logo
episode-header-image
May 2025
31m 40s

These malaria drugs treat the mosquitos ...

SPRINGER NATURE LIMITED
About this episode

00:45 Treating mosquitoes for malaria

Researchers have developed two compounds that can kill malaria-causing parasites within mosquitoes, an approach they hope could help reduce transmission of the disease. The team showed that these compounds can be embedded into the plastics used to make bed nets, providing an alternative to insecticide-based malaria-control measures, which are losing efficacy in the face of increased resistance.


Research article: Probst et al.


10:42 Research Highlights

The sunlight-powered device that can harvest drinkable water from desert air, and evidence that the world’s richest people are disproportionately responsible for climate impacts.


Research Highlight: Atacama sunshine helps to pull water from thin air

Research Highlight: The world’s richest people have an outsized role in climate extremes


13:02 The genetics that can lead to pregnancy loss

Researchers have found specific genetic mutations that can lead to pregnancy loss. It’s known that errors, such as the duplication of chromosomes, can lead to nonviable pregnancies but less has been known about non-chromosomal genetic errors. The new work identifies DNA sequence changes that can lead to a non-viable pregnancy. This may offer clinicians the ability to screen embryos for these changes to help avoid pregnancy loss.


Research article: Arnadottir et al.


22:24 Briefing Chat

Bespoke CRISPR-based therapy treats baby boy with devastating genetic disease, and the ‘anti-spice’ compounds that can lower chillies’ heat.


Nature: World’s first personalized CRISPR therapy given to baby with genetic disease

New Scientist: Chemists discover 'anti-spice' that could make chilli peppers less hot


Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Oct 8
How stereotypes shape AI – and what that means for the future of hiring
00:48 The stereotypes hidden in Internet imagesStereotyped assumptions about women’s ages and their perceived job suitability are enhanced by Internet imagery, according to new research. A study of hundreds of thousands of online images shows that women appear younger than men. T ... Show More
35m 31s
Oct 1
Ancient viral DNA helps human embryos develop
00:50 How ancient viruses drive modern human developmentResearch suggests that ancient viral-DNA embedded in the human genome is playing a key role in early embryo development. Around 8% of our genome consists of endogenous retrovirus DNA — the remnants of ancient infections, but ... Show More
33m 43s
Sep 26
Audio long read: Autism is on the rise — what’s really behind the increase?
In April, Robert F. Kennedy Jr held a press conference about rising diagnoses of autism, and said he would soon be announcing a study to find the responsible agent. Although Kennedy said that environmental factors are the main cause of autism, research has shown that genetics pla ... Show More
25m 36s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2022
Pee and Seagrass, Heart Sound Maps, Modified Mosquitos
Today we talk about how crystallizing human urine can help save seagrass, a new AI program that can detect early signs of heart disease, and how mosquitos can be used to vaccinate against malaria. Pee and Seagrass “Human Pee Might Just Be the Key to Saving Seagrass” by Jesse Kath ... Show More
13m 36s
Aug 2024
How to end malaria once and for all | Abdoulaye Diabaté
Malaria is a disease as old as humankind, yet we may be closer than ever to eliminating it, says medical entomologist Abdoulaye Diabaté. He explains the potential of "gene drive" technology — which aims to disrupt mosquito reproduction as a means of halting malaria transmission i ... Show More
13m 12s
Sep 29
Tylenol and Autism, a Shark Threesome and a Typhoon
This week’s roundup breaks down the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to revise the safety label for acetaminophen (Tylenol) following the Trump administration’s misleading claims about a link between use of the drug during pregnancy and autism—which were made despite incon ... Show More
12m 15s
Apr 2025
Weekly: First brain engineering in a mammal; landmark in fossil fuel lawsuits, the legacy of Pope Francis
Episode 300 The first genetically engineered synapses have been implanted in a mammal’s brain. Chemical brain signals have been bypassed in the brains of mice and replaced with electrical signals, changing their behaviour in incredible ways. Not only did they become more sociable ... Show More
29m 3s
Aug 5
Summer picks: what is ‘mirror life’ and why are scientists sounding the alarm?
Recently, a group of world-leading scientists called for a halt on research to create ‘mirror life’ microbes amid concerns that the synthetic organisms would present an ‘unprecedented risk’ to life on Earth. Ian Sample tells Madeleine Finlay about why this work initially seemed e ... Show More
17m 33s
Aug 2007
Venoms and Toxins - Natures Arsenal
This week, mind reading children, scientists find a new gene in the lung cancer cocktail, and satnav or map-nav - what's greener? Plus we become biological weapons inspectors and explore nature's arsenal of venoms, poisons and toxins, including a scorpion's sting that can highlig ... Show More
1 h
Aug 18
Chikungunya Outbreak, Glacial Outbursts and a New Human Ancestor
The chikungunya virus is rapidly spreading in China. Could it make its way to the U.S.? Meanwhile in Alaska a glacial lake outburst flooded the nearby Mendenhall River to record levels. And in Ethiopia fossilized teeth reveal a new species of Australopithecus—one that possibly li ... Show More
10m 50s
Feb 2022
Episode 005: Heme Path Series Pt. 4 - Molecular Testing
Molecular Testing PearlsIn Part 4 of our Heme Path series, we thoroughly examine the details of molecular testing and how it relates to hematologic and oncologic malignancies I. Molecular Testing BasicsA. Provides a means of assessing patient’s genotypes, specifically at smaller ... Show More
30m 36s
Aug 2024
What We Know About the Microbiome (REDUX)
The gut microbiome, which consists of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, plays a crucial role in our health. However, there is still much to learn about this complex ecosystem. On this episode we talk with experts who tell us where the science is—how much we know, and how ... Show More
27m 25s
Sep 30
Ep 189 Newborn screening: The future is here
Every year, millions of babies around the world are screened for dozens of treatable conditions within the first day or two of life. What it takes is a few drops of blood on some filter paper, and what it gives is profound: potentially life-saving information. The advent of newbo ... Show More
1h 18m