The World, the Universe and Us

Episode 367

Some people are genetically destined to develop Alzheimer’s disease. But one man who carried the devastating mutation seems to have escaped it entirely - and scientists think it may be because of his job. 

Doug Whitney inherited the rare variant of a gene that should have caused early-onset Alzheimer’s in his mid-40s. Many of his family members died from it. Instead, he is now 76 years old with no memory problems and no trace of the disease. Researchers investigating his case uncovered a surprising clue: his inadvertent heat exposure while working as a mechanic in ship engine rooms. 

Could heat exposure really help shield the brain from Alzheimer’s? What does Doug’s case reveal about the disease? And should we all build a sauna in our backyard?

Rowan Hooper is joined by New Scientist reporter Alice Klein to discuss Doug Whitney’s extraordinary case and what it could mean for the future of Alzheimer’s research.

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/
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Episode 366

A Pluto-sized object in the outer solar system has shocked scientists. It’s so tiny that it shouldn’t have an atmosphere - but it does.

Object 2002 XV93, known as a plutino, is a small rock floating about in the Kuiper belt - a doughnut-shaped region of icy objects out near Pluto. What’s surprising is that many dwarf planets bigger than this object can’t hold an atmosphere, so it’s a mystery how this is even possible.

This discovery comes as the decades-long debate about Pluto begins to bubble up again. Pluto was demoted from its planet status in 2006. But now NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is reigniting the debate - on a controversial mission to make Pluto a planet again.

So with this mysterious object and its unexpected atmosphere, plus the chance of Pluto being reinstated, do we need to change how we define planets? Is everything just a planet now? 

Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet are joined by Jacob Aron and James Woodford to discuss the many ramifications of this new finding.

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/
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Episode 365

Craig Venter, one of the world’s most influential geneticists, has died aged 79. He leaves behind an incredible - and complicated - legacy.

Venter is primarily known for playing a leading role in the sequencing of the human genome. Later he pioneered the field of synthetic biology, creating what was described as the first synthetic life form - a feat that was not without controversy.

So what drove Venter? And why was he so compelled to promote the idea of science as a competitive race? We discuss his many achievements, including his work in marine biology - and explore the pioneering methods behind it all.

Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet are joined by science writer Mike Marshall, and former New Scientist editor Roger Highfield.

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/

Image Credits: Marjorie McCarty, CC BY 2.5 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

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The original uploader was Bruno Comby at English Wikipedia., CC BY-SA 1.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Episode 364

Global temperatures are rising faster than ever - and with a strong
El Niño on the way, scientists are warning we could temporarily breach 2°C of warming above pre-industrial levels. While other models suggest it may only hit 1.75°C, either option is bad news for the climate.

The European state of the climate report has just been released, painting a picture of a rapidly warming world. Temperatures in Europe are rising faster than any other continent - and places like Iceland, Norway and the UK have all experienced record breaking years.

As we’re already watching the impacts of this heat on biodiversity, wildfires, harvests and more - can we handle a 2°C rise in temperatures? And does this signal the end of the Paris goal to limit warming to 1.5°C? 

Despite the gloom, there is one glimmer of hope. One species of warm water corals seems to have adapted to these extreme surges in heat - and is surviving against the odds.

Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet are joined by New Scientist reporters Alec Luhn and James Woodford.

To read more about these stories, visit https://www.newscientist.com/
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Episode 363

Suzanne Simard is a world-renowned forest ecologist who shot to stardom with her first book Finding the Mother Tree. It tells the story of her life’s work, showing trees and plants are connected through fungal networks, demonstrating a kind of wisdom and intelligence.

Now, with the release of her latest book When the Forest Breathes, she’s keen to highlight the destructive and extractive forestry practices of the modern age - and why Western science needs an update. 

Rowan Hooper sits down with Simard under the famous Lucombe Oak in London’s Kew Gardens.

Together they explore the concept of the ‘wood wide web’, the name given to her breakthrough work showing communication between forest trees via an underground fungal network. They discuss the scientific backlash that came when she popularised this work and how it all came at a particularly difficult time in her life. And they explore her time spent with indigenous peoples in the Amazon rainforest.

As Simard aims to make us view forest ecosystems in a more holistic and regenerative way - what will it take to truly change the industry?To read more stories like this, visit https://www.newscientist.com/
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