RAZOR Sounds

Scientists have managed to launch rovers on the Red Planet, but what will it take to get a human on the surface?Could their bodies survive the rigors of the seven-month journey plus the seven minutes of terror it takes to enter, descend and land safely on the surface of Mars? And could their minds cope with the isolation and the myriad psychological challenges they would be faced with?Find out more on this special Mission to Mars Razor podcast. Go to https://stories.cgtneurope.tv/how-to-get-to-mars/index.html#group-section-Your-home-jw6Qr8akag to see some of the footage discussed in the podcast.

The natural ecosystems we depend upon are in crisis globally, with around a million species at risk of disappearing from the wild. Penguins feed in the ocean and breed on land, so they face dangers in both places – more than half of penguin species are threatened with extinction.In this Razor Podcast special, our correspondent Sylvia Rowley takes a trip to the picturesque southeastern coast of Australia to learn more about the work of the conservationists trying to protect the little penguin.On Phillip Island, about 140 km from Melbourne, Summerland Peninsula has become a refuge for penguins from humans and predators such as foxes. The colony there has bounced back from 8,000 to 32,000 birds and the whole ecosystem has flourished.Go to https://stories.cgtneurope.tv/saving-the-little-penguin/index.html to see footage of the little penguins. Also if you want to see more RAZOR videos go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvPxSZWJo7MVrWR7bLC45FQ and subscribe to our Youtube channel ‘Razor Science Show’. 

It’s long been known that fish swim in schools to protect themselves from predators, but could there be another reason? This week on the podcast, Shini Somara talks to Iain Couzin, professor of biodiversity and collective behavior at the University of Konstanz. His team has been placing robotic fish among schools to study the animals’ energy consumption. Couzin explains what we can learn from this study and why it could have real-world benefits for humans. [05:39].Finally, in what’s exciting us in science this week, Emma Keeling tells us about a new eco-friendly rocketfuel and Shini explains the best way to transport rhinos over long distances. The Razor Podcast is going on indefinite hiatus while we redesign the program to bring you bigger and better content. In the meantime, if you want to look at the videos from these stories go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvPxSZWJo7MVrWR7bLC45FQ. 

This week we look at a revolutionary new cancer treatment. Emma goes to Portugal to talk to Rita Fuore about how she realized injecting tumors into zebrafish could help doctors make more informed decisions about which cancer treatment is best for their patients [01:33].  In science this week, Frankie finds out how people’s mood can influence the efficacy of COVID19 vaccines and Emma explains why scientists are close to discovering new techniques to reverse the damage done by motor-neurone disease [13:12].   Remember, if you want to see the stories discussed in the podcast, you can find them on YouTube - just type in ‘Razor Science Show’, or click on this link to take you there: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvPxSZWJo7MVrWR7bLC45FQ

This week on the RAZOR Podcast, Shini Somara and Emma Keeling hear about a revolutionary new therapy that could challenge the aging process. Glenn Jeffery from University College London has been working on a way to slow down the aging process by focusing on “recharging” mitochondria. His team has been using red light therapy on fruit flies and has started to move into human trials [04:42].  We speak to evolutionary biologist Nick Lane who explains why mitochondrial therapy could be a game-changer for medicine. In what’s exciting us in science this week, Shini Somara tells us about a unique way of measuring whale populations [13:39] and Emma Keeling finds a surprising new way to use soda bread [17:06].Click here if you want to see the video clips from some of the stories we cover on the RAZOR podcast. 

It's the final Razor podcast of 2020! In this episode Shini Somara and Emma Keeling look at what would happen if Covid-19 took hold in animals. Emma spoke to Tony Goldberg, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Wisconsin in the U.S. Goldberg  has been studying the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases in nature and explains the dangers of covid-19 moving back into animal populations [02:03]. In what’s exciting us in science this week, Shini explains how you can take a simple test to find out if you’re healthy and Emma shares some interesting facts about murderous hornets.  If you enjoy the podcast and you want to check out some of the clips we discuss in the show, subscribe to RAZOR Science Show on Youtube.  

This week on the podcast Emma Keeling and Shini Somara look at a magical mushroom that can be turned into insulation material for our homes. Emma visits Biohm, the company behind the innovation to find out how they came up with the idea and why this idea could revolutionise the construction industry [01:30]. We learn how owner Ehab Sayed came up with the idea for the company and why he’s trying to change an industry that’s traditionally been very slow to adapt to green technology [07:01]. In what's exciting us in science this week, Shini tells us why a positive attitude can slow the ageing process and Emma gives us an unexpected benefit of global warming [14:40]. 

This week on the podcast Shini Somara and Emma Keeling look at hair loss as a potential Covid-19 symptom.  A leading hair loss clinic in London has recently reported that a number of patients suffering from temporary hair loss also experienced COVID-19 related symptoms three months prior to seeking treatment. Emma Keeling spoke to an administrator at the clinic who also tested positive for Covid-19 in March [01:03]. Rali Bozhinova, a trichologist at the clinic, also gives a possible explanation for the temporary hair loss and why she thinks there has been a rise in the disorder during the pandemic [03:56]. In what’s exciting us in science this week, Shini Somara tells us about a biotechnology that could lead to less seafood waste and Emma Keeling explains why mouthwash could help us fight COVID-19. 

This week on RAZOR, Shini Somara speaks to mechanical engineer Richard Johnston, a professor at the Materials Research Centre, Swansea University to find out about a collaboration between jet engineers and Egyptologists. Their work gives a detailed look into the past and promises great innovations in the future. Johnston explains how analyzing ancient mummies can lead to advances in mechanical engineering, including how jet engines are designed [03:30]. He also tells us how the collaboration developed by accident and where he thinks his technology will be useful in the future [11:01]. In what’s exciting us in science this week, Emma Keeling explains why octopuses might help transplant surgeries and Somara explains how AI can help treat tumors.If you want to see the videos from these stories and more, check out our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvPxSZWJo7MVrWR7bLC45FQ

This week on Razor Sounds we look at a company that’s looking to revolutionise the way we try and feed the world. Entocycle is a biotechnology company that farms Black soldier flies to convert their larvae into protein that they use to feed livestock.  Emma Keeling spoke to founder and director Kieron Whitaker who explains how he came up with the idea for Entocycle [01:39]. Emma also takes us on a tour through the facility and tries a cookie made from larvae! On what’s exciting us in science this week, Emma explains how doctors have discovered an unusual way that might cure tinnitus and Shini explains why fish scales have given engineers new insights into aerodynamics. If you want to view the videos talked about in Razor Sounds, visit https://www.cgtn.com/europe/razor . 

On this week’s episode of the RAZOR podcast, Shini and Emma look at a group of researchers studying our sewer system to better manage the COVID-19 outbreak. Emma speaks to Dr. Monica Ghandi, an infectious disease expert from the University of California in San Francisco to hear the evidence for wearing face coverings and a hypothesis on how facemasks can work in a similar way to vaccines in fighting COVID-19.  Sewers4COVID is a collaboration of researchers from Greece, Spain, the Netherlands and the UK who have developed a system of wastewater surveillance to track the spread of COVID-19. Their prototype proves sewer surveillance could be an effective tool in the fight against the pandemic and they are now looking into the feasibility of setting up a Europe-wide monitoring system. Shini spoke to Dragan Savic of KWR Water Research Institute to find out more. Savic explains how this technology started and why analysing sewage is a good way to get a picture of a population’s behavior and habits without infringing on individual privacy. He also tells how exactly this technology can help us fight COVID-19 and could be a good predictor of future pandemics.On what’s exciting us in science this week, Shini explains why staring at a seagull could be the way to help manage their populations. 

Today we’ll be looking at women in Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics [STEM]. Not too long ago, we interviewed two young women making massive strides in the STEM arena. Michelle Hicks and Inge-Sarah Andersen both work in traditionally male dominated areas, and we wanted to get a take on their experiences in their fields. We interviewed them on international women’s day earlier this year and thought we’d like to share that discussion with you here on the podcast. We talk about the importance of role-modelling if we are to inspire young women into entering STEM [04:26]. Michelle and Inge-Sarah also underline the need for representation and why it matters in fields where there’s not always a clear entry-point for young people [16:30]. They also explain who a greater representation of women in the workplace is also advantageous for men, and why we should actively and be more inclusive when considering a greater spectrum of emotions and personalities in the workplace [12:20]. At the time of recording, Michelle was a project manager at Merlin Entertainment, which is the job title she gives in the interview. She's since moved on to being a project manager at Michelle Hicks, Managing Director at Firefly Creations.This episode originally aired on June 03, 2020.

On this episode of the RAZOR podcast we look at a company that's revolutionising food waste. CGTN America correspondent Mark Niu tells us about his visit to Treasure 8 - a company using a drying technique to make food last longer. Niu explains how the technology works and why he was intrigued by the process [06:01].   He also tells us about the difficulties filming this story during a pandemic, and the precautions he had to take while doing the story [08:30]. Niu explains why he thinks this company will come into its own during the pandemic [13:05]. In our what’s exciting us in science this week, Emma Keeling tells us about a surprising link between kittens and autism - and Shini Somara tells us how flies’ eyes could help make us safer. 

Today on the RAZOR Podcast we Emma and Shini revisit one of our most popular stories. Back in Episode 13, Emma spoke to us about the anthropause: the worldwide slowing of human activity, which has led to many animals venturing further afield as people retreated inside. During that story we played you a clip from Professor Jim Smith from the University of Portsmouth. He  explained to us why the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster gave us a lot of insight into how animals behave in the absence of humans in an urban environment.Today on the podcast we share more from Prof Smith as we discuss what humans will have to do to address some of the damage that we’ve done to the planet [02:05]. We also hear from Shini and Emma as they tell us which stories have caught their attention in the world of science this week [06:22]. Remember if you want to watch the stories you can go to https://www.cgtn.com/europe/razor. 

This week on the RAZOR podcast Emma Keeling dives deep into one of our most popular stories over the past year. One New Zealand boss had changed to a four-day working week even before the virus spread, and he said going back to our old ways after the pandemic would be a wasted opportunity. Businessman Andrew Barnes tells us how moving to a four-day working week has helped his business become more productive [01:50]. Andrew tells us how he came up with the idea to move to his company to a four-day workweek and why he believes the way we currently organize our work-lives needs to change forever [06:01].  We spoke to Andrew in episode 12 of the RAZOR podcast. Keeling also spoke to Andrew’s partner Charlotte Lockhart, who helped set up 4 Day Week Global, a website providing guidance to companies that would like to move to the shorter working week. Lockhart explains why we can’t wait for governments to make these changes and why businesses have to take the lead in helping to facilitate a better work-life balance for their employees [09:49]. 

Today on the podcast we look at the lasting effects that COVID-19 can have on our brains. Emma Keeling talks to professor Robert Stevens from Johns Hopkins Medicine in Maryland. Stevens describes a “secondary pandemic” where we could be struggling with the after-effects of COVID-19 long after we think we’ve recovered [02:02]. Only a slightly lighter note, Shini Somara talks to professor Robin Beaman, a scientist at James Cook University. Professor Beaman is part of the The Nippon Foundation-Gebco Seabed 2030 Project, a project committed to mapping 100 percent of the ocean floor. Beaman describes the ocean life he saw on his team’s state-of-the-art camera and he also tells us why he thinks it's important for us to have an accurate picture of what our ocean floor looks like [11:01].  In a new segment, Shini and Emma talk about some of the biggest stories in science that we might have missed this week. Shini tells us what she thinks of SpaceX’s joint venture with NASA and how excited she is for the next era of space exploration [22:11]. 

Today on the Razor Podcast  Emma and Shini look at how the animal kingdom has responded to the covid-19 pandemic. You might have noticed more wildlife in your garden, parks and even in urban areas. That's because of what scientists are calling the anthropause: the worldwide slowing of human activity, which has led to many animals venturing further afield as we retreated inside. Emma talks to  Dr. Chrstian Rutz from the University of St. Andrews to find about the origins of the term. Dr. Rutz tells us why his team came up with the term and what it means for his research [01:55]. Emma also spoke to Professor Jim Smith from the University of Portsmouth who explains to us why the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster has given us a lot of insight into how animals behave in the absence of humans in an urban environment [05:06]. In our second story, Shini tells us about a new technology that could help us detect Covid-19 without doing a test on a human host. In Switzerland a team led by Professor Jing Wang explains how we might be able to detect the Covid-19  in the air around us [12:28]. 

Today on the Razor Podcast we look at life after Covid-19. How we are going to put society back together and continue to our lives after the disruption of lockdown. Our first story looks at the aerodynamics of Covid-19 in airplanes. The airplane industry has been hit particularly hard by Covid-19. With planes grounded all over the world, the question has become how do we restore airplane travel without spreading the virus all over the world. Shini spoke to Professor Qingyan Chen who recently published a story about the aerodynamics of Covid-19 in airplane cabins. Professor Chen explains what the risks are for airplane passengers [02:16]. He also tells us how his team has been working with Boeing to make sure that air is filtered in the cabin. [06:30]. In our second story we move into the realm of social science and look at how a New Zealand businessman is championing the 4-day workweek. Andrew Barnes tells us how moving to a 4-day workweek has helped his business become more productive [09:50]. Emma and Shini also tell us what they would do if they could move to a 4-day workweek and we learn some surprising facts about what’s happening in Emma’s garden [16:01]. 

Today on the show Emma and Shini are joined by another Razor team member. Over the course of the Razor Podcast we have covered topics by reporter Jo Colan, and on this episode she updates us on some of your favourite Razor episodes. The repurposing of drugs or treatments originally used to treat other diseases is common in science and it's happening even more now.  Jo came across an example of this when researchers working to find a universal anti-venom to snake-bites received an unexpected phone call from the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. Find out how snakebite research relates to HIV/AIDS firstly, and secondly, how does it relate to treating Covid-19 [03:40]. Jo also tells us what it was like being there in person for our snakebite story we first mentioned all the way back in episode 1 of the Razor Podcast [09:30]. In our second story Jo tells us all about meeting Chris Toumazou from DNA Nudge from episode 3 of the Razor Podcast. DNA Nudge is a DNA sequencing business mostly focused on informing customers of their genetic profiles and helping them make healthier lifestyle choices. During the pandemic, the company has pivoted toward making Covid-19 tests. Jo tells us how this works and why the company is perfectly set-up for this new innovation [14:00]. Jo also tells us what she learned about her own genetic profile when she took a DNA Nudge test back in 2019 [14:44]. 

Today on the Razor Podcast Shini talks to Louis Koizia from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London about mixed-reality headsets that are helping to keep doctors safe while treating Covid-19 patients. Louis explains why these headsets are vital to treating the disease and enforcing the principles of social distancing under very difficult circumstances [01:30]. Shini also shares her adventures with mixed-reality headsets and tells us why it's taken this long for them to finally catch on [10:00]. Remdesivir is an antiviral medication originally developed to treat Ebola. While it wasn't effective it did show promise treating SARS and MERS in animal studies. Emma spoke to Dr Neera Ahuja, the principal investigator of the trial at Stanford University School of Medicine. She talks about how the drug might help in the fight against Covid-19. Dr. Auhja explains how the drug works and why she thinks the drug shows promise [12:49].