Podcasts about Roger Highfield

Entrepreneur Bryan Johnson has spent millions to try to reverse his biological age, and has a new documentary on Netflix, mapping out his journey.As he constantly reviews his regime, the question more generally is ... how far has science taken us in our quest to live as long as possible?Roger Highfield of the London Science Museum joins me now.Image: Netflix

The Wyrd Mountain Gals Show Episode airs Sunday, 12-22-24      7pm EST   There's Always A Story  - Recap Original Episode Aired:  December 24th, 2020 7pm   We hope this episode finds you happy & healthy!  Enjoy :-)   The gals are winding down after a long holiday season & their hearts are full (We're not sure if it's eggnog, turkey, or something else!).   Books-A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle The Physics of Christmas by Roger Highfield   #SantaIsCreepy #SantaIsMagic #WyrdMountainGals #DigitalWitchery #VintageChristmas

A potential cure for hangovers is on the horizon. Scientists have developed a pill that, taken before drinking, could prevent hangover symptoms by converting alcohol into harmless substances. Early tests on mice show great results, and human trials are coming soon.To tell more, Seán is joined by Roger Highfield, Science Journalist and author…

A potential cure for hangovers is on the horizon. Scientists have developed a pill that, taken before drinking, could prevent hangover symptoms by converting alcohol into harmless substances. Early tests on mice show great results, and human trials are coming soon.To tell more, Seán is joined by Roger Highfield, Science Journalist and author…

Roger Highfield explores the items left in physicist Stephen Hawking's office revealing more about one of the greatest minds in modern science.

The gene variant APOE4 is finally giving up some of its secrets, how putting dead trees underground could make carbon sequestration cheap and scalable, and the latest in our series of books on an optimistic future   First up this week, Staff Writer and Editor Jocelyn Kaiser joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss APOE4, a gene linked with a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease. They talk about new research into why APOE4 might be a good target for preventing or treating this dreaded neurodegenerative disease.   Next, Ning Zeng, a professor in the Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Science and at the Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center at the University of Maryland, joins the show to discuss an unusual approach to carbon sequestration and a very old piece of wood. He talks about how an unearthed 3000-year-old log that has held on to most of its carbon is pretty good proof that we can efficiently put carbon underground at low cost by burying trees.   Finally, we have the latest in our series of books on a future to look forward to. Books host Angela Saini talks with Peter Coveney and Roger Highfield, the two authors of the book Virtual You: How Building Your Digital Twin Will Revolutionize Medicine and Change Your Life.   This week's episode was produced with help from Podigy.   About the Science Podcast Episode page: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.z8oerdq   Authors: Sarah Crespi; Jocelyn Kaiser; Angela Saini Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The gene variant APOE4 is finally giving up some of its secrets, how putting dead trees underground could make carbon sequestration cheap and scalable, and the latest in our series of books on an optimistic future   First up this week, Staff Writer and Editor Jocelyn Kaiser joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss APOE4, a gene linked with a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease. They talk about new research into why APOE4 might be a good target for preventing or treating this dreaded neurodegenerative disease.   Next, Ning Zeng, a professor in the Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Science and at the Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center at the University of Maryland, joins the show to discuss an unusual approach to carbon sequestration and a very old piece of wood. He talks about how an unearthed 3000-year-old log that has held on to most of its carbon is pretty good proof that we can efficiently put carbon underground at low cost by burying trees.   Finally, we have the latest in our series of books on a future to look forward to. Books host Angela Saini talks with Peter Coveney and Roger Highfield, the two authors of the book Virtual You: How Building Your Digital Twin Will Revolutionize Medicine and Change Your Life.   This week's episode was produced with help from Podigy.   About the Science Podcast Episode page: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.z8oerdq   Authors: Sarah Crespi; Jocelyn Kaiser; Angela Saini Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the future, virtual models of our organs could aid the development of personalised medicine.⁠ These digital twins can be experimented on to identify the best possible treatment, without you having to go near a pill or surgeon's knife.Host Roma Agrawal gets to the heart of the matter with:Roger Highfield, Science Director at the Science Museum, and author of Virtual You: How Building Your Digital Twin Will Revolutionize Medicine and Change Your Life.Dr Jazmín Aguado Sierra, the first engineer to model their own heart. See Jazmin's complex and beautiful large-scale virtual model at the Science Museum now.New episodes - conversations about how to rebuild the world better - every other Friday.Follow @QEPrize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2015 the UN adopted 17 sustainable development goals aiming to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure people everywhere enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. Ahead of a summit next week in New York marking the half way point, presenter Gaia Vince speaks to Saleemul Huq, director of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development in Bangladesh, and Olive Heffernan, a science author and journalist focused on oceans and climate to find out how the world is doing. In July, a new chair was elected to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change. Professor Jim Skea is a leading figure in the global push to decarbonise, adapt and innovate our way to net zero, and previously led Scotland's Just Transition Commission. He speaks to Gaia about his new role and the importance of the IPCC. And this week we mark the death of renowned embryologist Professor Sir Ian Wilmut, who led the team that created Dolly the sheep in 1996. Gaia is joined by Roger Highfield, Science Director of the Science Museum Group, to discuss the scientific and cultural impact of the world's first cloned mammal from an adult animal cell. Presenter: Gaia Vince Producers: Laura Northedge, Hannah Robins, Alice Lipscombe-Southwell and Emily Bird. Research: Patrick Hughes

A new drug has been found to slow the progression of Alzheimer's, with experts hailing it as a "turning point". Donanemab was shown to reduce cognitive decline by up to 35 percent, if the disease is detected early. Roger Highfield, Science Director at the London Science Museum joined Kieran to discuss...

Humans have been moving so much groundwater around the Earth over the past twenty years, that the tilt on the Earth's axis has moved slightly eastwards. So, what effect could this have on us all? Roger Highfield, science journalist and director of the Science Museum in the UK joined Sean to discuss...

Humans have been moving so much groundwater around the Earth over the past twenty years, that the tilt on the Earth's axis has moved slightly eastwards. So, what effect could this have on us all? Roger Highfield, science journalist and director of the Science Museum in the UK joined Sean to discuss...

Links from the show:* Virtual You: How Building Your Digital Twin Will Revolutionize Medicine and Change Your Life* Connect with Roger* Never miss an episode* Rate the showAbout my guest:Roger Highfield is science director at the Science Museum Group, a member of the Medical Research Council, and visiting professor at University College London and the Dunn School, University of Oxford. Get full access to Dispatches from the War Room at dispatchesfromthewarroom.substack.com/subscribe

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a digital twin? Today's show's guest, Roger Highfield has explored just that in his new book Virtual You: How Building Your Digital Twin Will Revolutionize Medicine and Change Your Life.

#podcast #future #science #climatechange #toctw #technology Roger Highfield was appointed Science Director of the Science Museum Group in 2019 after serving eight years as Director of External Affairs, when he was responsible for advocacy, press and marketing. Previously he was Editor of New Scientist magazine between 2008 and 2011 and the Science Editor of the Daily Telegraph between 1988 and 2008. Roger has published articles widely, including in Wired, Science, Observer, Sunday Times, Spectator and Economist. He has written eight books, including two bestsellers, and edited two by the genomics pioneer Craig Venter. For his doctorate at the University of Oxford, Roger became the first person to bounce a neutron off a soap bubble, while working at the Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, Unilever and Southampton. Recently he was made a visiting professor of public engagement at the Dunn School, University of Oxford, and at the Department of Chemistry, UCL. A member of the UKRI-Medical Research Council and Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, Roger won the Royal Society's Wilkins-Bernal-Medawar prize in 2012 and over the decades has garnered many awards for journalism, notably a British Press Award. https://uk.linkedin.com/in/roger-highfield-045a292a https://www.rogerhighfield.com https://twitter.com/RogerHighfield https://www.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/

In the last 250 years, we've released more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than in the previous 20,000 years. To make serious headway in meeting climate-change deadlines, experts are looking at technologies that go beyond simply curbing emissions to those that can also take carbon dioxide out of the air. In this premiere episode of Solve for X, tech journalist Manjula Selvarajah explores what we can do with all this carbon dioxide from burying it underground to turning it into vodka.  Featured in this episode: Roger Highfield, science director at the Science Museum in London, England, who talks about the importance of carbon capture and objects that can store carbon dioxide released by human activity — from toothpaste to yoga mats — as well as a noisy mechanical tree named Cranky that is 1,000 times faster at removing CO2 from the air than a natural tree.Katharine Hayhoe is a Canadian atmospheric scientist, professor of political science at Texas Tech University and the chief scientist for The Nature Conservancy, a global conservation organization known as Nature United in Canada. She explains the potential benefits — and pitfalls — of trying to “fix” the planet.Anna Stukas, vice president of business development at Carbon Engineering, talks about how the B.C. company can take CO2 out of the atmosphere.Stacy Kauk, the head of sustainability at Shopify, talks about carbon pricing and what to know when evaluating carbon offsets.Further reading: The device that reverses CO2 emissionsCarbon Engineering Makes Gasoline by Capturing Carbon Dioxide From the AirCan We Suck Up Enough CO2 to Cool the Planet?Removing emissions directly from the air might be Canada's best hope for net zero The Mission from MaRS initiative was created to help scale carbon reducing innovations by working to remove the barriers to adopting new technology. Mission from MaRS thanks its founding partners, HSBC, Trottier Family Foundation, RBC Tech for Nature and Thistledown Foundation. It has also received generous support from Peter Gilgan Foundation, BDC, EDC and Mitsubishi Corporation Americas. Learn more about the program at missionfrommars.ca. MaRS helps entrepreneurs looking to scale solutions in climate tech, health and software. We offer targeted support through our Capital and Growth Acceleration programs. To learn more visit us at marsdd.com

Mathematics is full of better ways of thinking, and with over 2,000 years of knowledge to draw on, Oxford mathematician Marcus du Sautoy interrogates his passion for shortcuts in this fresh and fascinating guide in conversation with Roger Highfield. After all, shortcuts have enabled so much of human progress, whether in constructing the first cities around the Euphrates 5,000 years ago, using calculus to determine the scale of the universe or in writing today's algorithms that help us find a new life partner.

The technology is proven but what needs to happen for carbon capture to help the world tackle climate change? Presented by Bryony MacKenzie. Featuring Charlotte Hartley, Pale Blue Dot; Dr Nilay Shah, Madhu Datta and Aulia Rahmayanti, Imperial college London; Roger Highfield, Science Museum, London and Syrie Crouch, Shell. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Richard Wiseman has been described as ‘…one of the most interesting and innovative experimental psychologists in the world today.’  His books have sold over 3 million copies and he presents keynote talks to organisations across the world, including The Swiss Economic Forum, Google and Amazon.He holds Britain’s only Professorship in the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire and is one of the most followed psychologists on Twitter.Street Magician to Psychology Professor Richard starts the podcast by talking about becoming completely hooked on magic at a young age. Whilst working in Covent Garden as a street magician,  Richard happened upon a magic book which described the similarities between magicians and psychologists. So began his interest in psychology. After completing his undergraduate degree at University College London (UCL), he went to Edinburgh University to work on a PhD looking at psychics and mediums as the team wanted someone with a background in the psychology of deception and magic. Upon completing that, Richard accepted a Lectureship at the University of Hertfordshire where he is now a professor. Public Understanding of PsychologyThrough work for radio and the BBC around identifying truth and lies, Richard talks about meeting two people that hugely impacted his career; Roger Highfield, who was the Science Editor at The Telegraph at the time and now is heavily involved in the Science Museum, and also Simon Singh, author of Fermat's Last Theorem. Putting ideas to paperRichard shares what he learnt from some time working in advertising, how to reframe and the importance of authenticity as a writer. In line with this, he talks about his book, The Luck Factor, looking at the psychology of luck. From this, he identified that small interventions can have big impact, which evolved into 59 seconds; think a little, change a lot. Behavioural ScienceRichard discusses how all the talks he gives are essentially about getting people to change, through simple interventions or 'opening the door' in a fun way. From these concepts, he wrote 'Rip it Up' about lifestyle change and during Covid-19, helped design a game where the more you kept away from people, the more lives you saved called 'Can you save the World?'.Richard talks about 'being expansive', working with Derren Brown who takes the audience on a journey from what seems a small idea through to what becomes a massive conclusion enthralling an entire audience. Takeaway Advice Richard leaves us with advice to find your passionate, be authentic and have a big vision. Don't be constrained by what others have done in the past and fundamentally, if you have a great idea, it will sell itself.   Contact Twitter @RichardWiseman CBC profile

From the BEL archieves, * Real Science Radio has a Far Ranging Conversation with Krauss: Co-hosts Bob Enyart and Fred Williams present Bob's interview of theoretical physicist (emphasis on the theoretical), atheist Lawrence Krauss. Fred says, "It's David vs. Goliath, but without the slingshot." As the discussion ranges from astronomy and anatomy to cosmology and physics, most folks would presume that Dr. Krauss would take apart Enyart's arguments, especially when the Bible believer got the wrong value for the electron-to-proton mass ratio. But the conversation reveals fascinating dynamics from the creation/evolution debate. (The planned 25-minute interview ran 40 minutes, so there's also a Krauss Part II and once in each half we say, "Stop the tape, stop the tape," to comment.) * "All Evidence Overwhelmingly Supports the Big Bang": Contradicting Dr. Krauss'

From the BEL archieves, * Real Science Radio has a Far Ranging Conversation with Krauss: Co-hosts Bob Enyart and Fred Williams present Bob's interview of theoretical physicist (emphasis on the theoretical), atheist Lawrence Krauss. Fred says, "It's David vs. Goliath, but without the slingshot." As the discussion ranges from astronomy and anatomy to cosmology and physics, most folks would presume that Dr. Krauss would take apart Enyart's arguments, especially when the Bible believer got the wrong value for the electron-to-proton mass ratio. But the conversation reveals fascinating dynamics from the creation/evolution debate. (The planned 25-minute interview ran 40 minutes, so there's also a Krauss Part II and once in each half we say, "Stop the tape, stop the tape," to comment.) * "All Evidence Overwhelmingly Supports the Big Bang": Contradicting Dr. Krauss'

How do we understand culture? Does it stem from civilisational history or is it an evolving way of life? How do we reinterpret and regenerate its roots? In a pandemic ridden, constantly transforming world, how does innovation and creativity manifest in society, and how can they be promoted despite the difficulties of our times? Rajya Sabha member Vinay Sahasrabuddhe is the President at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the Director of the Public Policy Research Centre. Mugdha Sinha is Secretary Art, Literature, Culture and Archaeology and Secretary Science and Technology as well as the Director General Jawahar Kala Kendra and the Literary Secretary of IAS Association Rajasthan. Shubhendra Rao is a celebrated composer and Sitar player. Roger Highfield is the Science Director of the Science Museum Group. In conversation with Sanjoy K. Roy, they discuss the fascinating interplay between culture, innovation, economies and societal beliefs and delve on the roots of creative sustenance.

There's Always A Story December 24th, 2020 7pm   The gals are winding down after a long holiday season & their hearts are full (We're not sure if it's eggnog, turkey, or something else!).   Books-A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle The Physics of Christmas by Roger Highfield   #SantaIsCreepy #SantaIsMagic #WyrdMountainGals #DigitalWitchery #VintageChristmas          

* A Fun RSR List Show: For this Thanksgiving weekend, a special rebroadcast. In  our List of the Fine-Tuned Features of the Universe, Real Science Radio host Bob Enyart quotes leading scientists and their astounding admission of the uncanny and seemingly never-ending list of the just-perfect finely-tuned parameters of the physical features of the Earth, the solar system, and the entire cosmos. This program is brought to you by God, maker of heaven and earth and other fine products! * The Finely Tuned Parameters of the Universe: Barrow & Tipler, in their standard treatment, The Anthropic Cosmological Principle, admit that "there exist a number of unlikely coincidences between numbers of enormous magnitude that are, superficially, completely independent; moreover, these coincidences appear essential to the existence of carbon-based observers in the Universe." Examples include the wildly unlikely combination of: - there is the same number of electrons as protons to a standard deviation of one in ten to the thirty-seventh power, that is, 1 in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (37 zeros) - the 1-to-1 electron to proton ratio throughout the universe yields our electrically neutral universe - all fundamental particles of the same kind are identical (including protons, electrons, down quarks, etc., even, in QED, photons!) - energy exactly equals mass (times the conversion factor of c²) - the electron and the massively greater proton have exactly equivalent opposite charges - the electron to proton mass ratio (1 to 1,836) is perfect for forming molecules - the baryon (protons, neutrons, etc.) that decays must conserve the number of baryons - the free neutron decays in minutes whereas it is stable within the nuclei of all the non-radioactive elements (otherwise eventually only hydrogen would exist because the strong nuclear force needs neutrons to overcome proton repulsion) - the proton can't decay because it is the lightest baryon (otherwise all elements would be unstable) - the electromagnetic and gravitational forces are finely tuned for the stability of stars - the gravitational and inertial mass equivalency - the electromagnetic force constant is perfect for holding electrons to nuclei - the electromagnetic force is in the right ratio to the nuclear force - the strong force if changed by 1% would destroy all carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and heavier elements - the precise speed of light, the square root of the inverse of the product of space's permeability and permittivity (i.e., its magnetic field resistance, 4π * 10-7 Weber/Amps * meter, multiplied by its electric field resistance, or 8.8542 * 10-12 Coulomb2 /Newton * meter2), or 186,282 MPS, is integral for life - etc., etc., etc. (including the shocking apparent alignment of the universe with the orbit of the Earth) Leading atheist physicist and biologist admit* The Most Famous Scientist Atheists Agree: The world's most famous scientist atheists in physics and biology have fully admitted half the question as to fine tuning, that the world APPEARS to have been fine tuned. Richard Dawkins: "Biology is the study of complicated things that give the appearance of having been designed for a purpose." Stephen Hawking: "The remarkable fact is that the values of these numbers seem to have been very finely adjusted..." * An Atheist's Index to Replies: Here's an index to (failed) attempts to rebut the fine-tuning argument for God's existence.  * Omitting the Cosmological Constant: We have omitted from this list the commonly reported fine-tuning of the cosmological constant to one part in 10 to the 120th. This is so very precise that if the entire universe had as much additional mass as exists in a single grain of sand, it would all collapse upon itself. That is, if a big bang actually formed our universe, and if it created a miniscule additional amount of mass than it is claimed to have created, then no planets, stars, or galaxies could exist. Conversely, if the universe had less mass, by that same quantity, matter never would have coalesced to become planets, stars, and galaxies, and again, we would not exist. So, why doesn't Real Science Radio include this astoundingly fine-tuned parameter in our list? Well, as physicist John Hartnett points out, the cosmological constant is only a fine-tuning problem for the big bang theory, so it is an argument only against a big bang universe, whereas in our actual universe, it is not a fine tuning issue. So, the cosmological constant problem, also known as the vacuum catastrophe, does refute big bang cosmology, at least, for anyone who is objective, has common sense, and is not desperately trying to ignore the evidence for the Creator. (By the way, since NASA says that the confirmed predictions of the big bang theory are what validates it, you might want to Google: big bang predictions, and you'll find our article ranked #1 out of half-a-million, at rsr.org/bbp, presenting the actual track record of the predictions of the theory. Also, if you Google: evidence against the big bang, you'll find our article on that topic near the top of the first page of Google results!) * The Whopping Physics Coincidence: NewScientist reports about gravity and acceleration that, "a large chunk of modern physics is precariously balanced on a whopping coincidence" for, regarding gravitational and inertial mass, "these two masses are always numerically exactly the same. The consequences of this coincidence are profound..." * The Finely Tuned Parameters of the Solar System include: - Our Sun is positioned far from the Milky Way's center in a galactic Goldilocks zone of low radiation - Our Sun placed in an arm of the Milky Way puts it where we can discover a vast swath of the entire universe - Our Sun is in the unusual Local Bubble, 300 light years of extremely diffuse gas, 1/500th of the average - Earth's orbit is nearly circular (eccentricity ~ 0.02) around the Sun providing a stability in a range of vital factors - Earth's orbit has a low inclination keeping its temperatures within a range permitting diverse ecosystems - Earth's axial tilt is within a range that helps to stabilize our planet's climate - the Moon's mass helps stabilize the Earth's tilt on its axis, which provides for the diversity of alternating seasons - the Moon's distance from the Earth provides tides to keep life thriving in our oceans, and thus, worldwide - the Moon's nearly circular orbit (eccentricity ~ 0.05) makes its influence extraordinarily reliable - the Moon is 1/400th the size of the Sun, and at 1/400th its distance, enables educational perfect eclipses - the Earth's distance from the Sun provides for great quantities of life and climate-sustaining liquid water - the Sun's extraordinary stable output of the energy - the Sun's mass and size are just right for Earth's biosystem - the Sun's luminosity and temperature are just right to provide for Earth's extraordinary range of ecosystems - the color of the Sun's light is tuned for maximum benefit for photosynthesis - the Sun's low "metallicity" prevents the destruction of life on Earth -

* A Fun RSR List Show: For this Thanksgiving weekend, a special rebroadcast. In  our List of the Fine-Tuned Features of the Universe, Real Science Radio host Bob Enyart quotes leading scientists and their astounding admission of the uncanny and seemingly never-ending list of the just-perfect finely-tuned parameters of the physical features of the Earth, the solar system, and the entire cosmos. This program is brought to you by God, maker of heaven and earth and other fine products! * The Finely Tuned Parameters of the Universe: Barrow & Tipler, in their standard treatment, The Anthropic Cosmological Principle, admit that "there exist a number of unlikely coincidences between numbers of enormous magnitude that are, superficially, completely independent; moreover, these coincidences appear essential to the existence of carbon-based observers in the Universe." Examples include the wildly unlikely combination of: - there is the same number of electrons as protons to a standard deviation of one in ten to the thirty-seventh power, that is, 1 in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (37 zeros) - the 1-to-1 electron to proton ratio throughout the universe yields our electrically neutral universe - all fundamental particles of the same kind are identical (including protons, electrons, down quarks, etc., even, in QED, photons!) - energy exactly equals mass (times the conversion factor of c²) - the electron and the massively greater proton have exactly equivalent opposite charges - the electron to proton mass ratio (1 to 1,836) is perfect for forming molecules - the baryon (protons, neutrons, etc.) that decays must conserve the number of baryons - the free neutron decays in minutes whereas it is stable within the nuclei of all the non-radioactive elements (otherwise eventually only hydrogen would exist because the strong nuclear force needs neutrons to overcome proton repulsion) - the proton can't decay because it is the lightest baryon (otherwise all elements would be unstable) - the electromagnetic and gravitational forces are finely tuned for the stability of stars - the gravitational and inertial mass equivalency - the electromagnetic force constant is perfect for holding electrons to nuclei - the electromagnetic force is in the right ratio to the nuclear force - the strong force if changed by 1% would destroy all carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and heavier elements - the precise speed of light, the square root of the inverse of the product of space's permeability and permittivity (i.e., its magnetic field resistance, 4π * 10-7 Weber/Amps * meter, multiplied by its electric field resistance, or 8.8542 * 10-12 Coulomb2 /Newton * meter2), or 186,282 MPS, is integral for life - etc., etc., etc. (including the shocking apparent alignment of the universe with the orbit of the Earth) Leading atheist physicist and biologist admit* The Most Famous Scientist Atheists Agree: The world's most famous scientist atheists in physics and biology have fully admitted half the question as to fine tuning, that the world APPEARS to have been fine tuned. Richard Dawkins: "Biology is the study of complicated things that give the appearance of having been designed for a purpose." Stephen Hawking: "The remarkable fact is that the values of these numbers seem to have been very finely adjusted..." * An Atheist's Index to Replies: Here's an index to (failed) attempts to rebut the fine-tuning argument for God's existence.  * Omitting the Cosmological Constant: We have omitted from this list the commonly reported fine-tuning of the cosmological constant to one part in 10 to the 120th. This is so very precise that if the entire universe had as much additional mass as exists in a single grain of sand, it would all collapse upon itself. That is, if a big bang actually formed our universe, and if it created a miniscule additional amount of mass than it is claimed to have created, then no planets, stars, or galaxies could exist. Conversely, if the universe had less mass, by that same quantity, matter never would have coalesced to become planets, stars, and galaxies, and again, we would not exist. So, why doesn't Real Science Radio include this astoundingly fine-tuned parameter in our list? Well, as physicist John Hartnett points out, the cosmological constant is only a fine-tuning problem for the big bang theory, so it is an argument only against a big bang universe, whereas in our actual universe, it is not a fine tuning issue. So, the cosmological constant problem, also known as the vacuum catastrophe, does refute big bang cosmology, at least, for anyone who is objective, has common sense, and is not desperately trying to ignore the evidence for the Creator. (By the way, since NASA says that the confirmed predictions of the big bang theory are what validates it, you might want to Google: big bang predictions, and you'll find our article ranked #1 out of half-a-million, at rsr.org/bbp, presenting the actual track record of the predictions of the theory. Also, if you Google: evidence against the big bang, you'll find our article on that topic near the top of the first page of Google results!) * The Whopping Physics Coincidence: NewScientist reports about gravity and acceleration that, "a large chunk of modern physics is precariously balanced on a whopping coincidence" for, regarding gravitational and inertial mass, "these two masses are always numerically exactly the same. The consequences of this coincidence are profound..." * The Finely Tuned Parameters of the Solar System include: - Our Sun is positioned far from the Milky Way's center in a galactic Goldilocks zone of low radiation - Our Sun placed in an arm of the Milky Way puts it where we can discover a vast swath of the entire universe - Our Sun is in the unusual Local Bubble, 300 light years of extremely diffuse gas, 1/500th of the average - Earth's orbit is nearly circular (eccentricity ~ 0.02) around the Sun providing a stability in a range of vital factors - Earth's orbit has a low inclination keeping its temperatures within a range permitting diverse ecosystems - Earth's axial tilt is within a range that helps to stabilize our planet's climate - the Moon's mass helps stabilize the Earth's tilt on its axis, which provides for the diversity of alternating seasons - the Moon's distance from the Earth provides tides to keep life thriving in our oceans, and thus, worldwide - the Moon's nearly circular orbit (eccentricity ~ 0.05) makes its influence extraordinarily reliable - the Moon is 1/400th the size of the Sun, and at 1/400th its distance, enables educational perfect eclipses - the Earth's distance from the Sun provides for great quantities of life and climate-sustaining liquid water - the Sun's extraordinary stable output of the energy - the Sun's mass and size are just right for Earth's biosystem - the Sun's luminosity and temperature are just right to provide for Earth's extraordinary range of ecosystems - the color of the Sun's light is tuned for maximum benefit for photosynthesis - the Sun's low "metallicity" prevents the destruction of life on Earth -

More positive news on the prospect for the different candidates getting approved and starting to be distributed. The latest news was the FDA in the US announced that it has scheduled a meeting for December 10th to discuss the request for emergency use authorization from the Pfizer and BioNTech Vaccine. Also news of progress on the EU and UK side... So with more results of further vaccine trials expected to be announced over the coming weeks, where do we actually stand right  now? Cliona O’Farrelly, Professor of Comparative Immunology at Trinity College Dublin and Roger Highfield, Science Director at the London Science Museum both joined Susan Keogh Listen and subscribe to Newstalk Breakfast with Susan Keogh on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.      Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.    You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.

The pandemic has become our common reality. To better understand its social impacts, we organise a series of online conversations with British and Hungarian experts to talk about current and interesting questions. Today's guest is Roger Highfield, Scientific Director at the Science Museum Group. He studied Chemistry at the University of Oxford and was the first person to bounce a neutron off a soap bubble. Useful links: Collecting Covid project of the Science Museum: https://bit.ly/38gzIEG Covid related articles from Roger Highfield: https://bit.ly/2TTgfkZ /// Köszönöm, ha támogatod a munkámat! bit.ly/szertarpatreon Szertár Podcast: bit.ly/szertarpodcast Instagram: bit.ly/szertar_ig YouTube: bit.ly/szertar_yt_sub Facebook: bit.ly/szertar_fb Twitter: bit.ly/rblc_tw

A recent study in University Bristol describes a newly discovered mechanism of learning in the brain shown to stabilize memories and reduce interference between them. Roger Highfield, Science Director at the London Science Museum joined Kieran to discuss the process of making memories. 

Julia speaks with Science Director at the Science Museum Group, Roger Highfield, about the increase in virus infection and social gatherings now being limited to six people. Former Labour Advisor, Kevin Meagher, tells Julia about the plans to amend the UK's Brexit deal. Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, explains the government's newest restrictions to tackle the coronavirus crisis. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Roger Highfield, Science Director of the Science Museum stays indoors in Greenwich to watch episode one of the ATV children's sci-fi serial Timeslip, and then tells TV Cream all about it.

@RogerHighfield, Science Director of the @sciencemuseum Group and @ZernickaGoetz, @Caltech & University of Cambridge developmental biologist, discuss their co-authored & critically-acclaimed work, ‘The Dance of Life - Symmetry, Cells, and How We Become Human'. #JLFBraveNewWorldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Science Director of the Science Museum Group, Roger Highfield, in conversation with the Chair of Infectious Diseases at Imperial College London, Ajit Lalvani, who recently recovered from a serious case of coronavirus, examines the different dimensions of the COVID19 pandemic.Watch this conversation live at #JLFBraveNewWorld!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Science Director at the Science Museum London, Roger Highfield, explains what science is doing to combat Covid-19.     

A live session from #JaipurLitFest2020. The wizarding world of Harry Potter isn’t just about magic versus muggles. It has a dizzying array of scientific theory, metaphysics and connections between complex natural phenomena. Roger Highfield, author of The Science of Harry Potter, explores the fascinating links between magic and science, and shows how the fantastical conceits in the Potter books can actually be explained by scientific analysis. This session will be a delightful journey through stories of science that define a fictional series considered one of the 20th century’s most definitive cult classics. Highfield will be in conversation with writer and editor Keshava Guha, whose novel Accidental Magic is set in Boston of the early 2000s in a community of adult Harry Potter obsessives.

General anaesthetic is supposed to make surgery painless. But now there’s evidence that one person in 20 may be awake when doctors think they’re under. Written by David Robson Read by Brian Yim Lim Produced by Graihagh Jackson To read this story and more, visit mosaicscience.com. Subscribe to our podcast: iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/mosaic-science-podcast/id964928211 RSS: mosaicscience.libsyn.com/rss  If you liked this story, we recommend The mind readers by Roger Highfield, also available as a podcast. 

Roger Highfield is Director of External Affairs at the Science Museum Group. A physical chemist by training, he honed his journalistic skills while a postdoctoral researcher before becoming Science Editor of the Daily Telegraph for the next 20 years. After a spell as Editor of the New Scientist he joined the Science Museum, where he works at an intersection between scientists, historians, curators and multiple publics. In this extended conversation we explore tensions between depth and breadth, ask whether medicine is a science or a practice and talk about the craftsmanship that underpins the performance of laboratory science.

PETER COVENEY (https://www.edge.org/memberbio/peter_coveney) holds a chair in Physical Chemistry, and is director of the Centre for Computational Science at University College London and co-author, with Roger Highfield, of The Arrow of Time _and _Frontiers of Complexity. The Conversation: https://www.edge.org/conversation/peter_coveney-popper-versus-bacon

Columnist and author Michele Hanson and Director of External Affairs at the Science Museum Group Roger Highfield discuss their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

The Infinite Monkeys Robin Ince and Brian Cox are in a festive mood as they discuss the science of Christmas with special guests biologist Richard Dawkins, actor and writer Mark Gatiss and science journalist Roger Highfield. Producer: Alexandra Feachem.

Deindustrialization of Britain - New Feudal System, CEO Feudal Overlords - Hollywood, Promotion of World Culture - Victorian Era, Vaudeville Shows, Popular Music. Behaviour Modification, Herd Management - Most Studied Species - Masses, Groups, Uniformity. Vaccines, Population Reduction - Cholesterol, Health, Fertility - Survival Instincts, Domesticated Animals, Farming. "Blade Runner" movie - Arthur C. Clarke's "3001" - Ancient Folklore, Time of Overcast Sky - Warming, Cooling Earth Cycles - Weather Modification, Warfare, US Air Force. Euthanasia, "Soylent Green" movie - "Terminally Ill" - UN Good Producer-Consumers - Hitler, Euthanized "Inferiors" - Lower Classes, "Unfit", "Useless Eaters". (Articles: "Crowds 'pick leaders to follow'" by Roger Highfield, Science Editor, telegraph.co.uk - Feb. 14, 2008. "The Ultimate Weapon of Mass Destruction: "Owning the Weather" for Military Use" by Michel Chossudovsky, www.globalresearch.ca - Sept. 27, 2004. "Luxembourg says 'yes' to euthanasia" dailymail.co.uk - Feb. 20, 2008.) *Dialogue Copyrighted Alan Watt - Feb. 21, 2008 (Exempting Music, Literary Quotes, and Callers' Comments)