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Nature Podcast

Springer Nature Limited

The Nature Podcast brings you the best stories from the world of science each week. We cover everything from astronomy to zoology, highlighting the most exciting research from each issue of the Nature journal. We meet the scientists behind the results and provide in-depth analysis from Nature's award-winning journalists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

300 episodes

‘Learning about physics changed my life’: author Hernan Diaz on his new novel Ply 2 Oct 2026 · 32 min 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…

These optical illusions are why butterflies are so hard to catch 30 Sept 2026 · 18 min 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 baffl…

Briefing Chat: Why scientists made papyrus scrolls, then burnt them 25 Sept 2026 · 12 min 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 biodegra…

Bank accounts reveal the fingerprints of abusive financial control 23 Sept 2026 · 24 min 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 12:1…

Briefing Chat: Evidence mounts for hidden chambers beyond Tutankhamun's tomb 18 Sept 2026 · 13 min 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 brai…

Transplanted human brain-tissue takes root in mice without a cortex 16 Sept 2026 · 28 min 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 13:5…

Briefing Chat: The Bunsen burner myth that turns out to be just hot air 11 Sept 2026 · 16 min 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.…

Phone tutoring boosts math scores when schools are forced to close 9 Sept 2026 · 21 min 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…

Briefing Chat: How 1,000 pairs of buried underpants helped measure soil health 4 Sept 2026 · 12 min 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 d…

Audio long read: Could mending damaged DNA prolong life? 2 Sept 2026 · 18 min 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…

Briefing Chat: How Dolly Parton left her mark on science 28 Aug 2026 · 14 min 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 P…

Highest-ever ocean temperatures recorded as El Niño intensifies 26 Aug 2026 · 19 min 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 temperatur…

Briefing Chat: New narcolepsy drug could unlock host of novel brain therapies 21 Aug 2026 · 12 min 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 n…

A black hole's spin could finally be measured by a high-speed star 19 Aug 2026 · 29 min 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 Researc…

Briefing Chat: Anthropic rolls out new AI watermark — will it make a difference? 14 Aug 2026 · 17 min 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 Tickl…

The probiotic bacteria engineered to treat diabetes 12 Aug 2026 · 20 min 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.…

Briefing Chat: Is DNA repair the secret to a long life? Whales and mole-rats offer tantalizing hints 7 Aug 2026 · 14 min 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 ha…

Junk plastic turns into high-value commodity with chemistry trick 5 Aug 2026 · 13 min 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 converti…

Briefing Chat: Orcas smashed a sunfish to bits — researchers aren't sure why 31 Jul 2026 · 14 min 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…

Earthworks spotted in the Amazon hint at huge ancient civilization 29 Jul 2026 · 21 min 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 for…

Briefing Chat: Baby T. rex were killers from birth, suggest new fossils 24 Jul 2026 · 13 min 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 tra…

What counts as a moon? Huge ‘exosatellite’ sparks debate 22 Jul 2026 · 24 min 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 th…

Briefing Chat: Sweet! Elusive sugar molecules found in space 17 Jul 2026 · 10 min 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…

‘Holy grail’ of naked mole-rat research reveals how queens rule 15 Jul 2026 · 23 min 00:45 The secret scent behind a naked mole-rat's rule Research article: Khallaf et al. 08:34 Research Highlights Nature: Pair of ‘super-puff’ planets are lighter than candyfloss N…

Briefing Chat: The 30 year-legacy of a science icon – Dolly the sheep 10 Jul 2026 · 10 min In this episode: 00:29 Dolly the sheep’s 30-year legacy Metro: Dolly the sheep at 30: The clone that changed science (and celebrity petdom) Nature: From cloning to gene-editing: t…

Nukes in space? Orbital detector could sniff out warheads 8 Jul 2026 · 25 min In this episode: 00:45 A neutron detector could sniff out a secret space nuke Research article: Danagoulian 11:52 Research Highlights Nature: Volcanic magma sculpts eerie domes on…

Togetherness: How co-operation built the world 1 Jul 2026 · 32 min In this episode, we speak with science journalist Rowan Hooper, whose book Togetherness: Symbiosis and the Hidden Story of Life's Greatest Collaborations takes a deep-dive into th…

Audio long read: Is the peptide craze backed by science? The promise behind the hype 29 Jun 2026 · 17 min Peptides — short chains of amino acids — have become huge online. The popularity of these molecules has skyrocketed and they are now the latest cure-all trend on social media. But…

Briefing Chat: What tickling a chimpanzee can tell us about the evolution of speech 26 Jun 2026 · 12 min Nature staff discuss how apes share a rhythm of laughter, and how AI use may degrade skills in medicine and computer science. 00:32 Early evidence suggests that AI use causes skil…

Medical records could be revealed by AI training-data vulnerability 24 Jun 2026 · 20 min In this episode: 00:46 How sensitive information can be gleaned from medical AIs Research article: Knolle et al. Correction: The story about medical AI-data privacy incorrectly st…