Best Teens Affected By Technology Podcasts (2025)

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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

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3d 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

10d 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

17d 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

18d 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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Feed Drop: "Into the Machine" with Tobias Rose-Stockwell 1:04:59

18d ago1:04:59

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This week, we’re bringing you Tristan’s conversation with Tobias Rose-Stockwell on his podcast “Into the Machine.” Tobias is a designer, writer, and technologist and the author of the book “The Outrage Machine.” Tobias and Tristan had a critical, sobering, and surprisingly hopeful conversation about the current path we’re on AI and the choices we …

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

24d 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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What if we had fixed social media? 16:54

25d ago16:54

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We really enjoyed hearing all of your questions for our annual Ask Us Anything episode. There was one question that kept coming up: what might a different world look like? The broken incentives behind social media, and now AI, have done so much damage to our society, but what is the alternative? How can we blaze a different path? In this episode, T…

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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

1M 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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Ask Us Anything 2025 40:53

1M ago40:53

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It's been another big year in AI. The AI race has accelerated to breakneck speed, with frontier labs pouring hundreds of billions into increasingly powerful models—each one smarter, faster, and more unpredictable than the last. We’re starting to see disruptions in the workforce as human labor is replaced by agents. Millions of people, including vul…

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

1M 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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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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Seeing with Grace: A Teen’s Journey with a Rare Vision-Affecting Disease 48:46

2M ago48:46

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Meet Grace Hoyt — a bright, witty high schooler with a passion for singing, art, and romantasy audiobooks. Grace also happens to live with a rare disease (FLVCR1) that has left her legally blind, unable to feel pain, and unsteady on her feet. On her 13th birthday, Grace received a first-of-its-kind ASO medicine designed by n-Lorem to preserve her r…

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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

2M 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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Sneak Peak of the 2025 Nano-rare Patient Colloquium 36:55

2M ago36:55

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As the 2025 Nano-rare Patient Colloquium approaches, we welcome back Transmitter Features Editor Brady Huggett to guest-host this episode of the Patient Empowerment Program podcast. Brady sits down with n-Lorem founder and CEO, Dr. Stan Crooke, to reflect onto reflect on the strides made over the past year—insights that will help shape the discussi…

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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

2M 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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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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The Crisis That United Humanity—and Why It Matters for AI 51:47

3M ago51:47

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In 1985, scientists in Antarctica discovered a hole in the ozone layer that posed a catastrophic threat to life on earth if we didn’t do something about it. Then, something amazing happened: humanity rallied together to solve the problem. Just two years later, representatives from all 198 UN member nations came together in Montreal, CA to sign an a…

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A Conversation with the 2025 Heroes of n-Lorem 46:27

3M ago46:27

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The ‘Hero of n-Lorem’ Award is a recognition given to an individual volunteer or organization that has made substantial contributions to n-Lorem and our nano-rare patients. This honor recognizes our ‘unsung heroes’, those who have gone the extra mile, taken time away from their schedules and families and leveraged their expertise and contacts to su…

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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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Meet Rescue 7: Firefighters Serving Patients 47:17

3M ago47:17

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Rescue 7 is dedicated to serving the most vulnerable patient communities with care, compassion, and critical support. Inspired by the traditions of Fire Departments, Police Departments, and Military service worldwide, their programs go beyond emergency response. From patient transportation to sibling support initiatives, as well as emergency disast…

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How OpenAI's ChatGPT Guided a Teen to His Death 45:12

3M ago45:12

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Content Warning: This episode contains references to suicide and self-harm. Like millions of kids, 16-year-old Adam Raine started using ChatGPT for help with his homework. Over the next few months, the AI dragged Adam deeper and deeper into a dark rabbit hole, preying on his vulnerabilities and isolating him from his loved ones. In April of this ye…

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

3M 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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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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“Rogue AI” Used to be a Science Fiction Trope. Not Anymore. 42:11

4M ago42:11

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Everyone knows the science fiction tropes of AI systems that go rogue, disobey orders, or even try to escape their digital environment. These are supposed to be warning signs and morality tales, not things that we would ever actually create in real life, given the obvious danger. And yet we find ourselves building AI systems that are exhibiting the…

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Hope for Kinsley: Facing TUBB4A with Courage and Care 17:11

4M ago17:11

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Sarah and Ryan Marta, proud parents of three girls from Central Texas, began noticing that their middle daughter, Kinsley, was slow to reach mobility milestones in her early years. During a visit to a friend’s house, concerns about her vision were raised, prompting a check-up. What began as a single hospital visit quickly turned into many. An MRI r…

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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 is the Next Free Speech Battleground 49:11

4M ago49:11

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Imagine a future where the most persuasive voices in our society aren't human. Where AI generated speech fills our newsfeeds, talks to our children, and influences our elections. Where digital systems with no consciousness can hold bank accounts and property. Where AI companies have transferred the wealth of human labor and creativity to their own …

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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

4M 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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New Insights into Genetically Caused Developmental Delays 21:30

4M ago21:30

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Emerging observations from our work at n-Lorem suggest that not all developmental delays are permanent. In the absence of structural damage—such as microcephaly, congenital deformities of the skull or bones, or organ malformations—there appears to be potential for improvement in movement disorders, cognition, autistic features, and more. These insi…

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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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Daniel Kokotajlo Forecasts the End of Human Dominance 38:19

5M ago38:19

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In 2023, researcher Daniel Kokotajlo left OpenAI—and risked millions in stock options—to warn the world about the dangerous direction of AI development. Now he’s out with AI 2027, a forecast of where that direction might take us in the very near future. AI 2027 predicts a world where humans lose control over our destiny at the hands of misaligned, …

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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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Research to Advance ASO Technology at n-Lorem 23:48

5M ago23:48

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At n-Lorem, every investment decision carries real weight by directly affecting the nano-rare patients we serve. We think very deeply about each decision of how to invest the limited and precious dollars that we have. But what about investing in basic research to advance antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) technology for the future? Certainly, most of …

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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

5M 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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Is AI Productivity Worth Our Humanity? with Prof. Michael Sandel 46:45

5M ago46:45

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Tech leaders promise that AI automation will usher in an age of unprecedented abundance: cheap goods, universal high income, and freedom from the drudgery of work. But even if AI delivers material prosperity, will that prosperity be shared? And what happens to human dignity if our labor and contributions become obsolete? Political philosopher Micha…

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Commitment to Safety First: The DSMB 31:24

5M ago31:24

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The Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) is composed of distinguished, independent experts in antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) technology, clinical trial design and evaluation, and drug development. Many are also dedicated clinicians who care for patients with rare diseases. This board provides unbiased safety oversight by reviewing accumulated data …

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

5M 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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The Narrow Path: Sam Hammond on AI, Institutions, and the Fragile Future 47:55

6M ago47:55

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The race to develop ever-more-powerful AI is creating an unstable dynamic. It could lead us toward either dystopian centralized control or uncontrollable chaos. But there's a third option: a narrow path where technological power is matched with responsibility at every step. Sam Hammond is the chief economist at the Foundation for American Innovatio…

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Connor Gooley's Story: A First for TUBB4A Treatment 46:49

6M ago46:49

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Connor Gooley is the first patient ever treated with an ASO for TUBB4A-Related Leukodystrophy, a condition that severely disrupts his nervous system, slows nerve impulses, and impairs his fine motor skills. As a result, Connor cannot speak, walk, sit up on his own, or chew well. Still, he manages to army crawl, propel himself in his wheelchair, and…

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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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People are Lonelier than Ever. Enter AI. 43:34

6M ago43:34

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Over the last few decades, our relationships have become increasingly mediated by technology. Texting has become our dominant form of communication. Social media has replaced gathering places. Dating starts with a swipe on an app, not a tap on the shoulder. And now, AI enters the mix. If the technology of the 2010s was about capturing our attention…

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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…