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Jul 2026

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Podcasts for the insatiably curious, produced by New Scientist in collaboration with carefully selected external parties. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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18 recent

July 15, 202644 min

Inside the science of making medicines pure

Show Notes 💬 Artificial intelligence and big data are flooding discovery pipelines with high-potential drug candidates, but this rapid innovation has triggered significant challenges. Simply put, our capability to design miracle molecules is vastly outstripping our technology to mass-manufacture them safely for the global public. Moving drug making from the scale of lab flasks to commercial bioreactors introduces non-linear biological and engineering shifts that can undermine tasks like purification. ⚡In this New Scientist CoLab podcast, experts from global life sciences leader Cytiva explain the hidden, high-stakes science of purification that is required to close the gap between drug discovery and the pharmacy shelf. Our guests are: Henrik Ihre, Distinguished Fellow, Cytiva Paul Belcher, Business Leader, Cytiva   🎧 Stay tuned to learn about: ➡ The process of taking a drug from theoretical to the shop shelf ➡ How the drug purification works ➡ The human cost when purification goes wrong ➡ The challenges of keeping pace in manufacturing as AI supercharges drug discovery   Chapters: (00:00) Intro - How drugs go from discovery to reality (03:49) The purification process (10:05) Why small scale success doesn't mean industrial scale success (13:00) The challenge of the expanding drug pipeline (21:39) Understanding the molecules that are being purified (23:20) What is a chromatography resin? (25:24) Why purification gets more difficult later in the process (27:15) The human impact when purification goes wrong (32:59) The future of AI drug discovery (37:52) Is AI helping with purification? (40:32) How it feels to be advancing drug discovery   About the sponsor: Cytiva: ⁠https://www.cytivalifesciences.com/ ⁠   About the podcast: New Scientist CoLab explores the boundaries of innovation and the intersection of business, science and technology. Hosted by Justin Mullins. Don't miss an episode - subscribe now: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@NewScientistCoLab⁠     Connect with New Scientist: Website: ⁠https://www.newscientist.com/⁠  Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/newscientist/⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 2, 202640 min

Discover how the science of healthspan helps keep pets thriving for longer

💬 The longevity space isn’t just for humans. Science is uncovering new ways to keep our pets healthier for longer too. New research is finally uncovering why our dogs and cats slow down with age - and how we can slow that process. ⚡ So what lifestyle changes can help our pets live longer, healthier lives? In this episode, sponsored by Royal Canin, we explore emerging research exploring the hallmarks of ageing, with practical tips for all pet owners. Our guests are: Dr Tanya Schoeman, veterinary specialist physician with Royal Canin Dr Cat Henstridge, veterinary surgeon and online educator (@cat_the_vet) Don't miss an episode - subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/@NewScientistCoLab 🎧 Stay tuned to learn about: ➡ The importance of the human-animal bond in pet longevity ➡ How to stave off chronic inflammation in our pets ➡ Why nutrition and dental health are the fundamentals of keeping our pets healthy ➡ The barriers vets have to overcome when caring for our pets ➡ Why prevention is always better than cure. Chapters: (00:00) Intro - Pet ageing is not inevitable (02:53) Difference between chronological age and biological age (05:00) Importance of the human-animal bond (11:41) How inflammation impacts the health of our pets (15:30) Understanding the hallmarks of ageing (20:34) Impact of the COVID pet boom (26:01) Barriers to care (29:22) Can you accurately measure your pet’s biological age? (33:52) The burden of pet ageing on owners (38:42) Top tips for all pet owners About the sponsor: Royal Canin About the podcast: New Scientist CoLab explores the boundaries of innovation and the intersection of business, science and technology. Hosted by Justin Mullins. Connect with New Scientist: Website: https://www.newscientist.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newscientist/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June 18, 202632 min

What lies beneath? The new era of Earth imaging

💬 Over the last decade, advances in subsurface imaging have meant we’re able to see deep within our planet with unfathomable detail - pinpointing vast geological structures beneath our oceans with unprecedented accuracy. ⚡ Viridien is the company creating these incredible images and in this episode they explore the breakthroughs that are revolutionising subsurface imaging and helping to see the geological details of the Earth in ever higher definition. Our guests are: Gordon Poole, UK research manager at Viridien Ewa Kaszycka UK, Geoscience Manager at Viridien. Don't miss an episode - subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/@NewScientistCoLab 🎧 Stay tuned to learn about: ➡ How full waveform inversion (FWI) peels back the data to reveal amazing images ➡ Why high performance computing (HPC) is integral in processing seismic data ➡ How boats can spend 3 months gathering data without breaks ➡ How subsurface images help capture carbon - reducing the impacts of climate change ➡ What it takes to work at a company like Viridien Chapters: (00:00) Intro (01:05) Early work in geophysics (02:37) The revolutions that have transformed subsurface imaging (04:27) How data is converted into images with full waveform inversion (07:19) How Albert Tarantola’s vision became reality (09:32) The many different skills needed for this work (10:27) The important role of high performance computing (12:28) The data gathered by ocean bottom nodes (14:57) How Viridien makes its approach sustainable (17:19) What’s coming in the future? (19:17) How subsurface images allow great carbon storage (22:54) What else is becoming possible thanks to better subsurface images? (27:49) The biggest unsolved problems in the field (30:10) The defining properties of people who work in this sector About the sponsor: Viridien is a multinational geoscience and technology company that is pushing the boundaries of Earth subsurface imaging. About the podcast: New Scientist CoLab explores the boundaries of innovation and the intersection of business, science and technology. Hosted by Justin Mullins. Connect with New Scientist: Website: https://www.newscientist.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newscientist/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

April 9, 202630 min

The future of Humanity, decoded in London

About this episode SXSW London is the preeminent forum for the new ideas and leading thinkers who are sculpting the future. In this episode, we talk to Kat Sherling, head of conference at the event to explore the cultural and technological forces driving the agenda at this year’s festival and discover some of the speakers who will be there in June. This is a New Scientist CoLab production, sponsored by the SXSW London. Your host is Justin Mullins. Find out more about how we’re adapting to a rewired world with this New Scientist CoLab article : https://www.newscientist.com/article/2517346-can-humanity-find-a-place-in-the-rewired-world/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

February 19, 202627 min

How UK and Spanish scientists are reimagining the future of green pharma

The production of medicines is a high-stakes industry where efficiency and environmental impact often collide. Given that the pharmaceutical industry is one of society’s biggest polluters, solving this challenge requires massive, cross-continent collaboration to spark real change. In this episode, we explore how some of the UK and Europe’s premier research institutes and pharmaceutical companies have joined forces to pioneer "greener" production methods. This work is funded by Horizon Europe, the European Union’s flagship €96 billion research and innovation funding programme. We visit Barcelona to talk to Dr Laura Rodriguez and Dr Andrés Cruz from IRIS Technology Solutions. They share how their collaboration with UK research teams has yielded impressive results—and why the partnership itself has been a key factor in the success. This is a New Scientist CoLab production, sponsored by the UK Government. For more information and to find a UK partner for your next Horizon Europe bid, click here. Your host is James Randerson. Read more about the UK-Spanish partnerships solving pharma’s toughest challenges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

November 20, 202530 min

Discover Vanguard, the future of ocean research

Imagine humans one day living and working on the ocean floor. Aquanauts in subsea habitats, surrounded by ocean creatures, discovering new secrets about our planet. This might sound like science fiction, but DEEP is already making this a reality. With the recent launch of its subsea habitat Vanguard, DEEP is pushing forward with its promise to make humans aquatic. An engineering company pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, DEEP exists to radically advance how humankind can access, explore and inhabit underwater environments. In this episode, Sophie Bushwick speaks to DEEP’s Chief Technology Officer, Norman Smith and Director of Habitat Operations, Roger Garcia. Together they take us on a tour of Vanguard, from its cosy living area with a viewport to the ocean realm, to the “moon pool” which serves as the entryway into the habitat. They discuss the scientific missions a habitat like this enables - like planet-saving coral reef restoration. And they explore the engineering that’s gone into making this possible, the pressures and joys of life as an “aquanaut” and how it feels to have sea creatures as your neighbours. This is a New Scientist CoLab production, sponsored by DEEP. Your host is Sophie Bushwick. Find out more here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 17, 202533 min

Inside the UK’s Energy Revolution

The UK’s energy system is undergoing a quiet revolution. As we move away from fossil fuels towards a cleaner, more flexible, and electrified future, Octopus Energy is helping to turn the traditional power grid on its head. In this episode of New Scientist CoLab, Justin Mullins is joined by Kieron Stopforth, Head of Flexibility at Octopus Energy. Kieron explains how the way we generate, store and use electricity is changing - and why your home, solar panels, and even your car could be part of the solution. This is a New Scientist CoLab production, sponsored by Octopus Energy. Your host is Justin Mullins. Find out more at newscientist.com/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 11, 202535 min

A world without dementia? The science and hope ahead

Dementia is the UK’s leading cause of death, and one in three people born today will develop it in their lifetime. With numbers steadily rising, the need for effective treatments and improved dementia diagnosis is more urgent than ever. Thankfully, recent advances in science mean we understand the diseases that cause dementia better than ever. There has never been a more exciting time in dementia research, and supporting some of the most pioneering work in this field is UK charity Alzheimer’s Society. In this episode of the New Scientist CoLab podcast, Justin Mullins is joined by Richard Oakley, Associate Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer's Society. Richard explores the latest breakthroughs in dementia treatment and promising areas of research. He discusses the latest technologies and trials that are bringing us closer to a better future for people living with dementia. And he discusses his belief that research, with time, can beat dementia. This is a New Scientist CoLab production, sponsored by Alzheimer’s Society. Find out more at newscientist.com/podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

September 7, 202519 min

How Vertex Pharmaceuticals is revolutionising drug discovery

What does it take to tackle the world’s most complex diseases? For David Price, head of the Vertex Pharmaceuticals Oxford Research site, the motivation is deeply personal. In this podcast from New Scientist CoLab, David shares his incredible journey and gives a detailed look inside Vertex, the company that pioneered patient-first drug discovery. Learn about their unique serial innovation strategy, which focuses on treating the underlying cause of a disease, not just the symptoms. He also discusses how automation and robotics are transforming the lab and why talented students and interns represent an extraordinary future. Sponsored by Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 17, 202534 min

Women in Science Episode 4: Inside the world of nuclear test monitoring

Meet a woman who works at the frontlines of global nuclear monitoring. In this special series of New Scientist CoLab interviews, where we spotlight exceptional women driving progress in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Jenny is the leader of AWE’s forensic seismology team and Lead UN Inspector for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organisation, which carries out large-scale inspections across the globe. She walks us through everything from what might prompt an inspection to what actually happens on the ground, highlighting just how complex these high-stakes missions are. We explore: ● Jenny’s pioneering career at the intersection of science, security, and diplomacy ● What skills are needed to work in high-stakes, global environments ● Her advice for women looking to make a difference in STEM and international security This series is proudly sponsored by AWE. Your host is Claire Aisnworth. For more podcasts in this series, head to newscientist.com/podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices