Science Weekly cover art

Science Weekly

Science Weekly

By: The Guardian
Listen for free

Twice a week, the Guardian brings you the latest science and environment news© 2026 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. Science
Episodes
  • ‘The undruggable became druggable’: a breakthrough cancer treatment

    ‘The undruggable became druggable’: a breakthrough cancer treatment
    Jun 11 2026
    A daily pill can double survival time in patients with the world’s deadliest cancer, according to the results of a clinical trial that experts are saying is a gamechanger and one of the biggest breakthroughs in decades. To find out more about how daraxonrasib works and how life-changing it could be for patients, Madeleine Finlay speaks to Prof Naureen Starling, consultant medical oncologist at the Royal Marsden hospital. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
    Show More Show Less
    15 mins
  • The dinosaurs who survived the asteroid

    The dinosaurs who survived the asteroid
    Jun 9 2026
    While many dinosaurs were wiped out when a colossal asteroid struck Earth 66m years ago, one group survived: birds. Prof Steve Brusatte, a palaeontologist at the University of Edinburgh, has written a new book, The Story of Birds, tracing the evolution of our feathered friends from their dinosaur origins. He joins science correspondent Nicola Davis to discuss how scales first became feathers, how winged dinosaurs survived the impact of the asteroid and why their extreme adaptability offers hope that birds might also make it through the current environmental crisis. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
  • Heatstroke, sports washing and VAR psychology: the science of the World Cup

    Heatstroke, sports washing and VAR psychology: the science of the World Cup
    Jun 4 2026
    It’s just a week until the first whistle of the 2026 World Cup. To mark the occasion, Madeleine Finlay talks to Ian Sample about the science behind the tournament. It’s likely to be one of the hottest ever World Cups, and scientists have written to Fifa asking it to reconsider its heat mitigations for players and referees. Dr Oliver Gibson of Brunel University outlines their concerns. Also on the agenda is the huge fossil-fuel impact of the tournament, and the effect of VAR on the psychology of referees and fans. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod
    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
All stars
Most relevant
making science accessible, understandable and interesting to the average person. great knowledgable guest speakers from reputable backgrounds

science explained

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.