Share
Nature Podcast
Meet the ‘Wee-rex’. Tiny tyrannosaur is its own species
A hotly debated species of dinosaur, assumed by many to be a juvenile T. rex, is actually a separate species, according to new research. Nanotyrannus was a dinosaur anatomically similar to T. rex, but about a tenth of the size, leading many to argue it was a young version of the iconic species. However, examination of the limb bones of a well-preserved Nanotyrannus fossil suggests it was close to finishing its growth and so would never become as large as a T. rex, leading the authors to argue that it is, in fact, a different species.
Research Article: Zanno and Napoli
News and Views: T. rex debate settled: contested fossils are smaller rival species, not juveniles
News: ‘Teenage T. rex’ fossil is actually a different species
Video: Hotly debated dinosaur is not a tiny T. rex after all
An artificial ‘neuron’ could pave the way to build a brain-inspired computer — plus, how bats buck the trend by hunting prey their own size.
Research Highlight: Artificial brains with less drain
Research Highlight: By the time you hear these bats, it’s too late
An ‘anti-hormone’ therapy has shown promise in halting the onset of hallmarks associated with breast cancer, in a small trial. Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women worldwide, but preventative measures, such as mastectomies, are invasive. A new study examined the efficacy of a treatment that blocks progesterone, a hormone thought to play an important role in breast cancer progression. The therapy reduced both specific clinical markers of breast cancer and the number of cells that can become cancerous. Larger, longer trials are needed to show that this treatment could ultimately become part of a breast cancer prevention strategy, but the team think that this work shows the promise of this approach.
Research Article: Simões et al.
A new approach to speed up CRIPSR therapies reaching clinical trials, and how vocal cords could be healed using a tiny 3D printer.
Nature: Personalized gene editing helped one baby: can it be rolled out widely?
Nature: World’s smallest 3D bioprinter could rebuild tissue during surgery
More episodes
View all episodes
Briefing Chat: Anthropic rolls out new AI watermark — will it make a difference?
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 sceptical10:57 Ticklishness is a distinct, specialized body sensation, research findsNature: Where are you ticklish? Researchers map the sensation across culturesSubscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.
The probiotic bacteria engineered to treat diabetes
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 treatmentResearch article: Guan et al.08:03 Research HighlightsNature: Pumas are drivers’ guardian angelsNature: How a steady drip-drip can erode the hardest stone10:29 What eclipses might reveal about the Sun’s coronaNature: Solar eclipse offers rare chance to solve Sun’s magnetic-field mysteriesSubscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.
Briefing Chat: Is DNA repair the secret to a long life? Whales and mole-rats offer tantalizing hints
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 you05:57 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.Junk plastic turns into high-value commodity with chemistry trick
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 lubricantResearch article: Munyaneza et al.09:15 Research HighlightsNature: Engineered yeast that make cancer drugs could spare a rare flowerNature: Sickle-cell disease linked to prematurely aged stem cells in miceSubscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.
Briefing Chat: Orcas smashed a sunfish to bits — researchers aren't sure why
14:18|In this episode:00:24 The quest to count the Amazon's insectsNature: Tiny patch of Amazon likely holds 40,000 insect species — many new to science07:31 The orcas that exploded a sunfishThe Guardian: Orcas seen ramming prey so hard it explodes may be playing gameTiktok: Orcas vs sunfishSubscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.Earthworks spotted in the Amazon hint at huge ancient civilization
20:30|In this episode:00:45 Ancient structures hidden beneath the Amazon’s canopyResearch article: Pärssinen et al.09:15 Research HighlightsNature: It’ll grow on you: live fungi formed into sustainable fashionPhysical Review Fluids: Gourmandie et al.11:48 Tiny fossils represent the earliest-known squid ancestorResearch 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.
Briefing Chat: Baby T. rex were killers from birth, suggest new fossils
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 hubNature: A global capital for AI safety is emerging — and it’s not in Silicon Valley05:52 Bones reveal that ancient Egyptian princesses weren’t pamperedScientific American: Ancient Egyptian princesses were ‘powerful’ weapon users, new analysis suggests9:30 T. rex was born ready to killDiscover magazine: Fossil Evidence Indicates Baby T. rex Were Tiny, but DeadlySubscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.What counts as a moon? Huge ‘exosatellite’ sparks debate
23:50|00:45 The discovery of a moon-like object in a distant star systemResearch article: Hoy et al.10:34 Research HighlightsNature: Moving floors keep buildings from swaying with the windNature: Wearable sensors on the face are invisible to the eye13:07 A discovery of a new type of rare transmissible-cancerResearch 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.
Briefing Chat: Sweet! Elusive sugar molecules found in space
09:55|In this episode:00:24 A sweet discovery near the Milky Way’s centreNature: First ‘true sugar’ molecule found in space — offering hints to life’s origins05:05 Mathematical texts give insights into Maya mathematical prowessNature: Mathematics formula found on Maya wall rivals insights of ancient mastersSubscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.