Synopsis
*"Desert Island Discs with a science twist - *Science Mixtape explores the science and songs of exciting expert guests from the world of science. It's a mix of science news, views, and live ON AIR experiments, as well as the songs they love and why.From uplifting discoveries, to sobering facts, and the downright bizarre, science helps us better understand the world we live in, but also reminds us how little we know. Join us every Saturday at 10am for a fun and informative peak behind-the-scenes at a life in science.Curiosity never killed any cats. Well ... maybe Schrodingers.
Episodes
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40: Oily Glory (ft. Tim Beeson-Jones)
04/06/2016 Duration: 45minThis week we get oily and wet as fluid mechanics researcher Tim Beeson-Jones takes us into a world of viscous fingering and flowing interfaces. It's an episode with more innuendos than even this blurb. He also shares his thoughts on the energy debate and intrigues us with an experiment that involves both cake batter and a drill. Oh, and our weekly science news takes a more experimental structure... enjoy!
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39: Ali Heart Astrocytes (ft. Ali Jennings)
22/05/2016 Duration: 49minThe brain - but not as you know it! This week it's all about astrocytes - the most numerous cells in our brain but also the most mysterious. Ali Jennings also shares his lab experiences, from crazy Russian scientists, to what the emotional challenge of working with rats. Plus Matilda and Ali challenge each other with temperature perception experiments! If you eat mint leaves and chilli at the same time, do the hot and cold perceptions cancel each other out? Tune in to find out.
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38: 10% Human (ft. Alanna Collen)
10/05/2016 Duration: 43minFrom your body shape and fat mass, to mental health and allergies, this week Alanna Collen gives us an insight into how big an effect the tiny microbes in our gut can have - as well as tips on how to make sure you're cultivating the best ones! Plus your weekly science news and a fermented ketchup recipe.
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37: Spectroscopy Mix (ft. Robert Thompson)
19/04/2016 Duration: 44minLight doesn't only let us see things, it can also reveal what exactly they're made of. Everything from the composition of stars, to the difference between a healthy cell and a cancerous one. Robert Thompsom 'shines a light' on the wonders of spectroscopy, as well as organic electronics (the future of tech!) and how to make your very own spectrometer with only a cereal box and a CD. Plus our weekly science news and a particularly firey Fieldwork Faux Pas.
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36: Smart Materials & Nanotechnology (ft. Kate Oliver)
19/04/2016 Duration: 47minThis week we get smart and small with Schrodinger's Kitten aka Kate Oliver, a researcher at Bristol University who takes us into the fascinating world of smart materials and nanotechnology! From the challenges of 3D printing jelly, to her top 5 smart materials, the future of toilets, and even a DNA nanobot, prepare to be amazed at what we can already do and where this exciting area is headed. Plus an experiment with the shape-shifting plastic all around us.
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35: Art X Neuro Science (ft. Rachel Bedder)
19/04/2016 Duration: 45minThis week we're joined by Rachel Bedder, the Science Curator of AXNS, who shares their fascinating projects challenging the divisions between 'art' and 'science'. Plus we get experimental with some Colour Volcanoes, creating our own version of the artist's palette. #science #mixtape #experiment #live #radio #research #art #neuroscience #artist #palette #vision
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34: The H-Bomb (ft. Robert Downes)
19/04/2016 Duration: 46minThis week we return to events of early 2016 when North Korea claimed they'd tested a Hydrogen Bomb. Dr Robert Downes, whose research specialises in nuclear security, reveals why it probably wasn't a hydrogen bomb, the incredible challenge of predicting terrorist events, and helps us set off a coke-based explosion of our own! #science #mixtape #experiment #live #radio #hydrogen #bomb #nuclear #threat #security #mentos #explosion #korea #research
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33: How To Mend A Broken Heart (ft. Nina Chhita)
19/04/2016 Duration: 41minIn the wake of Valentine's Day, Nina Chhita joins us to answer that ever present question - how can you mend a broken heart? We explore the many scientific advances in growing organs, causes of heart disease, and whether one day we could regenerate like the salamander. Plus how to make a DIY stethoscope and the the sounds of common heart murmurs! It's time to tune in to your heart. #science #mixtape #experiment #live #radio #heart #stethoscope #organ #regenerate #research #grow
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32: Insects (ft. Tim Cockerill)
19/04/2016 Duration: 41minThis week it's an insect special with Dr Tim Cockerill! They may be small, but that doesn't stop them from being great. Join us to hear all about his fascinating research in Borneo and Papua New Guinea, how spiders use electrostatic attraction to catch their prey and what a real flea circus involves. Plus an explosive demonstration for how some insects get their water, and our discovery of what the UK's favourite insect is. #science #mixtape #experiment #live #radio #insect #spider #flea #fire #research #borneo #papuanewguinea
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31: Ageing (ft. Andrew Steele)
17/04/2016 Duration: 43minThis week we delve into the age old problem of AGEING. Why does it happen and can we ever stop it? Dr Andrew Steele wows us with tales of biological immortality, theories why ageing might be good, and what the safest age is to be. Plus an experiment with 3D glasses! #science #mixtape #experiment #live #radio #ageing #older #immortality #research
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30: Maritime Archeology (ft. Chris Dobbs)
17/04/2016 Duration: 47minThis week maritime archeologist, Christopher Dobbs, brings us science and stories from the deep. He has spent 30 years raising and preserving Henry VIII's famous battleship, the Mary Rose, performing over 1,000 dives to do so! Join us to hear their amazing findings, plus the science of maritime archaeology, a diving buoyancy experiment, and the UK's oldest golf clubs! #science #mixtape #experiment #live #radio #diving #marine #maritime #archeology #mary #rose #battleship
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29: Natural Ventilation (ft. Andy Acred)
17/04/2016 Duration: 38minHow many earth's do we need to sustain our current lifestyles? Why is lego-man-Nigel stuck underwater? And what is sick building syndrome?! With all the answers and more, green engineer Dr Andy Acred talks natural ventilation, the world's newest megacity, and geo-footprints. Plus a thermal plume experiment! #science #mixtape #experiment #live #radio #building #cities #megacity #green #natural #ventilation #modelling #research #china
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28: The Science Of Star Wars (ft. Jonny O'Callaghan)
14/04/2016 Duration: 43minIt's the SCIENCE OF STAR WARS with physicist and space reporter Jonny O'Callaghan! From light sabres to death stars, hyperspace to alien life, what's possible and what's not? And why do their space flights completely defy the laws of physics? Plus Producer Kyle reveals how to make your very own blaster sound effect! #science #mixtape #experiment #live #radio #star #wars #blaster #sound #sfx #light #sabre #physics #possible
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27: Viruses (ft. Ben Bleasdale)
14/04/2016 Duration: 44minWe all know that viruses cause disease but this week Dr Ben Bleasdale (#virusexpert) opens our ears to fossil viruses living in our DNA, the gifts that viruses have given us, and the gruesome realities of a zombie viruses! Parasites are actually way ahead of the game here, spot the suicidal grasshoppers and you'll see what I mean. We also extract DNA from a kiwi and bring our weekly science news to the table. This show is set to go viral! Experiment vine: https://vine.co/v/iZpWFdlvp3E #science #mixtape #experiment #live #radio #virus #retro #fossil #kiwi #DNA #zombie #parasites #research
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26: Exoplanets And Beyond (ft. Katy Savage)
13/04/2016 Duration: 36minThis week planetary scientist Katy Savage takes us out of this world as we talk exoplanets, alien life, and the UKs very own astronaut, Tim Peake. Plus we look at Galaxy Zoo and how you too can be a space scientist. Galaxy Zoo: http://www.galaxyzoo.org/ Planet Hunters: https://t.co/hJn63CqDBj Video of exoplanets discovered so far: https://t.co/r0tMJpxSxV #science #mixtape #experiment #live #radio #exoplanet #aliens #space #timpeake #peake #britinspace #stargazing #research
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25: Christmas Decorations (ft. Matt Allinson)
11/04/2016 Duration: 45minIt's the start of advent and christmas decorations galore. Chemist and science writer, Matt Allinson, talks the future of christmas lights, surprising uses of fake snow, and how your advent chocolate is quite like steel. Plus of course our weekly science news with an excellent explanation of Einstein's General Relativity. #science #mixtape #experiment #live #radio #advent #christmas #decorations #future #einstein #relativity #chocolate #research
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24: Emotional Advertising (ft. Patrick Fagan)
11/04/2016 Duration: 44minIt's finally arrived, that time of year when the big brands release their annual Christmas adverts. But why do they capture our hearts so and do they really encourage us to buy? Patrick Fagan, behaviour scientist and consumer expert, reveals how emotional advertising works, why we buy online, and even an experiment to measure YOUR emotional response to the John Lewis advert. Experiment link: https://t.co/fa9ITLl1qM #science #mixtape #experiment #live #radio #christmas #advert #psychology #emotional #consumer #marketing #research
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23: Gunpowder, Treason, And Plot (ft. Paul Battersby)
11/04/2016 Duration: 41minA special Bonfire-Night-Themed mix! Dr Paul Battersby, a Research Fellow in fire and explosives, shares the history of explosives and dynamite, how we make fireworks, and how he got into the job where you just blow stuff up everyday. Plus our weekly science news and this week's experiment - how to breathe fire. #science #mixtape #experiment #live #radio #bonfire #firework #gunpowder #explosion #guy #fawkes #research #fire #dynamite
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22: The Horror Of Rugby (ft. Allyson Pollock)
10/04/2016 Duration: 45minA Rugby-World-Cup / Halloween special, we bring you, THE HORROR OF RUGBY! Allyson Pollock, Professor of Public Health, reveals the horrifying statistics and injuries behind our nation's favourite game, plus how to make ghostly M&Ms, why we enjoy scary films, and the world's most dangerous animal... DUN DUN DUNNNNN. #science #mixtape #experiment #live #radio #halloween #rugby #horror #injury #research
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21: Cheating Sleep (ft. Akshat Rathi)
10/04/2016 Duration: 45minFormer chemist turned science journalist, Akshat Rathi, recounts his year long self-experiment in polyphasic sleep - sleeping only 4.5 hours in every 24! Also in the mix, lucid dreaming, what do elephants and naked mole rats have in common, how to make an ocean in a bottle, and the most relaxing song ever. EVER. According to the British Academy of Sound Therapy that is. More about how Akshat cheated sleep: http://qz.com/430415/i-once-tried-to-... Watch our experiment: https://vine.co/v/e97YHZuKqIT #science #mixtape #live #radio #experiment #sleep #polyphasic #dreams #lucid #dreaming #research