Science Interviews

Whale sharks - stars of the sea

They're the biggest fish in the oceans, but how to keep track of the beautiful, illusive whale sharks? With some help from the stars! Brad Norman, from Ecocean tells us about his pioneering work tracking whale sharks in Australia's Ningaloo Reef and beyond.Brad Norman, Ecocean

Vikings left their mark in Iceland

Iceland was colonised by Vikings as a pristine environment, meaning it is now a rich source of archaeological finds from these ancient people.Dawn elise mooney, University of Aberdeen

Reconstructing a Roman diet

What did the Romans eat? Mary White discusses how Roman feasts probably weren't the extravagant occasions imagined by people today.Mary White, Professor of Anthropology at Boston University

Petrified poo gives clues to Pompeii people's lifestyle

Human waste from 79AD in Pompeii is being analysed by Andrew Fairbairn and colleagues to see what it can tell us about how the inhabitants of Pompeii lived...Andrew Fairbairn, University of Queensland

Sediba - a newly discovered ancestor?

Sediba - a newly discovered, 2 million year old possible ancestor, had a small brain, but probably walked a bit more upright than all the others. Professor Lee Berger, from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, described the discovery...Professor Lee Berger, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Bigger, better telescopes

Douglas Adams found a very good way to describe how big space is. He said: “Space is big. You won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it’s a long way down the road to the chemists, but that’s just peanuts to space”. We find out what engineering challenges need to be overcome in order to see that far away..Professor Colin Cunningham, UK Astronomy Technology Centre

Testing Technology in Orbit with CubeSats

The UK Space Agency has recently announced a pilot program, inviting companies and academics to device innovative ideas for payloads to be launched in a tiny cube shaped satellite, called a CubeSat. To find out more, I spoke to Dr. Chris Castelli, Head of Space Science Projects for the UK Space Agency...Dr Chris Castelli, UK Space Agency

Bones of the Bronze Age

A slightly grizzly start to this week as we’re looking at Bronze Age cremations. During the period which spans roughly from 2000 to 700 BC in the UK, there was a fashion for cremating the dead - but the practise of cremation is not quite what it seems...Dr Jo Appleby, University of Cambridge

DNA and the first Australian Settlers

It’s not only archaeology that can tell us about the first Australian settlers. DNA evidence has come up with some fascinating insights into the history of human migrations made thousands of years ago. Toomas Kivisild from the Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary Studies at Cambridge University has been working specifically on the genetics of Australian populations...Professor Toomas Kivisild, Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary Studies at Cambridge University

Climate change rundown

Climate change poses many, varied threats to the oceans. John Bruno gives us a rundown of findings from his recent review of the topic in the journal Science.John Bruno, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Climate change in Antarctica

David Barnes from the British Antarctic Survey tells about changes taking place in the Southern Ocean and introduces us to some amazing critters that have come a long way from home.David Barnes, British Antarctic Survey

Life in Arctic Sea Ice

As well as big animals like polar bears that hunt on top of Arctic sea ice, there is an extraordinary world of life living in the ice itself. David Thomas introduces these vanishing ecosystems and the challenges of studying them before they are gone.David Thomas, Bangor University

Life in Arctic Sea Ice

As well as big animals like polar bears that hunt on top of Arctic sea ice, there is an extraordinary world of life living in the ice itself. David Thomas introduces these vanishing ecosystems and the challenges of studying them before they are gone.David Thomas, Bangor University

Climate change rundown

Climate change poses many, varied threats to the oceans. John Bruno gives us a rundown of findings from his recent review of the topic in the journal Science.John Bruno, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Climate change in Antarctica

David Barnes from the British Antarctic Survey tells about changes taking place in the Southern Ocean and introduces us to some amazing critters that have come a long way from home.David Barnes, British Antarctic Survey

Critter of the Month - Star Coral

Nancy Knowlton from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History chooses this month's critterNancy Knowlton, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

The mechanics behind the Tour de France

Geoff Brown explains how he, and his team of mechanics, maintain and repair bikes on a daily basis throughout the tour, to ensure the cyclists have a panic-free ride...Jeff Brown, Mechanic, Garmin-Transitions

Driving Stage 9 of the Tour

Andrea Peron takes us on a tour along stage 9 explaining the speeds reached, points to be won and the affects of such high altitudes...Andrea Peron, Sponsorhip Manager

Designing the World's Fastest Bikes

Endurance events like the Tour de France rely on strong, sturdy, yet fast equipment to win points, time and stages. So the structure and design of these road bikes is constantly developing. To find out more about their design, Meera went along to the warehouse of Trek Bikes, providers to team RadioShack on the tour, and met media officer and avid cyclist, Chris Garrison.Chris Garrison, Media Officer, Trek Bikes

Aerodynamics of the Tour de France

With cyclists reaching speeds of up to 100 kilometres an hour on descents down mountains, and wanting to preserve their energy whilst also trying to ride fast on flat stages, the ability to cut through the wind and reduce its resistance is crucial. One man trying to improve this is the team aerodynamicist, Robby Ketchell.Robby Ketchell, Aerodynamicist, Garmin-Transitions