Medicine Interviews

Galenus of Pergamon and Roman Medicine

Vivian Nutton explains how medical discoveries and investigations were conducted over 1,800 years ago in the Classical World. Vivian Nutton

Making Modern Medical History

Tilli Tansey takes us through the process of making medical history from the last century; including the breakthroughs of chemotherapy, haemophilia treatments and acquiring your very own home freezer.Tilli Tansey

Why Galileo lost his sight

Opthalmologist, Peter Watson, has taken a fresh look at portraits of Galileo which point to a swelling around his eye that may have been partly responsible for his deteriorating eyesight.Peter Watson

This Week in Science History - Discovering the Huntington's Gene

This Week in Science History saw, in 1993, the discovery by a team in America of the single gene involved in Huntington’s disease; a neurodegenerative disorder. Sarah Castor-Perry explains more...Sarah Castor-Perry

Sizzling Science - The Science of Food

The science of what we eat featured highly in the Biology Zone at the Cambridge Science Festival. Meera followed her nose to find out more...Susan Jebb, Gail Goldberg, Martin King

The Use and Abuse of Statistics

You've heard the saying "lies, damned lies and statistics", now Ben Goldacre joins us to talk about how statistics and screening can be used and abused...Dr Ben Goldacre

The Science of Sword Swallowing

Is sword swallowing an ancient art, or just a magic trick? Dan Meyer, president of the Sword Swallowers Federation International, joins us to explain the science behind swallowing swords, and how we was awarded an IgNobel Prize...Dan Meyer

Addicted to Laughter

What happens in the brain when we hear laughter? Is there a neuronal basis to why we find the giggles so compelling...Professor Sophie Scott, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, UCL

Meningitis in Disguise

The bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, which is behind the most common form of meningitis, actually wears a disguise to stop itself from being detected by our immune system. Professor Susan Lea explains more...Professor Susan Lea, Oxford University

Advertising Fertility

Hormones affect our behaviour, but how do they influence how women advertise their fertility? Dr Martie Haselton explains...Dr Martie Haselton, UCLA

Evolutionary Advantages of Sex

Why bother having sex at all? Many species merely clone themselves, ensuring that all of their DNA gets into the next generation. We find out why sex is good...Robert Foley, Leverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary Studies

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

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

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

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

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