Unexpected Elements

This week, a viral video of a robo-traffic-cop in Shanghai has the team contemplating the science of traffic. How do traffic jams with no discernible cause actually form? Does the weather experience traffic jams? And why do our cords also seem to get tangled in their own little cord-traffic-jams no matter how hard we try to keep them separate? Christine Yohannes from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Tristan Ahtone in Helsinki, Finland, join Marnie Chesterton to discuss all this, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Christine Yohannes and Tristan Ahtone Producers: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins, with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell and Lucy Davies

The epic space story of a sci-fi dream that changed spaceflight forever. Told by the Nasa astronauts and team who made it happen. Our multi-award-winning podcast is back, hosted by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock. She tells the story of triumph and tragedy - of a dream that revolutionised modern space travel forever. You can listen to the trailer here. To hear episodes, search for 13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle, wherever you get your BBC podcasts. 13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle is a BBC Audio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service. Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music. Archive: Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office.

This week, Cameroon’s Paul Biya announced his plan to run for an 8th term as president at the grand old age of 92. So, we have elected to investigate the science of ageing. First, we ask if a 60-year-old brain is as sharp as a 20-year-old one. Then, we find out about parts of the world that boast impressively long life expectancies. Have these places found the secret to longevity, or are they not what they seem? Next up, we talk to Professor Thomas Boothby from the University of Wyoming about tiny, eight-legged animals called tardigrades, and what they could teach us about living longer. We also dig into the story behind a recently uncovered ancient Peruvian city, before finding out the science behind so-called ‘old wives’ tales’. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Camilla Mota and Phillys Mwatee Producers: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with Margaret Sessa-Hawkins, Lucy Davies and Robbie Wojciechowski

This week, a new report into the dangers that sand and dust storms pose to the world's health and economy has inspired us to delve in the science of dust. First, we look at the report by the World Meteorological Organisation and hear about what can be done to mitigate the dangers of dust. We also find out the surprising way in which the Sahara is keeping the Amazon rainforest well-fed, and Derek Fabel from the University of Glasgow tells us how dust can help us to determine the age of glaciers. Plus, the dusty maths that took 15 years to solve, and the musician who swapped jazz for space dust. All that, and many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Caroline Steel Producers: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Minnie Harrop, Lucy Davies, and Robbie Wojciechowski

Shark Awareness Day on 14th July sends us on a deep dive into marine biology. First, we learn how shark-inspired materials could help make aeroplane flights more efficient. Next, we hear about the fish that don’t flee from sharks... instead, they seek them out to help them hunt. Bob Duke, Meyerson Professor of Music and Human Learning at the University of Texas, Austin, joins us in the studio to reveal how and why the iconic Jaws music taps into our psychology to leave us trembling. We also hear about a couple of tiny islands in the Southern Ocean, on which an unexpected predator is wreaking havoc. Plus, why a tiny fish is being ground up and fed to other fish. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Leonie Joubert and Christine Yohannes Producer: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Imaan Moin, Minnie Harrop and Margaret Sessa Hawkins

The X-Press Pearl shipping disaster takes us on a voyage through shipping-related science. First, we learn about how pollution from the X-Press Pearl explosion impacted the foundation of the marine food web – plankton. We also hear about an innovative system that can help slash the shipping industry’s greenhouse gas emissions. And we take a short trip in a time-machine back to the Stone Age, where biological anthropologist Professor Yousuke Kaifu from the University of Tokyo explains what it takes to recreate a Palaeolithic voyage from Taiwan to the Ryukyu Archipelago. We also look at how artificial intelligence could help Canadian caribou cross sea ice, the science of lightning and thunder, and the tricky disputes around shipwrecks and treasure. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Meral Jamal and Godfred Boafo Producer: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Minnie Harrop and Imaan Moin

This week, Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae has been unveiled at London's Natural History Museum. This newly described herbivorous dinosaur has inspired us to take a stomp through the science of ancient animals, mass extinctions and fossils. First up, we hear about a shepherd who recently found a South African dinosaur, which has helped shed light on the period between the Triassic and Jurassic. We then take a look at some new theories that suggest the mass extinctions that wiped out ancient creatures may not have been as massive as we thought. But one extinction definitely is currently underway, according to ecologist Professor Dave Goulson. And that’s the mass extinction of insects. Plus, we find out the latest theory of why the Tyrannosaurus rex had such tiny arms, and we meet the rat ancestors that munched on dinosaurs. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Candice Bailey and Camilla Mota Producer: Margaret Sessa Hawkins, with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell and Minnie Harrop

This week, the Florida Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers at ice hockey’s Stanley Cup championship, which sent us skating into ice-related science. First up, we hear about an ancient ice skate that’s been unearthed in Prerov, Czech Republic, which sends us pondering about the physics of ice-skating. We then discover why licking a flagpole on a chilly day is a bad idea, before delving into the science of cryopreservation. Next up, we speak to Dr Mark Drinkwater of the European Space Agency, who reveals how satellites can help us monitor and better understand our planet’s melting ice sheets. Plus, what do you do if you want to play ice hockey but you live near the equator? All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Chhavi Sachdev and Sandy Ong Producer: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with Margaret Sessa Hawkins and Minnie Harrop

World War II bombs were defused in Cologne, Germany, which has inspired us to explore the science of diffusion and defusing! First, we hear how new, artificially intelligent video generators are modelled on diffusion. We also hear about the health impacts of home aroma diffusers and candles. We’re joined by conflict-mediator Gabrielle Rifkind of the Oxford Process, to discuss the psychological stakes behind defusing conflict in wars and at home. We also taste-test the difference between raw and cooked broccoli, learn about in-insect synthesis, and explore an anechoic chamber. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Caroline Steel, with Tristan Ahtone and Edd Gent Producer: Imaan Moin, with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Minnie Harrop and Debbie Kilbride

This week, get ready for a whole loot box of gaming-related stories! First up, we find out about a video game that could give people the power to battle misinformation. We also hear how scientists are putting harbour seals in front of a computer monitor to decipher how they navigate under the water. And Dr Brett Kagan from Cortical Labs joins us down the line to tell us why he taught a clump of brain cells to play the 1970s arcade game Pong. Along the way, we discover what happens when artificial intelligence tries to explain idioms, we learn about a tiny frog named after Bilbo Baggins and try to establish whether or not video games benefit your brain. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Kai Kupferschmidt and Leonie Joubert Producer: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with Margaret Sessa Hawkins, Imaan Moin and Minnie Harrop

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to join us in investigating seemingly impossible science! With the new Mission Impossible film playing in cinemas, the Unexpected Elements team is channelling Tom Cruise’s energy to see if scientists can push the boundaries of what is considered ‘impossible.’ First up, we fuse medieval alchemy with particle physics and explore a method to turn lead into gold. We then look at the latest research that uses artificial intelligence to help us humans communicate with animals. And while Mission Impossible is an action film, we put the spotlight on a favourite trope of science-fiction films – time travel! String theorist Brian Greene of Columbia University explains how going to the past – or Back to the Future – may or may not be hypothetically possible... We also ponder ancient auroras, whether ants can plan a Hollywood-style heist, and what it takes to understand our consciousness. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Affelia Wibisono and Andrada Fiscutean Producer: Imaan Moin, with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell Studio Engineer: Mike Mallen

Much ado was made about a cancelled auction of an ultra-rare set of Shakespeare’s folios, which could have fetched millions of dollars. This headline – along with Shakespeare being one of the world’s most well-known playwrights – inspired the Unexpected Elements team to delve into the science of stories. First up, we find out why your brain loves a tale. We then discover that some people can’t see images in their mind when they read, and reveal the impact this could have. Shakespeare’s folios are almost 400 years old, but how have they survived that long? We get on the line with Kathryn Kenney, a book and paper conservator, to find out how she keeps precious books safe. We also find out about a disappearing island, whether climate change needs a new narrative and if you could eat books to survive. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Camilla Mota and Tristan Ahtone Producer: Margaret Sessa Hawkins, with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Imaan Moin and Minnie Harrop Studio Manager: Rhys Morris

This month will see thousands of people take to streets around the world to test their feats of endurance. It’s marathon season. And this week, we’re looking at the science behind what keeps you running. We’ll learn about the psychological preparation that goes into undertaking mammoth challenges, like marathons and expeditions. And meet a science who’s endured the Antarctic winter, and is now training to be an astronaut. We’ll find out just how genetic our ability to cope with endurance exercise is. How air pollution could be affecting your running times. And find out how evolution has gifted our animal friends with some unique ways of getting ahead. As well as all that, there’s the science of what makes something ugly. And an exciting innovation that could see us using cow dung to fuel our cars. All that and more in this week’s Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Alex Lathbridge, Chhavi Sachdev and Candice Bailey Producers: Robbie Wojciechowski with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Imaan Moin, and Minnie Harrop

This week, a court in Kenya sentenced four men to either a year in prison or a fine of £5,800 for trying to smuggle 5,000 ants out of the country. The contraband included highly-valued ants like the giant African harvester ant, and it’s believed these ants were intended for exotic pet markets abroad. But all this talk of ant smuggling got the Unexpected Elements team feeling antsy to talk ants! We learn about the earliest ants who lived among dinosaurs, ants that can sniff cancer, and ants who were sent into space! Then we take a turn from ants to anteaters and talk to Mariella Superina from the International Union for Conservation of Nature about the different adaptations and skills needed for anteaters to successfully eat ants. Plus, we discuss plant smuggling and ant wrangling, both unexpectedly dangerous ventures. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Leonie Joubert and Godfred Boafo Producers: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with Imaan Moin, Robbie Wojciechowski and Minnie Harrop

On 21st April 2025, Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, died. His funeral took place on 26th April, with thousands of mourners crowding into St Peter’s Square to pay their respects. Following the death of a Pope, there are centuries-old traditions and rituals that must be followed, and that got the Unexpected Elements team thinking about the science surrounding loss. First up, we delve into the thorny issue of when early humans started to carry out funerary rituals, before turning our attention to graveyards and the life that thrives within these sacred environments. Next, we are joined Carl Öhman from Uppsala University in Sweden, who reveals what happens to our data when we die and why we should care about it. Plus, we discuss the precious materials hiding in our old devices, and find out whether animals mourn. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Andrada Fiscutean and Edd Gent Producers: Margaret Sessa Hawkins, with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Robbie Wojciechowski and Minnie Harrop

This week the Unexpected Elements team left our windowless BBC studio and paid a visit to the CGIAR conference in Nairobi, Kenya. In this episode, we find out about the Kenyan invention that’s pulling clean, safe water from thin air, before discovering what makes Kenyan coffee taste so great. Next, we hear about the problems with burning charcoal and the ways in which briquettes could offer a cleaner, more sustainable solution. Plus, we’re joined by Joyce Maru, the regional director for Africa at the International Potato Centre. She reveals the science behind the orange-flesh sweet potato and explains how it could improve livelihoods and boost health across Africa. We then hear about the story of the two Kenyan inventors who have created a Swahili-speaking robot. Finally, our panellists go against the clock in our Kenyan Science Showdown. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Alex Lathbridge, with Christine Yohannes and Phillys Mwatee Producers: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with Sophie Ormiston and Harrison Lewis Studio engineers: Andrew Garratt and Gayl Gordon

This week is the Christian celebration of Easter, which sent the Unexpected Elements team scrambling for egg-related stories. First up, we find out about the rise of a vegan egg substitute. Next, we discover how to cook the perfect boiled egg, according to science. We then turn our attention to climate change, and find out how it is affecting the breeding patterns and nesting behaviour of sea turtles. Plus, we are joined by Dr Luis Welbanks, who tells us about a nearby exoplanet that reeks of rotten eggs. Finally, we delve into the science behind IVF. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Chhavi Sachdev and Sandy Ong Producer: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with Debbie Kilbride, Robbie Wojciechowski and William Hornbrook

The Aurora Borealis – also known as the Northern Lights – won’t be at their peak activity much longer, and the Unexpected Elements team dreams of going north to see them. And that has got us looking at the science of navigating our way north! We hear about how humans have been using the sky to navigate for millennia, and we learn about how relying on GPS may be impacting our memory ability. And while humans use maps to get around, how do animals know where to go on their long migrations? To find the answer, we speak to Dr Kayla Goforth at Texas A&M University who studies exactly how sea turtles and monarch butterflies innately know how to navigate the world around them. We also learn why polar bears keep themselves ice-free, and we hear old records of the first men to reach the North Pole. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Caroline Steel, with Andrada Fiscutean and Phillys Mwatee Producer: Imaan Moin, with Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Noa Dowling and William Hornbrook

On World Rat Day, we’re getting ratty! We look at the biology behind the eternal struggle between rats and rat poison, and we hear about rat-on-rat warfare and other forms of pest control. We don’t play games when it comes to rats, but we know someone who does. Dr Michael Brecht from the Humboldt University of Berlin tells us how he played hide-and-seek with lab rats and what that tells us about the behaviour of play. On the topic of ‘rat’ behaviour, we are joined by Dr Zach Berry from the University of Southern California to talk about the psychology behind ratting people out in the workplace, testing the loyalty and morals of the Unexpected Elements team. And speaking of rats in the workplace… we hear a first-hand report on whether African giant pouched rats might just be better staff members than humans when it comes to detecting tuberculosis at APOPO labs. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Anand Jagatia, with Tristan Ahtone and Christine Yohannes Producer: Imaan Moin, with Debbie Kilbride, Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Noa Dowling, Harrison Lewis and Sophie Ormiston. Studio Manager: Cath McGhee

The Unexpected Team decided it was about time they put their feet up, so instead of the usual show, you’ll be listening to an hour-long recording of what outer space sounds like… Only Joking! April 1st is notorious across the globe. Renowned for being a day of practical jokes. And it’s no different here on the BBC World Service. Mischievous elephants, the secret to fool's gold and one of the biggest scientific hoaxes in scientific history. From the Magic Circle to the Magic Lab, the psychology underpinning why we humans are so delightfully easy to trick with Professor Gustav Kuhn. And a question sent in from one of you: if two people eat the same thing for breakfast, does the same thing come out the other end of both of them? Prepare for a prank or two on Unexpected Elements. Or as they say in Finland, ‘Aprillia, syö silliä, juo kuravettä päälle’, which translates to ‘April trick, eat herring, drink muddy water afterwards!’ Presenters: Caroline Steel with Camilla Mota and Phillys Mwatee Producers: Harrison Lewis, Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, William Hornbrook and Imaan Moin