Science unscripted

According to research conducted in Switzerland, Sweden and Germany, spiders eat more meat each year than humans do, and they could easily eat the human race each year - more than once! Spiders are not only hungry, however; they are incredibly adaptable, arguably terrifying, and understudied. With that in mind, Spectrum is all about these amazing arachnids this week.

Is walking barefoot the secret to a better life? We promise you the slime of your life when we take a look at harvesting snail slime. What do caterpillars, bees and plastic bags have in common – tune in to find out about one very hungry caterpillar that might help solve the world's plastic bag problem. All that and more on Spectrum with host Jessie Wingard.

A supercomputer to fill in gaps in data, technology to assist the aging Japanese, harvesting snail slime and alien trees in Cameroon.

Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel, officially opens the country's sparkling neurodegenerative research center - and DW's there look at how scientists are addressing one of the greatest medical threats in a generation.

Murders, suicides, mass shootings - more people die as a result of guns in USA than in any other high-income country. Researchers say they could reduce the number of deaths by conducting proper research on firearms and their impact. Also: Radioactive wild boars in the Czech Republic and - being woken up by an electric shock.

Murders, suicides, mass shootings: more people die as a result of guns in the US than in any other high-income country. Scientists say their research into gun violence would help reduce the number of deaths, if it was properly funded. Also on the program: radioactive wild boars in the Czech Republic, and being woken up by an electric shock.

Scientists are trying to find bigger storage options for renewable energy. Everyone from car companies to research scientists exploring possibilities. Also on Spectrum: The first carbon-neutral community in Britain and how power pylons birds are electrocuting our birds.

The World Health Organisation says breast cancer is the cause of more than half a million deaths each year. Could anti-inflammatory drugs be the next step in preventing it? Also, we analyse the style and substance of US President Donald Trump’s language.

Why German researchers are concerned about the future with Donald Trump in the White House? Also on Spectrum: North and South Korea are divided by far more than political resentment - we're going to look at how differently people in the two Koreas speak. And finally - ever wonder how blue jeans are made? We're going to meet the northernmost producer of jeans in the world - in Norway.

This week on Spectrum - scientists in the US band together as President Donald Trump declares war on STEM. Artificial sweeteners, sugar-free, but at what cost? And … scientists discover strip-teasing geckos. All that and more with host Jessie Wingard.