The Science Inside

Will science and technology be able to stop rhino poaching? By starting with the atrocious story of the mutilated rhino which was found by Belgian tourists in The Kruger National Park we explore the science and technology of rhino poaching.

From there we move into how mechanical drones are used to catch poachers, how optical sensors work, how DNA helps with matching a rhino with its horn, the ethics of injecting the horn with poison and, finally, how organized crime syndicates in South Africa keep ahead of the technology.

This week on The Science Inside we go deep into the forensic evidence of the Oscar Pistorius trial. We hear from Professor Stephen Tuson from The Wits Law Clinic and forensic scientist Dr David Klatzow. They'll chat about how the quality of the expert witnesses will be fundamental to this trial and unpack all the forensic details from the bullets to the blood to why he carried her down the stairs.

The third episode of The Science Inside is a liberation story. It starts with women eating toxic clay to try and lighten their skin.

And from there it explores the cause of the clay’s toxicity as acid mine drainage and culminates with a community protesting against the tragic damage done to their environment. It brings in activists, scientists and journalists to tell a story about how we could be seriously damaging our communities and if we are able to stop it.

In the first ten minutes of episode 2 of The Science Inside there is a truly heartbreaking bit... it's because we're looking at the science inside South Africa's ARV shortages. We get to the bottom of how the drugs work and where they fail. We look at some of the myths surrounding HIV treatment and celebrate the local research of new kinds of therapies.

We also go out with Professor Lee Berger to explore his phenomenally successful Rising Star Expedition.

The pilot episode of our new science show "The Science Inside" looks at the science involved with creating and dismantling chemical weapons.