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How microbes are vital for life on Earth, and may even help save the planet

5/15/2025 • 29 min

Although we can’t see them with the naked eye, the Earth is populated by vast numbers of tiny living organisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. Collectively, these organisms are known as microbes, and they have existed on the planet for billions of years. But what role did they play in the origin of complex life, how have they stuck around for so long and h… Play episode

How climate change is disrupting nature’s ancient symbiotic relationships
How catastrophes have shaped the world as we know it
How mathematics shapes human creativity
How climate change impacts the world’s most vulnerable people
How future materials will help save the planet
How we can engineer humans for life beyond Earth
What contraception is doing to our bodies – and what we’ll use in future
How to hack your brain to make better decisions
How to actually see the Northern lights
Why a healthy ocean is vital for the survival of the human race and planet…
Food science: Why fermentation is the future of food
The science behind the stunning phenomenon of the Northern Lights
Food Science: How to become an expert baker through science
The biggest unsolved mysteries of the quantum realm
Food Science: The fascinating science of cheesemaking
How birds’ bizarre mating rituals have played a key role in their evolution
Food Science: How eating chocolate boosts your brain, heart and gut health
Why OCD is a serious, debilitating mental condition, not just a need for c…
How truth and honesty are key to tackling the climate crisis
How to combat uncertainty in a post-truth world
How AI is helping us to understand how our brains learn
What our coastlines can tell us about the planet’s past and future
How to see through misleading numbers and statistics
Prostate cancer: What is it and why is it so often missed?
Don't miss the upcoming Food Science miniseries!
What meteorites tell us about life on Earth and the Universe
How psychology can help us see through propaganda
How psychology can help us unlock the power of saying ‘no’
How science is tackling one of the most common causes of sight loss
How our brains create our sense of self
How body image pressures lead to steroid use
Healthy Start: How small behavioural changes help manage stress
How music therapy can heal our bodies and brains
Healthy Start: How taking up new hobbies can boost your mental health
How science can help us tackle racism
Healthy Start: How to cut down your social media use
Why smell is our most underrated sense
Healthy Start: How to make goals and stick to them
The power of optimism
Don't miss the upcoming Healthy Start miniseries!
What happens in your body when you eat
How to combat flooding
How belonging to tribes shapes our culture
The science of manipulation
How the internet shaped how we speak
Feeding the world’s growing population
How extinction can protect future animals
How opening our eyes, ears and noses can help us deepen our relationship w…
The psychology of anger

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