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Putting science on the map
China’s ambitious underwater mapping operation takes us on a voyage into the depths of ocean and map science. We look at what a network of underwater microphones can tell us about underwater geography, noisy ships, and whale conversations,
A bumper edition
Japanese pedestrians have been forcefully colliding with each other in a spate of butsukari otoko – or ‘bumping man’ – incidents and the Unexpected Elements team has been inspired to investigate some bumpy science. First, what does your hea
In the name of science
After the end of a near 17-year legal battle between popstar Katy Perry and fashion designer Katie Perry, the Unexpected Elements team has been inspired to explore the question at the heart of the case – what's in a name? First, we hear how
Out for blood
With this year’s Oscars on the horizon, and vampire film Sinners nominated for a record-breaking 16 awards, the Unexpected Elements team sinks their teeth into some blood-sucking science. First, we discover that Vlad the Impaler, the Romani
The colour of science
The Hindu festival of Holi has the Unexpected Elements team delving into the science of colour. First up, forget chicken and egg, we bring you a whole new controversy of which came first: colour or colour vision? Then, we learn how a new de
A sweet treat
A dip in global cocoa prices got the Unexpected Elements team wondering about chocolate science. First, we look at how the microbial communities in cocoa beans fine tune the taste of chocolate. Also, could table sugar help us detect the mis
Seeing double
Identical twins on trial for murder in France have left forensic experts unable to answer the question of which one pulled the gun’s trigger. With both having the same DNA, it got the Unexpected Elements team thinking, when do identical twi
Are you lucky?
K-pop fans in Taiwan have been turning to the God of love in the hope it will boost their luck in getting concert tickets. It got the Unexpected Elements team thinking, are some people just lucky? First, we look at how music resonates in th
Let the games begin
The Winter Olympics has the Unexpected Elements team looking into some of the incredible science behind the sports. First up, the tale of India’s lone luge pilot: how did using old train tracks as sled runners give him a competitive edge? T
Are you still with us?
Are You Dead? That’s the name of an app that’s gone massively viral in China. Every two days, you click a green button to confirm you’re alive and well – but if you miss it, an emergency contact is alerted. The app is aimed towards those wh
Banging the science drum
After the leaders of Japan and South Korea ended their summit with the two participating in a drumming duet, we’re marching to the beat of our own drum and exploring some rhythmic science. First, we look at nature’s drummer, the woodpecker,
Science down under
This week the Unexpected Elements team has travelled Down Under to sunny Sydney where we discover some wonderfully Australian science with the help of some wonderfully Australian panellists. First, we discuss the surprising American origins
Science of the future
We take a look at some exciting science of the near future. First, the latest developments in animal-to-human organ transplants and the ambitious goals of eliminating cervical cancer around the world. We are then joined by plasma physicist
An episode inspired by our listeners
We revisit our listeners’ favourite topics and dig deeper in this special programme. First, we hear from some of our insomniac listeners and explore how we fall asleep with neuroscientist Dr Ada Eban-Rothschild from the University of Michig
The gift of science
This Boxing Day and holiday season, our present to you is the science of gifts. First, we investigate the health benefits of donating blood, and find out about the predator sharing a feast of food in the Arctic. We’re then joined in the stu
Why are we sad when television series end?
The end of Australian soap opera Neighbours has us wondering why a television series ending makes us sad. Also, what does science say about how to engage with screens while still protecting your vision? Also on the show, visual ecologist Da
Chicken, with a side order of science
Over the Christmas season, it is estimated that some 3.6 million families in Japan will tuck into KFC over Christmas (other fried chicken is available), which inspired the Unexpected Elements team to chew over all things chicken! First, we
Some bear-y interesting space science
A teddy bear launched into the upper atmosphere as part of a school science project has gone missing! Inspired by this story, the Unexpected Elements team look into how bears could help improve astronauts’ health on long-term space flights.
The unexpected science behind Klimt's artwork
The Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer by Gustav Klimt has recently sold for $236m, making it the second-most expensive artwork ever sold at auction. Inspired by this headline, the Unexpected Elements team delve into the story of how microbiolog
Some Beautiful Science
The Miss Universe pageant final has us considering the science of beauty. How much of our perception of beauty is genetic, and how much is down to personal experiences? We also look at the science behind competitions and the audience effect
A keg of beer-based science
A 150-year-old bottle of Arctic Ale is being uncapped, which got the team talking about all things related to yeast, beer, and opening things. First, we hear about a rare condition where the body brews its own alcohol. Next up, we find out
A storm of science
As rescue and relief efforts in the Caribbean are ongoing after Hurricane Melissa, Unexpected Elements looks at the science of storms. We explore how AI might help us better predict the weather patterns, and whether it could act as an early
A science heist
The daylight robbery of precious crown jewels from the Louvre museum in Paris has us stealing your attention to inspect heists and crime scenes in science. We explore how stealthy spiders use tricks and deceit to rob precious prey from one
How does biometric data work?
Europe has a new entry/exit system based on biometric data. But what exactly is the science behind biometric data, how can we ensure it’s used responsibly, and can it be cracked? We also look at how some animals use dung as biometric data w
Why are gold prices so high?
Record high gold prices have us looking at the science of inflation, why gold is leaking from volcanoes, and entomologist Katy Prudic explains why shiny gold can be a good color for camouflage. Plus the dark science going on in a gold mine,
The strongest stuff in the Universe
Egyptian strongman Ashraf Mahrous recently pulled two ships totalling 1,150 tonnes with his teeth, setting his sights on the Guinness World Record. Inspired by this story, this week we’re tackling the science of all things strong. First, we
Science inspired by Taylor Swift
The launch of Taylor Swift’s much-anticipated 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, has inspired this week’s episode of Unexpected Elements. First up, we hear how a Brazilian songbird courts its mate as part of a boyband. We then find
Two-hundred years of trains
This week marks 200 years since the first steam train pulled passengers over 26 miles of north-east England’s countryside, and started a revolution. Jump on board for show filled with train tales. We explore Mumbai’s lunch delivery system –
Pirate science ahoy!
For International Talk Like a Pirate Day on 19th September, we dig up a treasure chest full of pirate-inspired science. First up, we peer down our microscopes at a bacterium that takes its inspiration from a pirate warship. Next, we turn ou
Some dam awesome science
The inauguration of Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam has us looking at how we decide when, where, and even whether to build dams. But humans aren’t the only ones building dams – Loren Taylor of the Beaver Institute joins us to talk all ab
