Oxford Sparks Big Questions
Science & Ideas
About
'Will my bacon sandwich kill me?', 'Is vaping better than smoking?', 'How do you become an astronaut?' - just some of the Big Questions we ask some of the brightest minds behind Oxford science. Join us in each podcast as we explore a different area of science.
Episodes
- Should we kill animals for conservation?
This Oxford Sparks episode examines the question of whether killing animals is a valid conservation strategy. Jessica Frater discusses Scotland's deer cull and the importance of understanding human perspectives in conservation efforts.
- Can you predict the lottery?
Dr. James Munro discusses probability, chaos theory, and the predictability of lottery outcomes, including whether one can increase their chances of winning.
- How does reading work?
Prof Ole Jensen discusses the neural processes of reading, a skill that emerged about 5500 years ago and is not an innate human ability. Research aims to understand reading mechanisms to assist individuals facing learning difficulties.
- What's it like for women working in F1?
Dr Kate Bancroft shares research on the gender gap in Formula 1, noting that women hold approximately 5% of technical roles and have not competed in recent seasons. The discussion aims to address barriers faced by women in motorsport.
- How do you convert CO2 to rock?
Dr Shurui Miao, an experimental chemist, explains a method for converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into minerals. This process could enable secure and sustainable underground storage of carbon, helping to mitigate the effects of climate…
- From the Milk on the Move podcast: Purity and Danger
This bonus episode from Milk on the Move, hosted by Johanna Zetterstrom-Sharp and JC Niala, delves into the cultural, scientific, and systemic aspects of milk, highlighting its significance beyond an everyday beverage.
- What was Einstein doing in Oxford?
Albert Einstein visited Oxford in 1931 and lectured there. His handwriting is featured on a blackboard at the History of Science Museum, which is discussed with Dr. JC Niala, Head of Research, Teaching and Collections at the museum.
- Where do baby penguins come from?
Penguinologists Dr Ignacio Juarez Martinez and Dr Fiona Suttle explain penguin breeding habits for Valentine's Day. They discuss observations from Antarctica, noting shifts in breeding patterns potentially linked to temperature changes, an…
- How can I use AI to raise my salary?
Dr Fabian Stephany researches the effect of AI tools on the labor market through the SkillScale project, aiming to advise workers on securing jobs and increasing salaries by leveraging AI skills.
- Could stuff be living on Saturn's moon?
Oxford Sparks features Dr. Carly Howett discussing the potential for life on Saturn's moon Enceladus. Dr. Howett explains why Enceladus is a candidate for extraterrestrial life and provides updates on detection methods.
- What happened to the birds in 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'?
Prof Andy Gosler, an ethno-ornithologist, joins Oxford Sparks to examine the birds mentioned in the carol 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' and explore their contemporary status.
- What is quantum computing?
William Cutler, an experimental physicist at Oxford, explains the concept of a quantum computer and discusses its potential applications in areas such as drug discovery and internet security.
- Could vaccinations stop people from getting cancer?
Professor Sarah Blagden explains how clinical trials for vaccines targeting pre-cancer could offer a new way to fight cancer, starting with individuals at higher risk, like Anna Fry who has Lynch Syndrome.
- Why do I bite my nails?
Professor Clare Mackay joins Oxford Sparks to discuss Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs), such as nail biting and skin picking. The conversation covers the potential for physical harm, associated shame, and limited public discussio…
- How do you find a theoretical particle?
Elizabeth Bloomfield from Oxford's Department of Physics discusses the challenge of detecting invisible particles like dark matter. The episode covers evidence for dark matter's existence and research methods, including experiments conduct…
- Is there a better way to screen blood?
Dr. Richard Mayne discusses genomics, Next-Generation Sequencing, and blood screening processes, including a mention of Star Trek. The episode highlights the urgent need for blood donors as current stocks are critically low.
- How does Ozempic actually work?
Dr Annie de Bray, an expert in diabetes and endocrinology, explains how Ozempic, a medication primarily for diabetes, functions. The discussion addresses its mechanisms, safety considerations, and its frequent link to weight management.
- Why does a stranger's phone noise annoy me?
Dr. Jane Gregory, a researcher with misophonia, explains the condition where everyday sounds like phone conversations can trigger anger or panic. The discussion covers research into this little-known condition.
- What's the origin of water on Earth?
Tom Barrett discusses the origins of Earth's water, examining theories that attribute its arrival to asteroids or its initial presence within the planet's building blocks.
- How can robots investigate underwater volcanoes?
Volcanologist Sofia Della Sala explains the use of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for researching hydrothermal vents, like those found in Santorini's Aegean Sea, to understand volcanic and tectonic activity.
- What is it like to be on Countdown?
Oxford mathematician Tom Crawford, known for his
- What happens after a dementia diagnosis?
One in two individuals face dementia as patients or caregivers. Jasmine Blane, a DPhil researcher at Oxford Brain Health Clinic, discusses her work supporting patients after a dementia diagnosis and looking towards future care.
- Is it OK to laugh at Tourette's?
This episode discusses the complexities of Tourette's syndrome, contrasting its reality with popular culture stereotypes. It examines how comedy, particularly when created by those with the condition, can challenge stigma and alter public…
- What is a dinosaur highway?
Dr. Duncan Murdock discusses the discovery of fossilised dinosaur footprints found in Oxfordshire, a surprising location for such findings.
- How horny are hedgehogs?
Dr. Sophie Lund Rasmussen, also known as Dr. Hedgehog, joins the Big Questions Podcast for a Valentine's Day episode to discuss hedgehog mating habits. The discussion covers what female hedgehogs look for in a mate and how their reproducti…
- What can batteries of the future learn from eels?
The episode discusses how the electric charges produced by electric eels, which can reach 650 volts, might provide inspiration for developing future battery technologies. Dr. Yujia Zhang shares insights on this topic.
- Why is my bottle cap attached to my plastic bottle?
The EU now requires single-use plastic bottles to have attached caps, a change discussed with Dr Diogo Veríssimo regarding its potential environmental benefits and impact on human behavior.
- Why are we seeing the Northern Lights more often?
The Northern Lights, typically seen at higher latitudes, were visible further south in 2024, with many sharing images online. Dr Carly Howett explains why this natural phenomenon is being observed more often recently.
- Why track mistletoe?
This episode discusses the parasitic plant mistletoe, exploring its peculiar biology and associations with fertility. Listeners can learn where to find mistletoe and how to get involved with research through MistleGO.
- Why are birth rates falling in the UK?
Birth rates are declining in the UK, with many individuals opting for fewer or no children. Dr Paula Sheppard, an evolutionary anthropologist, explores the reasons behind this trend and its potential outcomes.
- What is a wind drought?
The episode explains wind droughts, defined as periods of low wind speeds, and their effect on energy prices, as experienced in the UK in late 2023. Matthew Wright from Oxford's Department of Physics discusses the implications for future l…
- How do you sequence the genomes of 70,000 species?
The Oxford Sparks Big Questions podcast discusses the Darwin Tree of Life project, an initiative to sequence the genomes of over 70,000 species in Britain and Ireland. The episode covers the project's challenges, technological advancements…
- How do I keep my house cool without air conditioning?
Nicole Miranda from the Department of Engineering discusses practical, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly strategies for keeping homes cool during hot weather without relying on air conditioning.
- What time is it on the moon?
Dr. Carly Howett discusses the concept of time on the moon, explaining time zones and the potential dangers of inaccurate timekeeping for spacecraft docking.
- How can origami help make energy?
Jingyi Yang, an engineering researcher, applies the art of origami to develop clam-like models. This innovative approach aims to improve the efficiency of wave energy generation along the UK's coastline.
- How do you fossilise a brain?
Forensic anthropologist Alexandra Morton-Hayward explores the science behind brain fossilisation. This episode discusses how soft tissues, specifically the brain, can fossilise and what this process can reveal about ancient human history.
- How do earworms work?
Dr Jacob Kingsbury Downs from the Faculty of Music discusses the science behind earworms, the phenomenon of songs repeatedly playing in one's mind. The episode covers musical imagery, auditory neuroscience, and memory's role in this experi…
- How are seals affecting fishing catches?
Dr Claire Tanner discusses the impact of the UK's seal populations on the fishing industry, examining the conflict between seals and fisheries over shared fish resources and implications for marine management.
- Why am I killing my house plants?
M Garrido Davies from the Department of Biology discusses house plant care, explaining how overwatering can starve roots of oxygen and detailing the importance of light and ventilation for plant health.
- How are volcanoes formed on other planets?
Volcanologist Tamsin Mather explains the formation of volcanoes on other planets, using Mars, Venus, and Jupiter's moon Io as examples. Evidence for past volcanic activity on Mars is gathered through space missions.
- Can we talk to bees?
Dr. Rachel Parkinson discusses insect neuroscience research, exploring bumblebee communication. Her research uses a studio with cameras and microphones to record and analyze bee sounds and behaviors, aiming to decipher their communication…
- Why are people obsessed with how cute cats are?
Neuroscientist Professor Morten Kringelbach discusses the science behind why humans find cats and babies cute, explaining that the brain makes this determination in a thousandth of a second. This cuteness reaction is an evolutionary trait…
- How freaked out should I be about bed bugs?
Entomologist Liam Crowley discusses the increasing resurgence of bed bugs, their history of feeding on humans, and how to identify and manage them. While they are making a comeback due to pesticide resistance and global connectivity, they…
- When did we start kissing?
Ancient historian Troels Pank Arbøll and hedgehog researcher Sophie Lund Rasmussen discuss the origins of kissing. The earliest mention of romantic kissing appears in cuneiform scripts from 2500 BCE, and observations of bonobos suggest kis…
- How do you stay warm in your house without central heating?
Dr Brenda Boardman from the Environmental Change Institute discusses ways to keep homes warm without central heating, focusing on simple, inexpensive methods like draught-proofing and heating individuals.
- How will climate change affect wine?
This Oxford Sparks episode examines the effects of climate change on wine production, referencing historical wine critic data to understand growing conditions. It discusses how warming temperatures might favor new grape varieties and alter…
- What are the odds of a white Christmas?
Dr. Neven Fučkar discusses the science of weather forecasting and how climate change affects weather patterns, addressing the likelihood of a white Christmas and predictions for the coming years.
- How do you reintroduce lions?
Researchers in Zambia are working on a conservation effort to reintroduce lions to a national park, using genetically similar young females and collaborating with local communities to help the species return over the next decade.
- Does banning smoking work?
Nicola Lindson, a behavior change researcher, discusses UK government proposals to reduce smoking rates. The episode covers how these plans might work, including the impact of banning e-cigarette flavors on youth smoking and the potential…
- Why are deep fakes happening?
In this episode of Oxford Sparks Big Questions, computational social scientist Dr. Bernie Hogan discusses deepfakes, which are synthetic media created using technology to replicate a person's likeness. The conversation touches on the rapid…