Nature Podcast

By Springer Nature Limited

News & Politics Technology Science & Medicine

What's Nature Podcast about?

The Nature Podcast brings you the best stories from the world of science each week. We cover everything from astronomy to zoology, highlighting the most exciting research from each issue of Nature journal. We meet the scientists behind the results and provide in-depth analysis from Nature's journalists and editors.

For complete access to the original papers featured in the Nature Podcast, subscribe to Nature.

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16 January 2020: Strange ob...

01.15.2020

Strange objects at the centre of the galaxy, and improving measurements of online activity. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Nature Podcast episodes:

01.15.2020 16 January 2020: Strange objects at the centre of the galaxy, and improving measurements of online activity Strange objects at the centre of the galaxy, and improving measurements of online activity. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy
01.08.2020 09 January 2020: A look ahead at science in 2020 In this episode of the podcast, Nature reporter Davide Castelvecchi joins us to talk about the big science events to look out for in 2020. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy
01.01.2020 01 January 2020: Our reporters’ top picks of 2019 In this special round-up episode of the Nature Podcast, our reporters choose their favourite podcast piece of 2019. In this episode: 00:33 A sole sensation A study of people who do and don't wear shoes looks into whether calluses make ...
12.27.2019 Nature PastCast, December 1920: The Quantum Theory In this episode, we’re heading back to the early twentieth century, when physicists had become deeply entangled in the implications of the quantum theory. Was the world at its smallest scales continuous, or built of discrete units? It all began ...
12.23.2019 Podcast Extra: From climate lawyer to climate activist In this Podcast Extra, Nature's Chief Opinion Editor Sara Abdulla meets with Farhana Yamin to discuss why she ditched resolutions in favour of activism. This is an extended version of an interview originally broadcast in September. In this Podcast Extra, ...
12.20.2019 Podcast Extra: Epigenetics As part of Nature's 150th anniversary celebrations, Nick Howe dives into the topic of epigenetics. Since its origin in 1942, the term 'epigenetics' has been repeatedly defined and redefined. There's always been hype around the field, but what actually is ...
12.18.2019 19 December 2019: The three-body problem, and festive fun We’ve launched our 2019 listener survey. We want to know what you think of the show to help us make a great podcast. You can find the survey here. Thanks! This week, a solution to a centuries-old physics problem, and ...
12.16.2019 Long Read Podcast: How to save coral reefs as the world warms Research groups around the world are exploring new ways of protecting coral reefs from climate change. This is an audio version of our feature: These corals could survive climate change — and help save the world’s reefs. For information regarding ...
12.11.2019 12 December 2019: Social priming, and acoustic science This week, the embattled field of social priming, and the latest sounds from a big acoustic meeting. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy
12.04.2019 05 December 2019: Genomic sequencing and the source of solar winds This week, exploring two very different issues with genomic sequencing, and the latest results from NASA’s Parker Solar Probe. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy
11.29.2019 Nature Pastcast, November 1869: The first issue of Nature In this episode, we’re heading back to 4 November 1869, when Nature’s story began. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy
11.27.2019 28 November 2019: Nature’s 2019 PhD survey, and older women in sci-fi novels This week, delving into the results of the latest graduate student survey, and assessing ageism in science fiction literature. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy
11.20.2019 21 November 2019: A new antibiotic from nematode guts, grant funding ‘lotteries’, and butterfly genomes This week, an antibiotic that targets hard-to-treat bacteria, and a roundup of the latest science news. In this episode: 00:49 Discovering darobactin Researchers looked inside nematode guts and have identified a new antibiotic with some useful properties. Research Article: Imai ...
11.13.2019 14 November 2019: A rapid, multi-material 3D printer, and a bacterium’s role in alcoholic hepatitis This week, a new 3D printer allows quick shifting between many materials, and understanding the link between gut microbes and liver disease. 00:46 A new dimension for 3D printers A new nozzle lets a 3D printer switch between materials at ...
11.07.2019 Backchat: Nature's 150th anniversary This week marks 150 years since the first issue of Nature was published, on 4 November 1869. In this anniversary edition of Backchat, the panel take a look back at how the journal has evolved in this time, and discuss ...
11.06.2019 07 November 2019: The fossil of an upright ape, science in 150 years, and immunization progress around the world This week, insights into the evolution of walking upright, how science needs to change in the next 150 years, and the unfinished agenda for vaccines. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy
10.31.2019 Nature Pastcast, October 1993: Carl Sagan uses Galileo to search for signs of life This year, Nature celebrates its 150th birthday. To mark this anniversary we’re rebroadcasting episodes from our PastCast series, highlighting key moments in the history of science. In the early 1990s, a team of astrophysicists led by Carl Sagan looked at ...
10.30.2019 31 October 2019: An AI masters the video game StarCraft II, and measuring arthropod abundance This week, a computer beats the best human players in StarCraft II, and a huge study of insects and other arthropods. In this episode: 00:45 Learning to play By studying and experimenting, an AI has reached Grandmaster level at the ...
10.28.2019 Podcast Extra: Detecting gravitational waves As part of Nature's 150th anniversary celebrations, we look back at an important moment in the history of science. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy
10.23.2019 24 October 2019: Quantum supremacy and ancient mammals This week, a milestone in quantum computing, and rethinking early mammals. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy
10.16.2019 17 October 2019: Mapping childhood mortality, and evolving ‘de novo’ genes This week, investigating child mortality rates at a local level, and building genes from non-coding DNA. In this episode: 00:43 A regional view of childhood mortality Researchers map countries' progress towards the UN’s Sustainable Developmental Goals. Research Article: Burstein et ...
10.09.2019 10 October 2019: Estimating earthquake risk, and difficulties for deep-learning This week, a method for predicting follow-up earthquakes, and the issues with deep learning systems in AI. In this episode: 00:47 Which is the big quake? A new technique could allow seismologists to better predict if a larger earthquake will ...
10.09.2019 Podcast Extra: Q&A with Nobel Prize winner John B Goodenough In this Podcast Extra, we speak to John B Goodenough, from the University of Texas at Austin in the US. Today, John was announced as one of the joint winners of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Reporter Benjamin Thompson ...
10.08.2019 Podcast Extra: Q&A with Nobel Prize winner Didier Queloz In this Podcast Extra, we speak to physicist Didier Queloz, who was announced today as one of the joint winners of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physics. Shortly after the winners were announced, Didier took part in a press conference ...
10.02.2019 03 October 2019: Leapfrogging speciation, and migrating mosquitoes This week, how new species may form by sexual imprinting, and a previously unknown way for mosquitoes to migrate. In this episode: 00:43 New species by sexual imprinting? A Central American frog chooses mates resembling its parents, a possible route ...
09.27.2019 Nature PastCast, September 1963: Plate tectonics – the unifying theory of Earth sciences This year, Nature celebrates its 150th birthday. To mark this anniversary we’re rebroadcasting episodes from our PastCast series, highlighting key moments in the history of science. Earthquakes, volcanoes, the formation of mountains; we understand all these phenomena in terms of ...
09.25.2019 26 September 2019: Mysteries of the ancient mantle, and the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy This week, diamond-containing rocks may help uncover secrets of the Earth’s mantle, and a reflection on science since the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy was published. In this episode: 00:46 Earth’s Evolution Explosive eruptions have allowed researchers to study Earth’s ...
09.21.2019 Podcast Extra: Absurd scientific advice How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems is the new book from XKCD cartoonist Randall Munroe. In this Podcast Extra, Randall talks about the book, its inspiration and the bizarre thought experiments it contains. For information regarding your ...
09.19.2019 Backchat: Covering Climate Now In this episode: 00:44 A global media collaboration This week, Nature is taking part in the Covering Climate Now project. What is it, and why has Nature joined? Editorial: Act now and avert a climate crisis 05:49 ‘Climate change’ vs ...
09.18.2019 19 September 2019: XKCD, and Extinction Rebellion This week, absurd advice from XKCD’s Randall Munroe, and a conversation climate lawyer turned activist Farhana Yamin. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy
09.11.2019 12 September 2019: Modelling early embryos, and male-dominated conferences This week, modelling embryonic development, and an analysis of male dominated conferences. In this episode: 00:44 Imitating implantation Researchers have created a system that uses stem cells to model the early stages of pregnancy. Research article: Zheng et al.; News ...
09.04.2019 05 September 2019: Persistent antibiotic resistance, and modelling hot cities This week, Salmonella spreading antibiotic resistance, and the drivers of urban heat islands. In this episode: 00:46 Antibiotic resistance reservoirs Researchers have identified how Salmonella ‘persister’ cells can spread antibiotic resistance genes in mice intestines. Research article: Bakkeren et al. ...
08.30.2019 Nature PastCast, August 1975: Antibodies’ ascendency to blockbuster drug status This year, Nature celebrates its 150th birthday. To mark this anniversary we’re rebroadcasting episodes from our PastCast series, highlighting key moments in the history of science. They’re found in home-testing kits for pregnancy, hospital tests for MRSA, and in six ...
08.28.2019 29 August 2019: Carbon-based computing, and depleting ancient-human genomes This week, a computer chip based on carbon nanotubes, and the potential pitfalls of sequencing ancient-human remains. In this episode: 00:45 A nanotube microprocessor Scientists are looking beyond silicon, by constructing a computer chip using carbon nanotubes. Research article: Shulaker ...
08.21.2019 22 August 2019: Combating online hate speech, and identifying early fossils This week, the resilience of internet hate groups, and searching for early life. In this episode: 00:46 Tackling internet hate Researchers have been modelling how hate groups interact online, and have come up with suggestions to combat this activity. Research ...
08.14.2019 15 August 2019: Atomic espionage in the Second World War, and exploring the early Universe This week, spilling nuclear secrets, and a mysterious period in the Universe’s history. In this episode: 00:46 "The most dangerous spy in history" We hear the story of Klaus Fuchs, who gave away the details of building an atomic bomb. ...
08.07.2019 08 August 2019: A mindset for success, and mercury in fish This week, a mindset to improve school performance, and the complex story of how mercury accumulates in fish. In this episode: 00:46 Growth Mindset How a one hour course could improve academic achievement. Research article: Yeager et al. 11:47 Research ...
07.31.2019 01 August 2019: The placental microbiome, and advances in artificial intelligence This week, whether the placenta is lacking microbes, and new hardware for artificial intelligence. In this episode: 00:43 Microbe-free placentas? New research suggests that the placenta is sterile. Research article: de Goffau et al.; News and Views: No bacteria found ...
07.26.2019 Nature PastCast, July 1942: Secret science in World War 2 This episode was first broadcast in July 2013. This year, Nature celebrates its 150th birthday. To mark this anniversary we’re rebroadcasting episodes from our PastCast series, highlighting key moments in the history of science. During the Second World War, scientists ...
07.24.2019 25 July 2019: The history of climate change, and making vaccines mandatory This week, how the climate has changed throughout history, and why enforcing vaccination should be done with care. In this episode: 00:39 Climate through time Researchers have modelled how climate has changed throughout the past 2000 years. Research article: Neukom ...
07.19.2019 Backchat July 2019: Breaking news, audience-led journalism and human gene editing In this episode: 01:01 Breaking News The first image of a black hole took the world by storm, but what was it like reporting such a quickly developing story? News: Black hole pictured for first time — in spectacular detail; ...
07.17.2019 18 July 2019: Quantum logic gates in silicon, and moving on from lab disasters This week, a new advance in silicon based quantum computing and experiences of how to recover when disaster strikes. In this episode: 00:45 Quantum logic A fast and accurate two-qubit logic gate has been designed in silicon. Research article: Simmons ...
07.10.2019 11 July 2019: The moon, past, present, and future This week, an extended chat about all things lunar with Alex Witze. Instead of a regular edition of the Nature Podcast, this week we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of humans walking on the Moon. Nick Howe catches up with planetary ...
07.03.2019 04 July 2019: Machine learning in materials science, and sand’s sustainability This week, using an algorithm to find properties in materials science, and the global consequences of sand-mining. In this episode: 00:47 Predicting properties A word-association algorithm is reading millions of abstracts to discover new properties of materials. Research article: Tshitoyan ...
06.28.2019 Nature PastCast, June 1876: Gorillas, man-eating monsters? This year, Nature celebrates its 150th birthday. To mark this anniversary we’re rebroadcasting episodes from our PastCast series, highlighting key moments in the history of science. According to the fables of early explorers, the gorilla was a terrible, man-eating monster. ...
06.26.2019 27 June 2019: Callused feet, and protein-based archaeology This week, how wearing shoes might affect foot sensitivity, and uncovering history with ancient proteins. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy
06.19.2019 20 June 2019: Non-native species, and a blood-inspired robot battery This week, what makes birds invasive, and a robotic fish powered by a blood-like battery. In this episode: 00:44 How do alien bird species establish themselves? Researchers have been looking at how bird species settle in non-native locations. Research article: ...
06.12.2019 13 June 2019: Mighty magnets, and aerosols in the atmosphere This week, a record-breaking magnetic field, and aerosols’ potential effects on the atmosphere. In this episode: 00:45 Making massive magnets Researchers have created the world’s strongest direct current magnetic field. 08:38 Research Highlights Macaques’ musicality and human consumption of microplastics. ...
06.05.2019 06 June 2019: Microbes modifying medicine and kickstarting plate tectonics This week, how gut microbes might be affecting drugs, and a new theory on the beginning of plate tectonics. In this episode: 00:45 Microbes metabolising drugs Researchers are investigating whether the gut microbiota can alter the activity of medicinal drugs. ...
05.31.2019 Nature PastCast May 1983: Discovering the ozone layer hole This year, Nature celebrates its 150th birthday. To mark this anniversary we’re rebroadcasting episodes from our PastCast series, highlighting key moments in the history of science. The discovery of the ozone hole in the mid-1980s was a shock. Scientists suspected ...

Older episodes

Nature Podcast

What's Nature Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Nature Podcast episodes:

16 January 2020: Strange objects at the centre of the galaxy, and improving measurements of online activity

09 January 2020: A look ahead at science in 2020

01 January 2020: Our reporters’ top picks of 2019

Nature PastCast, December 1920: The Quantum Theory

Podcast Extra: From climate lawyer to climate activist

Podcast Extra: Epigenetics

19 December 2019: The three-body problem, and festive fun

Long Read Podcast: How to save coral reefs as the world warms

12 December 2019: Social priming, and acoustic science

05 December 2019: Genomic sequencing and the source of solar winds

Nature Pastcast, November 1869: The first issue of Nature

28 November 2019: Nature’s 2019 PhD survey, and older women in sci-fi novels

21 November 2019: A new antibiotic from nematode guts, grant funding ‘lotteries’, and butterfly genomes

14 November 2019: A rapid, multi-material 3D printer, and a bacterium’s role in alcoholic hepatitis

Backchat: Nature's 150th anniversary

07 November 2019: The fossil of an upright ape, science in 150 years, and immunization progress around the world

Nature Pastcast, October 1993: Carl Sagan uses Galileo to search for signs of life

31 October 2019: An AI masters the video game StarCraft II, and measuring arthropod abundance

Podcast Extra: Detecting gravitational waves

24 October 2019: Quantum supremacy and ancient mammals

17 October 2019: Mapping childhood mortality, and evolving ‘de novo’ genes

10 October 2019: Estimating earthquake risk, and difficulties for deep-learning

Podcast Extra: Q&A with Nobel Prize winner John B Goodenough

Podcast Extra: Q&A with Nobel Prize winner Didier Queloz

03 October 2019: Leapfrogging speciation, and migrating mosquitoes

Nature PastCast, September 1963: Plate tectonics – the unifying theory of Earth sciences

26 September 2019: Mysteries of the ancient mantle, and the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

Podcast Extra: Absurd scientific advice

Backchat: Covering Climate Now

19 September 2019: XKCD, and Extinction Rebellion

12 September 2019: Modelling early embryos, and male-dominated conferences

05 September 2019: Persistent antibiotic resistance, and modelling hot cities

Nature PastCast, August 1975: Antibodies’ ascendency to blockbuster drug status

29 August 2019: Carbon-based computing, and depleting ancient-human genomes

22 August 2019: Combating online hate speech, and identifying early fossils

15 August 2019: Atomic espionage in the Second World War, and exploring the early Universe

08 August 2019: A mindset for success, and mercury in fish

01 August 2019: The placental microbiome, and advances in artificial intelligence

Nature PastCast, July 1942: Secret science in World War 2

25 July 2019: The history of climate change, and making vaccines mandatory

Backchat July 2019: Breaking news, audience-led journalism and human gene editing

18 July 2019: Quantum logic gates in silicon, and moving on from lab disasters

11 July 2019: The moon, past, present, and future

04 July 2019: Machine learning in materials science, and sand’s sustainability

Nature PastCast, June 1876: Gorillas, man-eating monsters?

27 June 2019: Callused feet, and protein-based archaeology

20 June 2019: Non-native species, and a blood-inspired robot battery

13 June 2019: Mighty magnets, and aerosols in the atmosphere

06 June 2019: Microbes modifying medicine and kickstarting plate tectonics

Nature PastCast May 1983: Discovering the ozone layer hole

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