Share
Nature Podcast
‘Pangenome’ aims to capture the breadth of human diversity
In this episode:
00:45 Making a more diverse human genome
The first draft of the human genome ushered in a new era of genetics research. Since its publication, researchers have constructed ever more accurate ‘reference genomes’ – baselines against which others are compared. But these are based on the DNA of a small number of people, and don’t represent the genetic variation known to exist across human populations. To address this, a consortium of researchers have published the first draft of a ‘pangenome’, which combines the genomes of 47 genetically diverse individuals. This draft provides a more complete picture of the human genome, and is the starting point for a project that aims to include sequences from 350 individuals.
Research article: Liao et al.
Research article: Vollger et al.
Research article: Guarracino et al.
News and Views Forum: Human pangenome supports analysis of complex genomic regions
08:33 Research Highlights
A wearable sensor that lets users see infrared light, and how a vulture’s culture can influence its dining habits.
Research Highlight: Wearable sensor gives a glimpse of ‘invisible’ light
Research Highlight: What drives a scavenger’s diet? Vulture culture
11:06 Briefing Chat
We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time, a new phosphate-storing organelle found in fruit fly cells, and how extracted DNA revealed who held a deer-tooth pendant 20,000 years ago.
Nature News: New cellular ‘organelle’ discovered inside fruit-fly intestines
Nature News: Prehistoric pendant’s DNA reveals the person who held it
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.