scientists at work

Hear about a cute animal with the less cute name of the Tasmanian Devil. It is fast becoming extinct as it can suffer from an unusual cancer that is contagious. The Science Show’s Chris Creese asks Sanger Institute researcher Elizabeth Murchison what’s going on.

Follow-up links

Watch Elizabeth Murchison on “Fighting a contagious cancer” in a TED talk (disturbing images) www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_murchison.html.

The Sanger Institute on the Wellcome Trust Genome Campus www.sanger.ac.uk

Save the Tasmanian Devil at www.tassiedevil.com.au

We talk with Peter Barham, a professor of 'Molecular Gastronomy' about what his delicious subject entails.  He wrote the book "The Science of Cooking". His idea is that "a kitchen is like science laboratory”, and that cookery is indeed an experimental science. Professor Barham has worked with restaurant chefs including Heston Blumenthal of the celebrated “Fat Duck” restaurant in Berkshire.

He was giving a talk in Cambridge for the Cambridge Society for the Application of Research. (Listen to show at the link below below or just  the interview here). You can find more talks at the C.S.A.R. website. (http://www.csar.org.uk)

TOUR DE FRANCE - IMPROVING CYCLING PERFORMANCE with PSYCHOLOGY

A surprising report, from guest Science Show presenter Daniel Edward, on how cycling performance is being improved with a programme to change not physique but cyclists’ attitude to the pain of working at their limits.

SCIENCE NEWS in this show

The Emperor penguin is in peril and deserve endangered species status. http://www.eurekalert.org/emb_releases/2014-06/whoi-sfe062714.php

The Malaria parasite changes your body smell in order to attract other mosquitoes to your skin. http://www.eurekalert.org/emb_releases/2014-06/ez-bor062714.php

WHAT’S ON AT Cambridge Science Centre

Extreme Engineering - discover how to build the world’s tallest buildings, design an earthquake-proof structure, and find out how shrinking electronics is changing our lives. The Science Centre has new exhibits on 'materials for on extreme environments' and also 'engineering and speed'. Find the summer programme dates at http://www.cambridgesciencecentre.org

This week we find out about aerodynamics and what it involves. We meet Professor Holger Babinsky at Cambridge University Engineering Department. He talks about wind tunnels and the need for bumps on aeroplane wings.