Critical minerals have hit the headlines of almost every news outlet this week as US President Donald Trump made his desires to mine them in Ukraine clear. These precious resources are a hot geopolitical bargaining chip thanks to our reliance on them in everything from mobile phones to wind turbines. This week, Inside Science unearths everything you need to know about critical minerals; what they are, why they’re critical, and what we do when there’s no more left to mine. Also this week, we come to the end of a laborious seven-year journey of collecting and identifying Scotland’s most valued Jurassic fossil. And Nature journalist Lizzie Gibney brings us her pick of the week’s science news, including moon landers and woolly mice. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton
Producers: Sophie Ormiston, Gerry Holt, Ella Hubber
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University.
--------
28:31
AI in Science: Promise and Peril
This week, Google has launched a new AI tool called Co-Scientist. We hear from one researcher who has tried it out with stunning results. But how much should we trust tools like this - and what are the dangers?And what about the problem of AI generated text and images? We talk to an ‘image integrity analyst’ who hunts down fake or manipulated pictures in scientific papers. Finally, the planets of the solar system are coming into an unusual alignment. Astronomer Royal for Scotland Catherine Heymans shares how to glimpse the planetary parade. Presenter: Victoria Gill
Producers: Ilan Goodman, Sophie Ormiston & Ella Hubber
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
--------
28:24
Biotech Risks and Asteroid Anxiety
Scientists gather this week to tackle emerging risks from cutting-edge biotech, echoing the landmark Asilomar conference that shaped genetic engineering safety 50 years ago. What new threats face us, and how can the scientific community stay ahead of them?Also in the programme: are you feeling asteroid anxiety? We take a closer look at the chances that ‘2024 YR4’ will hit us... We get the latest calculations on this space rock's potential collision course with Earth in 2032.And, as members of the Royal Society debate whether to expel Elon Musk from their ranks, we explore past fellows who rattled the establishment. Fellows meet next month to decide his fate.If you want to find out more about the history of genetic engineering - from the Asilomar conference to the present day - search for Matthew Cobb's series 'Genetic Dreams, Genetic Nightmares' on BBC Sounds. To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University. Presenter: Victoria Gill
Producers: Ilan Goodman, Sophie Ormiston & Ella Hubber
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
--------
28:03
US science in chaos
The United States is the world’s science superpower. But right now, much of its research community is in a state of confusion.In the past few weeks, the Trump administration has issued a huge number of orders – amongst them, large funding cuts for scientific institutions. We unpick what the implications are for the country’s role on the global scientific stage.Also in the programme, we take another look at phone bans in schools. Why are the results of a recent study so different to the personal experience of teachers and students?And Britain has a new snake – and it’s apparently thriving. Where has it come from and should we be worried?To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University. Presenter: Victoria Gill
Producers: Ilan Goodman & Sophie Ormiston
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Josie Hardy
--------
28:10
The World’s Biggest Iceberg
It’s the biggest story of recent weeks. Literally. Trillion-tonne iceberg A23a is on the move. But where is it headed and why – and what might it mean for the scientists and penguins in its path? And from a giant ‘megaberg’ to a giant pile of highly radioactive material, we find out what locking away a load of radioactive waste has in common with baking a cake. And we’re joined by science journalist Caroline Steel to guide us through this week’s science news. We’ll hear about the first study into whether banning phones in schools works, why scratching an itch might have benefits beyond just satisfaction, and the perfect formula to boil an egg... Presenter: Victoria Gill
Producers: Sophie Ormiston, Ilan Goodman & Gerry Holt
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinators: Jana Bennett-Holesworth & Josie HardyScience-backed boiled egg recipe:- You need two pans… and exactly 32 minutes
- Keep one pan at 100 degrees Celsius (boiling) and the other pan at 30 degrees Celsius
- Move the egg between the two every two minutes for 32 minutesEnjoy!To discover more fascinating science content, head to bbc.co.uk search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to The Open University.
Colombia