The show must go on
Summary
Hosted by Marnie Chesterton, this episode of Unexpected Elements explores science stories inspired by Freddie Mercury’s 80th birthday. Topics include liquid mercury telescopes, parasitic ants that manipulate colonies, and archaeological insights from ancient teeth. The show also covers LiDAR discoveries of lost Amazonian civilizations, the psychology of earworms, and the dangers of dimethyl mercury.
Topics discussed
Intro, ad read, and guest introductions
Freddie Mercury tribute and connection to space
Liquid mirror telescopes using rotating mercury
Parasitic ants tricking workers into matricide
Quiz: The squishiness of the human brain
Ancient secrets revealed by archaeological teeth
Ad read and segment transition
Lost Amazon civilization discovered via LiDAR
Postcard: Reading habits and audiobooks
Why there are no insects in the sea
Quiz answer and listener mail
Why songs get stuck in our heads (earworms)
The dangers of mercury and historical alchemy
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