Explore every episode of the podcast Nature Podcast

Dive into the complete episode list for Nature Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

	Title	Pub. Date	Duration
	Transplanted human brain-tissue takes root in mice without a cortex	16 Sep 2026	00:28:10
In this episode: 00:46 Human brain-organoids transplanted into mice missing their cortex Nature: Human brain cells transplanted into mice in ‘most extensive’ integration ever 13:51 Research Highlights Nature: Ruins of ancient Asian city show engineering prowess and organization Nature: Distant sensors announced a fearsome tsunami’s birth 16:16 Paper2Agent: the AI tool that lets researchers talk to papers Nature: AI tool turns any paper into an ‘agent’ that can collaborate and answer complex queries *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: The Bunsen burner myth that turns out to be just hot air	11 Sep 2026	00:15:55
Nature staff discuss an AI tool that can assess the impact of nine billion mutations — plus, how the Bunsen burner’s reputation for sterilization may be based on tradition alone. 00:21 Deepmind’s new tool helps scientists find the impact of mutations Nature: DeepMind’s new genome ‘atlas’ charts effects of all nine billion human gene mutations 07:10 Bacteria can still contaminate plates near to active Bunsen burners Nature: Bunsen burners’ reputation for sterilizing workplaces flames out *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Phone tutoring boosts math scores when schools are forced to close	09 Sep 2026	00:21:10
In this episode: 00:46 How telephone teaching could boost education during school shutdowns Nature: Pick up the phone! Phone calls with tutors keep kids learning when schools shut down 11:42 Research Highlights Nature: Super-precise optical clocks in four nations tick in harmony Nature: These greenhouse-gas sources have trotters and snouts 14:15 Why atlases might need an update Nature: Hello Equal Earth: what the UN’s new world map will change *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: How 1,000 pairs of buried underpants helped measure soil health	04 Sep 2026	00:12:24
In this episode: 00:21 Our picks of this year’s Ig Nobel prizes Nature: Buried underpants and a new definition of kissing win 2026 Ig Nobel prizes 07:47 Massive xenon experiment detects tantalizing hint of dark matter Nature: Is this the first glimpse of dark matter? Data point excites physicists *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Audio long read: Could mending damaged DNA prolong life?	02 Sep 2026	00:18:16
Scientists are amassing evidence that unrepaired or poorly repaired DNA damage underlies many of the hallmarks of ageing. This has led to research into whether boosting DNA repair can keep people healthy for longer. This is an audio version of our Feature: Could mending damaged DNA prolong life? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: How Dolly Parton left her mark on science	28 Aug 2026	00:14:05
In this episode: 00:18 Researchers celebrate Dolly Parton's contributions to science Nature: Dolly Parton dies aged 80 — researchers celebrate her contributions to science 08:40 Phase III trial of melanoma vaccine shows promise Nature: Moderna cancer vaccine stops melanoma returning: what’s next for personalized treatments? *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Highest-ever ocean temperatures recorded as El Niño intensifies	26 Aug 2026	00:19:00
Why extreme temperatures are expected to weaken ocean carbon sinks — plus, how mitochondrial injections could treat vision loss. 00:46 The world’s oceans reach a record temperature Nature: Ocean temperatures set to break all-time record: what’s next? 10:05 Research Highlights Nature: Astronaut vest cuts radiation exposure in half Nature: Earth-shaking thunder probes underground geology 12:54 How mitochondrial injections could treat vision loss Nature: Patient’s own mitochondria injected into eyes in attempt to restore vision *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: New narcolepsy drug could unlock host of novel brain therapies	21 Aug 2026	00:12:25
Nature staff discuss how an FDA-approved drug for narcolepsy could have promise beyond the condition, and the longest-lived human brain organoids yet. 00:28 The promise of a new narcolepsy drug Nature: First-of-its-kind narcolepsy drug opens door to new therapies for the brain 05:53 Human brain organoids kept alive for over five years Nature: Human organoids that mimic brain development grown for years in lab *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	A black hole's spin could finally be measured by a high-speed star	19 Aug 2026	00:29:11
*Star orbiting close to Sagittarius A could reveal its spin — plus, how exoskeletons might change the way humans move.** 00:46 The star that could reveal a black hole’s spin Research article: Dayem et al. 13:23 Research Highlights Nature: Rattlesnakes’ own antivenom could protect humans too Nature: Shipping on rivers packs a surprisingly large climate punch 15:40 Commercial exoskeletons are hitting the market — what now? Nature: Will you be wearing an exoskeleton in ten years? The tech that could change how we move *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: Anthropic rolls out new AI watermark — will it make a difference?	14 Aug 2026	00:16:52
In this episode: 00:29 What does Anthropic’s new watermark mean for research? Nature: Can Anthropic’s invisible watermarks curb ‘AI slop’? Researchers remain sceptical 10:57 Ticklishness is a distinct, specialized body sensation, research finds Nature: Where are you ticklish? Researchers map the sensation across cultures *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	The probiotic bacteria engineered to treat diabetes	12 Aug 2026	00:19:37
Genetically modified bacteria lower high blood-sugar in animal trials — plus, how to safely watch a solar eclipse. 00:45 A living diabetes treatment Research article: Guan et al. 08:03 Research Highlights Nature: Pumas are drivers’ guardian angels Nature: How a steady drip-drip can erode the hardest stone 10:29 What eclipses might reveal about the Sun’s corona Nature: Solar eclipse offers rare chance to solve Sun’s magnetic-field mysteries *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: Is DNA repair the secret to a long life? Whales and mole-rats offer tantalizing hints	07 Aug 2026	00:13:52
Nature staff discuss how animal studies are starting to uncover how DNA repair could prolong life, and how COVID-19 can reawaken dormant viruses. 00:25 Could reawakened viruses have a link to long-COVID? Nature: COVID can wake up a slew of dormant viruses inside you 05:57 DNA damage can cause ageing, could boosting repair boost longevity? Nature: Could mending damaged DNA prolong life? *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Junk plastic turns into high-value commodity with chemistry trick	05 Aug 2026	00:13:01
Researchers untangle the chemistry behind turning PVC into high-grade motor lubricant — plus, how engineered yeast can help make a cancer drug. 00:45 The chemistry behind converting PVC into lubricant Research article: Munyaneza et al. 09:15 Research Highlights Nature: Engineered yeast that make cancer drugs could spare a rare flower Nature: Sickle-cell disease linked to prematurely aged stem cells in mice *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: Orcas smashed a sunfish to bits — researchers aren't sure why	31 Jul 2026	00:14:18
In this episode: 00:24 The quest to count the Amazon's insects Nature: Tiny patch of Amazon likely holds 40,000 insect species — many new to science 07:31 The orcas that exploded a sunfish The Guardian: Orcas seen ramming prey so hard it explodes may be playing game Tiktok: Orcas vs sunfish *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Earthworks spotted in the Amazon hint at huge ancient civilization	29 Jul 2026	00:20:30
In this episode: 00:45 Ancient structures hidden beneath the Amazon’s canopy Research article: Pärssinen et al. 09:15 Research Highlights Nature: It’ll grow on you: live fungi formed into sustainable fashion Physical Review Fluids: Gourmandie et al. 11:48 Tiny fossils represent the earliest-known squid ancestor Research article: Song et al. *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: Baby T. rex were killers from birth, suggest new fossils	24 Jul 2026	00:12:43
Nature staff discuss the young but deadly dinosaur kings, the prowess of ancient Egyptian princesses, and how London is becoming the world’s AI safety capital. 00:34 London is transforming into an AI-safety hub Nature: A global capital for AI safety is emerging — and it’s not in Silicon Valley 05:52 Bones reveal that ancient Egyptian princesses weren’t pampered Scientific American: Ancient Egyptian princesses were ‘powerful’ weapon users, new analysis suggests 9:30 T. rex was born ready to kill Discover magazine: Fossil Evidence Indicates Baby T. rex Were Tiny, but Deadly *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	What counts as a moon? Huge ‘exosatellite’ sparks debate	22 Jul 2026	00:23:50
00:45 The discovery of a moon-like object in a distant star system Research article: Hoy et al. 10:34 Research Highlights Nature: Moving floors keep buildings from swaying with the wind Nature: Wearable sensors on the face are invisible to the eye 13:07 A discovery of a new type of rare transmissible-cancer Research article: Curd et al. *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: Sweet! Elusive sugar molecules found in space	17 Jul 2026	00:09:55
In this episode: 00:24 A sweet discovery near the Milky Way’s centre Nature: First ‘true sugar’ molecule found in space — offering hints to life’s origins 05:05 Mathematical texts give insights into Maya mathematical prowess Nature: Mathematics formula found on Maya wall rivals insights of ancient masters *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	‘Holy grail’ of naked mole-rat research reveals how queens rule	15 Jul 2026	00:22:40
00:45 The secret scent behind a naked mole-rat's rule Research article: Khallaf et al. 08:34 Research Highlights Nature: Pair of ‘super-puff’ planets are lighter than candyfloss Nature: Alpine crossing took a heavy toll on Hannibal’s elephants and troops 10:59 The psychology behind a brand-new board game: the behaviour of beginners Research article: Collins et al. *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: The 30 year-legacy of a science icon – Dolly the sheep	10 Jul 2026	00:10:03
In this episode: 00:29 Dolly the sheep’s 30-year legacy Metro: Dolly the sheep at 30: The clone that changed science (and celebrity petdom) Nature: From cloning to gene-editing: the enduring legacy of Dolly the sheep 05:20 The ocean floor caught in the act of splitting at the seams Nature: Ocean floor witnessed splitting apart for the first time — releasing lava *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Nukes in space? Orbital detector could sniff out warheads	08 Jul 2026	00:25:08
In this episode: 00:45 A neutron detector could sniff out a secret space nuke Research article: Danagoulian 11:52 Research Highlights Nature: Volcanic magma sculpts eerie domes on the sea floor Nature: Clues to the sloth’s sloth found in its genome 14:18 How indigenous knowledge in the Amazon could disappear Research article: Cámara-Leret et al. *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Togetherness: How co-operation built the world	01 Jul 2026	00:31:39
In this episode, we speak with science journalist Rowan Hooper, whose book Togetherness: Symbiosis and the Hidden Story of Life's Greatest Collaborations takes a deep-dive into the world of co-operation between organisms. In the book, he argues that collaboration in nature has often been overlooked in favour of competition, and that organisms working together have played a vital role in making the world the way it is. Togetherness: Symbiosis and the Hidden Story of Life's Greatest Collaborations Rowan Hooper Fern Press (2026) Music supplied by SPD/Triple Scoop Music/Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Audio long read: Is the peptide craze backed by science? The promise behind the hype	29 Jun 2026	00:16:41
Peptides — short chains of amino acids — have become huge online. The popularity of these molecules has skyrocketed and they are now the latest cure-all trend on social media. But what does the science say about their effectiveness? Animal research suggests that that some of these experimental peptides hold promise, but evidence they work in people is lacking. This is an audio version of our Feature: Is the peptide craze backed by science? The promise behind the hype Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: What tickling a chimpanzee can tell us about the evolution of speech	26 Jun 2026	00:11:30
Nature staff discuss how apes share a rhythm of laughter, and how AI use may degrade skills in medicine and computer science. 00:32 Early evidence suggests that AI use causes skills to atrophy Nature: Is AI ruining our skills? Early results are in — and they’re not good 06:42 Humans and chimps share a laugh Nature: Oo oo, ha ha: why humans and great apes giggle alike when tickled *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Medical records could be revealed by AI training-data vulnerability	24 Jun 2026	00:19:54
In this episode: 00:46 How sensitive information can be gleaned from medical AIs Research article: Knolle et al. Correction: The story about medical AI-data privacy incorrectly stated that the number of individuals at high risk of a membership inference attack increases as training-dataset size grows. It should have stated that the increase in risk occurs when the AI model increases in capacity and size. 11:31 Research Highlights Nature: A long-lived butterfly’s secret to graceful ageing Nature: It slices! It dices! Sashimi-Bot handles seafood with ease 13:57 Across the Universe, galaxies clump together more than physicists thought they should Research article: Labini & Galoppo *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: Testosterone and sperm may get a boost from obesity drugs	19 Jun 2026	00:12:16
Nature staff discuss preliminary data on the effects of GLP-1 drugs on male fertility plus a two-year trial of a brain-computer interface. 00:18 Brain-computer interface makes a life-changing impact Nature: At-home brain implant gives man with motor neuron disease his daily life back 05:39 The possible benefits of obesity drugs on testosterone Nature: The latest benefit of obesity drugs: boosting testosterone and sperm quality *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	DNA from hunter-gatherer teeth reveals secrets of ancient plague	17 Jun 2026	00:26:42
In this episode: 00:45 Ancient evidence of deadly plague outbreaks Research article: Macleod et al. 12:33 Research Highlights Nature: Bones of Iron Age skeleton were whittled into tools Nature: Giant crustacean of the deep sea steals a trick from bacteria 14:52 A prototype atom interferometer Research article: Baynham et al. *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: The epic journey of Stonehenge’s central stone	12 Jun 2026	00:11:20
In this episode: 00:37 Evidence that Stonehenge's Altar Stone travelled by glacier BBC Science Focus: We may have just cracked one of Stonehenge's greatest mysteries 05:44 Fossilized faeces reveal DNA from ancient ecosystem Nature: Ancient ground squirrels feasted on carcasses like ‘zombies of the Pleistocene’ *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Newly-discovered whale graveyard dates back millions of years	10 Jun 2026	00:21:38
In this episode: 00:46 A giant, ancient whale necropolis Research article: Peng et al. News & Views: A vast whale necropolis has been found 08:52 Research Highlights Nature: Babies’ birth weight improves with help of payments to parents Nature: Earliest signs of vision recorded in ancient sea-floor tracks 11:11 Turning plant material into chemical building-blocks Research article: Mains et al. *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing chat: Spinosaurs with salt glands could have lived in marine environments	05 Jun 2026	00:11:25
In this episode: 00:23 Fossil evidence that spinosaurs had an aquatic lifestyle Science: Some spinosaurs cried salty tears to thrive in brackish waters 04:57 The explosive immune cells that kill in minutes Nature: Bang! Exploding immune cells splatter potent toxins everywhere *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Your phone can use tiny skin-colour changes to measure your heart rate	03 Jun 2026	00:18:23
In this episode: 00:57 How your smartphone’s camera could measure your heart rate Research article: Liao et al. 08:55 Research Highlights Nature: A star gone rogue tears through the Galaxy Nature: Gold keeps glittering courtesy of surface chemistry 11:04 Should you try something new in a restaurant? Maths has the answer Nature: Feynman solved the ‘restaurant dilemma’ 50 years ago — now a study confirms his mathematics *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: When to trust eyewitness memory – according to science	29 May 2026	00:17:14
In this episode: 00:21 When witnesses identify suspects from police line-ups, confidence matters Nature: Memory on trial: the new science of when to trust eyewitness testimony 07:15 Registered Reports: how this ‘double peer review’ process could benefit scientists and their results Nature: Nature is expanding Registered Reports to all the fields in which we publish Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Major Ebola outbreak is escalating: what happens next	22 May 2026	00:12:01
On 17 May the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an ongoing Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Centred on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the outbreak has seen mounting numbers of suspected cases and deaths linked to the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola virus. In this podcast we hear what's currently known about the outbreak and the efforts of clinicians, researchers and public health officials to halt its progress. Nature: Ebola outbreak is a global health emergency: what happens next Nature: Race begins to trial Ebola drugs amid current outbreak Nature: Ebola outbreak spirals out of control: how might it have started? Nature: Will this Ebola outbreak be the biggest yet? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	AI ‘scientists’ promise to accelerate research — how do they work?	20 May 2026	00:27:55
In this episode: 00:46 Meet the AI scientists designed to accelerate research Research article: Ghareeb et al. Research article: Gottweis et al. Nature: Teams of AI agents boost speed of research Editorial: Why AI cannot do good science without humans Nature: Do you hate or love AI? Take Nature’s poll 13:25 Research Highlights Nature: Dried to survive: desiccated tardigrades tolerate high heat Nature: Pristine Antarctic ice records the Solar System’s travels 15:35 Using LiDAR to look around corners Research article: Somasundaram et al. *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: Hantavirus — what this outbreak reveals about the disease	15 May 2026	00:09:34
In this episode: 00:34 What questions remain about the hantavirus outbreak? Nature: Hantavirus outbreak exposes uncertainty about how disease spreads Nature: There is no vaccine for deadly hantavirus: what that means for future outbreaks *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Red-light therapy is all the rage — does it work?	13 May 2026	00:21:56
In this episode: 00:42 Is red-light therapy all hype? Disclaimer: The opinions and assertions expressed herein by Juanita Anders are those of the speaker and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences or the Department of War. Nature: The surprising science behind red-light therapy — and how it really works 10:52 Research Highlights Nature: Trafficked pangolins can be traced to their source by DNA — even to a specific forest Nature: A wispy wrapper for a chilly, Pluto-like world 13:11 The complex story of global obesity rates Research article: NCD Risk Factor Collaboration *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Audio long read: The air is full of DNA — here’s what scientists are using it for	11 May 2026	00:19:06
Although scientists have long been able to gather DNA from water and soil, it's only recently that they've started to see the air as a source of genetic information. Airborne DNA is already being used to monitor individual species, but researchers hope its abundance could have multiple uses, including judging the success of conservation efforts or attacks with biological weapons. However, there remains much to understand, such as how far DNA travels in the air, and the ethics involved in the potential identification of a person's genetic information. This is an audio version of our Feature: The air is full of DNA — here’s what scientists are using it for Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: Can't focus? It's not your attention span, it's your notifications	08 May 2026	00:10:53
00:31 The science of attention spans Nature Feature: Are attention spans really shrinking? What the science says 04:54 Data centres in space? Nature News Explainer: AI data hubs in space: when will they take flight? Nature Comment: Space diplomacy: bridging the operating gaps between myriad missions *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Anaesthetized brains can still process podcasts	06 May 2026	00:15:00
In this episode: 00:42 Probing the unconscious brain’s processing ability Research Article: Katlowitz et al. Nature: Even the unconscious brain can learn — and predict what you’ll say next 12:32 Research Highlights Nature: An electrifying test to find a good coffee Nature: Forest pests hit trees hard as temperatures rise Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: Stressed mitochondria spawn new 'organelles' in cells	01 May 2026	00:12:55
In this episode: 00:27 How a parasite unveiled a mitochondrial secret Nature: Mitochondria can spawn new ‘organelles’ — hinting at how modern cells evolved 06:13 The extinct cephalopods that could have been enormous Nature: Did kraken-like octopuses rule Cretaceous seas? Massive jaw fossils offer clues *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Immunity gets a boost from a surprising place — breakfast	29 Apr 2026	00:20:36
In this episode: 00:45 How eating can boost the immune system Research Article: Kumar et al. 08:28 Research Highlights Nature: Cosmic-ray detection heralds era of mega-observatories for neutrinos Nature: Little ants groom big ones in a desert spa 10:53 The pressing need to plan for future nuclear disasters World View: Forty years after Chornobyl, more nuclear disasters are inevitable — plan for them *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Inside the evidence revolution — how decision-making became data driven	24 Apr 2026	00:26:23
In this episode of Nature hits the books, we speak with Nature's Helen Pearson whose book Beyond Belief: How Evidence Shows What Really Works looks at the history of using evidence, rather than opinion, in decision making. The book traces the course of the movement in various disciplines, such as the rise of evidence-based medicine in the 90s, looking at the rebels who led the charge, the barriers they faced, and why the use of evidence is crucial at a time when misinformation is rife. Beyond Belief: How Evidence Shows What Really Works Helen Pearson Princeton University Press (in the press) Music supplied by SPD/Triple Scoop Music/Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Meet Ace, the table-tennis robot that can beat elite players	22 Apr 2026	00:26:10
In this episode: 00:45 The table-tennis robot that can mix it with the pros Research Article: Dürr et al. News and Views: Robot can beat elite players at table tennis Video: This robot can beat you at table tennis 14:13 Research Highlights Nature: Venus’s impenetrable haze could be made of cosmic dust Nature: Graves reveal plague’s inequitable toll 16:21 Why physicists can’t agree on the strength of Big G Nature: How big is Big G? Mystery deepens after ten-year effort to measure gravity’s strength Research Article: Schlamminger et al. *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: Penguins pick up PFAS pollution	17 Apr 2026	00:15:01
In this episode: 00:30 The penguins measuring environmental PFAS Science: Penguins become marine detectives, thanks to pollutant-detecting anklets 05:14 Treating autoimmune diseases with CAR-T Nature: One woman, three autoimmune diseases: CAR-T therapy vanquishes ultra-rare disease trio 10:34 Why an anglerfish’s lure might have two uses Science: Why do anglerfish have glowing lures? It might be sex *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Giant cancer study reveals effectiveness of 'off label' treatments	15 Apr 2026	00:27:11
In this episode: 00:46 A massive trial assessing the outcomes of ‘off label’ cancer treatment Research Article: Verkerk et al. 12:49 Research Highlights Nature: Microbial hockey: bacteria can spin a ‘puck’ just by swimming Nature: Regular physical activity in midlife cuts risk of early death 15:14 10,000 years of western Eurasian evolution Nature: Landmark ancient-genome study shows surprise acceleration of human evolution Research Article: Akbari et al. *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* *Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the Nature Podcast on* *Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music* *or your favourite podcast app.* *An RSS feed for the Nature Podcast* *is available too.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Behind the scenes with Artemis II’s scientists during the historic Moon fly-by	10 Apr 2026	00:13:40
In this episode: On Monday, reporter Alexandra Witze was in the heart of the Artemis II mission’s science operations. She tells us about the experience and what NASA’s researchers have learnt from the mission so far. Nature: I was with Artemis II’s scientists during the Moon fly-by. Here’s what I saw Nature: First photos from Artemis II: see stunning ‘Earthset’ and more Nature: Historic Artemis II Moon fly-by — Nature’s live coverage as it happened *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: The tongue trick that helps sunbirds suck	08 Apr 2026	00:13:52
In this episode: 00:41 Exosome therapies could deliver drugs to hard to reach places Nature: Eye drops made from pig semen deliver cancer treatment to mice 5:08 The impact of parenthood on women’s academic careers Nature: Motherhood derails women’s academic careers — these data reveal how and why 10:34 The unusual suction that lets Sunbirds drink Science: These birds suck—literally *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Artemis II is go: humans head to the Moon after half-century absence	02 Apr 2026	00:15:20
In this podcast we'll talk about NASA's Artemis II launch, which has ushered in a new era of lunar exploration. Nature: Lift off! Artemis II mission sends humans to the Moon — opening a new era of exploration Nature: Artemis II mission is about to fly humans to the Moon — here’s the science they’ll do Nature: Humanity is heading back to the Moon — why aren’t more scientists thrilled? *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	These scientists chased a jet to learn more about ‘lean-burn’ contrails	01 Apr 2026	00:24:48
In this episode: 00:46 Collecting contrails at 30,000 feet Research Article: Voigt et al. 11:23 Research Highlights Nature: Sunken Soviet nuclear submarine’s radioactive release Nature: History of ‘forever’ chemicals is written in Antarctic snow 13:34 Fakery in science April Fakes Day *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
	Briefing Chat: ‘Zombie cells’ resurrected with new genes	27 Mar 2026	00:11:01
Nature staff discuss some of the week's top science news. 00:18 ‘Zombie cells’ revived with genome transplant Nature: ‘Zombie cells’ return from the dead — after a genome transplant 05:27 A limit to cloning, in mice Nature: Can a mouse be cloned indefinitely? Decades-long experiment has answers *Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.* Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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