scientists at work

The First World War, that began in 1914, put chemists to work. Their chemicals could harm as well as heal … but on balance the outcome was … horrific. As the author of two... The post scientist 69: the science author – Michael Freemantle says WW1 was the chemists war (2014) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

This podcast concerns the science of food crops. The growing world population leads to a demand to farm the land several times more effectively than we used to. But growing crops comes with risks.... The post scientist 68: the crop scientist – Julian Little & products for farming (2014) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

With many different types of guitars, we find out how much more is involved in the sound we get from various models, and whether or not this impacts on the price. Are we just... The post scientist 67: the guitarist – guitar types & quality (2014) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Dr Chris Creese and Roger Frost tour the LMB-MRC open day exhibition and learn about body clocks and worms. Follow-up link Read more at Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology www.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk The post scientist 66: the science journalist – report from the MRC LMB Cambridge (2014) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

The topic is meiosis in mammalian oocytes, or how we make the eggs that make our babies. Molecular biology research happens at the Medical Research Council lab of Molecular Biology in Cambridge. The LMB... The post scientist 65: the cytologist – Melina Schuh oocytes and reproduction (2014) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

The Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge is credited for landmark discoveries and cutting-edge techniques. This podcast offers an overview of what the LMB do. On the occasion of the Medical Research Council centenary, and a visit by... The post scientist 64: the molecular biologist – Hugh Pelham at MRC LMB Cambridge (2014) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

We talk with Peter Barham, a professor of ‘Molecular Gastronomy' about what his delicious subject entails. He wrote the book “The Science of Cooking”. His idea is that “a kitchen is like science laboratory”... The post scientist 63: the molecular gastronomist – Peter Barham on gastronomy (2014) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

The author of a riveting book called “The Big Questions in Science” explains how they researched How did life begin? Why do we dream? And when can I have a robot butler? Science writer... The post scientist 62: the science writer – big questions in popular science (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

A Cambridge project seeks to improve farming practices in Africa by sharing advances in biotechnology. They're called Biosciences for Farming in Africa (www.b4fa.org). Chris Creese meets one of their founders Dr David Bennett. There's a ‘demonstration... The post scientist 70: the biotechnologist – biosciences for Africa BFA (2014) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

CAMGRAIN is a farmer-owned central storage co-operative, set up 20 years ago to provide facilities for storing, analysing, cleaning and distributing grain to the food industry such as those who mill, brew and make... The post scientist 61: the grain business manager – Andrew Wingate wheat and flours (2014) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

What is about the study of the stars that captivates so many? Paul Fellows of the Cambridge Astronomical Association fills us in and updates us on news. Hear about dark matter, isotopes, space probes and... The post scientist 60: the astronomer – Paul Fellows explains why (2014) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Dr Karen Ersche tells about her research into cocaine addiction. The work investigates the finding that cocaine addiction affects some people and not others. Also, unlike other addictions, there are no substitute chemicals that can be... The post scientist 59: the psychiatrist – Karen Ersche cocaine addiction (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Dr John Creese tells about the science of archaeology and the investigative techniques they use. Dr Creese is a researcher at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research. Interviewer Roger Frost asks how is archaeology distinguished... The post scientist 58: the archaeologist – John Creese ceremonial pipes (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

An electronic medical procedure offers an innovative way for doctors to find out what's going on inside the intestine. The ‘SmartPill' is a tablet-sized device with sensors to take measurements inside your gut and... The post scientist 57: the gastroenterologist – Stephen Middleton Smart pill for IBS (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

The technology behind the world's best selling electric vehicle. Called the Nissan LEAF, it's a car to drive across town with the thought that you're not polluting, or adding to the traffic noise. We speak with... The post scientist 56: the motor vehicle development manager – Nissan LEAF electric car (2014) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Every year 41,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK. Dr Hayley Whitaker is a Cancer Research UK scientist who specialises in prostate cancer. We hear about her quest for better screening for... The post scientist 55: the cancer researcher – Hayley Whittaker – prostate cancer markers (2014) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Have you ever had surgery in an operating theatre? If like us you wondered what the anaesthetist does while you're out, hear Dr Jessica Kentish tell what her work entails. We met Dr Kentish on her... The post scientist 54: the anesthetist – Dr Kentish is an anesthesiologist (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

We find out about aerodynamics and what it involves. We meet Professor Holger Babinsky at Cambridge University Engineering Department. He talks about wind tunnels and the need for bumps on aeroplane wings. Follow-up link... The post scientist 53: the civil engineer in aerodynamics – Prof Holger Babinsky (2014) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Asking someone to send you an “engineer” will conjure up all sorts of people who build and fix things. But today's show is about civil engineers. Professor Robert Mair of the University of Cambridge... The post scientist 52: the civil engineer – Robert Mair on Crossrail and Westminster (2014) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Can we believe that the climate will change in the long term, when we can't even predict tomorrow's weather? Our guest Tim Palmer is a Professor in Climate Physics at the University of Oxford, and President... The post scientist 51: the climate physicist – Tim Palmer predicts climate change (2015) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Hear about measuring the properties of materials that are not just solids or liquids or gases but are all three in one. The soil under your feet is one such material – it is of course a solid... The post scientist 50: the chemical engineer – Mark Haw fluid and process engineering (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Building scientist David Crowther in Cambridge explains how a heat pump, under floor heating and good insulation keep a house warm. He talks to the Science Show's Nicola Terry 05/02/2012 Tagged engineering, home energy, Nicola Terry, physics, Roger Frost,... The post scientist 49: the building scientist – heat pumps and an eco-home (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

The author of ‘Evolution and Belief' tells why understanding evolution is less of a challenge to religious belief, and doesn't make people into atheists. Dr Rob Asher shares evidence for the evolution of animals... The post scientist 48: the religious paleontologist – Rob Asher on evolution and belief (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

In this podcast, a Cambridge chemist talks about drug discovery. Sean McKenna, a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry, describes techniques that take the guesswork out of making pills. We think you will be intrigued... The post scientist 47: the drug discovery chemist – how medicines are discovered (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Dr Michelle Oyen is a Reader in bioengineering at the University of Cambridge. Dy Oyen explains how materials science can be put to use in medicine where there's a need to create surgical implants and new tissues.... The post scientist 46: the bioengineer – Michelle Oyen develops and uses new materials (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Cambridge's newest secondary school opened to start teaching in 2014. Called University Technical College – Cambridge, it specialises in biomedical and environmental science and technology. The UTC is a state funded school open to students... The post scientist 45: the headteacher – a science technical college UTC Cambridge (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Fracking was once uneconomic, but today's energy crisis has led to new options. As the government has issued licences to drill in the UK, there have been protests in the UK. This podcast wises-up... The post scientist 44: the entrepreneur – water and fracking for oil and gas (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Did you know you have a 1 in 10 chance of getting the flu? In times when cancers can be treated, FLU or INFLUENZA continues to infect vast numbers of people. Professor Derek Smith... The post scientist 43: the virologist – Derek Smith influenza mutation and vaccination (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

A UK biotechnology company has been testing vaccines for common allergies. The vaccines use SPIREs (synthetic peptides that regulate immune system cells) to help people fend off their allergies to cats, grasses and dust... The post scientist 42: the clinical immunologist – Mark Larche on pet and grass allergies (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Dr Ingrid Cnossen is an earth scientist who works for the British Antarctic Survey. She studies the ionosphere, a layer of the upper atmosphere where satellites orbit the earth. Related podcasts Professor John Pyle works on computer... The post scientist 41: the earth scientist – British Antarctic Survey and the ionosphere (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Hear about a fun campaign to save the ‘ugly' animals. Simon Watt of the Ugly Animal Preservation Society tell us that ugly animals face extinction because the cute creatures, like cuddly pandas, “steal all the glory”. He... The post scientist 40: the science presenter – the ugly animal society – Simon Watt (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

You may wonder how today's farmers are able to grow wheat reliably. We talk with plant scientist Gillian Covey, who explains how different strains of wheat can be bred to make better seeds for farmers.... The post scientist 39: the plant breeder – Gillian Covey developing wheat at KWS (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Long-time beekeeper Steve Poyser tells us how honey bees work and how nectar turns into the stuff we buy. The Science Show's Roger Frost asks about clear versus creamed honey. He also wonders why honey bees... The post scientist 38: the bee keeper – Steve Poyser making honey (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

A government initiative to help farmers keep the water supply free of pollutants. We visit a farm in Duxford, England where Andrew Down from ‘Natural England' explains what is meant by “Catchment Sensitive Farming”. Environment... The post scientist 37: the farmer – catchment sensitive farming (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Professor Alan Tunnacliffe of the Cambridge University Department of Chemical Engineering tells why the bdelloid rotifer has fascinated top biologists. This microscopically tiny invertebrate lives in rain puddles. The creature can survive without water for millions of years, and by now... The post scientist 36: the research biotechnologist – Alan Tunnacliffe & the bdelloid rotifer (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

We talk to Dr Marcus Yeo about how human cell production benefits drug development. Dr Yeo is from DifiniGEN, a Cambridge company that grows liver cells used to test if new drugs are harmful.... The post scientist 35: the biotechnologist – Difinigen clone liver cells for pharmacology (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

We visit the Centre for Atmospheric Science in Cambridge University and speak to Professor John Pyle about modelling the lower atmosphere using supercomputers. Follow-up link: Centre for Atmospheric Science atm.ch.cam.ac.uk See also ‘the earth... The post scientist 34: the atmospheric scientist – John Pyle & atmospheric ozone (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Our guest Anmol Sood of Hildago was on the team that monitored Felix Baumgartner health as he jumped from the edge of space and reached a speed of over 800 mph. Based in Cambridge... The post scientist 33: the entrepreneur – Felix Baumgartner's skyjump (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Dr Jenny Barnett of Cambridge Cognition speaks about the neuropsychological tests they develop including one designed for the early detection of dementia. Their test is to be used in a government-funded field trial. And... The post scientist 32: the experimental psychologist – Cambridge Cognition tests for Alzheimers disease (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

The Cambridge Science Centre is a really useful educational attraction in the city centre. Founder Dr Chris Lennard tells Roger Frost what the centre aims to do for science education. The Cambridge Science Centre opened in 2013 at 18 Jesus Lane,... The post scientist 31: the science outreacher at Cambridge science centre (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Does cleanliness affect perception? University of Cambridge psychology PhD student, Dario Krpan thinks so. He discusses how the state of our body affects how we perceive things. For example, feeling more clean might harshen... The post scientist 30: the social psychologist – cleanliness and perception (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Pete McKeown, director of Cernunnos Homes and Hamish Watson, director of Polysolar tell Chris Creese about their special solar panels and offer some smart ideas for using solar energy. Follow-up link: Cernunnos Homes www.cernunnos-homes.co.uk Polysolar... The post scientist 29: the eco-home builder – solar panels by Polysolar (2013) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

We hear how British Antarctic Survey scientists drill ice to discover how the world has changed over thousands of years. Dr. Robert Mulvaney of the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge talks to the Science Show's Roger... The post scientist 28: the ice chemist – Robert Mulvanney at British Antarctic Survey (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Speaking to The Science show's Chris Creese, the author of “Wild Hope” explains what ecosystems do for us, and how we can help ourselves by helping the environment. Cambridge conservation scientist, Andrew Balmford, explains why there's hope... The post scientist 27: the conservation scientist – Andrew Balmford has Wild Hope (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

The Science Show's Chris Creese reports from the Ecological Society of America conference in Portland, USA. She chats with ‘critical transitions' expert Marten Scheffer (Netherlands). They talk about Marten's book and a collaboration on a film... The post scientist 26: the ecology researcher – Marten Scheffer critical transitions (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Cambridge University's Dr Rob Mullins and Alex Bradbury, developed the inexpensive Raspberry Pi computer to bump start computing, much like the Acorn BBC Micro did thirty years ago. Follow-up link: Learn about the Raspberry... The post scientist 25: the computer scientist – big aims for the tiny Raspberry Pi computer (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Chris Creese reports from the Ecological Society of America conference in Portland USA. She has the stories on how the Internet is enabling ordinary people to become get involved in scientific discovery. She talked... The post scientist 24: the ecologist – phenology and public involvement in research (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Roger Frost finds out about Bloodhound, an engineering initiative for students to build the world's fastest car. He speaks with Ian Galloway, Bloodhound's Education Professional Development Director about the bid to break the world... The post scientist 23: the engineer – Bloodhound the fastest car on earth (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Learn about wetlands and bird habitats as Chris Creese grabs binoculars and speaks with Peter Herkenrath, Chairman of the Cambridgeshire Bird Club. Follow-up links: Cambridgeshire Bird Club cambridgebirdclub.org.uk. Bird watching sites in Cambridgeshire www.cambridgebirdclub.org.uk/topsites.html Local nature reserves by Cambridge... The post scientist 22: the bird watcher – Cambridgeshire wetland birds (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Experimental psychologist Brianne Kent talks to Chris Creese about memory, Alzheimer's disease; and why love is a drug. Brianne Kent was working on a PhD in experimental psychology at the University of Cambridge. She... The post scientist 21: the experimental psychologist – Alzheimers disease – love addiction (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.

Stephen Kay of the Cambridge Water Company talks to Nicola Terry on how the city is supplied with water. We learn about our underground source of water and an intriguing range of pipes. We also hear... The post scientist 20: the water company – supplying a city with water (2012) appeared first on Roger Frost: science, sensors and automation.