The Malaria Challenge: a participant’s experience through a malaria ‘challenge’ study OxfordSparks 2026-09-23 | The Malaria Challenge: a participant’s experience through a malaria ‘challenge’ study
How freaked out should I be about bed bugs? OxfordSparks 2024-02-28 | You might have seen them in a hotel. You might have read about them in the news. Maybe you’ve seen them star in social media videos filmed on the London underground. But should we really be worried about bed bugs? The little critters evolved from feeding on bats and birds to humans thousands of years ago and were part of society for hundreds of years. But with the invention of synthetic pesticides, bed bug populations declined significantly after the Second World War. However, as pesticide resistance grows and the world becomes increasingly connected, bed bugs are making a resurgence. Entomologist Liam Crowley, from the Department of Biology, tells us what to look out for and how to keep them at bay in our latest podcast. But don’t worry, they’re not as common as you might think!
Pandemics: The Unanswered Questions OxfordSparks 2024-02-21 | The Covid-19 pandemic was an unprecedented event that scientists are continuing to learn from. While researchers work to prevent a future outbreak, there are many aspects of the pandemic that the public remain curious about.How were vaccines developed so fast? What is the likelihood of a future pandemic? Why do so many viruses come from bats?In this video, PhD researchers from the Pandemic Sciences Institute explore the science behind these questions including preventative studies of priority pathogens, the availability of funding to speed up vaccine research, and the fact that the evolutionary-ancient origins of bats means that they have co-evolved with many viruses, making them immune to the effects.For more information, visit the Pandemic Sciences Institute’s website: psi.ox.ac.uk/. CreditsProducer: Charlotte BirdWriter, Director, Videographer and Editor: Rob KeyWith special thanks to the volunteers and staff at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Reuben College, Pandemic Sciences Institute and the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics for their support and contributions during the production of this documentary.
When did we start kissing? OxfordSparks 2024-02-14 | Have you ever considered when kissing first started? Who, or what, first decided that this was a good way to show affection? Ancient historian, Troels Pank Arbøll, and hedgehog researcher, Sophie Lund Rasmussen, joined forces to attempt to find an answer. Cuneiform scripts, which are the world’s oldest written text, have the first mention of romantic kissing in a mythological narrative dating back to 2500 BCE. But animals can also help us to answer this question. Bonobos have been shown to kiss romantically to strengthen pair bonds and assess a mate’s suitability. Perhaps the origins of kissing could be much older than human history! Find out more by listening to our latest podcast.
The immune system under the microscope OxfordSparks 2024-02-07 | Your immune system is the body’s defence mechanism against disease. But have you ever considered what the immune system actually looks like?Julia Salafranca, from the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, studies the immune system under the microscope. There are many different types of cells that help to keep you healthy, including neutrophils which kickstart the immune response. These specialist cells change shape during their lifetime, but scientists don’t know why. Find out how Julia is investigating this shape shifting behaviour and the importance of these changes for developing disease treatments in this video.
How do you stay warm in your house without central heating? OxfordSparks 2024-01-31 | How do we battle the energy use and soaring costs required to keep our homes warm? We spoke to Dr Brenda Boardman from the Environmental Change Institute about the best ways to keep out the winter chill. Did you know that draughts not only let cold air in, but they also push the warm out of your home? And that sitting or sleeping next to external walls can make you colder? Discover simple and inexpensive methods you can try to stay toasty, starting with the idea of heating the human rather than the home. Tune in to learn more!
How will climate change affect wine? OxfordSparks 2024-01-17 | People have been interested in wine growing and quality vintages since the Roman times, but as the climate warms, what does this mean for the future of wine growers in the UK (and beyond)? Andrew Wood, from the Department of Biology, has been studying the records of wine critics, which reveal much more than whether the bottle is a good vintage or not. The vintage can tell scientists what the growing conditions were like for the grapes in a given year – was it hot or cold? Was there flooding or drought? Was light more intense? As the UK experiences more ‘BBQ summers’, we may see new grape varieties flourishing, producing new flavours of wine. But it’s not good news for all vineyards. Find out why in our latest podcast!
The importance of sleep OxfordSparks 2024-01-10 | We spend one-third of our lives asleep. But while we drift off into the land of dreams, our brains are very busy.Nerves within the brain are constantly creating new proteins, with each protein having a specific function. But these proteins only do their job properly if they are folded correctly – a bit like a paper aeroplane only flies well if you fold it a certain way.Atreyi Chakrabarty, from the Department of Pharmacology, explains that if the cell environment isn’t just right, cells can become stressed and proteins don’t fold properly. It’s thought that unfolded proteins might contribute to the development of neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. So, how can sleep help to maintain healthy brain functions? Find out in our latest video!
What are the odds of a white Christmas? OxfordSparks 2023-12-13 | As we count down to the festive season and the days get colder, will we see a white Christmas this year? In the last episode of the Big Questions podcast for 2023, Dr Neven Fučkar from the Environmental Change Institute tells us more about the science behind weather forecasts and how climate change is impacting Earth’s weather patterns. Using advanced modelling, scientists can predict weather patterns to different degrees of certainty. So in a few days’ time, we should know whether we will see snow on the big day. But what do the predictions look like for the next five or ten years? Find out in this podcast! We hope you have enjoyed getting into the science of the everyday questions you want to know the answers to. We’ll be back in the new year to share more science from the University of Oxford. See you in 2024!
The Rhino Fertility Project OxfordSparks 2023-12-06 | When the last male northern white rhino, Sudan, died in 2018, it seemed that the subspecies was destined for extinction. But a team of researchers and conservationists are using cutting-edge technology to try to save the subspecies. Professor Suzannah Williams, from the Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, shares the unusual angle her research into ovarian dysfunction took after discovering the condition was common in captive rhinos. By using ovarian tissues from female rhinos, researchers are working to generate eggs in the lab to provide a unique pathway that could help save the northern white rhino and other species at risk of extinction. Watch our video to find out more about Oxford’s Rhino Fertility project.
How do you reintroduce lions? OxfordSparks 2023-11-29 | Lions are iconic species, but they are threatened with extinction. In Zambia, researchers and conservationists are working together to find ways of conserving these majestic animals and preventing them from becoming by-catch of poaching. In this new episode of the Big Questions podcast, we speak to Dr Egil Dröge from the Department of Biology to share the steps involved in bringing lions back to a national park in Zambia. Careful selection of a few young female lions which are genetically similar to those lost from the national park, and collaboration with local communities could pave the way for lions to return to the area over the next decade.
Behind the scenes: developing a new malaria vaccine OxfordSparks 2023-11-24 | Nearly half of the world’s population lives in areas at risk of malaria transmission. A safe and effective vaccine could change the lives of millions of people. But how do researchers develop such a vaccine and find out if it is effective? In this video, we go behind the scenes in the malaria vaccine lab with Carolyn Nielsen and Sarah Silk from the Department of Biochemistry and their colleagues at the Ifakara Health Institute, Tanzania. Through careful sample analysis, the researchers can test if the malaria vaccine works by investigating whether trial participants receiving the vaccine produce antibodies to help them fight off a future malaria infection. Take a look inside the malaria vaccine lab in this video!
Does banning smoking work? OxfordSparks 2023-11-15 | As the UK government proposes new plans to reduce the number of people who smoke, we talk to behaviour change researcher Nicola Lindson from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences to find out how the plan would work. Could we see a generation that is smoke free? Would banning flavours in e-cigarettes stop children from taking up smoking? Tune in to the latest episode of the Big Questions podcast to find out more.
Life Without Music OxfordSparks 2023-11-08 | Music is an integral part of life. Whether your foot taps on your commute to work, you play an instrument in a band or dance the night away to your favourite songs, music is everywhere. However, we often don’t realise how beneficial music can be for our happiness and wellbeing. In this video, musician Easy Chalmers, from Science Together’s MuzoAkademy II initiative, spoke to researchers from the Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and the Department of Experimental Psychology to uncover how music can affect the brain and influence language development.
Why are deep fakes happening? OxfordSparks 2023-11-01 | Welcome to the new series of the Big Questions podcast, where we ask Oxford scientists to shed light on everyday questions that you really want to know the answer to. Remember those photos or videos online that don’t look quite right? Perhaps you’ve heard a celebrity’s voice somewhere unexpected? In this episode, we chat to computational social scientist Dr Bernie Hogan from the Oxford Internet Institute about deepfakes; media synthetically generated by technology to capture someone’s likeness. As AI and machine learning technology develop rapidly, how can we regulate the creation of deepfakes to know what is real? Tune in to find out!
The Brains Behind Your Breakfast OxfordSparks 2023-09-27 | Toast, anyone? Did you know that even seemingly trivial tasks - such as making breakfast - require complex brain mechanisms? Attention, memory and motor control must all come together in perfect harmony in order for the task to be carried out correctly. Experimental psychologists Dr Dejan Draschkow and Dr Sage Boettcher tell us more, and reveal some of the fascinating ways they are able to better understand this 'cognitive orchestra'. By doing so, they are able to pave the way for better treatments for neurological conditions and also contribute to developments in the field of artificial intelligence!
Code-Based Colleagues: The Future of Work and AI OxfordSparks 2023-09-13 | Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as the 'chatbot' ChatGPT, have blown us away recently - not only with their usefulness as encyclopaedic fact-finders, but because of their ability to seemingly imitate human creativity and conversation. Need a short, original poem written in the Romance style? Look no further than ChatGPT. Fancy some artwork to accompany that poem? DALL-E has you covered. But with these advances come concerns. How are these technologies likely to impact the labour market in the future? Will algorithms be stealing our jobs, or is this simply the next natural step in making our work lives easier? Dr Fabian Stephany explores the future of work and AI. He explains to us why the demand for certain occupations is skyrocketing not despite - but because of - AI. And with a little help from AI itself he invites us to have a look at the skills and jobs of the future in which humans and machines can cooperate and not compete.
How do we decide when to act? OxfordSparks 2023-08-23 | What did you do in the few seconds before reading this? Sit down and take out your phone? Scroll through some YouTube videos? Take a sip of a drink? While we think of these things as very simple actions - requiring hardly any thought at all - there are actually many complex processes taking place in your brain when they happen. These processes allow you to perfectly time each action, as neuroscientist Dr Nima Khalighinejad explains.
Whats the cool stuff that weve learnt from the James Webb Space Telescope? OxfordSparks 2023-07-05 | About a year ago, we asked astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst why the James Webb Space Telescope is such a big deal. Her answers were pretty exciting, to say the least. So, in the months that have passed since then, what has it found out? What mysteries of the Universe has it begun to unravel, and has it lived up to expectations? We got back in touch with Becky for an update. This is the last episode in this series of the Big Questions Podcast! We hope you've enjoyed learning about everything from Martian craters to the human microbiome. Be sure to look out for our next series, beginning in October 2023, and until then, you can find a catalogue of our episodes on the Oxford Sparks website. Have a big question that you'd like answered next series? Let us know on social media!
Would you want to meet an alien? OxfordSparks 2023-06-21 | What might an experimental petrologist (someone who makes rocks in the lab) and an immunologist (someone who studies the body's defence system) have in common? Well, it turns out, a shared interest in iron might be one thing. And what does all this have to do with aliens, and, specifically, whether you would want to meet one? Well, you'll have to listen to find out! With Prof Jon Wade from the Department of Earth Sciences.
Could Jurassic Park actually happen? OxfordSparks 2023-05-31 | "Life finds a way"...This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Stephen Spielberg and Universal Studio's dinosaur masterpiece 'Jurassic Park'. A rousing soundtrack, gutsy kids, and graphics which have stood the test of time remarkably well - the film has undeniably become a classic. But - here's the big question - could it actually happen? Using today's technologies, could we actually extract ancient dinosaur DNA from blood-sucking mosquitoes preserved in amber? And then use that DNA to clone a prehistoric beast? We ask palaeontologist Dr Ricardo Pérez-de la Fuente to help us sort the science fact from the science fiction.
A Book at Bedtime OxfordSparks 2023-05-24 | We all love a good story. But did you know, where children's development is concerned, bedtime stories are more than just good fun or a comforting pre-sleep routine? Dr Nicola Dawson and Dr Emma James explain the important role that stories play in children's language development, and how the sleep that follows might make a difference too. With special thanks to The Story Museum, Oxford: storymuseum.org.uk
How can we use sound waves to eliminate infections? OxfordSparks 2023-05-17 | Many of us will have had to deal with a bacterial infection at some point or another. The solution? Often, antibiotics. But as the issue of antibiotic resistance becomes more and more of a concern, might there be an alternative to tackling bacterial infections with drugs? We chat to biomedical engineer Dr Sara Keller about how sound waves could potentially be used to break down bacterial cells.
How do you convert CO2 into jet fuel? OxfordSparks 2023-05-03 | Increasing levels of CO2 in our atmosphere are a big cause for concern. So what if we could find a way to not only remove some CO2 from the air, but turn it into something useful too? That's exactly what Dr Tiancun Xiao and his team have been working on...and they've found a way to turn CO2 into jet fuel!
What do we tell the children? OxfordSparks 2023-04-28 | When the worst happens, and a loved one becomes seriously ill or dies, it can be very difficult to know how to share the news with children. An immediate instinct might be to shield them from the situation, but even children under two years old will sense when something isn't right. In this video, Dr Louise Dalton and Dr Elizabeth Rapa from Oxford's Department of Psychiatry share their advice on the best ways to have difficult conversations with children, helping everyone to get the support they need. If you would like more information about the topics discussed, please visit www.psych.ox.ac.uk/talkingtochildren.
How do you use social media to deliver humanitarian aid? OxfordSparks 2023-04-19 | Forced displacement of human populations owing to conflict or natural disasters is very difficult to measure. During these crises, the traditional methods of assessing changes in populations - which mostly rely on surveys - are simply not possible. We chat to Dr Douglas Leasure from Oxford's Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science about how his team have been using social media data to assess the internal displacement of populations in Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022, in order to help ensure humanitarian aid is delivered as effectively as possible. If you would like to read the original research paper about Doug's work, you can access it here: 'Nowcasting Daily Population Displacement in Ukraine through Social Media Advertising Data'. You can find out more about the work of researchers at the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science in this Oxford Sparks micro-documentary: 'Demography: Understanding Our World'.
The Future of Automation in the Home OxfordSparks 2023-04-19 | There's quite a lot of discussion surrounding the future of paid work, and how certain livelihoods may be impacted by emerging technologies. However, we don't hear so much about the future of unpaid work - such as domestic chores, or caring for loved ones - and how this could be affected by developments in artificial intelligence (AI). In this video, researchers at the Oxford Internet Institute share the findings of their 'Domestic AI Project', which explores some of the ethical questions surrounding the future of automation in the home, and whether there is an appetite for such developments.Find out more about the Domestic AI project here: domesticai.oii.ox.ac.uk
How has life expectancy changed after the pandemic? OxfordSparks 2023-04-05 | Demographers (researchers who study the statistics of human populations) look at factors such as birth rates, death rates, migration and life expectancy. But what exactly is meant by the term 'life expectancy'? How is it calculated, and how has it changed after the pandemic? We speak to Prof Jennifer Dowd from the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science to find out. You can find out more about Prof Dowd's work in our micro-documentary Demography: Understanding Our World: oxfordsparks.ox.ac.uk/videos/demography-understanding-our-world
When Stress Turns Bad OxfordSparks 2023-03-29 | Did you know that stress evolved as a key tool for our survival? I mean, you wouldn't want to sit around feeling relaxed when there's a tiger approaching...you need to start pumping out the adrenaline! Nowadays, however, when most of us don't face dangerous predators on a daily basis, stress can feel like more of a hindrance than a help. In this video, Charlotte Collingwood from Oxford's MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit explains the different stages of stress, why it 'turns bad', and how we can help to overcome its negative effects.You don’t have to cope with stress alone. Here are some resources that you might find helpful, and please also check in with your GP if you are struggling:mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/what-is-stressnhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/tips-to-reduce-stressnhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services
Can you make a dengue fever forecast? OxfordSparks 2023-03-22 | More than half the world's population is at risk from dengue fever, a viral infection that is spread via the bite of an infected mosquito. While some cases of the disease can be mild, others can be extremely dangerous and even fatal - particularly if someone has contracted the virus previously. When cases of dengue fever are high, those at risk can take some preventative measures, such as wearing clothing that covers as much skin as possible, using mosquito nets at night, and avoiding standing water. As such, some way of predicting high levels of the virus before they arrive would be invaluable. This is exactly what Dr Sarah Sparrow and her colleagues at the DART (Dengue Advanced Readiness Tools) project are hoping to achieve - using climate data to create a forecast, similar to a pollen forecast, for dengue fever.
Can my gut health improve my mental health? OxfordSparks 2023-03-08 | Our gut microbiome (that's all the microorganisms - such as bacteria, viruses and fungi - living in our gut) is really important for healthy digestion. But did you know that it's also linked to our mental health? In this episode of the Big Questions Podcast we chat to neuroscientist Prof Philip Burnet from Oxford's Department of Psychiatry about how our gut is connected to our brain, and how taking prebiotic and probiotic supplements could even help in the treatment of mood and psychotic disorders.
Why do research on research? OxfordSparks 2023-02-22 | We've talked about a lot of different types of research on this podcast...from investigations into drought, to space exploration, to the future of food. But what about researching 'research' itself? That's right, on this week's episode of the Big Questions Podcast, we're going meta! We chat to Dr Patricia Logullo, a meta-researcher from the Nuffield Department for Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, about why it is so important to examine the practice of research itself, and how scientists such as herself help to ensure research reporting is transparent, complete and reproducible.
Demography: Understanding Our World OxfordSparks 2023-02-15 | What is demography, and how can it provide us with a better understanding of our world and the people who live within it? In this micro-documentary, we hear from Dr José Manuel Aburto, Prof Ridhi Kashyap and Prof Jennifer Dowd - researchers at Oxford's Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science - as they use new types of data, methods and unconventional approaches to improve our understanding of human populations.Life table image credits:Visual 1 (1:40) = Visualisation of data from 'Quantifying impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic through life-expectancy losses: a population-level study of 29 countries' (academic.oup.com/ije/article/51/1/63/6375510?login=true#supplementary-data). Credit: Jonas Schöley, Max Planck Institute for Demographic ResearchVisual 2 (1:43) = Visualisation of data from 'Demographic science aids in understanding the spread and fatality rates of COVID-19' (pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2004911117#supplementary-materials). Credit: Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science
Trailer: Demography: Understanding Our World OxfordSparks 2023-02-09 | European Day of Demography is Wednesday 15th February, but what is demography and how can it help us live in a more equal world? Oxford Sparks has teamed up with Oxford’s Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science to explore these questions in our latest micro-documentary, released on Demography Day (https://population-europe.eu/events/european-day-demography). In this trailer, the Centre’s Dr José Manuel Aburto (demographicscience.ox.ac.uk/jose-manuel-aburto) highlights how demography can be used to improve our understanding of important issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021 the Centre won the O2RB Excellence in Impact Awards (socsci.ox.ac.uk/o2rbawards), for their data driven policy interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic, which funded the micro-documentary.You can check out the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science's YouTube channel here: youtube.com/@OxfordDemSci.
How could spider sex unlock secrets to engineering? OxfordSparks 2023-02-08 | Not everyone is the biggest fan of spiders...we know that. They might not be the first thing that springs to mind when it comes to romance, either! But, you've got to admit, when it comes to engineering, they're pretty incredible. Capable of making up to seven types of silk, and able to sense vibrations through thousands of 'ears' on their legs, there's a lot we can learn from spiders when it comes to new materials and sensor technologies. So, on this year's Valentine's episode of the Big Questions Podcast, we're asking arachnologist Dr Beth Mortimer how spider mating rituals could help us become better engineers.
Movies and the Wildlife Trade OxfordSparks 2023-02-01 | Movies have a great deal of influence in our lives. Whether you like to follow the works of a particular director, throw yourself whole-heartedly into cosplay, or just enjoy going to the flicks on a Friday night, most of us have some sort of relationship with the silver screen. But how far does the influence go? Could the appearance of exotic animals in films actually persuade viewers to bring these animals into their lives, as pets? This is exactly what Dr Diogo Veríssimo from Oxford's Department of Biology has been investigating, and he's here to tell us what he's found out...
Is the metaverse doomed? OxfordSparks 2023-01-25 | Ask an internet aficionado what the 'next big thing' is, and they might respond with 'the metaverse'. This is the idea that we could soon be wandering in a virtual world - a kind of global, immersive video game. But are we really just one VR headset away from paradise? Or is the metaverse doomed before it's even really got off the ground? We chat to Dr Bernie Hogan from the Oxford Internet Institute to find out if Big Tech's confidence in the metaverse might be misplaced.
Antimicrobial Resistance: A Dance with Nature OxfordSparks 2023-01-25 | "The process of creating new antibiotics and understanding bacteria with particular mechanisms of resistance is like a dance..."Antibiotics have saved countless lives since their introduction during the Second World War. They are used to treat infections like pneumonia, and underpin most operations like knee replacements, and cancer therapies. Unfortunately, bacteria naturally evolve to become resistant to these drugs, in a phenomenon called ‘antimicrobial resistance’ (AMR). This causes antibiotics to be ineffective in routine treatments and surgeries, threatening lives across the globe.In this video, we hear from researchers at the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research (IOI), about the 'what', 'why' and 'where' of resistance, and how their research aims to help tackle the issue.Find out more about the IOI: ineosoxford.ox.ac.uk
Feeding the Future Study (FEED) OxfordSparks 2023-01-13 | The British diet has undergone a substantial transformation over the last few decades, with the traditional ‘meat and two veg’ being replaced by a wide variety of meat- and plant-based dishes. Because of this, we don’t actually have an up-to-date understanding of exactly what people are eating. One person’s ‘vegan’ diet may vary significantly from that of another person. The Feeding the Future (or FEED) Study aims to rectify this, by asking 5000 UK residents – of all diets – about their eating habits and motivations. Ultimately, this may help researchers better understand the links between diet and health, and could even help to inform dietary guidelines. To get involved, please visit bit.ly/FEEDstudy.
Can you cure jet lag? OxfordSparks 2023-01-11 | If our internal body clock is telling us it's 3am, but the external environment is telling us it's 12 noon, that's called jet lag. It's a mis-match between what's going on inside our bodies and what's happening outside. Those who have travelled abroad - particularly to somewhere in a significantly different time zone - will be familiar with the feeling, but it's not just stepping off a plane that can cause it. 'Social jet lag' is a particular problem for shift workers, for example. An out-of-sync body clock can make us feel terrible, so, is there a cure for the condition on the horizon? We speak to neuroscientist Prof Aarti Jagannath from the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences about her work investigating potential drug treatments for jet lag.
Should I feel guilty eating turkey at my Christmas dinner? OxfordSparks 2022-12-14 | While the tradition of eating turkey at Christmas can be traced back to Henry VIII, it's really only been a staple part of our Christmas dinner since the early 20th Century. However, in the UK, it's now hard to imagine a Christmas spread without a turkey at its centre! But - with meat consumption linked to negative impacts on both our health and the planet - should we feel guilty about enjoying this part of the festive feast? In the opinion of social psychologist Elif Naz Çoker, the answer is no, you shouldn't feel guilty - turkey is a wonderful treat for a special occasion. However, we should try and reframe our attitudes towards meat consumption, and see it as an occasional indulgence rather than a daily staple. Join us for this Christmas episode of the Big Questions Podcast, where Elif shares some of her tips for making the transition to a less meat-centric diet.
The Symphony of the Brain OxfordSparks 2022-12-14 | "We can think of singers in a choir as neurons in the brain. Like these singers, neurons have to work together to create harmony, and once they do, the results are magnificent!"When neurons, or nerve cells, in the brain communicate with each other, they generate synchronised electrical activities known as brain waves. But what is the function of these brain waves? Can we 'see' them? What happens if these collective activities go 'out of sync'? In this video, Demi Brizee, a PhD student in the Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit at the University of Oxford, introduces us to the fascinating world of brain waves, and explains how a better understanding of them could lead to new therapies for neurological conditions.For more information about Parkinson's Disease, please visit parkinsons.org.ukTo find out more about the use of animals in medical research, please visit understandinganimalresearch.org.uk***The MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit at the University of Oxford (mrcbndu.ox.ac.uk) is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity and promotes equal opportunity.
How can a simulation help treat kidney stones? OxfordSparks 2022-11-30 | Around 10% of us will experience kidney stones at some point in our life. They occur when waste products in the blood form small crystals, which gather together in the kidneys to form hard lumps. Small kidney stones (less than 4mm in diameter) usually pass through the body naturally, with no medical intervention required. However, larger kidney stones may require treatment. For example, a laser beam can be used within the kidney to break a large stone up into smaller pieces. During this laser treatment, bubbles are formed in the kidneys - which can be a help or a hindrance. In this episode, we chat to applied mathematician Sophie Abrahams, who uses mathematical modelling to explore the best ways to pulse a laser to achieve the 'best bubbles' during the treatment of kidney stones.
Parasites: From Foe to Friend OxfordSparks 2022-11-23 | By definition, parasites are bad news. The word 'parasite' is used to describe any organism that lives on - or even in - another living being, benefitting at its expense. But, did you know, when it comes to the bacterial world, it is possible for a parasite to turn from an enemy into an ally? In fact, the original parasite can become a host bacterium's very own bodyguard! Dr Georgia Drew from Oxford's Department of Biology tells us more...***Find out more on the King Lab website: http://www.thekinglab.com and in these research papers:King et al 2016. Rapid evolution of microbe-mediated protection against pathogens in a worm host. The ISME Journal - doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2015.259 Drew, Stevens & King 2021. Microbial evolution and transitions along the parasite-mutualist continuum. Nature Reviews Microbiology - doi.org/10.1038/s41579-021-00550-7
How were new craters on Mars discovered? OxfordSparks 2022-11-16 | When a space rock smashes into the surface of a planet, a hole - or crater - is formed. New craters might be relatively straightforward to identify on Earth, but what about on other planets, such as Mars? In this episode we hear from Dr Ben Fernando, a researcher from Oxford's Department of Physics and a scientist on NASA's InSight mission, about the techniques used to discover new craters on the Red Planet.
What makes the human brain so special? OxfordSparks 2022-11-02 | We often hear that we're remarkably similar to our primate relatives, both in terms of our genetics and our behaviour. We're social beings. We use tools. But only humans have come to dominate the planet - why? Could the answer lie in the small differences between the human brain and that of other primates? In this episode of the Oxford Sparks Big Questions Podcast, we talk to neuroscientist Dr Rogier Mars about what makes the human brain so special. Please note that Dr Rogier Mars and his team work on the brains of non-human primates that have died of natural causes, and have subsequently been donated for research purposes.
Why is the UK still in a drought? OxfordSparks 2022-10-19 | Here in the UK, we have a reputation for grey, drizzly weather. But there's no denying that this summer was HOT and this summer was DRY. With soaring temperatures and little to no rain for weeks on end, it was no surprise that we found ourselves in a drought, with a ban on hosepipes declared and careful use of water encouraged. But, did you know that we're still in that drought? In this episode of the Big Questions Podcast we chat to Dr Anna Murgatroyd to find out what characterises a drought, why we're still in one, and - faced with a changing climate - how we can maintain access to a safe and reliable water source into the future.
Can e-cigarettes help you stop smoking? OxfordSparks 2022-10-05 | Can e-cigarettes help you stop smoking? Keeping on top of the evidence.The messages surrounding e-cigarettes, or vapes, are confusing. One moment e-cigarettes are bad news - threatening, for example, eye health and fertility - and the next they're a wonderful solution to many tobacco-related problems. So which is it? In this video, we hear from three researchers at Oxford's Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, who bring together as much information as possible to try and determine what's going on, combining evidence into a Cochrane 'systematic review'. If you or someone you love is trying to quit smoking, you may find the following resources helpful. You can also find out lots more by speaking to a healthcare professional.- quitnow.smokefree.nhs.uk (UK Government website)- Electronic Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation: Cochrane Living Systematic Review: cebm.ox.ac.uk/research/electronic-cigarettes-for-smoking-cessation-cochrane-living-systematic-review-1- 'Let's talk e-cigarettes' podcast: podcasts.ox.ac.uk/series/lets-talk-e-cigarettes
Understanding Mosquito Behaviour OxfordSparks 2022-09-21 | What's the most dangerous animal in the world? A grizzly bear? A lion? A poisonous tree frog? ... How about a mosquito? Carrying diseases such as dengue virus, Zika virus and malaria, mosquitoes can be thought of as some of the most dangerous animals on the planet. One model estimates there are nearly 400 million dengue virus infections per year [1] - with numbers set to increase alongside a warming climate. So, is there any way we can begin to control mosquito populations, and therefore limit the spread of the deadly diseases they carry? As Maisie Vollans from Oxford's Department of Biology explains, understanding mosquito behaviour is a key step in this process.#mosquitoes #OxfordUniversity #biology[1] Bhatt, S., et al., The global distribution and burden of dengue. Nature, 2013. 496(7446): p. 504–507
Behind the Scenes in the Cell Lab OxfordSparks 2022-09-07 | Ever wondered what it's like to work in a research laboratory at Oxford University? 🔬🧬 Join PhD student Lizzie Horton as she gives us a sneak peek behind the scenes at the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine. Introducing...the 'Cell Lab'! 🦠Why do we study cells? Why are cancer cells often used in research? What's an organoid? Can you leave the cells alone while you go on holiday? Watch to find out!#OxfordScience #cells #medicine
Why is the James Webb Space Telescope a big deal? OxfordSparks 2022-06-15 | Are we alone in the Universe? What exactly lies at the centre of our galaxy? Just like our podcast, the James Webb Space Telescope aims to answer some *very big questions*. Launched on Christmas Day 2021 and hurtling towards an orbit 1.5 million miles from the Earth, the JWST (as it's known to those in the business!) is a follow-up to the Hubble Space Telescope - and it's three times bigger. Decades in the making, the JWST will begin collecting and transmitting scientific data in July 2022, making this a really exciting time for astrophysicists such as Dr Becky Smethurst. We catch up with her to find out more.
