Some Beautiful Science - Unexpected Elements

What this episode covers

The Miss Universe pageant final has us considering the science of beauty. How much of our perception of beauty is genetic, and how much is down to personal experiences? We also look at the science behind competitions and the audience effect. Why do we sometimes perform better when we’re watched?Also on the show, Oxford professor Marcus du Sautoy explains why maths can be beautiful, and former Miss Universe Ireland and NASA datanaut Fig O’Reilly talks about balancing pageants and a career in science outreach. Plus, the science behind death metal singing, why civet coffee tastes so good, and how ugly plants inflame allergies, on this week’s Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Caroline Steel, with Katie Silver and Sandy Ong Producers: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Lucy Davies, Robbie Wojciechowski and Alice McKee

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Unexpected Elements?

This episode is 49 minutes long.

When was this Unexpected Elements episode published?

This episode was published on November 21, 2025.

What is this episode about?

The Miss Universe pageant final has us considering the science of beauty. How much of our perception of beauty is genetic, and how much is down to personal experiences? We also look at the science behind competitions and the audience effect. Why do...

Can I download this Unexpected Elements episode?

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