The World, the Universe and Us review — endearingly nerdy science news
A recent episode of New Scientist's ambitiously titled podcast The World, the Universe and Us begins with a shamefaced confession. 'We got the whole nature of light wrong,' Dr Rowan Hooper says. Hang on. Not just a bit of the nature of light, but the whole nature of light? I wouldn't like to have to report that to my boss if I were a scientist — I get nervous enough about making spelling errors. Imagine having to fess up to getting the whole nature of light wrong. I can only imagine the performance review that followed that clanger.
Thankfully, it turns out that getting 'the whole nature of light wrong' is less dramatic than it sounds. The point at issue is the interpretation of
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
27 minutes ago
- BBC News
Spending Review to include £86bn for science and tech
An £86bn package for the science and technology sector will help fund research into drug treatments and longer-lasting batteries, the government has said ahead of Wednesday's Spending package also includes up to £500m for regions across the UK with local leaders having a say on how it is spent, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) Rachel Reeves, whose review will outline day-to-day departmental and investment budgets over the next few years, said investing in the sector would create jobs and boost research backers have warned that the government needs to do more to secure the UK's reputation for science on the world stage. Reeves will set out departmental spending plans on Wednesday, with the package for science and technology expected to be worth more than £22.5 billion-a-year by said "every corner of the country" would benefit, with communities able to direct funding to expertise specific to their Liverpool, which has a long history in biotech, funding will be used to speed up drug discovery. Northern Ireland will receive money to develop defence equipment, while south Wales will use the money to design microchips used to power mobile phones and electric chancellor said: "Britain is the home of science and technology. Through the plan for change, we are investing in Britain's renewal to create jobs, protect our security against foreign threats and make working families better off." Tony McBride, director of policy and public affairs at the Institute of Physics, welcomed the funding but said the government would need to commit to a decade-long plan to train workers."This must include a plan for the skilled workforce we need to deliver this vision, starting with teachers and addressing every educational stage, to underpin the industrial strategy," he Rottingen, chief executive of Britain's biggest non-governmental research funder Wellcome, warned that visa costs for scientists from overseas, financial challenges at universities and a budget that was not adjusted for inflation could hamper the government's ambitions. "The UK should be aiming to lead the G7 in research intensity, to bring about economic growth and the advances in health, science and technology that benefit us all." Earlier this week, Reeves admitted that not every government department would "get everything they want" in Wednesday's review, saying she had turned down requests from ministers and argued a squeeze on funding was a "product of economic reality".Reeves said her fiscal rules on borrowing to pay for public services were "non-negotiable" and insisted they were necessary because of "Conservative maltreatment" of the Treasury said earlier this year that the chancellor's fiscal rules would ensure day-to-day spending was matched by tax revenues, meaning the government would only borrow to chunks will go to favoured departments, with suggestions of an extra £30 billion for the NHS over three insiders have told the BBC they expect the spending review will be "ugly", and that ministers have been fighting over winning small amounts of cash for their respective departments.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Blackpool Zoo flamingo breeding delayed by dry spring
The start of a zoo's flamingo breeding season has been delayed for the longest time on record by dry spring Zoo said it had shipped in four tonnes of sand to encourage the birds to construct their nests but it was only since the rain had returned that they had begun nests, which are mounds made of sand and water, need to be located where they can stay wet as the flamingos continually build them throughout the incubation said it was "a sight to behold" when the birds finally began nesting and once the "most confident flamingo" decides to lay an egg the rest follow. Luke Forster from the zoo, said Caribbean flamingos were very social birds known for their "elaborate" nesting behaviours."They build their nests in large colonies, carefully shaping the mounds to protect their eggs, which are incubated by both and male and female birds," he said."Both genders also produce crop milk to feed the chicks once they have hatched and, in some cases, pairs of the same sex will take on the responsibility of incubating and raising a chick, even if the egg isn't theirs."When the chicks hatch they will have grey-white down and a straight beak. They develop their pink colour over a few years as they consume foods rich in the carotenoid pigments that make some plants, algae and crustaceans red, orange, pink and yellow. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Households warned over common vape mistake that can cause ‘ferocious' toxic fires that are nearly impossible to put out
VAPERS have been warned over a common mistake that could cause their devices to erupt into "ferocious" toxic fires. The lithium batteries inside vapes can have a severe chemical reaction if the devices are treated recklessly, fire safety experts have warned. 6 6 6 Throwing them around or dropping them too much can damage the batteries over time. 'Given we commonly keep smaller vapes in our pockets, if they fail and catch fire it's not uncommon to see serious burns as a result," Giuseppe Capanna, product safety expert at charity Electrical Safety First, told The Sun. "If a vape is substandard, exposed to high temperatures, short circuits or becomes damaged, it risks causing a toxic fire caused by a chemical reaction inside the battery cells. "This process, called thermal runway, creates ferocious fires releasing a large amount of energy in a short space of time." It's also important to use the right charging cable, and avoid leaving a vape in high temperatures or submerged in water. "If you own a vape it's really important you treat it with care, avoid carelessly throwing it around which may cause the battery inside to become damaged over time," explained Capanna. "Ensure you use a compatible charger for your device and keep it away from areas where it may be exposed to high temperatures or risk coming into contact with water." It follows a government ban on single-use vapes, primarily due to environmental concerns and a rise in youth vaping. Since 1 June 2025, businesses have had to stop selling or supplying all single-use or 'disposable' vapes. As well as being an eyesore, littered vapes - both single-use and reusable - can also be a fire risk. They also introduce harmful chemicals into the soil, rivers and streams, so it's "vital" they are recycled, according to Capanna. "Incorrectly disposing of your vape in your household bin risks it becoming crushed when being processed in the back of the lorry, triggering waste collection fires that release toxic fumes," he said. "When your vape comes to the end of its life, either check if your local retailer offers a take back scheme to safely hand in your battery, or find your nearest recycling centre that will accept battery powered devices." 6 The London Fire Brigade has warned that here has been an uptick in vape-related fires across the UK, due to the devices being incorrectly thrown away in normal waste. When the lithium batteries become crushed in waste collection vehicles on their way to the landfill they can spark fires. Lithium batteries store a lot of energy in a small space and although lithium-ion battery products that have been built to a poor standard are a higher fire risk, any battery is at risk of exploding and catching fire if it has been crushed or becomes damaged. London Fire Brigade A London Fire Brigade spokesperson told The Sun: "Fires involving vapes can occur when the lithium-ion batteries that power them fail or become damaged or crushed. "Lithium batteries store a lot of energy in a small space and although lithium-ion battery products that have been built to a poor standard are a higher fire risk, any battery is at risk of exploding and catching fire if it has been crushed or becomes damaged. "When lithium-ion battery fires happen, they can be ferocious and can spread in seconds." Between 2020 to 2024, the London Fire Brigade was called out to 41 vape-related fires, occurring in homes, shops, and even hospitals. Six fire engines and approximately 40 firefighters were dispatched to tackle a blaze at a shop in Harlesden in August 2024, which was believed to have been sparked by a faulty vape's lithium battery. Photos provided by the London Fire Brigade show blackened rooms blanketed with ash. 6 In April 2024, a day ward at Hampstead hospital was left damaged after the lithium battery in a rechargeable vape exploded in a visitor's bag. Another photo from the brigade shows a South London home ravaged by a vape-related fire. A bedroom has been reduced to ashes, with all contents inside obliterated. Another risky mistake is to charge vapes by the bed or sofa. Glenn Flannery, commercial director at fire alarm systems provider Spy Alarms, warned that this is a "definite no-no". "These devices often come without standards such as CE or ISO marking and therefore fall into a similar risk bracket as things like e-scooters. "However, due to their size and nature, we often find them being charged by the bed or the sofa... The primary fire hazard linked to vapes is their lithium-ion batteries, which can fail catastrophically if damaged, improperly charged, or poorly manufactured." REDUCE THE RISK According to Spy Alarm, households should take the following precautions to reduce the risk of a vape-related fire: Use only the charger supplied with the vape or one recommended by the manufacturer. Avoid charging overnight or while unattended. Most vape-related fires happen when people are asleep or away. Regularly inspect the device and battery for signs of damage, bulging, or leakage. Buy vape devices and batteries from reputable suppliers. Avoid counterfeit or unbranded products. Don't modify the device or attempt DIY repairs. Stop using the device if it gets excessively hot during use or charging. Unplug chargers when not in use. Install working smoke alarms on every floor of the home and test them regularly. Do not carry loose batteries in your pocket or bag. Use a battery case to prevent accidental short circuits. Store vape batteries in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. 6
