Oxford Sparks Big Questions

'Will my bacon sandwich kill me?', 'Is vaping better than smoking?', 'How do you become an astronaut?' - just some of the Big Questions we ask some of the brightest minds behind Oxford science. Join us in each podcast as we explore a different area of science.

What is it like to be on Countdown? 04/16/2025

What is it like to be on Countdown? "I still don't believe it happened..." What's it like to face the most famous clock on television? We chat to Oxford mathematician Dr Tom Crawford - best known as the creator of the award-winning 'Tom Rocks Maths' outreach programme - about what it was like to step into Rachel Riley's shoes on Countdown. What's the best tactic for tackling the numbers round? How did he prepare? Did he really only have 30 seconds to find a solution? Tom gives us a glimpse behind-the-scenes of this British institution. /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/36064740

What happens after a dementia diagnosis? 04/02/2025

What happens after a dementia diagnosis? One in two people will be affected by dementia in their lifetime - whether that is as a patient, or somebody caring for a loved one. But what happens after a dementia diagnosis? Is there a clear pathway ahead? We chat to Jasmine Blane, a DPhil researcher at the Oxford Brain Health Clinic, about the work she is doing to help support patients in the midst of a dementia diagnosis, and into the future. /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/35876170

Is it OK to laugh at Tourette's? 03/19/2025

Is it OK to laugh at Tourette's? In popular culture, Tourette's syndrome is wrongly associated solely with outbursts of swearing in the context of lazy jokes. But in reality, the condition is far more complex than this stereotype suggests. When people without Tourette’s jokingly blame their lack of self-control on the condition, it spreads misinformation and invalidates those who actually live with it. Despite this, comedy - when created by those who experience stigma - can sometimes help challenge stereotypes and shift public perceptions. We chat with Dr Melina Malli from the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing to explore whether laughter can really be the best medicine. /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/35698100

What is a dinosaur highway? 03/05/2025

What is a dinosaur highway? If you were hunting for some fossilised dinosaur footprints, where would you go? To a remote part of North or South America, perhaps? A deserted wilderness for sure... But how about Oxfordshire? We chat to Dr Duncan Murdock from the Oxford University Museum of Natural History about an incredible discovery made right on our doorstep. Photo © Dr Emma Nicholls / Oxford University Museum of Natural History /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/35479310

How horny are hedgehogs? 02/19/2025

How horny are hedgehogs? Shh...hedgehog! It always feels like a privilege to catch a glimpse of one, as it snuffles away under the garden fence. And come the spring, our spiny - and usually solitary - little friends will be feeling in the mood for...romance. But what exactly does a female look for in a mate? And how do their intimate encounters even work when things are so very... spiky? Join us for this special Valentine's Day edition of the Big Questions Podcast, as we ask Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen (aka Dr Hedgehog) "how horny are hedgehogs?" /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/35285980

What can batteries of the future learn from eels? 02/05/2025

What can batteries of the future learn from eels? Electric eels are pretty amazing creatures. Their bodies can release powerful electric charges - in some cases reaching 650 volts! So, what can scientists learn from these animals? Could nature hold the key to advancing our own energy solutions? We chat to Dr Yujia Zhang about how electric eels might inspire the batteries of the future. /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/35097090

Why is my bottle cap attached to my plastic bottle? 01/22/2025

Why is my bottle cap attached to my plastic bottle? Whether it's the bottle of water that you hastily grab at the train station, or your favourite guilty-pleasure fizzy pop, you may have noticed something different about your drinks lately - or at least their containers. Since July 2024, it's been EU law that bottle caps are attached, or 'tethered', on all single-use plastic bottles. But what exactly is the reason for this change? Will it really help to save the planet, or is it just there to annoy us? We chat to Dr Diogo Veríssimo about "nudge", "sludge", and changing human behaviour for a better world. /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/34920970

Why are we seeing the Northern Lights more often? 01/08/2025

Why are we seeing the Northern Lights more often? Even if you’d never previously given much thought to the Northern Lights, chances are they were brought to your attention in 2024, when our social media feeds were set ablaze with beautiful images captured by awe-struck stargazers. Usually restricted to more northerly latitudes, this colourful natural phenomenon could be observed in the UK as far south as Cornwall. But why were we treated to this spectacle, and why now? Dr Carly Howett from the Department of Physics explains why we’re seeing the Northern Lights more often this year, and gives hope to those yet to catch a glimpse. /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/34756305

Why track mistletoe? 12/11/2024

Why track mistletoe? Mistletoe has long been associated with fertility, and even today, its presence hanging from the ceiling can prompt a few blushes. But, did you know, mistletoe is more than something beneath which to kiss at Christmas? It is actually a parasite, and has some rather peculiar biology behind it. We chat to mistletoe expert Ollie Spacey about what makes it so special, where you can spot it and - importantly - how you can get involved with his research through /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/34284290

Why are birth rates falling in the UK? 11/27/2024

Why are birth rates falling in the UK? Evolutionarily speaking, it makes sense to have a lot of children. At the very least, we might expect a population to replace itself, with each couple having an average of two children. However, this evolutionary logic is not mirrored by current data: birth rates are falling in the UK, with many people choosing to either have one child, or no children at all. We speak to evolutionary anthropologist Dr Paula Sheppard about the drivers, and consequences, of this observed trend. /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/33996232

What is a wind drought? 11/13/2024

What is a wind drought? Chances are, you didn't notice the week-long wind drought that the UK experienced towards the end of 2023. However, this period of low wind speeds, combined with a cold snap, drove up our energy prices - something that may have caught your attention. So, what exactly do we know about wind droughts, and how can we apply this knowledge to plan for the low-carbon energy systems of the future? We chat to Matthew Wright from Oxford's Department of Physics to find out. /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/33815550

How do you sequence the genomes of 70,000 species? 10/30/2024

How do you sequence the genomes of 70,000 species? Welcome back to the new series of the Oxford Sparks Big Questions Podcast! We are here to answer weird and wonderful questions about our world, with the help of science. And we’re starting with a very big question! How do you sequence the genomes of 70,000 species? Dr Liam Crowley, from the Department of Biology, tells us about the ground-breaking Darwin Tree of Life project, which aims to sequence the genomes of over 70,000 species in Britain and Ireland. Discover the challenges and technological advances that make this monumental task possible, and explore the potential applications in fields like conservation genetics and evolutionary biology. Tune in to find out how this project could revolutionise our understanding of biodiversity and the future of life on Earth! /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/33171237

How do I keep my house cool without air conditioning? 07/17/2024

How do I keep my house cool without air conditioning? Summer is here, and with heatwaves forecast, how do we keep our homes cool without relying on air conditioning? In the UK, soaring summer temperatures can be brief but powerful. So, what can we do? Nicole Miranda, from the Department of Engineering, shares practical, energy-efficient and eco-friendly strategies to help you stay comfortable during the hot months. And yes, ice creams are encouraged! This is the final episode of this season. We hope that you have enjoyed learning the science behind the many weird and wonderful aspects of our world. If you have a big question, get in touch and we will try to find you an answer in the next season. /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/32098462

What time is it on the moon? 07/03/2024

What time is it on the moon? Scientists are returning to the moon, but when they get there, what time is it? Dr Carly Howett from the Department of Physics explains the basics: what time is, and how we found a globalised way of understanding time zones so we can meet for a 3pm coffee or international video call, and everyone is in the right place at the right time. But how does that translate to space and why could the consequences of incorrect timekeeping be disastrous for space craft docking missions? If you want to get to grips with the weird and wonderful world of lunar time, then tune in to our latest podcast to find out more! /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/31959117

How can origami help make energy? 06/19/2024

How can origami help make energy? Discover how the ancient art of origami is revolutionising sustainable energy! Researcher Jingyi Yang, from the Department of Engineering Science, has loved origami since childhood. Now she’s channelling that passion to tackle engineering challenges. Using the intricate papercraft to develop clam-like models, Jinyi’s creative engineering may be the key to improving the efficiency of energy produced by the waves hitting the UK’s coastline. Find out more about this imaginative approach to scientific discovery in this podcast! /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/31786947

How do you fossilise a brain? 06/05/2024

How do you fossilise a brain? When you think of fossils, you probably imagine dinosaurs. But did you know that soft body parts, like the brain, can become fossils too? In this episode, forensic anthropologist Alexandra Morton-Hayward explores the science of brain fossilisation. Skeletons have been found in wells, Incan temples, salt mines and many other unusual locations, often with no other organs, hair or skin preserved. With only a brain nested in the skull, we are asking … how can this happen? Listen now to find out and discover how this research is unravelling ancient human history! /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/31596272

How do earworms work? 05/22/2024

How do earworms work? Have you ever had a song stuck in your head that you just can't shake? A few bars or lyrics that just keep looping all day long? Well, we have delved into the science behind 'earworms' with Dr Jacob Kingsbury Downs from the Faculty of Music. A melodic mix of musical imagery, auditory neuroscience, memory and impressive compositions can leave a little ditty echoing in our minds long after the last note has played. But what you really want to know is how to get rid of an earworm, right? Tune in to find out! /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/31383222

How are seals affecting fishing catches? 05/08/2024

How are seals affecting fishing catches? Are seals the fishermen's friends or foes? The UK is home 35% of the world’s grey seals and we know they like to get their flippers on many of the same fish as we do. So, how are seals impacting the fishing industry? In our latest podcast, Dr Claire Tanner from the Department of Biology explores the unseen conflict beneath the waves and the complex dynamics between these marine mammals and fisheries. Tune in to find out how understanding more about the behaviour of the UK’s seal populations can shape marine management policies. /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/31173977

Why am I killing my house plants? 04/24/2024

Why am I killing my house plants? House plants can be a cheerful pop of colour in your home. But do you find after the initial burst of life, your plants start to fade, looking sad and unhealthy? M Garrido Davies, from the Department of Biology, shares top tips for helping house plants to flourish, starting with learning more about the biology of how plants grow in their natural environment. Did you know that when you add too much water to your house plants, it starves their roots of oxygen, damaging the root system and actually creating a drought? And have you considered how much light and ventilation your household greenery is getting? Discover more biology behind the blooms in this podcast! /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/30949703

How are volcanoes formed on other planets? 04/10/2024

How are volcanoes formed on other planets? Volcanoes are pretty amazing! But how do they work on other planets? Take Mars – it has the largest volcano in the solar system! But volcanologist Tamsin Mather reveals that the red planet is now considered geologically dead, with no volcanic activity for around 500 million years. How do we know how this volcano formed then? Well, space missions have put probes and landers on Mars’ surface, providing evidence of a long lost hot spot beneath the surface. What about the rest of the solar system? There are glimpses of volcanism on Venus and Jupiter’s moon, Io, too. But how do scientists know? Listen to our latest podcast to find out! If you would like to learn even more about the volcanoes of Earth and beyond, why not give Tamsin’s new book, Adventures in Volcanoland, a read! /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/30747543

Can we talk to bees? 03/27/2024

Can we talk to bees? We are out in the wild today talking to bees! In this behind the scenes episode, we visited Dr Rachel Parkinson’s bee recording studio to see insect neuroscience research in action. You might know that honeybees communicate with each other using the waggle dance, a minute choreography that shows other bees the way to the flower buffet. But little is known about how bumblebees communicate. To understand more about bee behaviour, Rachel has created a series of small arenas with cameras and microphones. Using AI, visual and audio recordings can be matched up to create a database of sounds and behaviours which will, in time, hopefully reveal the secret language of bees! /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/30527273

Why are people obsessed with how cute cats are? 03/13/2024

Why are people obsessed with how cute cats are? Cats are pretty adorable! Those big eyes, fluffy paws and cheeky personalities mean that most people find felines cute. But what is the science behind this reaction? Neuroscientist Professor Morten Kringelbach reveals how special technology can track what happens to signals in the brain in response to sounds and images of babies and small animals. In just a thousandth of a second, our brain decides that something is cute. This almost instantaneous cuteness reaction is thought to be a deep-rooted evolutionary feature of humans, encouraging us to look after young babies and animals to help species to survive. Cats (and other fluffy pets) can bring us so much joy, so next time you find yourself smiling at a cat video or your beloved pet, make sure to spread the love and bring someone else a dose of happiness. /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/30325273

How freaked out should I be about bed bugs? 02/28/2024

How freaked out should I be about bed bugs? You might have seen them in a hotel. You might have read about them in the news. Maybe you’ve seen them star in social media videos filmed on the London underground. But should we really be worried about bed bugs? The little critters evolved from feeding on bats and birds to humans thousands of years ago and were part of society for hundreds of years. But with the invention of synthetic pesticides, bed bug populations declined significantly after the Second World War. However, as pesticide resistance grows and the world becomes increasingly connected, bed bugs are making a resurgence. Entomologist Liam Crowley, from the Department of Biology, tells us what to look out for and how to keep them at bay in our latest podcast. But don’t worry, they’re not as common as you might think! /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/30081228

When did we start kissing? 02/14/2024

When did we start kissing? Have you ever considered when kissing first started? Who, or what, first decided that this was a good way to show affection? Ancient historian, Troels Pank Arbøll, and hedgehog researcher, Sophie Lund Rasmussen, joined forces to attempt to find an answer. Cuneiform scripts, which are the world’s oldest written text, have the first mention of romantic kissing in a mythological narrative dating back to 2500 BCE. But animals can also help us to answer this question. Bonobos have been shown to kiss romantically to strengthen pair bonds and assess a mate’s suitability. Perhaps the origins of kissing could be much older than human history! Find out more by listening to our latest podcast. /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/29906563

How do you stay warm in your house without central heating? 01/31/2024

How do you stay warm in your house without central heating? How do we battle the energy use and soaring costs required to keep our homes warm? We spoke to Dr Brenda Boardman from the Environmental Change Institute about the best ways to keep out the winter chill. Did you know that draughts not only let cold air in, but they also push the warm out of your home? And that sitting or sleeping next to external walls can make you colder? Discover simple and inexpensive methods you can try to stay toasty, starting with the idea of heating the human rather than the home. Tune in to learn more! /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/29713018

How will climate change affect wine? 01/17/2024

How will climate change affect wine? People have been interested in wine growing and quality vintages since the Roman times, but as the climate warms, what does this mean for the future of wine growers in the UK (and beyond)? Andrew Wood, from the Department of Biology, has been studying the records of wine critics, which reveal much more than whether the bottle is a good vintage or not. The vintage can tell scientists what the growing conditions were like for the grapes in a given year – was it hot or cold? Was there flooding or drought? Was light more intense? As the UK experiences more ‘BBQ summers’, we may see new grape varieties flourishing, producing new flavours of wine. But it’s not good news for all vineyards. Find out why in our latest podcast! /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/29491193

What are the odds of a white Christmas? 12/13/2023

What are the odds of a white Christmas? As we count down to the festive season and the days get colder, will we see a white Christmas this year? In the last episode of the Big Questions podcast for 2023, Dr Neven Fučkar from the Environmental Change Institute tells us more about the science behind weather forecasts and how climate change is impacting Earth’s weather patterns. Using advanced modelling, scientists can predict weather patterns to different degrees of certainty. So in a few days’ time, we should know whether we will see snow on the big day. But what do the predictions look like for the next five or ten years? Find out in this podcast! We hope you have enjoyed getting into the science of the everyday questions you want to know the answers to. We’ll be back in the new year to share more science from the University of Oxford. See you in 2024! /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/28954473

How do you reintroduce lions? 11/29/2023

How do you reintroduce lions? Lions are iconic species, but they are threatened with extinction. In Zambia, researchers and conservationists are working together to find ways of conserving these majestic animals and preventing them from becoming by-catch of poaching. In this new episode of the Big Questions podcast, we speak to Dr Egil Dröge from the Department of Biology to share the steps involved in bringing lions back to a national park in Zambia. Careful selection of a few young female lions which are genetically similar to those lost from the national park, and collaboration with local communities could pave the way for lions to return to the area over the next decade. /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/28806508

Does banning smoking work? 11/15/2023

Does banning smoking work? As the UK government proposes new plans to reduce the number of people who smoke, we talk to behaviour change researcher Nicola Lindson from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences to find out how the plan would work. Could we see a generation that is smoke free? Would banning flavours in e-cigarettes stop children from taking up smoking? Tune in to the latest episode of the Big Questions podcast to find out more. /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/28568778

Why are deep fakes happening? 11/01/2023

Why are deep fakes happening? Welcome to the new series of the Big Questions podcast, where we ask Oxford scientists to shed light on everyday questions that you really want to know the answer to. Remember those photos or videos online that don’t look quite right? Perhaps you’ve heard a celebrity’s voice somewhere unexpected? In this episode, we chat to computational social scientist Dr Bernie Hogan from the Oxford Internet Institute about deepfakes; media synthetically generated by technology to capture someone’s likeness. As AI and machine learning technology develop rapidly, how can we regulate the creation of deepfakes to know what is real? Tune in to find out! /episode/index/show/oxfordsparks/id/28474040

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