When Science Finds a Way
Science & Ideas
About
Science is always adding to our knowledge of health, but how do ideas become breakthroughs, and how can those breakthroughs bring about a better world? Could mosquitos help prevent disease? Will AI tools transform mental healthcare? How is a once-ignored drug now being used to save lives? And what can science do to keep us healthy as we age? Join botanist-turned-Hollywood actor Alisha Wainwright as she meets the scientists, innovators, and communities working together to solve our biggest health challenges. - Brought to you by Wellcome, an independent global foundation that supports science to solve the urgent health challenges facing...
Episodes
- Does the food we eat improve our mental health?
This episode of When Science Finds a Way explores the connection between diet and mental health. Dr. Wolfgang Marx discusses research in this area, Dr. Iain Campbell shares his personal experience with diet and bipolar disorder, and Dr. Sh…
- Why was a life saving drug overlooked for half a century?
This episode explores the history and potential of tranexamic acid (TXA) in preventing deaths from postpartum haemorrhage. It details how the drug, initially overlooked, became a groundbreaking treatment through drug trials and collaborati…
- What happens when fungi find their way into our brains?
This episode discusses brain-invading fungi, focusing on Cryptococcal Meningitis, the leading cause of fungal death worldwide. Guests include immunologist Dr. Rachael Dangarembizi, neuroscientist Dr. Rebecca Drummond, and Dr. Kyla Murphy,…
- AI and mental health: can we trust AI therapy?
This episode discusses the use of AI in mental health support, examining potential risks and benefits. It includes perspectives from Alisha Wainwright, Dr. John Torous, and Professor Miranda Wolpert on AI therapy and scaling mental health…
- AI and mental health: could AI transform access to care?
This episode explores the potential of AI in transforming mental healthcare, including its use in diagnosis, optimizing prescriptions, and shaping future care through global innovation. Experts discuss how AI, trained on data from our devi…
- Season 4 trailer: meet the people whose ideas are shaping the future of health
Season 4 of "When Science Finds a Way" features botanist and actor Alisha Wainwright as she speaks with scientists, innovators, and communities working to solve major health challenges. The season explores how scientific ideas become break…
- Vaccine equity: searching for a cure
This episode discusses the ongoing challenge of vaccine equity, particularly in Africa, where local manufacturing has been limited. It features a conversation with Dr. Delese Mimi Darko about international collaboration fostering vaccine m…
- Food for thought: eating our way to a sustainable future
This episode discusses the significant greenhouse gas emissions from food production and features research on informing consumer choices. It examines the application of dietary guidance in diverse contexts and explores making sustainable d…
- Problem solving therapy: the answer to youth depression?
This episode discusses problem-solving therapy as a potential intervention for youth depression, highlighting a school-based trial in India called POD. It explores how this approach, combining cognitive and behavioural techniques, is being…
- Zooming in: particle physics and the future of medical imaging
A new imaging technology called HiP-CT was developed by researchers to examine the effects of Covid-19 on the lungs. This technology offers highly detailed 3D scans of organs and has potential applications beyond the pandemic.
- Early warning systems: using tech to predict disease outbreaks
This episode explores the development of early warning systems that use health and climate data to forecast disease outbreaks. It discusses how these systems, including the HARMONIZE project in Brazil, aim to predict and mitigate the impac…
- Inclusive research: autism from menstruation to menopause
This episode discusses the challenges autistic people face in healthcare, particularly women, due to underrepresentation in research. It highlights a study led by autistic individuals focusing on the reproductive life cycle to create more…
- The arts: can creativity help mental health?
This episode examines the therapeutic power of the arts for mental wellbeing, discussing research by Professor Daisy Fancourt and personal accounts of using creative activities for mental health improvement.
- Season 3 trailer: the science podcast that tells the human story
The trailer for Season 3 of
- AVATAR Therapy: digital dialogues for mental health
AVATAR therapy uses digital technology to help individuals experiencing psychosis manage distressing voices. Dr Vaughan Bell discusses clinical trial findings and a patient's transformation on the "When Science Finds a Way" podcast.
- Decoding cancer: how genomics is transforming treatment
This episode discusses the breakthroughs in cancer treatment driven by genomics, featuring insights from Dr. Peter Campbell, Dr. Solomon Rotimi, and Sara Gómez Trillos. It also addresses the challenges related to equitable patient access t…
- Combating cholera: can technology really turn the tide?
This episode discusses cholera as a global health threat and explores potential technological solutions. It highlights innovative mapping techniques used in Kenya to identify cholera hotspots, featuring insights from Professor Iruka Okeke.
- Pregnancy and research: inclusion in vaccine trials
This episode features Dr. Flor M. Munoz discussing the importance and challenges of including pregnant individuals in vaccine trials to make medications available during pregnancy and improve survival rates. They also touch on a new vaccin…
- Cool roofs: homes fit for a hotter world
This episode explores the health benefits of cool roofs as a solution to rising temperatures, featuring insights from a trial in Burkina Faso and firsthand accounts of reduced indoor heat and improved health outcomes.
- Working it out: exercise, the brain, and mental health
This episode discusses how exercise impacts brain activity and mental health, featuring a pilot study on its potential to transform the diagnosis and treatment of conditions like depression. Alisha speaks with Dr. Jonathan Roiser and his r…
- Cultural burning: could traditional practices prevent modern wildfires?
This episode of When Science Finds a Way discusses cultural burning, a traditional Indigenous practice that may offer solutions to intensifying global wildfires. It features a conversation between Alisha and Dr. Nicole Redvers on land mana…
- From risk to remedy: how mosquitoes could save lives
Professor Scott O'Neill's World Mosquito Program is using mosquitoes infected with a bacteria to prevent diseases like dengue, yellow fever, and Zika, potentially saving lives.
- Season 2 trailer: the remarkable discoveries shaping our future
Season 2 of When Science Finds a Way previews stories of scientific discoveries addressing health challenges, including Indigenous land management, disease control, mental health, and cancer genomics.
- Bonus Episode: Julia Gillard discusses the future of global health
In this bonus episode, Julia Gillard brings together experts from Season 1 to discuss emerging themes and future challenges in global health.
- Preventing pandemics: the power of genomic sequencing
Genomic sequencing offers vast potential for disease prevention, as seen during the Covid-19 and Ebola outbreaks. Professor Christian Happi discusses its role in identifying virus origins and enabling targeted interventions, as highlighted…
- Cash transfers: can they improve mental health?
This episode investigates using cash transfers as a mental health treatment, discussing the challenges in mental health research and the potential of this intervention. It features insights from Professor Vikram Patel and beneficiaries fro…
- Sowing solutions: growing Indigenous crops for a changing climate
This episode discusses the vulnerability of global food systems due to reliance on a few staple crops amidst climate change. It explores how indigenous crops might offer a solution for greater sustainability and resilience, featuring insig…
- Waking up: How can sleep impact on mental health?
This episode discusses the connection between sleep and mental health, highlighting research by Prof. Daniel Freeman on sleep treatments for psychosis. It explores sleep's role in the mental health crisis and offers practical techniques fo…
- Sequencing the past: ancient DNA and respect for Indigenous customs
This episode features geneticist Eske Willerslev and Crow Tribe member Shane Doyle discussing the possibilities and ethical considerations of ancient DNA research. They highlight the importance of mutual trust and respect between scientist…
- Human infection studies: meet the volunteers fighting disease
Human infection studies involve volunteers being monitored after receiving a vaccine, then intentionally exposed to a disease to assess vaccine efficacy. Dr. Dingase Dula, Becky Mkandawire, and Stonard Mwale discuss their roles in a pneumo…
- One billion homes: how can we revitalize informal settlements?
This episode discusses the challenges faced by one billion people living in informal settlements lacking basic services and vulnerable to climate change. It features discussions on projects in Indonesia and Fiji that combine scientific res…
- Predicting psychosis: can AI transform diagnosis?
This episode of When Science Finds a Way discusses the potential of AI in predicting psychosis, examining current understanding, treatment equity, and diagnostic challenges. Featuring Professor Iris Sommer, Dr. Alexandre Loch, and patient…
- Studying a city: can research transform communities?
The Born In Bradford study, initiated by Dr. John Wright, tracks 40,000 individuals in one city to examine community impacts on policy and wellbeing, offering insights relevant globally.
- Feeling the heat: how can we work on a warming planet?
This episode discusses the physical effects of extreme heat on the human body, drawing parallels to crops and wildlife. It features insights from Kathy Baughman McLeod on heat stress, global worker experiences, and resilience solutions, hi…
- Rethinking parenthood: how family research challenged prejudice
This episode features Professor Susan Golombok discussing her life's work in family research, which challenged prejudices against same-sex parenting and influenced societal perceptions and laws. The episode also includes insights from a co…
- Stopping superbugs: antimicrobial resistance and the race for new antibiotics
This episode discusses the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the silent pandemic caused by antibiotic overuse. It features insights from Dr. Anand Anandkumar, John Kariuki, and Benard Wanyama, highlighting the dangers of AMR and th…