Naked Scientists, In Short Special Editions Podcast

A child dies from malaria roughly every minute. A stark reminder of why urgent action is still needed. "Driven to end malaria, now we can, now we must" is the theme of this year's World Malaria Day marked on the 25th of April. But how realistic is that, and how will it be achived? Chris Smith talks to Ashley Burkett, Director at PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this episode, how kangaroos alter their postures to store more energy in their Achilles tendons and boost movement efficiency, the moths that make a beeline when they hear plants "talking" to them, tracking how people pick up diseases from their surroundings, the contribution fingerprints make to touch sensation, and some forgotten female scientists are recognised at the Eiffel Tower, in France. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This month, compelling evidence for why some species keep their eyes closed for sometimes several weeks after birth, scientists prove that the "nocebo" effect is more potent than a placebo, researchers report what happens when fish eggs and mouse sperm mix, the signals that cells use to measure the lengths of their telomeres, and some clever physics reveals the workings of Darwin's "warm little pond"... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Clots in our blood vessels can be responsible for very serious health problems such as strokes and heart attacks. To combat this, some people at risk of said health problems turn towards blood thinners to prevent this clotting, with the most common household blood thinner being aspirin. The issue with preventing clotting is, should you start to bleed, that bleeding is a lot tougher to stop. Now however, a new drug - clopidogrel - is being touted as coming with the same benefits of aspirin, but few of the drawbacks. To talk us through this matchup, we put in a call to the British Heart... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Peter Cowley was an entrepreneur, angel investor, and for many years was the Naked Scientists technology commentator, a role he fell into by accident when we met one evening at an investment meeting. He became a good friend. But his life, in many respects, despite being incredibly successful, was also touched by great sadness: he lost two sons and struggled with alcohol for a time. But he came through it all and lived his life with energy, curiosity, and generosity... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists