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As the number of smokers in the UK continues to decline, there’s a new trend sweeping the country: vaping. How much do we actually know about these addictive e-cigarettes and the chemicals they contain? Could they be more harmful than cigarettes? And why are they so appealing to young people? 

This episode we’re uncovering all of that, as well as finding out whether we need to worry about ‘popcorn lung’ and how the tobacco industry manipulated scientists for decades.

Special thanks to today's experts, Eve Taylor & Dr Katie East.

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Michael’s in his element this week as we dive into quantum physics! We’re getting our teeth into the history of cosmology, exploring the inflation of the universe and we’re doing our best to explain what the multiverse is. Strap in guys, this one is pretty mind blowing!

Special thanks to today’s expert, Laura Mersini-Houghton.

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We’re examining the fascinating topic of pain and uncovering what makes us feel it and how our experiences differ. We’re also unlocking the causes of chronic pain, how our brains can trick us into feeling pain (or not feeling it) and we’re finding out whether hypnotherapy and virtual reality could be able to help patients with their ailments. Rick’s also got a hilarious story about his most painful experience! It’s painfully embarrassing too…

Special thanks to today’s expert Dr Monty Lyman.

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Whether they were the best days of your life, or a grim memory you avoid at all costs, your school days are incredibly formative. This week we’re unpicking the school system, as we examine where the modern system comes from and find out why it fails so many people. We’re also uncovering whether there’s any truth behind ‘learning styles’, why it’s so hard to make changes to the school system and how electric shocks might be able to help us learn! Thank God our school days are over…

Special thanks to today’s expert Guy Claxton.

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Humans’ love of festivals is something that transcends time and culture, so as summer draws to a close, we’re getting our teeth into some neuroscience and finding out why we love them so much! From historic carnivals, to modern day raves, we’re looking at the science behind groups, bonding and rituals, and uncovering the science behind it all in the process.

Special thanks to today’s expert Dimitris Xygalatas!

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re bringing you an extra special episode, where we look back on some of the highlights of the series so far. We’re revisiting whether gender can have an impact on your mathematical ability, who decides which endangered animals to save and why one of our experts is recommending you have an orgasm. We’re also reminiscing on two of our favourite topics - warp drives and ghosts! See you next week!

@EurekaPod

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We’re not getting any younger, so on this week’s episode we’re discussing face transplants! Our expert is Dr Brian Gastman, one of the very few surgeons to ever perform a successful face transplant. We find out about the process of receiving a transplant, the ethical considerations, what’s needed from a donor and who’s likely to get one. Are face transplants the future of cosmetic surgery? Dr Brian Gastman will be giving us the answer.

@EurekaPod

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As the heat wave rages on, we’re exploring whether water shortages could lead to the next war. We’re finding out how scarce drinking water actually is, how climate change is having an impact and whether desalination could be the answer!

Special thanks to today’s expert, Dr Benjamin Pohl.

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