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Nature Podcast
A new way to cool computer chips — from within
Keeping electronics from overheating, and how to include minority populations in genetic analyses.
In this episode:
00:46 Cool computers
Keeping components cool is a major hurdle when it comes to increasing electronic power. This week, we find out about a new way to integrate tiny microfluidic channels directly into circuits, to help keep them cool. Research Article: van Erp et al.
06:57 Coronapod
By comparing coronavirus genomes taken from people around the world, researchers are getting an idea of how SARS-CoV-2 is changing as it spreads. We discuss a particular genetic mutation that rapidly became dominant early in the pandemic, and the effect it may have had on the outbreak. News: The coronavirus is mutating — does it matter?
21:41 Research Highlights
How rock avalanches can cause destructive air blasts, and melting glaciers cause lakes to grow. Research Highlight: The violent blasts that can add to an avalanche’s devastation; Research Article: Shugar et al.
23:59 The people left out of genetic studies
Minority populations are often underrepresented in genetic study recruitment. However, even when data about them is collected it may go unused. We find out why, and what can be done about it. Comment: Don’t ignore genetic data from minority populations
30:51 Briefing Chat
We discuss some of the latest stories highlighted in the Nature Briefing. This week we discuss how bacterially-infected mosquitoes could curb dengue fever, and some surprisingly large black holes. Nature News: The mosquito strategy that could eliminate dengue; Nature News: ‘It’s mindboggling!’: astronomers detect most powerful black-hole collision yet
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Ancient DNA charts spread of Celtic and Germanic languages
25:16|Ancient genomes from thousands of individuals show how migrations helped shape Celtic and Germanic languages — plus, how the brain may regulate emotions differently than we thought. 00:49 How Celtic and Germanic languages spread across EuropeResearch Article: McColl et al.Research Article: McColl et al.13:00 Research HighlightsNature: Barn owls’ ancestors made a transatlantic flightNature: Even stupendous black holes can’t explain dark matter15:34 Why part of the brain may not be controlling emotions in the way researchers thoughtResearch Article: Sicorello et al.Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.Correction: This article originally stated Simon Rodway’s name incorrectly. The podcast has now been updated to correct this.
Briefing Chat: Dog years: could longevity science extend your pets' lives?
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26:05|Expedition revealed that water wasn’t enough for human settlement — plus, proposals to block sunlight get serious. 00:49 A failed desert expedition to find human tools reveals what humans needed to thriveResearch Article: Dellmour et al.12:33 Research HighlightsNature: Sleep declines in rural communities after electricity arrivesNature: AI doctors’ orders come with a sky-high bill15:14 Could satellites help cool the Earth?Nature: Could a giant sunshade in space 'solve global warming'? Scientists are taking the idea seriouslySubscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.
Briefing Chat: How physicists successfully trapped the electron's antimatter equivalent
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16:05|Critical thinking is a skill that is under threat from the AI revolution in large language models. But all is not lost. Specialists in education and cognition have long been studying critical thinking, and some have useful tips on how to stay cognitively sharp in the age of AI.This is an audio version of our Feature: How to stay smart in the age of AI: the science of critical thinking
Briefing Chat: An invisible tattoo that appears under UV light – and then disappears
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21:37|Analysis suggests number of protected areas is hugely underestimated but biodiversity is still in peril — plus, a huge study looking at the health effects of brown fat.00:45 The world may have more conservation areas than previously thoughtResearch Article: O’Neill et al.08:38 Research HighlightsNature: The Solar System could die one billion times earlier than thoughtNature: Chimp and gorilla brains resist weight loss with age — unlike human brains11:19 Giant study expands list of brown fat’s health benefitsResearch Article: Gómez-Banoy et al.Nature: Overlooked 'brown' body fat linked to wide range of health benefitsSubscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.