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About this Episode
00:40 What a trove of potato genomes reveals about the humble spud
Researchers have created a ‘pangenome’ containing the genomes of multiple potato types, something they believe can help make it easier to breed and sequence new varieties. The potato’s complicated genetics has made it difficult to sequence the plant’s genome, but improvements in technology have allowed the team to combine sequences, allowing them to look for subtle differences in between varieties.
Nature Podcast: 16 April 2025
Research Article: Sun et al.
10:28 Hundreds of physicists on a remote island: we visit the ultimate quantum party
According to legend, physicist Werner Heisenberg formulated the mathematics behind quantum mechanics in 1925 while on a restorative trip to the remote North Sea island of Heligoland.
To celebrate the centenary of this event, several hundred researchers have descended on the island to take part in a conference on all things quantum physics. Nature reporter Lizzie Gibney was also in attendance, and joined us to give an inside track on the meeting.
Nature Podcast: 13 June 2025
19:54 Research Highlights
A minuscule robot that can manipulate liquid droplets, and the discovery of ancient puppets on the remains of a large pyramid offers a glimpse into rituals in Mesoamerica.
Research Highlight: This tiny robot moves mini-droplets with ease
Research Highlight: Ancient puppets that smile or scowl hint at shared rituals
23:03 These malaria drugs treat the mosquitoes — not the people
Researchers have developed two compounds that can kill malaria-causing parasites within mosquitoes, an approach they hope could help reduce transmission of the disease. The team showed that these compounds can be embedded into the plastics used to make bed nets, providing an alternative to insecticide-based malaria-control measures, which are losing efficacy in the face of increased resistance.
Nature Podcast: 21 May 2025
Research article: Probst et al.
33:49 Briefing Chat
The first skeletal evidence that Roman gladiators fought lions.
BBC News: Bites on gladiator bones prove combat with lion
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