The Poetry of Science

This episode explores new research which has found that spider silk and wood fibres can be combines to create materials that are incredibly strong and tough, and which are also biodegradable and do not do not damage the environment in the same way as plastics and many other synthetics. --- Read this episode’s science poem here .   Read the scientific study that inspired it here . Read ‘Guide to Av...

This episode explores new research which has found that salamanders may be harnessing their regenerative capabilities to protect themselves against the negative effects of anthropogenic climate change. --- Read this episode’s science poem here .   Read the scientific study that inspired it here . Read ‘Salamanders’ by Sandra McPherson here . --- Music by  Rufus Beckett . --- Follow Sam on social m...

This episode explores new research which has found that global warming is causing snowfall to decline in the Northwest United States, which will have a dramatic impact on the freshwater supply across the region. --- Read this episode’s science poem here .   Read the scientific study that inspired it here . Read ‘A Patch of Old Snow’ by Robert Frost here . --- Music by  Rufus Beckett . --- Follow S...

What is distress tolerance? How does it affect us? And how can we help to foster it? In this episode new research which looks at how distress tolerance plays a crucial role in developing innovation and creativity in the workplace. --- Read this episode’s science poem here .   Read the scientific study that inspired it here .  Read ‘The Door’ by Miroslav Holub here . Find out how you can foster you...

This episode explores new research which has found, for the first time, traces of the iron-60 isotope in Antarctic snow, the origins of which have been shown to come from the explosions of distant stars during supernova events.   --- Read this episode’s science poem here .   Read the scientific study that inspired it here . Read ‘The Black Stars’ by Primo Levi here .   --- Music by  Rufus Beckett...

Methane is the second most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide, accounting for about 20% of global emissions. Over the last decade there has been a significant increase in the amount of methane emitted into our atmosphere, and new research suggests that fracking is likely to be partly responsible for this increase. In this episode I explore this research and what it means fo...

Between 2002 and 2017, 1,558 people across 50 countries were killed for defending their environments and lands; this is more than double the number of United Kingdom and Australian armed service people killed on active duty in war zones over the same period. In this episode I explore some of the research which aims to understand where this is happening and how it can be stopped. --- Read this epis...

Trees and plants use carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, removing it from the atmosphere. In this episode of the podcast I investigate how forest elephants help to make this process more efficient, and how their extinction will have negative effects on global warming. --- Read this episode’s science poem here . Read the scientific study that inspired it here . Read ‘The Elephant Graveyard’ by Ro...

Recent research has shown that global warming might be responsible for an increase in fungal infections amongst humans. In this episode of the podcast I investigate the research behind these claims, and what it means for future climates. --- Read this episode’s science poem here . Read the scientific study that inspired it here . Read ‘The Book of the Dead Man (Fungi)’ by Marvin Bell here . --- Mu...

Recent scientific research has found that radiation levels in parts of the central Pacific Ocean, where the United States conducted nuclear tests during the Cold War, are up to 1,000 times higher than in samples from areas affected by the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters. This episode explores what this means for the islanders.  --- Read this episode’s science poem here . Read the scientific stud...

Recent research has shown that shown that across Africa a higher percentage of mosquito bites than previously thought take place at times when people are not protected by nets and insecticide. This episode explores this research and what it means for the global battle against malaria.  --- Read this episode’s science poem here . Read the scientific study that inspired it here . Read ‘Mosquito’ by...

Recent research has shown that mushrooms in colder climates tend to be darker than those in warmer environments. Join me for a poetic investigation into why this may be the case, and how this can help us to better understand the fungal kingdom. --- Read this episode’s science poem here . Read the scientific study that inspired it here . Read ‘Mushrooms’ by Mary Oliver here . --- Music by  Rufus Be...

Recent research has shown how dung beetles use the sun, the wind, and even the stars to navigate. Join me for a poetic investigation into the internal compasses of these fascinating insects. --- Read this episode’s science poem here . Read the scientific study that inspired it here . Read ‘Dung Beetles Navigate by Starlight’ by Dr Sarah Watkinson here . Buy Sarah’s chapbook here . --- Music by  Ru...

This episode uncovers research which has has found an estimated 414 million pieces of human-made rubbish on Australia’s remote Cocos Islands. --- Read this episode’s science poem here . Read the scientific study that inspired it here . Read ‘We are no longer interested in the sea’ by Michael Conley here . Buy ‘A Change of Climate’ here . --- Music by  Rufus Beckett . --- Follow Sam on social media...

This episode explores new science which reveals how global warming may result in Siberia becoming more habitable during the 21st century. --- Read this episode’s science poem here . Read the scientific study that inspired it here . Read ‘Message to Siberia’ by Alexander Pushkin here . --- Music by  Rufus Beckett . --- Follow Sam on social media and send in any questions or comments for the podcast...

This episode features an investigation into the relationship between deep-sea fish and earthquakes in Japan. --- Read this episode’s science poem here .  Read the scientific study that inspired it  here. Read 'Catalogue of Strange Fish' by Kate Potts here . --- Music by Rufus Beckett . --- Follow Sam on social media and send in any questions or comments for the podcast: Email: sam.illingworth@gmai...