Science Weekly
Episodes
The week that changed maths for ever
Professor Colva Roney-Dougal discusses OpenAI’s recent solution to the Navier-Stokes problem, a $1 million Millennium Prize challenge.
Is collagen all hype?
Dr.
Live episode: how AI is reshaping our minds
This special live recording of Science Weekly, in collaboration with the podcast Black Box, explores the psychological impact of AI chatbots on human minds.
‘One of the biggest discoveries in science’: have scientists found dark matter?
Host Madeline Finley discusses a potential dark matter detection from the LZ detector in South Dakota, featuring an unexplained event with 2.
Are rich people really worse behaved? Here’s the science
Hosts Madeline Finley and Ian Sample discuss the 2026 Ig Nobel Prizes, highlighting research that makes you laugh and then think.
Introducing Black Box: The Chatbots
In this episode of Black Box, host Michael Safi investigates the phenomenon of "AI psychosis," where users develop delusional beliefs that their…
There’s a quick way to slow climate change. Why isn’t everyone doing it?
Host Madeline Finley interviews Guardian environment editor Damian Carrington about using satellite data to expose massive global methane leaks.
Clicks, grunts and squeals: the wonders of whale communication
Science Weekly explores how modern technology helps scientists decode whale vocalizations to better protect these creatures.
Everyone hates datacentres. Do we really need them?
This episode examines the global backlash against hyperscale AI data centers, featuring Guardian reporter Ayesha Down on resistance in Scotland.
Creatine: is there truth behind the hype?
This Science Weekly episode investigates whether creatine supplements live up to their hype.
It’s finally raining. Will it be enough to end the drought?
Host Madeleine Finlay interviews hydrologist Dr.
The ultra rich are collecting fossils, and that’s bad for science
This episode examines the booming market for dinosaur fossils, where celebrities and millionaires spend millions on specimens like T-Rex skeletons.
The immortal jellyfish and other mindblowing invertebrates
Host Ian Sample and producer Maddy discuss The Guardian’s third annual Invertebrate of the Year competition, highlighting nominees like the immortal…
We’re reading less. And it’s making us stupid
Hosts Madeleine Finlay and Ian Sample explore the cognitive benefits of reading, featuring insights from psychologist Falk Hütig.
Four types of thinker, the cyclosporiasis outbreak, and the UK’s biggest telescope threatened
This Science Weekly episode explores a study on daily thought patterns, revealing that thinking about work and leisure predicts happiness.
The Wildlife Trusts’ fight to save a historic English landscape
The Guardian’s Science Weekly explores the urgent campaign to save the historic Rothbury estate in Northumberland from private sale.
Revisited: Saunas and cold plunges, where does the evidence stand?
Hosts Madeleine Finlay and Ian explore the science behind saunas and cold water immersion with Dr.
Revisited: The surprising science of dreams and nightmares
Host Ian Sample interviews dream scientist Dr.
Revisited: A Scottish tea mystery, episode three – a bag for life
This episode concludes the investigation into Tam O’Brien, who was convicted of a £550,000 tea fraud.
Revisited: A Scottish tea mystery, episode two – the list
This episode investigates the "Scottish Tea Mystery," where tea growers discover that Tam O'Brian, a prominent figure in the industry, was selling tea falsely labeled as Scottish-grown.
Revisited: A Scottish tea mystery, episode one – green shoots
Science Weekly revisits a 2014 mystery involving Tam O’Brien, who claimed to grow tea in Scotland.
Can a world-first gene therapy reverse ageing?
This episode explores a groundbreaking trial by Life Biosciences using Yamanaka factors to rejuvenate retinal cells in patients with age-related eye disease.