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Making Science with Tom Whipple

Making Science with Tom Whipple

Written by: The Times
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About this listen

 What connects 200 hand-holding monks, a lump of gold hidden in a beaker, and irradiated cocktails? Welcome to Making Science with Tom Whipple, Science Editor at The Times and Sunday Times. This is the podcast where history, innovation, and the unexpected collide, as we uncover jaw-dropping stories behind the scientific discoveries we take for granted.

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The Times Nature & Ecology Science World
Episodes
  • Breakthroughs in Cancer Research

    Breakthroughs in Cancer Research
    Nov 21 2025


    Cancer Research UK is funding the breakthroughs that matter. Did you know that over the past 50 years, their work has helped double cancer survival in the UK? From cancer vaccines to innovative diagnostic tools and more, the charity believes its researchers are on the cusp of advances that change how we think about cancer. In this bonus episode, Tom hears from leading research scientist, Professor Peter Sasieni to discuss the remarkable recent breakthroughs Cancer Research UK has achieved supporting the HPV vaccine, and the difference this is making to cervical cancer rates in Britain. And we also hear from Dr Sam Godfrey on some of the new developments and how scientists are discovering more about cancer and its prevention, detection and treatment.


    This episode was made in partnership with Cancer Research UK.


    Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247).


    To learn more about Cancer Research UK's breakthroughs click here


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    11 mins
  • Time-lords and the extra seconds

    Time-lords and the extra seconds
    Aug 11 2025

    The start of the New Year in 2017 began in the usual way, with a countdown. But what happens when that countdown is eleven seconds rather than ten? In this final episode of the first series, Tom Whipple explores the evolution of time measurement, the complications a leap second can cause, and the ongoing debate among international 'time lords’ about what's to be done about it.


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    12 mins
  • The Tree of Life

    The Tree of Life
    Aug 4 2025
    In this episode of Making Science, Tom Whipple tells the story of physician and alchemist Johannes Baptist van Helmont. In the 17th-century Van Helmont believed he had created the Philosopher's Stone, a substance that could turn base metals into gold. Whilst this might have been a pipe dream his work indirectly paved the way for a monumental scientific discovery - photosynthesis.

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    14 mins
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