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BBC Inside Science

BBC Inside Science

Written by: BBC Inside Science
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A weekly programme that illuminates the mysteries and challenges the controversies behind the science that's changing our world.Copyright BBC Inside Science Science
Episodes
  • Testing Testosterone Testing

    Testing Testosterone Testing
    Jul 23 2026
    Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth has announced that the US military will be screening military personnel aged 30 and older for testosterone deficiency. Those found with low testosterone levels will be offered voluntary hormone replacement therapy. The secretary says this is to ensure “a healthy, capable, and decisively dominant fighting force”. Tom Whipple is joined by Professor Joe Herbert from the University of Cambridge to discuss why jacking soldiers up with testosterone may or may not be the best idea. Marine Biologist Kathryn Ayres, from the non-profit organisation Beneath the Waves, describes a newly observed behaviour in orcas in which they collaboratively swim so hard into a dead sunfish it explodes. Is it a teachable moment for their young or is it just for fun?Finally, we have Kit Yates, our resident mathematician, to reassure Tom that although AI might one day actually kill us all, at least it can disprove an 87-year-old mathematics conjecture. Presenter: Tom Whipple Producer: Dan Welsh, Alex Mansfield, Imy Harper, Tabitha Taylor Buck Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth

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    27 mins
  • How might we spot nukes in space?

    How might we spot nukes in space?
    Jul 16 2026
    A few years ago a satellite speeding through the Van Allen belt in earth orbit raised concerns that it may include a nuclear weapon. An explosion in that orbit would take out much of our global space infrastructure. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 specifically prohibits such a thing, but it has proven technologically impossible to verify and monitor over the decades. Tom Whipple is joined by Prof Areg Danagoulian, Associate Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering at MIT to explore a clever concept to spot such a thermonuclear device in orbit that he has published in this month’s Nature journal.Also on the show, Professor of Science Communications Gareth Mitchell discusses how the way toddlers waddle can teach robots how to play football, and how to win. He also examines a new global database on food consumption which aims to help answer some of the world’s most pressing questions on our diets and the environment. Presenter: Tom Whipple Producer: Alex Mansfield & Tabitha Taylor Buck Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth

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    26 mins
  • Are we one step closer to creating life in a lab?

    Are we one step closer to creating life in a lab?
    Jul 9 2026
    Synthetic biologist Kate Adamal and her team at the University of Minnesota published their research into the lab-created ‘SpudCell’ in a significant step towards building life from scratch. Science journalist, Kai Kupferschmidt, joins us to discuss the implications of this research, as well as the controversies.Nature reporter Lizzie Gibney tells us how science has helped us better understand the route that the famous Carthaginian general, Hannibal – and not forgetting his elephants – took across the Alps.Plus, in this week’s scout of science stories behind the ‘beautiful game’ we learn of research carried out at a Tokyo football match, monitoring seismic waves made by the vigorous celebrations of thousands of fans.Presenter: Tom Whipple Producer: Kate White, Alex Mansfield, Katie Tomsett, Tabitha Taylor Buck Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth

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    26 mins
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