podcast

30 Animals That Made Us Smarter

by BBC World Service

Insects and mobile phone

17.01.2022 • 00:20:51

S2 Ep 30. Smart phones could become even smarter – thanks to ants, beetles, moths and spiders! A multi-animal special episode, marking the season 2 fi...

Butterfly and eye implant

10.01.2022 • 00:17:09

S2 Ep 29. Not all butterflies are colourful. The transparent wings of the longtail glasswing butterfly may hold the key to more effective eye implants...

Slug and surgical glue

03.01.2022 • 00:17:35

S2 Ep 28. From goo to super glue! Slug slime may hold the key to mending wounds without stitches or staples. Scientists have developed new adhesives b...

Dragonfly and sky spy

27.12.2021 • 00:15:59

S2 Ep 27. The amazing agility of a dragonfly leads to the creation of a new spy drone. Their four wings can move independently of each other, enabling...

Kingfisher and soil erosion

20.12.2021 • 00:14:09

S2 Ep 26. A very clever solution to a significant environmental problem based on a kingfisher’s eyelids. When the brightly coloured bird dives for foo...

Bees and fast deliveries

13.12.2021 • 00:15:53

S2 Ep25. Sweet moves! Honey bees have developed an extraordinary form of communication known as the “waggle dance”, which directs other bees to where ...

Jellyfish and underwater robot

06.12.2021 • 00:14:35

S2 Ep 24. The world’s most efficient swimmer is the moon jellyfish! It’s the inspiration for a soft underwater robot that is safe enough to use in fra...

Polar bear and insulation

29.11.2021 • 00:20:27

S2 Ep 23. The science behind some fascinating fur could help humans keep warm in space. A polar bear’s fur is brilliant at insulating it from freezing...

Electric eels and medical implants

22.11.2021 • 00:17:38

S2 Ep 22. From heart stopper to heart saver? The electric eel creates energy within its body to shock its prey. Scientists are copying the electricity...

Camel and desert architecture

15.11.2021 • 00:15:30

S2 Ep 21. Take a peek into a camel’s nose! The science inside could help to cool desert homes. A camel re-absorbs the water normally lost in the breat...