

This is a New Scientist CoLab production, sponsored by the UK Government.

For more information and to find a UK partner for your next Horizon Europe bid, click here.

Your host is James Randerson.

Read more about the UK-Spanish partnerships solving pharma’s
toughest challenges.

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Imagine humans one day living and working on the ocean floor. Aquanauts in subsea habitats, surrounded by ocean creatures, discovering new secrets about our planet. This might sound like science fiction, but DEEP is already making this a reality.

With the recent launch of its subsea habitat Vanguard, DEEP is pushing forward with its promise to make humans aquatic. An engineering company pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, DEEP exists to radically advance how humankind can access, explore and inhabit underwater environments.

In this episode, Sophie Bushwick speaks to DEEP’s Chief Technology Officer, Norman Smith and Director of Habitat Operations, Roger Garcia.

Together they take us on a tour of Vanguard, from its  cosy living area with a viewport to the ocean realm, to the “moon pool” which serves as the entryway into the habitat. They discuss the scientific missions a habitat like this enables - like planet-saving coral reef restoration. And they explore the engineering that’s gone into making this possible, the pressures and joys of life as an “aquanaut” and how it feels to have sea creatures as your neighbours.

This is a New Scientist CoLab production, sponsored by DEEP.

Your host is Sophie Bushwick.

Find out more here.
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The UK’s energy system is undergoing a quiet revolution. As we move away from fossil fuels towards a cleaner, more flexible, and electrified future, Octopus Energy is helping to turn the traditional power grid on its head.

In this episode of New Scientist CoLab, Justin Mullins is joined by Kieron Stopforth, Head of Flexibility at Octopus Energy. 

Kieron explains how the way we generate, store and use electricity is changing - and why your home, solar panels, and even your car could be part of the solution.

This is a New Scientist CoLab production, sponsored by Octopus Energy.

Your host is Justin Mullins. Find out more at newscientist.com/podcasts.

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Dementia is the UK’s leading cause of death, and one in three people born today will develop it in their lifetime. With numbers steadily rising, the need for effective treatments and improved dementia diagnosis is more urgent than ever.

Thankfully, recent advances in science mean we understand the diseases that cause dementia better than ever. There has never been a more exciting time in dementia research, and supporting some of the most pioneering work in this field is UK charity Alzheimer’s Society.

In this episode of the New Scientist CoLab podcast, Justin Mullins is joined by Richard Oakley, Associate Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer's Society.

Richard explores the latest breakthroughs in dementia treatment and promising areas of research. He discusses the latest technologies and trials that are bringing us closer to a better future for people living with dementia. And he discusses his belief that research, with time, can beat dementia.

This is a New Scientist CoLab production, sponsored by Alzheimer’s Society.

Find out more at newscientist.com/podcasts

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What does it take to tackle the world’s most complex diseases? For David Price, head of the Vertex Pharmaceuticals Oxford Research site, the motivation is deeply personal.

In this podcast from New Scientist CoLab, David shares his incredible journey and gives a detailed look inside Vertex, the company that pioneered patient-first drug discovery.

Learn about their unique serial innovation strategy, which focuses on treating the underlying cause of a disease, not just the symptoms. He also discusses how automation and robotics are transforming the lab and why talented students and interns represent an extraordinary future.

Sponsored by Vertex Pharmaceuticals.

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