Science Interviews

Nano Diving Boards for Bacteria

How can nanotechnology tell us about antibiotic resistant bacteria? - With tiny diving boards, of course...Dr Rachel McKendry, London Centre for Nanotechnology

Rapid DNA Reading with Graphene

A sheet of carbon one atom thick could read the entire human genome in just a few hours. Dr Henk Postma explains more...Dr Henk Postma, CSU Northridge

Mothership for Nanotechnology

Porous Nanospheres could deliver drugs to exactly where they're needed - but we must make sure that the body can handle them once they've delivered the payload...Professor Michael Sailor, UCSD

MOF's and Molecular Sieves

Metal-Organic Frameworks, or MOFs, are a promising species of molecules which have enormous internal surface areas. They can be used to selectively grab hold of chemicals such as hydrogen or methane for fuel, or even act as a molecular sieve, scrubbing carbon dioxide from waste gasses...Professor Joe Hupp, Northwestern University

Self-Sensing, Self-Healing Materials

A car which silently repairs scratched paintwork, chipped windscreens or engine faults sounds fantastic, and may not be too far away...Professor Frank Jones, Sheffield University

Self-Cleaning Glass

Window cleaners may be forced to join the unemployment line, as new technology lets the windows clean themselves...Professor Ivan Parkin, University College London

Self-Aware Systems

Having a material which can tell you when it's cracked is one thing, but integrating it into existing systems is quite another...Professor Phil Irving, Cranfield University

Born Obese? Does your mother's diet affect your future?

Are overweight parents more likely to have obese children? It could be that a mother's diet has lifelong influence on a child's likelihood of becoming obese, or developing obesity related diseases...Professor Lucilla Poston, Kings College London

Does methane on Mars mean life?

Scientists have discovered methane on Mars, which comes and goes with the seasons. Could this be evidence of methanogenic bacteria beneath the surface of the red planet?Dr Mike Mumma, NASA Goddard Centre for Astrobiology

Hormones of Obesity

Obesity is a huge problem, but what makes us obese? Steve Bloom joins us from Imperial College London to explain why our obesogenic environment is causing us trouble...Steve Bloom, Imperial College London

Surgical Fat Loss - Liposuction

Liposuction may be the easiest way to lose weight quickly, though it's an expensive option. But how does it really work, and is it as healthy as losing weight the longwinded way?Brian Mayhew

Making your own Aspirin

Next time you have a headache, don't take an aspirin - make your own! It seems that humans can manufacture their own Salicylic Acid, which is a component of the popular painkiller...Gwen Baxter, Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary

Indoor Snow

How is indoor snow made? For places like the Milton Keynes SNO!Zone, real snow is essential to the experience - but do they just leave the freezer door open overnight?Richard Shears, Milton Keynes SNO!Zone

Bubbles go Straight to your Head

Does champagne go straight to your head? What is it about the bubbles that makes you get more drunk, more quickly? Meera goes in search of the science of champagne...Fran Ridout

Catching New Viruses

Earlier this year, a new and fatal strain of virus was discovered in South Africa after a patient was flown in from Zambia for emergency treatment. The virus was identified as a “Rodent-borne Arena Virus” and although it does have a very high fatality potential, it does respond to anti-viral drugs. Professor Robert Swanepoel explains more... Professor Robert Swanepoel, National Institute for Communicable Dieases, South Africa

The Origins of HIV

Understanding the origins of HIV will not only help us to find ways to treat the disease itself, but can also help us prevent future epidemics... Mike Worobey, University of Arizona

Hotspots for Emerging Disease

Predicting where in the world diseases are likely to emerge can help us prepare for them, and even try to prevent them from happening. Zoologist Kate Jones has identified hotspots of emerging disease...Kate Jones, Zoological Society of London

Cataract Surgery - Replacing the Lens

Optical Lens Replacement surgery can be used to treat cataracts, which affect millions of people worldwide. We find out how the surgery works...Professor Sunil Shah, Midland Eye Institute

The Benefits of Blinking

Why do we blink? Dr Paul Murphy explains to Meera the importance of tears and blinking...Dr Paul Murphy, Cardiff University

The Genetics of Eyesight

There are many, diverse causes of blindness, with Inherited Retinal Degeneration affecting one in 2000 people in the UK alone. Robin Ali explains how gene therapy holds promise...Professor Robin Ali, UCL