91Èȱ¬

Explore the 91Èȱ¬
This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.


Accessibility help
Text only
91Èȱ¬ 91Èȱ¬page
91Èȱ¬ Radio
91Èȱ¬ Radio 4 - 92 to 94 FM and 198 Long WaveListen to Digital Radio, Digital TV and OnlineListen on Digital Radio, Digital TV and Online

PROGRAMME FINDER:
Programmes
Podcasts
Presenters
PROGRAMME GENRES:
News
Drama
Comedy
Science
Religion|Ethics
History
Factual
Messageboards
Radio 4 Tickets
RadioÌý4 Help

Contact Us

Like this page?
Send it to a friend!

Ìý

Science
LEADING EDGE
MISSED A PROGRAMME?
Go to the Listen Again page
PROGRAMME INFO
Thursday 21:00-21:30
Leading Edge brings you the latest news from the world of science. Geoff Watts celebrates discoveries as soon as they're being talked about - on the internet, in coffee rooms and bars; often before they're published in journals. And he gets to grips with not just the science, but with the controversies and conversation that surround it.
Contact Leading Edge
LISTEN AGAINListenÌý30 min
Listen toÌý3 March
PRESENTER
GEOFF WATTS
Geoff Watts
PROGRAMME DETAILS
ThursdayÌý3 MarchÌý2005
Fish

This week on Leading Edge -Ìý
evolving fish stocks, preventing epidemics,Ìýthe Hobbit's brain and belief as pain relief.

Preventing Epidemics

As the World Health Organisation urges countries to prepare for a bird flu pandemic, fears of the virus reaching our shores are ever present.

The SARS outbreak was a stark reminder of what can happen when an animal virus mutates and spreads among humans with lethal consequences.

Learning from SARS, what's the best way to tackle disease outbreaks in the future?

Evolving fish stocks

Calls to close fishing grounds are becoming evermore frequent as our fish stocks continue to decline.

Yet, some biologists think that the current policies are missing a vital ingredient - Darwinian evolution.

The Hobbit's brain

There's new evidence to support controversial claims that the hominid remains found in Indonesia last year represent an entirely new species of human. It's nicknamed the Hobbit.

Detailed studies of its skull, at Florida State University, reveal a very distinctive brain: ape-like in size but with some very advanced human-like characteristics.

Belief as pain relief?

Martin Redfern visits the new Oxford Centre for the Mind.

Researchers here are embarking on experiments to find how belief might bring pain relief.


The 91Èȱ¬ will be awarding a young science broadcaster the chance to spend two weeks working with the team that brings you programmes such as MATERIAL WORLD/ LEADING EDGE. So if you are under 25 and not working as a professional broadcaster, go to

to find out how you can be considered for the 91Èȱ¬ Radio Science Unit/ Association of British Science Writers Young Broadcaster of the Year Award. Closing date is 18th March.

Listen Live
Audio Help
DON'T MISS
Leading Edge
LEADING EDGE

Previous Programmes
Science, Nature & Environment Programmes

Archived Programmes

News & Current Affairs | Arts & Drama | Comedy & Quizzes | Science | Religion & Ethics | History | Factual

Back to top


About the 91Èȱ¬ | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy
Ìý