Best Crop Performance Podcasts (2025)

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How exercise shrinks tumours and starves cancer; Weird molecules found on comet 3I/ATLAS; Einstein v Bohr on the nature of light 25:25

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5d ago25:25

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Episode 335 Exercise has been shown to shrink tumours by 60 per cent. A new study shows another link between regular exercise and cancer prevention, this time revealing that muscle cells may outcompete cancer cells for energy - basically starving them. We explore the links between metabolism and glucose - with the caveat that so far this has only b…

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Reimagining Fertility: Soil Health, Zone Management, and the Power of the Indicator Test with Jason Schley 1:03:51

5d ago1:03:51

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In this episode of RhizoMetRx, host Faith sits down with agronomist and Next Level Ag Labs part-owner Jason Schley to explore why traditional fertility models often fall short—and what growers can do instead. Together, they dive into the development of the Indicator Test, the value of zone-based management, and how understanding soil biology can un…

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Welcome to RhizoMetRx: Where Dirt Meets Data 22:45

5d ago22:45

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Welcome to the launch of RhizoMetRx, the podcast where agronomy meets actionable insights. In this episode, host Faith—farmer’s daughter, farm wife, entrepreneur, and agronomist—shares her journey from growing up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin to running a seed and agronomy business in Northeast Illinois. Faith explains what inspired her passion for …

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Welcome to RhizoMetRx 1:55

10d ago1:55

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Agronomy didn’t begin in a lab—it started in the field, guided by instinct, observation, and a deep understanding of the land. But somewhere along the way, the art of agronomy was squeezed into formulas, checklists, and oversimplified recommendations that no longer meet the realities growers face today. RhizoMetRx is here to change that. Hosted by …

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The evolution of sperm and the enduring mystery of the scrotum; How our brain rewires itself 4 times in life; The (real) disaster scenarios of imminent climate breakdown 39:11

12d ago39:11

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Episode 334 Which sperm is the oldest sperm - the ancestor sperm that came before all others? Well, you might think it links back to an ancient animal that came before us, but the oldest sperm may actually predate animals altogether. We explore this plus the enduring mystery of the scrotum - and why a male’s most important body part is so delicate …

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The origin and evolution of music: Steve Pretty plays the conch 30:43

19d ago30:43

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Episode 333 It’s not often you get to see or hear someone playing music on a conch shell. So prepare yourself for a musical treat with musician and podcaster Steve Pretty, who brings into the studio a trumpet and a collection of his favourite conches, rigged up to some modern electronics. Steve is best known as the bandleader of the Hackney Collier…

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New genome of ancient human; 95% of us have a dormant virus that causes disease; Formula E cars faster than F1; Bill Bryson joins the pod! 45:02

26d ago45:02

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Episode 332 For only the second time, the genome of an ancient Denisovan has been sequenced - thanks to the discovery of a 200,000-year-old tooth found in a Siberian cave. This ancient member of the human family has long been a mystery, so this genome is being described as a bombshell moment, revealing an early stage of Denisovan history. We explor…

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Why the claims about Hitler’s genome are misleading 29:00

27d ago29:00

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Episode 331 This week sees the broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK of a documentary called Hitler’s DNA: Blueprint of a dictator. Geneticists have managed to find a DNA sample from Adolf Hitler and have sequenced it and verified it, and now we have his genome. The big question is what does this really tell us – what can we tell from someone’s genome? …

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Harvest Insights – Lessons, Data, and Disease Takeaways from 2025 26:47

29d ago26:47

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The 2025 growing season is wrapping up, but the learning never stops here at Renk Seed. In this episode of Renk Seeds of Innovation, Max Renk is joined by Karl Bobholz, Alex Renk, and Jeff Renk to share what they saw across the Corn Belt this year. As Alex mentioned, “this year was all about top-end yield,” while last year was all about stress. And…

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COP30: The world's climate future hinges on this meeting 31:30

1M ago31:30

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Episode 330 COP30 is nearly upon us - and this climate conference may be the most crucial so far. In a year where we’ve seen the first major global tipping point reached, destructive wildfires raging in Los Angeles and much more, joint action has never been more urgent. But as hope starts to wane and climate goals continue to be missed, many are qu…

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The collapse of America’s health data system; How sleep affects your focus; Life on Mars in liquid veins? 23:51

1M ago23:51

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Episode 329 America’s health data system is in crisis. The US government has been bleeding public health experts – many of whom run crucial public health surveys and databases which help identify, monitor and respond to health threats across the country. From drug use to food security and birth data, discover the 5 surveys most critically hit by th…

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How mRNA vaccines teach your body to kill cancer; Grim state of climate action; Why birds sing the dawn chorus 29:20

2M ago29:20

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Episode 328 Not only has the mRNA covid vaccine saved 14 million lives, it may also help our bodies fight off cancer. A study of cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy treatment showed those who received an mRNA vaccine lived nearly twice as long - and this effect was discovered by accident. In a trial of cancer vaccines, Elias Sayour’s team at t…

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Neuroscience of reality; Quest for dark matter; Folklore of geoscience (New Scientist Live Special) 28:29

2M ago28:29

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Episode 327 A special episode recorded on October 18 at New Scientist Live in London, featuring experts in geoscience, dark matter and neuroscience. Anjana Khatwa is an Earth scientist and TV presenter. In her new book, The Whispers of Rock, she brings together Western scientific knowledge about the evolution of our Earth and indigenous knowledge a…

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First climate tipping point triggered; Man controls another person's body by brain implant; health worries over sumo wrestlers 34:00

2M ago34:00

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Episode 326 The world’s first major climate tipping point has been triggered. The decimation of warm water coral populations caused by rising temperatures is now irreversible - passing the point of no return. The global consequences of widescale coral dieback could be catastrophic, so experts are sounding the alarm. But is anyone listening? A man w…

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Seed Craftsmanship – Producing Seed That Farmers Can Trust 23:43

2M ago23:43

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Producing seed that our farmers rely on is more than just planting. It’s a craft built on precision and care. In this episode of Renk Seeds of Innovation, Max Renk sits down with Brett Renk to share how we ensure every seed you plant meets the highest quality standards. As Brett shares, “almost right” isn’t good enough in seed production. From plan…

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Space 2075: How Humanity Will Live, Work and Make Drugs off-planet | Live Recording at the Royal Society 53:35

2M ago53:35

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A special episode all about the future of space exploration, recorded in front of a live audience at the Royal Society in London. Earlier this year, the Royal Society published ‘The Space: 2075 report’, which recognises the huge changes we’re seeing in space exploration, and urges for action to be taken to make sure the next 50 years of activity in…

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How Jane Goodall changed the world; How the universe ends; How “selfish sperm” affect male fertility 43:27

2M ago43:27

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Episode 324 The legendary primatologist Jane Goodall died last week aged 91, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Her work studying tool use in chimpanzees completely reshaped the way we view animal intelligence. Fiercely protective of the natural world, she was also responsible for a huge amount of advocacy during her life. Primatologist Alejandra …

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Emergency in Antarctica; How movement changes the brain; Why women live longer than men 30:56

2M ago30:56

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Episode 323 Temperatures in Antarctica have soared by over 35°C. Scientists are concerned about how quickly things are changing on the continent as these warmer temperatures impact the polar vortex. Coupled with record lows in sea ice cover over the last decade, this could be a sign that Antarctic weather patterns have shifted permanently. What’s d…

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Skull rewrites story of human evolution; Autism and Tylenol; discovery of wind coming from black hole 33:57

3M ago33:57

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Episode 322 An ancient skull discovered in China may have just rewritten the story of human evolution. It’s widely accepted that the common ancestor of Homo sapiens, Denisovans and Neanderthals came out of Africa. But this skull upends that assumption - potentially showing human evolution began in Asia. Discover how a new reconstruction of the Yunx…

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The evolutionary price we pay for longer lives; the asteroid coming VERY close to Earth; how dinosaurs shaped the ecosystem 32:59

3M ago32:59

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Episode 321 Humans live a lot longer than other primates - and much of that is down to our immune system. But there’s a price we pay for the capacity to fight off infections: inflammation. Chronic inflammation is to blame for a range of health issues, especially those related to older age. And now research has revealed exactly why inflammation is g…

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Proven Performance – How We Select the Right Seed for Your Acres 34:57

3M ago34:57

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Harvest brings more than just bushels and waiting for the grain cart—it brings data. In this episode, Max Renk is joined by familiar voices Karl Bobholz and Alex Renk, as well as Renk Seed’s corn breeder, Bruce Nagel, to explore how we use plot results and breeding trials to shape the products that make it into your fields. The Renk team breaks dow…

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Why we can't announce life on Mars (yet); The Romans' impact on the British economy; Link between exercise and your microbiome 29:59

3M ago29:59

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Episode 320 Was Mars once home to alien life? The evidence is stronger than ever, since NASA’s discovery of rocks marked by patterns similar to those made by microbes on Earth. Found in an area now named Bright Angel, these rocks give us a tantalising insight into Mars’ ancient past - but just how definitive is this finding? It’s long been thought …

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First complete map of brain activity; Queen ant lays eggs of another species; The perils of scrolling while on the toilet 31:10

3M ago31:10

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Episode 319 Scientists have created the first complete activity map of a mouse’s brain. Combining brain images from multiple mice, researchers recorded more than 650,000 neurons while these mice manipulated little Lego steering wheels in a driving game. This complex behaviour has allowed scientists to examine the interplay between various parts of …

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Scientists discovered a 100,000-year-old organism; Breakthrough brain implant uses AI to treat pain; How climate change leads to revolutions 25:50

3M ago25:50

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Episode 318 An ancient organism has been discovered that has been alive for at least 100,000 years. Found in the Siberian permafrost, this lifeform doesn’t appear to have just remained dormant - but instead has actually been growing extremely slowly. Our understanding of life is already quite fuzzy, and this finding adds to the idea that life itsel…

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Could we end winter illness?; Cold fusion’s comeback; The delicious microbiome of chocolate 20:41

4M ago20:41

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Episode 317 Winter bugs are notoriously hard to vaccinate against. But as cold, flu and covid season is about to descend on us once more, one group researchers are working on an entirely new solution to the misery. A team out of Columbia University has been testing an mRNA-based treatment that could prime our immune systems to fight against any kin…

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Built Differently: From Seed Selection to Dealer Perspectives Across the Midwest 23:12

4M ago23:12

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Not all seed is created equal. In this episode, Max Renk, Karl Bobholz, and Alex Renk unpack what sets Renk Seed apart; from proprietary genetics and trait access to regional product selection and hands-on testing in the heart of the Midwest. The team explains the difference between traits and germplasm, how Renk leverages transparent, real-world p…

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Climate special: How to fix the climate crisis with Tim Lenton and Kate Marvel 44:25

4M ago44:25

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Episode 316 “All of the other planets out there are just complete garbage. The Earth is the only good place.” – Kate Marvel The climate crisis can leave many of us feeling hopeless and overwhelmed. But, as climate scientists Kate Marvel and Tim Lenton say, there are many reasons to be optimistic.Both have new books out that hope to reframe the way …

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80 years since Hiroshima: Forgotten victims of the atomic bomb 34:06

4M ago34:06

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Episode 315 It’s been 80 years since the first and only use of nuclear weapons in war - events that altered the course of history. The consequences of the widespread destruction, deaths and nuclear fallout are still being dealt with today. On 6th August 1945, a bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in Japan, and three days later Nagasaki was also bombed. T…

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Ozempic and Wegovy slow down biological ageing; creation of synthetic bacterium; geology of the Russian earthquake 28:24

4M ago28:24

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Episode 314 Weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy have been shown to slow down - or even reverse - the ageing process. In a trial of 84 people taking semaglutide, their biological age dropped by 3.1 years on average, with some organs becoming almost 5 years younger. Based on this new research, this finding could make these some of the most impactful…

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AI wins first gold at maths Olympic games; How mitochondria are linked to sleep; Famous psychology trick works on octopuses too 28:48

5M ago28:48

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Episode 313 AI has won gold at the world’s hardest maths event. For the first time, AI programs that use entirely natural language like ChatGPT, have used general reasoning to solve incredibly difficult tests at the International Maths Olympiad in Australia. Humans are still in the lead…for now. But could this be a big leap forward in the quest for…

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Scientists test engineered microbes to fight disease; Has 1.5 degrees failed?; New theory why we’ve not found aliens 30:23

5M ago30:23

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Episode 312 People have been given genetically engineered microbes to prevent a common health condition - and it worked. The gut microbiome is now known to be associated with many health conditions - and in this case, the team managed to treat 9 people who get recurring kidney stones. With the gut’s links to mental health, cancer and more, could en…

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Midseason Reality Check: Managing Disease, Insects, and Crop Stress in 2025 31:10

5M ago31:10

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This episode brings a timely field-level update from across the Corn Belt as the crop enters its reproductive stages. Max Renk is joined by Renk team members Jim Torkelson and Karl Bobholz to break down what’s being seen in real-time across the Renk territory. From Tar Spot and Goss’s Wilt to Soybean Cyst Nematodes and Japanese Beetles, tune in to …

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How geoengineering could save us from climate disaster; Have we broken mathematics?; Why exercise reduces cancer risk 33:02

5M ago33:02

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Episode 311 Geoengineering could be the best way to avoid catastrophic climate disaster - but there’s a big catch. In the recent Global Tipping Points Conference in the UK, scientists discussed growing concerns that the AMOC may be on the verge of collapsing. This is a system of ocean currents that plays a crucial role in regulating global climate.…

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Preserving Every Pound – The Power of Inoculants in Silage Success 28:32

5M ago28:32

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How do you protect your silage investment from the moment it’s chopped to the day it’s fed? In this episode, Max sits down with Alex Renk and Jesse Thompson of Arm & Hammer to dig into the science and strategy behind using inoculants. From the history of microbial preservation to today’s cutting-edge strain technologies, they explore how inoculants…

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First full genome of Ancient Egyptian sequenced; Wild killer whales offer gifts to humans; First demonstration of interstellar navigation 29:31

5M ago29:31

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Episode 310 An ancient Egyptian's complete genome has been read for the first time. The DNA of a man who lived in Egypt over 4500 years ago offers a new window into the ancient society and hints at surprising genetic connections with Mesopotamia. Based on forensic analysis of the man's skeleton and preserved images of different Egyptian occupations…

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Mice with two dads; perfect your sleep with science; how lizards survived dinosaur-killing asteroid 30:17

6M ago30:17

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Ep 309 A groundbreaking experiment in reproductive biology has resulted in mice being born from two biological fathers. By fusing sperm and putting them into an emptied egg cell, researchers in China have produced healthy and fertile offspring from two male mice. While it’s early days and the technique requires hundreds of embryos to get results, i…

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First skull of mysterious human ancestor; Decoding whale language; Heatwaves 20x more likely to happen 36:18

6M ago36:18

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Episode 308 An ancient skull discovered in China has been confirmed to belong to a Denisovan. It’s been tough to study this mysterious human ancestor, as we’ve only ever found a finger and jaw bone - so this new discovery could reshape our understanding of them. After being kept secret for decades, the “dragon man” skull is opening up a new window …

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Is this the first step to cyborg brains? How drones are reshaping warfare forever; New Vera Rubin observatory goes live 31:23

6M ago31:23

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Episode 307 Using new “ultrasoft” electronics, researchers at Harvard have effectively created tadpole cyborgs. A soft bioelectronic device has been implanted into their brains - one which grows with them as they develop into frogs. This neural implant is a first step in helping us better understand the inner workings of the brain. But could this w…

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$1 trillion of platinum on the moon; how your brain distinguishes between reality and imagination; rise of the hyperworm 25:37

6M ago25:37

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Episode 306 It’s been discovered that the moon is probably home to $1 trillion worth of platinum. Researchers suggest nearly 6500 of the Moon’s craters were made by asteroids containing commercial quantities of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium. Does that mean space companies are going to head out on mining missions immine…

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Soybean Secrets: Unlocking Higher Yields with Alex Renk 29:05

6M ago29:05

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What’s holding your soybeans back? In this episode, we sit down with Alex Renk, head of soybean selection and research at Renk Seed, to explore the full range of strategies to boost your yield. If you’re looking to push your crop to its full potential, this one’s for you.By Renk Seed

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The real threat of AI - ethics, exploitation and the erosion of truth 34:43

6M ago34:43

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Episode 305 As artificial intelligence grows into more and more aspects of our lives, it seems we’re just at the beginning of the boom. Hundreds of billions of dollars are being pumped into advancing AI capabilities, making it the best funded area in science. But, just like the dot-com revolution, is it a bubble waiting to burst? In this special ep…

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Are smartphones really causing mental illness in teens?; More evidence of alien life; Digital oak trees 23:24

7M ago23:24

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Episode 304 It seems the world is on heightened alert about the impact smartphones are having on our children’s brains. But are we right to be worried? Jonathan Haidt’s book the Anxious Generation has played a big role in this debate, with many researchers agreeing smartphones cause harm and action needs to be taken. But is there actually any scien…

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Rooted in Legacy: How Seven Generations Built Renk Seed’s Future 27:03

7M ago27:03

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In this inaugural episode of Renk Seeds of Innovation, host Max Renk sits down with Brett, Jeff, and Alex Renk for a candid conversation about the rich family history behind Renk Seed. Discover how seven generations overcame challenges, embraced innovation from corn hybridization to the most current biotechnology, and turned hard-earned lessons int…

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China’s carbon emissions fall; norovirus vaccine; chaotic breakup of the solar system 27:55

7M ago27:55

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Episode 303 China is becoming a de facto leader in the fight against climate change. Right now it’s the world’s biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, but after years of keeping its emissions steady, they have finally begun to fall. And this is all while China’s power demands have increased - suggesting its efforts to build clean energy are paying off.…

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Renk Seeds of Innovation - trailer 1:15

7M ago1:15

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Welcome to Renk Seeds of Innovation. In these episodes, we share current insights to help you farm stronger and make the most of every acre. Join us as we explore real-world farming solutions and cutting-edge seed technology. Innovating agriculture, one seed at a timeBy Renk Seed

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Ocean wonders and the new arguments against deep-sea mining; biophotons emitted from living things; drumming chimps and the origin of religion 28:02

7M ago28:02

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We dive into the mysterious world of the deep sea, sparked by a recent executive order aiming to ramp up offshore mineral extraction, as well as new research revealing that 99.999 per cent of the seabed remains unexplored. Experts discuss the surprising lack of deep-sea exploration, the ecological wonders already discovered, like hydrothermal vents…

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Is our understanding of light completely wrong? Two consciousness theories go head-to-head; decoding dolphin whistles 28:45

7M ago28:45

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Episode 301 Our understanding of the nature of light might be completely wrong. The double-slit experiment is one of the most famous experiments in physics and is how we’ve understood light for over 200 years. But a team is now suggesting we’ve got the interpretation all wrong - that light is in fact not a wave and is only made up of particles. If …

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Weekly: Why the climate crisis is an issue of injustice and inequality 41:50

7M ago41:50

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Episode 299 In a climate justice special episode of the podcast, the biggest issue of the century is up for discussion. Find out the true impact of climate change on our planet and who should be paying to fix the crisis. Rowan Hooper and Madeleine Cuff are joined by two climate experts - Friederike Otto and Joyce Kimutai from the World Weather Attr…

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Weekly: First brain engineering in a mammal; landmark in fossil fuel lawsuits, the legacy of Pope Francis 29:03

8M ago29:03

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Episode 300 The first genetically engineered synapses have been implanted in a mammal’s brain. Chemical brain signals have been bypassed in the brains of mice and replaced with electrical signals, changing their behaviour in incredible ways. Not only did they become more sociable, they were also less anxious and exhibited fewer OCD-like symptoms. T…

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Weekly: Have we really just found the strongest evidence for alien life yet? 17:59

8M ago17:59

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Episode 298 Big news has just broken - astronomers claim they’ve detected the strongest evidence for alien life yet. The news has got the world’s media fired up with excitement - but is this really a “revolutionary moment”? Astronomers studying the atmosphere of a distant planet called K2-18b say they have detected a molecule called DMS that is onl…