The pandemic's unequal toll on the research community, and a newly discovered mitochondria-like symbiosis.
In this episode:
00:48 The pandemic's unequal toll on researchers
Although 2020 saw a huge uptick in the numbers of research papers submitted, these increases were not evenly distributed among male and female scientists. We look at how this could widen existing disparities in science, and damage future career prospects.
Editorial: COVID is amplifying the inadequacy of research-evaluation processes
09:18 Research Highlights
How a parasite can make viral infections more deadly, and the first known space hurricane.
Research Highlight: Intestinal worms throw open the door to dangerous viruses
Research Highlight: The first known space hurricane pours electron ‘rain’
11:36 Energy without oxygen
Millions of years ago, a microscopic protist swallowed a bacterium and gained the ability to breathe nitrate. This relationship partially replaced the cell's mitochondria and allowed it to produce abundant energy without oxygen. This week, researchers describe how this newly discovered symbiosis works.
Research Article: Graf et al.
News and Views: A microbial marriage reminiscent of mitochondrial evolution
19:22 Briefing Chat
We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time, the weakening of the Gulf Stream, and a new satellite to monitor deforestation in the Amazon.
The Guardian: Atlantic Ocean circulation at weakest in a millennium, say scientists
Science: Brazil’s first homemade satellite will put an extra eye on dwindling Amazon forests
Subscribe to Nature Briefing, an unmissable daily round-up of science news, opinion and analysis free in your inbox every weekday.
Video: How to build a Quantum Internet
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28 March 2019: Human impacts on Mount Kilimanjaro, sex differences in pain, and a crystal-based cooling method
21 March 2019: Antibiotics in orchards, and rethinking statistical significance
Nature Pastcast March 1918: The eclipse expedition to put Einstein to the test
14 March 2019: Ebola in DRC, a new HIV treatment, and the proposed US budget.
07 March 2019: Coastal carbon-sinks, mobile health, and Mileva Marić
28 February 2019: Cuckoo parasitism, topological materials, and cannabinoids in yeast.
21 February 2019: Mouse cell atlases and cataloguing viruses
14 February 2019: Atherosclerosis and disruptive science
07 February 2019: Massive chemical libraries, and CRISPR-CasX
31 January 2019: Women of the periodic table, and harvesting energy from Wi-Fi
24 January 2019: Economic downturns and black holes
17 January 2019: RNA splicing in yeast, and a walking fossil
Podcast Extra: The search for a rare disease treatment
10 January 2019: Fast Radio Bursts and new year future gazing
26 December 2018: Our reporters' top picks of 2018
20 December 2018: Quantum physics adds a twist, and festive fun
Podcast Extra: Evidence of a ‘transmissible’ Alzheimer’s protein
13 December 2018: The art of performing science, and chiral chemistry
06 December 2018: Heart xenotransplants and phage fighting
29 November 2018: Atomic clock accuracy and wind farm worries
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