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Nature Podcast

by Springer Nature Limited

The Nature Podcast brings you the best stories from the world of science each week. We cover everything from astronomy to zoology, highlighting the most exciting research from each issue of the Nature journal. We meet the scientists behind the results and provide in-depth analysis from Nature's award-winning journalists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episodes

  1. Briefing Chat: An invisible tattoo that appears under UV light – and then disappears

    In this episode: 00:15 An appearing, disappearing tattoo ink Nature: Watch this invisible tattoo appear under UV light 04:13 How the epigenome could help explain why big dogs age faster Nature: Big dogs age faster than little ones — rogue ‘jumping genes’ might be to blame Subscribe to Nature...

  2. The world is closer to a major conservation target than scientists thought

    Analysis suggests number of protected areas is hugely underestimated but biodiversity is still in peril — plus, a huge study looking at the health effects of brown fat. 00:45 The world may have more conservation areas than previously thought Research Article: O’Neill et al. 08:38 Research...

  3. Briefing Chat: Top researchers are being misled by sham academic societies

    In this episode we discuss a recent Nature exclusive investigating an international constellation of sham academies and societies that have successfully misled some of the world’s leading scientists and universities. Nature: Exclusive: Sham scientific societies are misleading star researchers...

  4. Nobel Prizes 2026: ‘ghost’ particles, mirror molecules and light switches in the brain

    In this episode: 00:45 The Nobel Prizes 2026 Nature: Medicine Nobel awarded for brain ‘switch’ that controls neurons with light Nature: ‘What took them so long?’ This year’s medicine Nobel winner is overdue Nature: Nobel physics prize awarded for detection of cosmic neutrinos Nature: Astronomy’s...

  5. ‘Learning about physics changed my life’: author Hernan Diaz on his new novel Ply

    In this episode, we speak with Hernan Diaz whose most recent novel Ply blends a vision of a dystopian future with questions about selfhood and asks whether advanced physics could be used to unravel the fabric of spacetime itself. Ply Hernan Diaz Picador (2026) Music supplied by SPD/Triple Scoop...

  6. These optical illusions are why butterflies are so hard to catch

    High-speed footage of takeoffs reveal that the butterfly markings mislead the eye, making them harder to catch. 00:45 Butterflies in flight create confusing motion cues that baffle birds Research Article: Hancock et al. 14:09 Research Highlights Research Article: Menezes and Podos Research...

  7. Briefing Chat: Why scientists made papyrus scrolls, then burnt them

    In this episode 00:23 How detecting lead could help researchers read damaged Roman scrolls Nature: Watch scientists decipher burned scrolls without unrolling them 06:42 A biodegradeable, paper-inspired battery Nature: Edible batteries power medical devices in the body Subscribe to Nature…

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  8. Bank accounts reveal the fingerprints of abusive financial control

    00:45 Investigating the day-to-day impacts of Financial Abuse Nature: Trendl et al. Support organizations UK: Surviving Economic Abuse US: National Domestic Violence Helpline 12:14 Research Highlights Nature: Mercury is shrinking with age — faster than thought Nature: Cognitive resilience helps…

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  9. Briefing Chat: Evidence mounts for hidden chambers beyond Tutankhamun's tomb

    In this episode: 00:22 Could secret rooms lie beyond Tutankhamun's tomb? Nature: Exclusive: New evidence for hidden chambers beyond Tutankhamun’s tomb 05:55 A multifunctional brain–computer interface Nature: ‘Multifunctional’ brain implant translates speech and gestures in real time Subscribe to...

  10. Transplanted human brain-tissue takes root in mice without a cortex

    In this episode: 00:46 Human brain-organoids transplanted into mice missing their cortex Nature: Human brain cells transplanted into mice in ‘most extensive’ integration ever 13:51 Research Highlights Nature: Ruins of ancient Asian city show engineering prowess and organization Nature: Distant...

  11. Briefing Chat: The Bunsen burner myth that turns out to be just hot air

    Nature staff discuss an AI tool that can assess the impact of nine billion mutations — plus, how the Bunsen burner’s reputation for sterilization may be based on tradition alone. 00:21 Deepmind’s new tool helps scientists find the impact of mutations Nature: DeepMind’s new genome ‘atlas’ charts...

  12. Phone tutoring boosts math scores when schools are forced to close

    In this episode: 00:46 How telephone teaching could boost education during school shutdowns Nature: Pick up the phone! Phone calls with tutors keep kids learning when schools shut down 11:42 Research Highlights Nature: Super-precise optical clocks in four nations tick in harmony Nature: These...

  13. Briefing Chat: How 1,000 pairs of buried underpants helped measure soil health

    In this episode: 00:21 Our picks of this year’s Ig Nobel prizes Nature: Buried underpants and a new definition of kissing win 2026 Ig Nobel prizes 07:47 Massive xenon experiment detects tantalizing hint of dark matter Nature: Is this the first glimpse of dark matter? Data point excites physicists...

  14. Audio long read: Could mending damaged DNA prolong life?

    Scientists are amassing evidence that unrepaired or poorly repaired DNA damage underlies many of the hallmarks of ageing. This has led to research into whether boosting DNA repair can keep people healthy for longer. This is an audio version of our Feature: Could mending damaged DNA prolong life?...

  15. Briefing Chat: How Dolly Parton left her mark on science

    In this episode: 00:18 Researchers celebrate Dolly Parton's contributions to science Nature: Dolly Parton dies aged 80 — researchers celebrate her contributions to science 08:40 Phase III trial of melanoma vaccine shows promise Nature: Moderna cancer vaccine stops melanoma returning: what’s next...

  16. Highest-ever ocean temperatures recorded as El Niño intensifies

    Why extreme temperatures are expected to weaken ocean carbon sinks — plus, how mitochondrial injections could treat vision loss. 00:46 The world’s oceans reach a record temperature Nature: Ocean temperatures set to break all-time record: what’s next? 10:05 Research Highlights Nature: Astronaut…

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  17. Briefing Chat: New narcolepsy drug could unlock host of novel brain therapies

    Nature staff discuss how an FDA-approved drug for narcolepsy could have promise beyond the condition, and the longest-lived human brain organoids yet. 00:28 The promise of a new narcolepsy drug Nature: First-of-its-kind narcolepsy drug opens door to new therapies for the brain 05:53 Human brain...

  18. A black hole's spin could finally be measured by a high-speed star

    Star orbiting close to Sagittarius A* could reveal its spin — plus, how exoskeletons might change the way humans move. 00:46 The star that could reveal a black hole’s spin Research article: Dayem et al. 13:23 Research Highlights Nature: ​​​​​​​Rattlesnakes’ own antivenom could protect humans too...

  19. Briefing Chat: Anthropic rolls out new AI watermark — will it make a difference?

    In this episode: 00:29 What does Anthropic’s new watermark mean for research? Nature: Can Anthropic’s invisible watermarks curb ‘AI slop’? Researchers remain sceptical 10:57 Ticklishness is a distinct, specialized body sensation, research finds Nature: Where are you ticklish? Researchers map the...

  20. The probiotic bacteria engineered to treat diabetes

    Genetically modified bacteria lower high blood-sugar in animal trials — plus, how to safely watch a solar eclipse. 00:45 A living diabetes treatment Research article: Guan et al. 08:03 Research Highlights Nature: Pumas are drivers’ guardian angels Nature: How a steady drip-drip can erode the...

  21. Briefing Chat: Is DNA repair the secret to a long life? Whales and mole-rats offer tantalizing hints

    Nature staff discuss how animal studies are starting to uncover how DNA repair could prolong life, and how COVID-19 can reawaken dormant viruses. 00:25 Could reawakened viruses have a link to long-COVID? Nature: COVID can wake up a slew of dormant viruses inside you 05:57 DNA damage can cause...

  22. Junk plastic turns into high-value commodity with chemistry trick

    Researchers untangle the chemistry behind turning PVC into high-grade motor lubricant — plus, how engineered yeast can help make a cancer drug. 00:45 The chemistry behind converting PVC into lubricant Research article: Munyaneza et al. 09:15 Research Highlights Nature: ​​​​​​​Engineered yeast…

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  23. Briefing Chat: Orcas smashed a sunfish to bits — researchers aren't sure why

    In this episode: 00:24 The quest to count the Amazon's insects Nature: Tiny patch of Amazon likely holds 40,000 insect species — many new to science 07:31 The orcas that exploded a sunfish The Guardian: Orcas seen ramming prey so hard it explodes may be playing game Tiktok: Orcas vs sunfish...

  24. Earthworks spotted in the Amazon hint at huge ancient civilization

    In this episode: 00:45 Ancient structures hidden beneath the Amazon’s canopy Research article: Pärssinen et al. 09:15 Research Highlights Nature: It’ll grow on you: live fungi formed into sustainable fashion Physical Review Fluids: Gourmandie et al. 11:48 Tiny fossils represent the earliest-known...

  25. Briefing Chat: Baby T. rex were killers from birth, suggest new fossils

    Nature staff discuss the young but deadly dinosaur kings, the prowess of ancient Egyptian princesses, and how London is becoming the world’s AI safety capital. 00:34 London is transforming into an AI-safety hub Nature: A global capital for AI safety is emerging — and it’s not in Silicon Valley...

  26. What counts as a moon? Huge ‘exosatellite’ sparks debate

    00:45 The discovery of a moon-like object in a distant star system Research article: Hoy et al. 10:34 Research Highlights Nature: Moving floors keep buildings from swaying with the wind Nature: Wearable sensors on the face are invisible to the eye 13:07 A discovery of a new type of rare...

  27. Briefing Chat: Sweet! Elusive sugar molecules found in space

    In this episode: 00:24 A sweet discovery near the Milky Way’s centre Nature: First ‘true sugar’ molecule found in space — offering hints to life’s origins 05:05 Mathematical texts give insights into Maya mathematical prowess Nature: Mathematics formula found on Maya wall rivals insights of…

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  28. ‘Holy grail’ of naked mole-rat research reveals how queens rule

    00:45 The secret scent behind a naked mole-rat's rule Research article: Khallaf et al. 08:34 Research Highlights Nature: Pair of ‘super-puff’ planets are lighter than candyfloss Nature: Alpine crossing took a heavy toll on Hannibal’s elephants and troops 10:59 The psychology behind a brand-new...

  29. Briefing Chat: The 30 year-legacy of a science icon – Dolly the sheep

    In this episode: 00:29 Dolly the sheep’s 30-year legacy Metro: Dolly the sheep at 30: The clone that changed science (and celebrity petdom) Nature: From cloning to gene-editing: the enduring legacy of Dolly the sheep 05:20 The ocean floor caught in the act of splitting at the seams Nature: Ocean...

  30. Nukes in space? Orbital detector could sniff out warheads

    In this episode: 00:45 A neutron detector could sniff out a secret space nuke Research article: Danagoulian 11:52 Research Highlights Nature: Volcanic magma sculpts eerie domes on the sea floor Nature: Clues to the sloth’s sloth found in its genome 14:18 How indigenous knowledge in the Amazon…

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  31. Togetherness: How co-operation built the world

    In this episode, we speak with science journalist Rowan Hooper, whose book Togetherness: Symbiosis and the Hidden Story of Life's Greatest Collaborations takes a deep-dive into the world of co-operation between organisms. In the book, he argues that collaboration in nature has often been…

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  32. Audio long read: Is the peptide craze backed by science? The promise behind the hype

    Peptides — short chains of amino acids — have become huge online. The popularity of these molecules has skyrocketed and they are now the latest cure-all trend on social media. But what does the science say about their effectiveness? Animal research suggests that that some of these experimental...

  33. Briefing Chat: What tickling a chimpanzee can tell us about the evolution of speech

    Nature staff discuss how apes share a rhythm of laughter, and how AI use may degrade skills in medicine and computer science. 00:32 Early evidence suggests that AI use causes skills to atrophy Nature: Is AI ruining our skills? Early results are in — and they’re not good 06:42 Humans and chimps...

  34. Medical records could be revealed by AI training-data vulnerability

    In this episode: 00:46 How sensitive information can be gleaned from medical AIs Research article: Knolle et al. Correction: The story about medical AI-data privacy incorrectly stated that the number of individuals at high risk of a membership inference attack increases as training-dataset size...

  35. Briefing Chat: Testosterone and sperm may get a boost from obesity drugs

    Nature staff discuss preliminary data on the effects of GLP-1 drugs on male fertility plus a two-year trial of a brain-computer interface. 00:18 Brain-computer interface makes a life-changing impact Nature: At-home brain implant gives man with motor neuron disease his daily life back 05:39 The...

  36. DNA from hunter-gatherer teeth reveals secrets of ancient plague

    In this episode: 00:45 Ancient evidence of deadly plague outbreaks Research article: Macleod et al. 12:33 Research Highlights Nature: Bones of Iron Age skeleton were whittled into tools Nature: Giant crustacean of the deep sea steals a trick from bacteria 14:52 A prototype atom interferometer...

  37. Briefing Chat: The epic journey of Stonehenge’s central stone

    In this episode: 00:37 Evidence that Stonehenge's Altar Stone travelled by glacier BBC Science Focus: We may have just cracked one of Stonehenge's greatest mysteries 05:44 Fossilized faeces reveal DNA from ancient ecosystem Nature: Ancient ground squirrels feasted on carcasses like ‘zombies of…

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  38. Newly-discovered whale graveyard dates back millions of years

    In this episode: 00:46 A giant, ancient whale necropolis Research article: Peng et al. News & Views: A vast whale necropolis has been found 08:52 Research Highlights Nature: Babies’ birth weight improves with help of payments to parents Nature: Earliest signs of vision recorded in ancient…

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  39. Briefing chat: Spinosaurs with salt glands could have lived in marine environments

    In this episode: 00:23 Fossil evidence that spinosaurs had an aquatic lifestyle Science: Some spinosaurs cried salty tears to thrive in brackish waters 04:57 The explosive immune cells that kill in minutes Nature: Bang! Exploding immune cells splatter potent toxins everywhere Subscribe to Nature...

  40. Your phone can use tiny skin-colour changes to measure your heart rate

    In this episode: 00:57 How your smartphone’s camera could measure your heart rate Research article: Liao et al. 08:55 Research Highlights Nature: A star gone rogue tears through the Galaxy Nature: Gold keeps glittering courtesy of surface chemistry 11:04 Should you try something new in a...

  41. Briefing Chat: When to trust eyewitness memory – according to science

    In this episode: 00:21 When witnesses identify suspects from police line-ups, confidence matters Nature: Memory on trial: the new science of when to trust eyewitness testimony 07:15 Registered Reports: how this ‘double peer review’ process could benefit scientists and their results Nature: Nature...

  42. Major Ebola outbreak is escalating: what happens next

    On 17 May the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an ongoing Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. Centred on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the outbreak has seen mounting numbers of suspected cases and deaths linked to the rare Bundibugyo…

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  43. AI ‘scientists’ promise to accelerate research — how do they work?

    In this episode: 00:46 Meet the AI scientists designed to accelerate research Research article: Ghareeb et al. Research article: Gottweis et al. Nature: Teams of AI agents boost speed of research Editorial: Why AI cannot do good science without humans Nature: Do you hate or love AI? Take Nature’s...

  44. Briefing Chat: Hantavirus — what this outbreak reveals about the disease

    In this episode: 00:34 What questions remain about the hantavirus outbreak? Nature: Hantavirus outbreak exposes uncertainty about how disease spreads Nature: There is no vaccine for deadly hantavirus: what that means for future outbreaks Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up…

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  45. Red-light therapy is all the rage — does it work?

    In this episode: 00:42 Is red-light therapy all hype? Disclaimer: The opinions and assertions expressed herein by Juanita Anders are those of the speaker and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences or the Department of War.…

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  46. Audio long read: The air is full of DNA — here’s what scientists are using it for

    Although scientists have long been able to gather DNA from water and soil, it's only recently that they've started to see the air as a source of genetic information. Airborne DNA is already being used to monitor individual species, but researchers hope its abundance could have multiple uses,...

  47. Briefing Chat: Can't focus? It's not your attention span, it's your notifications

    00:31 The science of attention spans Nature Feature: Are attention spans really shrinking? What the science says 04:54 Data centres in space? Nature News Explainer: AI data hubs in space: when will they take flight? Nature Comment: Space diplomacy: bridging the operating gaps between myriad...

  48. Anaesthetized brains can still process podcasts

    In this episode: 00:42 Probing the unconscious brain’s processing ability Research Article: Katlowitz et al. Nature: Even the unconscious brain can learn — and predict what you’ll say next 12:32 Research Highlights Nature: An electrifying test to find a good coffee Nature: ​​​​​​​Forest pests hit...

  49. Briefing Chat: Stressed mitochondria spawn new 'organelles' in cells

    In this episode: 00:27 How a parasite unveiled a mitochondrial secret Nature: Mitochondria can spawn new ‘organelles’ — hinting at how modern cells evolved 06:13 The extinct cephalopods that could have been enormous Nature: Did kraken-like octopuses rule Cretaceous seas? Massive jaw fossils offer...

  50. Immunity gets a boost from a surprising place — breakfast

    In this episode: 00:45 How eating can boost the immune system Research Article: Kumar et al. 08:28 Research Highlights Nature: Cosmic-ray detection heralds era of mega-observatories for neutrinos Nature: Little ants groom big ones in a desert spa 10:53 The pressing need to plan for future nuclear...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

The Nature Podcast brings you the best stories from the world of science each week. We cover everything from astronomy to zoology, highlighting the most exciting research from each issue of the Nature journal. We meet the scientists behind the results and provide in-depth analysis from Nature's award-winning journalists.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HOSTED BY

Springer Nature Limited

Produced by [email protected]

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