 This week's Pathological programme brings you a glimpse into the world of the pathologist. We attend a real autopsy to discover how a pathologist uncovers a cause of death, and hear how Cambridge scientists have found a new way to stop Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in its tracks. We also find out how a common rock can lock away carbon, why forest fungi give out less greenhouse gases when they're warm, and shed some light on the workings of world's smallest solar panels. Plus, in place of Kitchen Science, Ben tries to stop a virtual outbreak of the plague! Listen Now
Related ContentCommentsI was wondering whether you could ask your guest how many mutations are necessary for a bacterium to become airborn, where it was previously not. Or if this is too vague, what are the chances of a particular bacterium of becoming airborn over say 10 generations. Bernard Mcgee, Sun, 9th Nov 2008 There was a question in this show about whether or not the UK has a 'body farm'. In response to that question it was mentioned that the US has a rather famous body farm but there was no reply as to where it is located. The answer -- the body farm is located at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee in the US. There are some documentary shows that have toured the facility and a few books (such as Stiff by Mary Roach) that describe it in detail if you are interested in this topic. ecogirl10, Fri, 14th Nov 2008 Thanks Susie, great info! chris, Sun, 16th Nov 2008 Arun Pandyan asked the Naked Scientists: Chris, I listen to the podcast regularly. I live near Dallas Texas. Love your program. There was a reference to 'body farm' by one of the callers on the radio show. The 'body farm' referred to by the caller is a plot of land that has cadavers scattered about it. Researchers study the bodies to figure out how the environment affects decomposition of the bodies. A Google search on 'body farm' even brings up a video of one such location. Best Regards, Arun Pandyan What do you think? Arun Pandyan , Thu, 20th Nov 2008 Yep, that would be the Forensic Anthropology Facility at the Uni of Tennessee, set up by Dr Bill Bass in 1971. This body farm has provided pretty much all of the info we have on rates of decomposition, so just think how many forensic investigations have benefited from this research facility! So do they know how many bodies lie here? Chemistry4me, Wed, 26th Nov 2008 The "Body Farm" is a human forensic anthropology research facility at the Uni. of Tennessee in Knoxville. They leave human corpses in various states & environments, to experimentally record what happens to them. See Mary Roach's book Stiff. |
