Nature Podcast

In this episode we discuss a recent Nature exclusive investigating an international constellation of sham academies and societies that have successfully misled some of the world’s leading scientists and universities. Nature: Exclusive: Sham scientific societies are misleading star researchers Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in y...

In this episode: 00:45 The Nobel Prizes 2026 Nature: Medicine Nobel awarded for brain ‘switch’ that controls neurons with light Nature: ‘What took them so long?’ This year’s medicine Nobel winner is overdue Nature: Nobel physics prize awarded for detection of cosmic neutrinos Nature: Astronomy’s ‘adrenaline junkies’: Nobel prize captures the thrill of neutrino physics Nature: Chemistry Nobel for s...

In this episode, we speak with Hernan Diaz whose most recent novel Ply blends a vision of a dystopian future with questions about selfhood and asks whether advanced physics could be used to unravel the fabric of spacetime itself. Ply Hernan Diaz Picador (2026) Music supplied by SPD/Triple Scoop Music/Getty Images Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the Nature Podcast on Apple Podcasts , Spotify ,...

High-speed footage of takeoffs reveal that the butterfly markings mislead the eye, making them harder to catch. 00:45 Butterflies in flight create confusing motion cues that baffle birds Research Article: Hancock et al. 14:09 Research Highlights Research Article: Menezes and Podos Research Highlight: Huge hoard of metal bars hints at vast Iron Age trade Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable...

In this episode 00:23 How detecting lead could help researchers read damaged Roman scrolls Nature: Watch scientists decipher burned scrolls without unrolling them 06:42 A biodegradeable, paper-inspired battery Nature: Edible batteries power medical devices in the body Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday....

00:45 Investigating the day-to-day impacts of Financial Abuse Nature: Trendl et al. Support organizations UK: Surviving Economic Abuse US: National Domestic Violence Helpline 12:14 Research Highlights Nature: Mercury is shrinking with age — faster than thought Nature: Cognitive resilience helps to predict Alzheimer’s dementia 14:55 How opposing forces in the Earth's core alter how the planet s...

In this episode: 00:22 Could secret rooms lie beyond Tutankhamun's tomb? Nature: Exclusive: New evidence for hidden chambers beyond Tutankhamun’s tomb 05:55 A multifunctional brain–computer interface Nature: ‘Multifunctional’ brain implant translates speech and gestures in real time Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox...

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...

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 act...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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 1...

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...

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 exos...

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, o...

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 cha...

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? ​​​...

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 prematurel...

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 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-u...

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 Egyptia...

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...

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 analy...