EUSci Podcast #67

There are entities in this world that do not believe evolution. But it doesn't really matter, it's happening anyway, and as Steph tells us this week, even synthetic molecules are getting in on the act. Our discussion features the delicate relationship between researchers and their press officers, and our exciting feature is an excerpt of an interview by Alasdair with stem cell researcher Prof. Bruno Peault.

Of course the usual goodies are here too- including news on the earthquake-inducing effects of dams and a possible alternative to graphene. Oh, and there's someting about bees, too.

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News

• Kidney transplant successful- but only on the second attempt, in a second patient!
• Move over graphene, silicene is the new star material
• Nanoparticles successfully used to treat an animal model of Cerebral Palsy
• Devastating 2008 Chengdu earthquake may have been caused by dam
• Group decisions are more accurate when participants go with the most confidently-expressed answer

Correspondents

• New, synthetic molecules that can undergo evolution much like DNA or RNA
• 'Neonicotinoid' pesticide reduces production of bumble-bee queens and decreases foraging success and survival in honey-bees

Feature

EUWhat

Why old books smell

Discussion

The evils of over-enthusiastic press officers (prompted by this story about a protozoan)

Roundup