Joel Cox

Madeleine Finlay speaks with hydrologist Anna Murgatroyd about whether rainfall following an exceptionally dry July in England and Wales will be sufficient to replenish critically low reservoirs. They discuss the amount of rain needed to maintain water supplies through the following summer, the increased risk of flooding after drought, and ways to conserve water.

A UK fossil collection gathered on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast has been sold overseas and is now displayed at the Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi, prompting experts to call it a loss to the nation. As wealthy private collectors drive fossil prices higher, scientists fear museums are being priced out and that important specimens will become inaccessible for research and new scientific observations.

Science editor Ian Sample speaks with climate reporter Petra Stock, environment reporter Oliver Milman and Science Weekly co-host Madeleine Finlay about the Guardian’s 2026 Invertebrate of the Year competition. Each contributor nominates an unusual and remarkable invertebrate, explains its significance and makes the case for it to win. Listeners are invited to vote, with the winner to be announced on 17 August.

The podcast examines evidence that people are reading less as digital distractions compete for their attention. It explores the cognitive benefits of reading, including effects on memory and IQ, and considers how declining literacy may affect individuals and society. Madeleine Finlay speaks with Guardian science editor Ian Sample and experimental psychologist Falk Huettig of the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics.

Madeleine Finlay and Guardian science editor Ian Sample discuss research identifying four distinct types of thinker, an unprecedented US cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to two deaths, and funding cuts threatening Jodrell Bank Observatory and its Lovell Telescope. The episode also notes public pressure on the UK government to preserve the world heritage site.

Madeleine Finlay visits the Rothbury estate in Northumberland, a historic landscape that has remained in the same family for 700 years but is now for sale. The UK’s Wildlife Trusts are seeking £30m to preserve the estate intact. Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s nature-recovery plans draw on archaeological research from Newcastle University and could introduce more wildlife-friendly farming practices.

The episode examines the scientific evidence behind the claimed mental and physical health benefits of saunas and cold plunges, which are increasingly popular in the UK. Madeleine Finlay speaks with Guardian science editor Ian Sample and Heather Massey of the University of Portsmouth’s extreme environments laboratory about what research supports, or does not support, these practices.

The episode examines the revelation of Tam O’Braan’s fraudulent Scottish tea scheme, detailing how he misled buyers about the tea’s origins and how the truth emerged during his trial. It reflects on the impact of the scandal and considers what remains of the Scottish tea industry he set in motion.

Nicola Davis continues examining the case of Tam O’Braan as concerns grow among Scottish tea growers about the authenticity of the products he supplied. Cutting-edge scientific analysis is described as helping clarify the true origins of the tea, deepening the investigation into an alleged large‑scale fraud.

Nicola Davis revisits her first encounters with Tam O’Braan while investigating his claims of producing award‑winning Scottish‑grown tea. Despite supplying prestigious UK hotels, inconsistencies in his story raised suspicions, drawing attention from multiple observers and prompting a deeper probe into what appeared to be an emerging case of tea fraud.

A podcast discusses a first-of-its-kind gene therapy designed to rejuvenate ageing retinal cells, potentially restoring sight and opening pathways to broader cellular rejuvenation treatments. Host and experts outline how the therapy works, its safety trial, and its implications for future age-related medical interventions.

Evolutionary biologist Toby Kiers discusses her work mapping subterranean fungal networks, including research on Palmyra Atoll that highlights the vast scale and ecological importance of fungal systems. Her findings underscore fungi’s critical but often unseen role in maintaining planetary health.

Scientists report that men’s average testosterone levels have fallen by half over the past 50 years, raising concerns about a potential male fertility crisis. Hannah Devlin explains how lifestyle factors such as obesity and diabetes, along with environmental influences including endocrine‑disrupting chemicals and global heating, may contribute to the decline and discusses how the research has been received and what actions researchers hope will follow.

Britain has lost tens of millions of wild birds over the past 50 years due to habitat loss, pesticides, disease, predators and climate change, a decline younger generations may struggle to perceive because of shifting baseline syndrome. Despite this, Gen Z interest in birdwatching is rising, driven in part by social media and the Merlin Bird ID app. Madeleine Finlay speaks with Robert Macfarlane and Jess Painter about the appeal of birding for young people and the value of reconnecting with the natural world.

China’s major investment in robotics and recent high‑profile achievements, including a robot outperforming humans in a Beijing half marathon, signal rapid advances in the field. Experts discuss how robots are beginning to enter the workforce, the technological hurdles that remain, and what is needed for them to become commonplace in domestic and outdoor tasks.

The discussion explains the decision to rename polycystic ovary syndrome to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome to better reflect its hormonal and metabolic causes. Campaigners and experts outline how the new terminology could improve understanding, diagnosis and care for affected women, addressing longstanding misconceptions and raising hope for improved health outcomes.

An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has resulted in nearly 400 confirmed cases and over 100 deaths, prompting heightened concern from global health authorities. The discussion outlines how the outbreak may have started, why it poses particular risks, and the strategies available to contain its spread, with expert insight from epidemiologist Daniela Manno.

Updates on rising hantavirus concerns, the Pentagon’s release of previously unseen UFO-related documents and new research suggesting participation in cultural activities may be linked to slower biological ageing.

A new executive order from President Trump accelerates research and access to psychedelic drugs, especially ibogaine, to address mental health conditions and traumatic brain injury. The discussion explores Joe Rogan’s influence, the motivations behind the administration’s interest in psychedelics, and the expected impact on researchers and scientific practice.

Marks David Attenborough’s centenary through a discussion between Madeleine Finlay and natural history writer Patrick Barkham, examining changes in the natural world over the past century and how Attenborough’s programming increasingly highlights the impacts of the climate crisis on nature and biodiversity.

Representatives from 57 countries met in Santa Marta, Colombia, for a first-of-its-kind climate conference focused on accelerating the end of the fossil fuel era. The discussion examines how the meeting was organised, which key players were absent and whether the optimism expressed can lead to concrete global action toward renewable energy adoption.

Discussion of recent scientific findings highlights a decline in healthy life expectancy in the UK, explores technological and physiological factors enabling elite runners to approach the two‑hour marathon mark, and examines research suggesting that noises from old boilers may explain feelings of eeriness in older houses.

The conversation explores the difficulty of identifying food intolerances and the limitations of popular at‑home testing kits. It outlines how these tests claim to operate, their lack of reliability, and practical approaches individuals can use to investigate potential intolerances without significant cost. Rebecca Seal also discusses broader concerns about rising allergy issues, highlighted in her book.

Scientists honoured at the Breakthrough Prize ceremony in Los Angeles are highlighted through discussions with Jean Bennett, whose decades-long work produced the first FDA‑approved gene‑augmented therapy for restoring sight. The podcast outlines the scale of the awards, celebrates milestones across physics, mathematics and life sciences, and traces the development of Bennett’s treatment from an early inspiration in medical school to clinical success.

Anthropic’s decision to restrict access to its advanced AI model Mythos Preview sparks debate over whether the company’s safety concerns are justified or part of a strategic publicity effort. The model is described as capable of identifying and exploiting software vulnerabilities, raising fears about security and economic risks. Reporter Aisha Down discusses what the move indicates about Anthropic’s broader approach and whether it could drive stronger regulatory action around artificial intelligence.

The hosts discuss new evidence on the effectiveness of a recently promoted class of Alzheimer’s drugs, research indicating the potential development of a ‘super El Niño’ in the coming summer, and findings that conversations on dull topics may be more enjoyable than expected.

Helium supplies remain vulnerable despite its critical role in technologies such as MRI machines and AI hardware. Instability around the Strait of Hormuz threatens an already fragile global supply chain, raising concerns about impacts on scientific research, medical systems and rapidly expanding AI infrastructure. Experts outline why helium is essential and what ongoing shortages could mean for industries dependent on the gas.

Artemis II’s crew set a new distance record for human space travel while encountering technical issues and powerful emotional moments during their mission. Returning from beyond the moon, the astronauts reported remarkable views and significant highs and lows, discussed in detail by science editor Ian Sample in conversation with host Madeleine Finlay.