Naked Scientists Special Editions

Recorded at the 2013 Genetics Society Autumn Meeting 'From Genes to Shape', Simon Bishop meets Marco Reitz, who works on the conserved gene 'Tubby'. So-called because mutant Tubby creates obese mice, the gene has a very different role in plants - salt and drought tolerance.

Recorded at the 2013 Genetics Society Autumn Meeting 'From Genes to Shape', Simon Bishop meets Harriet Johnson, who works on the genes behind left-right asymmetry... in snails.

The mental scars left after trauma and how ecstasy can help treat post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Could plankton hold the key to understanding ancient climate conditions? New research suggests ocean temperatures from 200 million years ago could be encoded in sea shell chemistry. Simon Bishop spoke to Professor Simon Redfern from the University of Cambridge, about the work.

Tuberculosis is a major world problem, but extremely difficult to treat - vaccines are toxic to humans, and the disease-causing bacteria have a habit of hiding in the very cells tasked with destroying them. Immune system bodyguard drugs that fend off TB before it can hide could soon be possible, according to new research. Simon Bishop speaks to Professor Kurt Drickamer about the work.

In this issue of the eLife podcast we discuss how chimpanzees use conceptual metaphors, the hyperactivation of spermatozoa, the use of bacteria to estimate the time of death, stem cells and smoking, and a new type of bacteria.

Super energy-rich biofuels could soon be possible because of new research, dramatically reducing the environmental impact of intensive farming.

Dr. Jack Gilbert explains some of the surprising effects that microorganisms can have on our lives.

How do you look for the cause of a brand new medical problem? Simon Bishop speaks to Professor David Goldstein about using genetic sequencing to uncover the cause of new disorders.

In this issue of the eLife podcast we discuss how flatworms can grow new heads and tails, how photosynthesis has evolved over time, social interactions between mice, the properties of "undead" cells, and interactions between steroids and genes.

Scientists at the Large Hadron Collider have found evidence of a new fundamental particle, that could be the much sought-after Higgs boson. In this Naked Science Scrapbook we find out what a Higgs boson actually is, and why finding it could help us understand the structure of the universe a little bit better...

HIV attacks the immune system, invading one type of cell called a CD4 lymphocyte. The virus encourages infected cells to sidle up alongside healthy, uninfected cells before making them unload an infectious cargo of HIV, passing on the virus. Now researchers have discovered that a molecule called ADAP plays a critical role in this process. They've found a way to alter this ADAP molecule so that it can still do its normal job inside an immune cell - so the cell stays healthy - but it can't cooperate with HIV, stopping the virus spreading. Chris Rudd from Cambridge University is the lead author on the study...

One of Perth, Western Australia's best-loved and most striking birds - the red-tailed black cockatoo - once common, is now in severe decline. Victoria Gill met Murdoch University's Dr Kristen Warren who has been trying to find out why, by using tracking devices...

Inspired by biological systems that can self-repair, Diane Gardner is working on polymer 'ligaments', micro capsules of regenerative fluid and even embedded bacteria that can help concrete to repair itself when it cracks. The technology has the potential to dramatically increase the lifespan of concrete instillations, reducing their carbon footprint and maintenance costs.

Until recently, it has been extremely difficult to track the progression of Alzheimer's disease, as the neurons of the brain which are affected by the disease are impossible to view directly. However this week a Japanese research group, writing the the Journal Neuron, announced the development of a new radioactive compound which could be used, in conjunction standard medical imaging, to track the progression of Alzheimer's in the brain. Naked Scientist Priya Crosby spoke to lead author on the paper, Dr Makoto Higuchi, to find out more about this exciting new possibility for Alzheimer's treatment.