Podcast appearances and mentions of nicola davis

The American biotech company Colossal Biosciences recently made headlines around the world with claims it had resurrected the dire wolf, an animal that went extinct at the end of the last ice age. But does what the company has done amount to ‘de-extinction' or should we instead think of these pups as genetically modified versions of the grey wolves that exist today? Science correspondent Nicola Davis tells Madeleine Finlay about the process that created these wolves, how other companies are joining the effort to use genetic modification in conservation, and why some experts have serious ethical questions about bringing back species whose habitats no longer exist. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

The Mars we know now is arid and dusty, with punishing radiation levels. But, as science correspondent Nicola Davis tells Madeleine Finlay, two new studies add weight to the idea that billions of years ago the red planet was a much wetter place. Nicola explains why researchers now think it was once home to sandy beaches, what a study looking into the type of rust on the planet has revealed about its damp past, and what all this might tell us about the former habitability of Mars. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Send us a textI've got a collaborative Twixtmas special coming up today. I've asked a number of friends of the podcast to tell us about their top read of 2024 and what they're most looking forward to reading in 2025. Thanks for joining me in 2024, and I'm looking forward to sharing plenty more books with you in 2025.Featured today are the voices and choices of:Sabina Dosani https://sabinadosani.com/ Leah Hazard https://www.leahhazard.co.uk/ Derek Ochiai https://twitter.com/DrDerekOchiai Helen Blomfield https://www.helenblomfield.co.uk/Pim Dhahan https://www.linkedin.com/in/pim-dhahan-1a21a5b9/ Nicola Ennis https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-ennis-3b5ab1215/ Claire McKie https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-mckie-a54a52234/ Nicola Davis https://bsky.app/profile/drnicoladavis.bsky.social and  https://bsky.app/profile/crxeate.bsky.social Anna Baverstock https://bsky.app/profile/annabav.bsky.social David Hindmarsh https://www.youtube.com/c/GPTemplates Kate Wharton  https://www.instagram.com/katewharton27/?hl=en Dani Hall https://x.com/danihalltweets and https://dontforgetthebubbles.com/The books we recommended are:Brotherless Night by VV GaneshananthanSong of the Whole Wide World by Tamarin NorwoodOrbital by Samantha HarveyIn Memoriam by Alice WynnWhen Breath Becomes Air by Paul KalanithiDemon Copperhead by Barbara KingsolverWednesday's Child by Yiyun Li The Trees by Percival EverettMeditations for Mortals by Oliver BurkemanThe Facemaker by Lindsey FitzharrisDivided by Annabel SowemimoHow to Save Babylon by Safiya SinclairUnheard by Rageshri DhairyawanFeel Good Productivity by Ali AbdalYou be Mother by Meg MasonSmall Things Like These by Claire KeeganThe books we are looking forward to are:Heartstopper 6 by Alice OsemanGood Dirt by Charmaine WilkersonIntermezzo by Sally RooneyBook of Dust Trilogy by Philip PullmanThe Hallmarked Man by Robert GalbraithTell me Everything by Elizabeth StroutThe 5th book in Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club SeriesThe Elements of Marie Curie by Dava SobelPoems as Friends by Fiona BennettKokoro by Beth KemptonMicroskills by Adaira Landry and Reesa E Lewiss Your Worry Makes Sense Martin BrunetDream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi

Dr Chris van Tulleken has been at the forefront of the campaign to change our food system and better regulate the sale of ultra-processed foods (UPF). This year he will be giving the Royal Institution Christmas lectures, Britain's most prestigious public science lectures, in which he'll be investigating how food has fundamentally shaped human evolution, the importance of our microbiome – as the extra ‘organ' we didn't know we had – and how we can all eat better in future, for the sake of our own health and the health of the planet. Nicola Davis sat down with Van Tulleken to discuss the lectures, the challenge of understanding the impact of UPFs on our health, and his top tip for Christmas dinner. Madeleine Finlay hears from them both in this Christmas special edition of Science Weekly. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

With awards for the discovery of microRNA and the creation of new proteins, plus recognition for artificial intelligence via the physics and chemistry prizes, Madeleine Finlay hears from the Guardian science team – Nicola Davis, Ian Sample and Hannah Devlin – as they break down the news, science and surprises from this year's Nobels. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Today, you'll learn about the smart soil that gives plants a massive boost even when they're watered less, how our love of certain odors could be more nurture than nature, and a moss that could one day fill greenhouses on Mars. Smart Soil “‘Smart soil' grows 138% bigger crops using 40% less water.” by Michael Irving. 2024. “Climate Change Indicators: Drought.” EPA. 2024. “Water for Prosperity and Peace.” Unesco. 2024. “Self-watering SMAG-soil pulls moisture from the air.” by Ben Coxworth. 2020. “Self-Irrigation and Slow-Release Fertilizer Hydrogels for Sustainable Agriculture.” by Jungjoon Park, et al. 2024. Smell Preferences “Do you smell what I smell? New study reveals surprising variability in odor preferences.” by Mane Kara-Yakoubian. 2024. “Is the perception of odour pleasantness shared across cultures and ecological conditions? Evidence from Amazonia, East Africa, New Guinea, Malaysia, and Poland.” by Piotr Sorokowski, et al. 2024. Mars Moss “Scientists find desert moss ‘that can survive on Mars'.” by Nicola Davis. 2024. “The extremotolerant desert moss Syntrichia caninervis is a promising pioneer plant for colonizing extraterrestrial environments.” by Xiaoshuang Li, et al. 2024. “This desert moss has the potential to grow on Mars.” Science News. 2024. Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They were developed as diabetes drugs, then their potential for promoting significant weight loss became apparent. And now study after study seems to suggest that drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy could have all sorts of health benefits, leading some scientists to hail them a breakthrough that could transform many chronic diseases of ageing. But what's the mechanism for these effects and is it caused by more than weight loss? The Guardian's science correspondent Nicola Davis tells Madeleine Finlay what is known so far. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Labradors are known for being greedy dogs, and now scientists have come up with a theory about the genetic factors that may be behind their behaviour. In this episode from April 2024, the Guardian's science correspondent and flat-coated retriever owner Nicola Davis visits the University of Cambridge to meet Dr Eleanor Raffan and Prof Giles Yeo to find out how understanding this pathway could help treat the obesity crisis in humans. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

This week, Jen and Kate continue their chat with Nicola Davis, a Washington DC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and culinary operations consultant. Nicola is just the sweetest and we know you'll love her as much as we do! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM!Hosts: Jen Bates & Kate KeithProducer: Logan Ray Keith

Recent research has suggested a global reproductive crisis could be in the offing, with researchers in Israel saying average sperm counts may have more than halved in the past 40 years. But a study published last month appears to call this narrative into question. Ian Sample is joined by the Guardian's science correspondent Nicola Davis to unpick why these studies have come to different conclusions – and what could be causing the crisis, if declines are as dramatic as they appear. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

This week, Jen and Kate chat with Nicola Davis, a Washington DC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and culinary operations consultant. Nicola takes us through her childhood in South Africa, moving with her husband to the States, and the cultural differences that made the transition, at times, a little heavy on the heart. Nicola is just the sweetest and we know you'll love her as much as we do! FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM!Hosts: Jen Bates & Kate KeithProducer: Logan Ray Keith

Today, you'll learn about a new way to purify water simply by walking, robots controlled by liquid and rubber balls, and an accident that led to a wild discovery about bumblebees. Clean Water Walking “Walking-induced electrostatic charges enable in situ electroporated disinfection in portable water bottles.” by Young-Jun Kim, et al. 2024. “Freshwater Crisis.” National Geographic. N.d. “A revolutionary solution for on-the-go water disinfection.” by Manish Kumar Sharma & Zong-Hong Lin. 2024. Metafluid “Tiny rubber spheres used to make a programmable fluid.” by Jacek Krywko. 2024. “Harvard's bizarre ‘metafluid' packs programmable properties.” by Michael Irving. 2024. “Metamaterials.” News Atlas Database. N.d. “Shell buckling for programmable metafluids.” by Adel Djellouli, et al. 2024. Underwater Bees “Bumblebee species able to survive underwater for up to a week.” by Nicola Davis. 2024. “Unveiling the submerged secrets: bumblebee queens' resilience to flooding.” by Sabrina Rondeau & Nigel E. Raine. 2024. Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you'll learn about how our perception of when old age hits is changing, a baby's response to a happy face, and the housekeeping habits of neanderthals. When is Old Age? “Perception of when old age starts has increased over time, shows study.” by Nicola Davis. 2024. “Psychology and Aging.” APA PsycNet database. 2024. “The shift from old age to very old age: an analysis of the perception of aging among older people.” by Emile Escourrou, et al. 2022. Sensative Mothers “Researchers uncover link between maternal sensitivity and infant brain responses to happy faces.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024. “Mary Ainsworth's legacy: a systematic review of observational instruments measuring parental sensitivity.” by Judi Mesman & Rosanneke A G Emmen. 2013. “Love on the developing brain: Maternal sensitivity and infants' neural responses to emotion in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.” by Jessica A. Stern, et al. 2024. Neanderthal Homes “Study: Just Like Homo sapiens, Neanderthals Organized Their Living Space in Structured Way.” Sci News News Staff. 2024. “Study Compares Neanderthal and Modern Human Living Spaces.” Archaeology. 2024. “Homo Sapiens and Neanderthal Use of Space at Riparo Bombrini (Liguria, Italy).” by Amelie Vallerand, et al. 2022. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you'll learn about how non-invasive brain stimulation might offer relief to older patients suffering from anxiety and depression, the first known molecular fractal, and a new discovery turning the view of bonobos as peace-loving primates on its head. Brain Stimulation “Brain stimulation treatment may improve depression, anxiety in older adults.” by Jill Pease. 2024. “Mental health of older adults.” WHO. 2023. “tDCS reduces depression and state anxiety symptoms in older adults from the augmenting cognitive training in older adults study (ACT). by Hanna K. Hausman, et al. 2024. Fractal Molecule “Discovery of the first fractal molecule in nature.” Max Plank Gesellschaft. 2024. “How Fractals Work.” by Craig Haggit & Yara Simon. 2023. “Six Sierpinski Triangle Constructions (visual mathematics).” YouTube Video. 2023. Bonobos “Bonobos not the peace-loving primates once thought, study reveals.” by Nicola Davis. 2024. “Differences in expression of male aggression between wild bonobos and chimpanzees.” by Maud Mouginot, et al. 2024. Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labradors are known for being greedy dogs, and now scientists have come up with a theory about the genetic factors that might be behind their behaviour. Science correspondent and flat-coated retriever owner Nicola Davis visits Cambridge University to meet Dr Eleanor Raffan and Prof Giles Yeo to find out how understanding this pathway could help us treat the obesity crisis in humans. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Today, you'll learn about how ADHD might have actually helped our ancient ancestors thrive, the way pollution makes it hard for nighttime pollinators to stop and smell the flowers, and a new study that suggests lions, tigers, and other big cats can tell who's talking to them. ADHD Foraging “Attention deficits linked with proclivity to explore while foraging.” by David Barack. 2024. “What is ADHD?” NIH. n.d. “Foraging theory upscaled: the behavioural ecology of herbivore movement.” by N. Owen-Smith, et al. 2010. Pollution & Pollinators “At night, pollution keeps pollinating insects from smelling the flowers.” by Elizabeth Pennisi. 2024. “Here's how insects help keep ecosystems in balance.” WWF. 2023. “Nitrate radicals and biogenic volatile organic compounds: oxidation, mechanisms, and organic aerosol.” by Nga Lee Ng, et al. 2017. Big Cats Listen “Big cats can tell apart known and unknown human voices, study finds.” by Nicola Davis. 2024. “Lions are the Brainiest of the Big Cats.” by Jason G. Goldman. 2016. “Catcalls: exotic cats discriminate the voices of familiar caregivers.” by Taylor Crews, et al. 2024. Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the UK had successfully eliminated measles from its shores. But the country has since lost that status and cases of the infectious disease are rising rapidly in some areas. Nicola Davis reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Prof Michael Wooldridge has been an AI researcher for more than 30 years, and in the year that AI was supercharged by ChatGPT, he is giving the Royal Institution's Christmas lectures on the truth about AI. The Guardian science correspondent Nicola Davis sat down with him to find out how he sees AI evolving, what makes human intelligence unique, and what really keeps him awake at night. Madeleine Finlay hears from them both in this Science Weekly Christmas special.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

A reflective look back over 2023 and some thoughts for 2024 as I'm joined by friends of the podcast to think about their tops reads of the year and their most anticipated reads for 2023.Huge thank you to Claire McKie, Dani Hall, Anna Baverstock, Nik Kendrew, Nicola Davis, Selina Flinders, Alan Coss, Fran Boffey, Charley Baker and Derek Ochiai and Ellie Hothersall

As the pill becomes available over the counter and free of charge in England, Madeleine Finlay talks to science correspondent Nicola Davis about the problems women in the UK face in getting access to appropriate contraception, and how unwanted side-effects and lack of support have led to a rise in the popularity of fertility awareness-based methods. She also hears from Katie about her own journey trying to find the right contraception for her body. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

This month, host Bill McGeeney is joined by Ben Chappell, of the Narrowband Channel, Matthias Schmitt, Cedar Breaks National Monument Night Sky Program Manager, and environmental educator / blogger, Frank Turina.See Full Show Notes at LightPollutionNews.com.While Las Vegas inaugurates its Sphere, London residents push back on plans for replica venue, Duarte Dias, CBS News.L.A. planning commission backs plan for 80 digital billboards on Metro sites, David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times.Astronomers sound alarm over light pollution from huge new satellite, Nicola Davis, The Guardian.Little-known medical condition that only reveals itself at night could affect millions, Antony Thrower, The Mirror.Pennsylvania Knights Build Observatory at VA Hospital, Knights of Columbus Supreme Council. Birders' Joy Turns to Shock as Massive Migratory Wave Leads to Mass Mortality Due to Collisions With Chicago Buildings, Patty Wetli, WTTW.NEXT BIG STEPS FOR LIGHTS OUT LEGISLATION IN NEW YORK CITY, Suzanne Charle, NYC Audubon.Support the showLike what we're doing? For the cost of coffee, you can become a Monthly Supporter? Your assistance will help cover server and production costs.

Guardian science correspondents Linda Geddes, Nicola Davis and Hannah Devlin give Madeleine Finlay the lowdown on the Nobel Prizes for medicine, physics and chemistry that were announced this week. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Today, you'll learn about a way we might, one day, be able to sleep our way to the stars, why some of the world's cities are sinking, and how babies' brain structures could be influenced by how much we speak to them. Find episode transcripts here: https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/space-hibernation-new-york-is-sinking-baby-talkSpace Hibernation “Hibernation-Like State Induced by Ultrasound Could Enable Long-Distance Spaceflights.” by Ruairi J. Mackenzie. 2023.https://www.technologynetworks.com/neuroscience/news/hibernation-like-state-induced-by-ultrasound-could-enable-long-distance-spaceflights-373862“Alpha Centauri: Facts about the stars next door.” by Robert Lea. 2023.https://www.space.com/18090-alpha-centauri-nearest-star-system.htmlNew York is Sinking“New York City Is Sinking. It's Far From Alone.” by Matt Simon. 2023.https://www.wired.com/story/new-york-city-is-sinking-its-far-from-alone/“New York City Is Sinking Under Its Own Weight.” by Meghan Bartels. 2023.https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-york-city-is-sinking-under-its-own-weight/Baby Talk “Talking to Babies May Help Shape Brain Structure, Research Finds.”  by Nicola Davis. 2023.https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/may/15/talking-to-babies-may-help-shape-brain-structure-research-findsFollow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.

Madeleine Finlay speaks to science correspondent Nicola Davis about why octopuses are more similar to us humans than we might believe. She also hears from Prof David Scheel about our increasing understanding of the sophistication of these cephalopods, and how that should influence our treatment of them. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Today you'll learn how the language we speak leaves a unique pattern in our brain's wiring, about proof that people 3,000 years ago on an island in the Mediterranean were using hallucinogens, and how bad our memories actually are, and why. Find episode transcripts here:https://curiosity-daily-4e53644e.simplecast.com/episodes/brain-language-ancient-hallucinogens-unreliable-memoryBrain Language   “Your brain wires itself to match your native language.” by Elise Cutts. 2023.https://www.sciencenews.org/article/brain-wires-native-language-neurons“Native language differences in the structural connectome of the human brain.” By Xuehu Wei, et al. 2023.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811923001015“Your brain wires itself to match your native language.” by Elise Cutts. 2023.https://www.sciencenews.org/article/brain-wires-native-language-neurons“Native language differences in the structural connectome of the human brain.” By Xuehu Wei, et al. 2023.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811923001015Ancient Hallucinogens “Hair analysis reveals Europe's oldest physical evidence of drug use.” by Bruce Bower. 2023.https://www.sciencenews.org/article/hair-europe-oldest-evidence-drug-use“Bronze-age people took hallucinogenic drugs in Menorca, study reveals.” n.a. 2023.https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/apr/07/bronze-age-people-hallucinogenic-drugs-menorca-study“Direct evidence of the use of multiple drugs in Bronze Age Menorca (Western Mediterranean) from human hair analysis.” by E. Guerra-Doce, et al. 2023.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-31064-2Unreliable Memory“Human memory may be unreliable after just a few seconds, scientists find.” by Nicola Davis. 2023.https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/apr/05/short-term-memory-illusions-studyFollow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.

The UK government recently announced plans to make the possession of laughing gas for recreational use a criminal offence. Nitrous oxide, also known as “nos”, is hugely popular among young people, and doctors have raised concerns about a rise in cases of nerve damage linked to the use of the drug. Ian Sample speaks to science correspondent Nicola Davis about the reasons behind the ban, the risks associated with using nitrous oxide and what experts have made of the government's decision. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Ian Sample speaks to Guardian science correspondent Nicola Davis about the news that Wegovy, an appetite suppressant popular with celebrities in the US, will soon be sold at UK pharmacies. It's a prescription drug aimed at helping people with obesity lose weight, but some argue it doesn't tackle the root cause of the disease. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

From a fragment of skull in a washing machine to a finger bone found by a dog walker, the forensic anthropologist Prof Dame Sue Black has helped solve many strange and mysterious cases. This year, she will be giving the Royal Institution Christmas lectures, Britain's most prestigious public science lectures. In them, she'll be investigating the secret clues hidden in our bodies and how the scientific detective process can be used to identify the living and the dead. Nicola Davis sat down with Black to discuss the lectures, her most memorable cases, and why she didn't want her daughters to get braces. Madeleine Finlay hears from them both in this Christmas special of Science Weekly. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Crushed by a cart, infected with parasitic worms and painful bunions caused by pointy shoes. These might sound like curses you'd wish on your worst enemy, but a group of researchers have discovered they were probably a part of normal life in medieval Cambridge. Across several archaeological sites, the team have excavated and analysed hundreds of bones to uncover the accidents and afflictions of people in the middle ages. In this Halloween special, Madeleine Finlay hears from Nicola Davis as she takes a trip to Cambridge to investigate what old skeletons can reveal about the lives of those in centuries gone by. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

About 325 million years ago, when Britain sat near the equator as part of the supercontinent Pangaea, two populations of a small, scaly, swamp-dwelling creature separated from each other. One of these lineages, over millions and millions of years, evolved into mammals. Our ancestors shared the planet with dinosaurs, survived an asteroid and made it through an ice age. This fascinating history is documented in The Rise and Reign of the Mammals, a new book by the palaeontologist Prof Steve Brusatte. The Guardian science correspondent Nicola Davis talks to Madeleine Finlay about her visit with Brusatte and what she learned about the strange mammals that once walked the Earth. What might their past reveal about their future in a rapidly changing world?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

A very very special episode this week as Nicola Davis and I explore our best bits from the incredible dotMD festival in Galway which we attended this weekend.  This episode was recorded live at dotMD after a phenomenal 2 days of listening, thinking, reflecting, dancing and eating.Follow Nicola on twitter: https://twitter.com/drnicoladavisThe festival website is here http://dotmd.ie (sign up to get information about when they release tickets for 2023) their twitter feed is here: https://twitter.com/DotMDConfWe discussed many wonderful people and their talks and books, sorry to anyone we have missed mentioning by name here, we only had 33 minutes but we could have talked for hours!!!Here's our combined post conference reading list (to be honest we had to hold back but this is the list we discuss in the episode):Letter to a Young Female Physician  by Suzanne Koven (Tara has recorded a podcast episode with her which will be coming up very soon too!) https://twitter.com/suzannekovenmd and her website http://suzannekoven.com/book/Understanding the path to mastery by Roger Kneebone. He also has a wonderful related podcast called "Countercurrent" which can be found here https://rogerkneebone.libsyn.com/A Life in Trauma  by Chris Luke  https://twitter.com/DrChrisLukeCorkAfter the Storm by Emma Jane Unsworth https://twitter.com/emjaneunsworthDr Quin, Medicine Man  by John Quin https://twitter.com/jdmquin How not to be a Doctor by John Launer https://johnlauner.com/ and https://twitter.com/JohnLaunerConversations Inviting Change has a website here where you can learn more about this brilliant model and sign up for courses https://www.conversationsinvitingchange.com/Monica Lalanda was the incredible artist in residence her cartons can be seen on the dotMD social media pages, follow her here https://twitter.com/mlalandaVital Signs - Martin Dyer due out later in the year which contains this wonderful poem Ter Conatus by Bernard O'Donoghue https://poetryarchive.org/poem/ter-conatus/Benji Waterhouse's book will be out in 2023 and is very much on my list his website is here so you can keep a look out for it when it's released https://www.benjiwaterstones.com/about

From hot flushes and flooding to memory problems and depression, for many the menopause can be both distressing and debilitating. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can alleviate some of these symptoms by boosting levels of hormones that wane as women get older. But the UK is experiencing an acute shortage of certain HRT products, leaving some without the medication they need. Madeleine Finlay hears from Guardian reader Sara about the impact of HRT shortages on her life, and speaks to science reporter Nicola Davis about why demand isn't being met and what's being done to fix the problem. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

After falling for the past few weeks, the number of Covid cases in the UK is increasing once more. Since the easing of restrictions, scientists have been expecting an upwards trend in infections – but could other factors also be at work? Guardian science correspondent Nicola Davis speaks to Anand Jagatia about the latest coronavirus data and what it could mean.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

The coronavirus variant has spread across the UK at incredible speed – but there are signs that the wave may have reached its peak. Madeleine Finlay talks to the Guardian science correspondent Nicola Davis about what we can expect in the weeks and months to come, and whether a second ‘exit wave' could be here in the summer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

The year has begun with warnings of critical incidents in UK hospitals and fears over school re-openings but there are reasons to be optimistic, says science correspondent Nicola Davis. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Tara talks to Nicola Davis about Night Feeds and Morning Songs  a glorious collection of poems about motherhood (collected and curated by Ana Sampson who was Tara's guest on 7th December for the Christmas shopping episode)The talk about the romanticised idyll of motherhood vs the reality, juggling multiple roles, the value of good perinatal care and the fabulous accessibility of poetry when you have a very short attention span.Apologies that there are some very funny noises in the edit here, we decided the conversation was too good to throw the recording away but do acknowledge it's not up to the usual bedside reading clarity standards.RESOURCESRCGP perinatal mental health toolkit:https://www.rcgp.org.uk/clinical-and-research/resources/toolkits/perinatal-mental-health-toolkit.aspxRCPsych Perinatal Resourceshttps://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health

The government hasn't cancelled Christmas – yet – but the rate of the Omicron variant's spread should make us all reconsider our plans, science correspondent Nicola Davis reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

In Australia, where employment-related mandates on the coronavirus vaccine were introduced months ago, the stories of two women demonstrate how such measures can work – and how they can backfire. Nicola Davis reports on the considerations governments must make when introducing vaccine mandates. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Over 40 countries have now confirmed the presence of Omicron. And, in the UK, scientists have been increasingly expressing their concern about the new variant. Some have speculated there could be more than 1,000 cases here already, and that it could become the dominant variant within weeks. To get an update on what we know about the Omicron variant, and how quickly it might be spreading, Madeleine Finlay speaks to Nicola Davis, the Guardian's science correspondent. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

A new Covid variant first identified in South Africa is spreading around the world, with leaders rushing to respond. Our science correspondent Nicola Davis outlines what we know so far about the Omicron variant. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Many experts have called for the reintroduction of some public health measures to reduce transmission rates. However, the government has repeatedly said it is not yet bringing in its ‘plan B' for England. Madeleine Finlay speaks to science correspondent Nicola Davis about what it could entail and whether it would help us avoid the need for more stringent and longer-lasting measures down the line. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

The Joint Committee on Vaccines and Immunisation (JCVI) is recommending that a third jab be offered to people with weakened immune systems but the programme and rollout are different to the Covid vaccine boosters expected to be discussed by the JCVI later on Thursday. Shivani Dave speaks to professor of immunology and infectious disease at the University of Edinburgh, Eleanor Riley, and the Guardian science correspondent, Nicola Davis, about the distinctions between booster jabs and third jabs Coronavirus – latest updates. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

With ministers promising a return to normal in classrooms, it's a tough time to be a teacher – but with new information constantly emerging on vaccines for children, and the pandemic not yet over, it's a tough time for parents and pupils too. Jules White and Nicola Davis have done their homework. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Narwhals may be shy and elusive, but they are certainly not quiet. Nicola Davis speaks to geophysicist Dr Evgeny Podolskiy about capturing the vocalisations of narwhals in an arctic fjord, and what this sonic world could tell us about the lives of these mysterious creatures. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

When getting a Covid jab you will be read a list of potential side-effects. You’ll even be given a leaflet to take home with the side-effects on them, and none of those includes changes in menstruation. After anecdotal reports of bleeding, Dr Kate Clancy and Dr Katharine Lee speak to Nicola Davis about why they launched a survey documenting events of this kind. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

With restrictions in England due to be further relaxed on 17 May, new coronavirus variants first detected in India are spreading across the UK. Public Health England designated one, known as B.1.617.2, as a ‘variant of concern’ last week. It is now the second most common variant in the country. Anand Jagatia speaks to the Guardian science correspondent Nicola Davis and Prof Ravi Gupta about what we know and how concerned we should be. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

On 22 June 1918, the Manchester Guardian reported that a flu epidemic was moving through the British Isles. It was noted to be ‘by any means a common form of influenza’. Eventually, it took the lives of more than 50 million people around the world. In a special episode to mark the Guardian’s 200th anniversary, Nicola Davis looks back on the 1918 flu pandemic and how it was reported at the time. Speaking to science journalist Laura Spinney, and ex-chief reporter at the Observer and science historian Dr Mark Honigsbaum, Nicola asks about the similarities and differences to our experiences with Covid-19, and what we can learn for future pandemics. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

After mounting concern over reports of rare but serious blood clots in a small number of recipients of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, last week the UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended that healthy adults under 30 should have an alternative jab if they can. To find out what’s behind the change in advice, Nicola Davis speaks to Dr Sue Pavord about what this rare clotting syndrome is, and asks Prof Adam Finn about how the JCVI made its decision. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Cardiovascular problems aren’t just a risk factor for Covid-19, but can also be a complication of having the disease. A growing number of studies are showing that many of those who have been hospitalised for Covid-19, as well as people who managed the initial infection at home, are being left with heart injuries including inflammation, blood clots and abnormal heart rhythms. Nicola Davis speaks to Dr Betty Raman to find out how the virus damages organs outside the lungs, and what’s being done to help. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

Nicola Davis runs through the science behind the government’s decision to begin lifting lockdown restrictions, a four-stage plan that starts with the reopening of schools and could see the return of nightclubs on 21 June. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus