BBC Inside Science
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Radio 4,·30 Jul 2026,·28 mins
Available for 28 days
Scientists have long referred to the Goldilocks zone – the region around a star where conditions are not too hot and not too cold but “just right” for life. Joined by a live audience at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK, Tom Whipple asks what are the true limitations of alien life? How do we spot it? And have we been looking too narrowly? Planetary scientist at MIT Sara Seagar discusses her team’s mission to Venus where, on the surface, temperatures can reach 500 degrees Celsius and it rains sulphuric acid. Above the rain, up in the clouds, Sara Seagar tells us how there could be life. And Lewis Dartnell, Professor of astrobiology at the University of Westminster, describes how he looks for extremophiles. These are organisms on earth that are found in places we once thought impossibly hostile to life. Plus, the missions to find life on Mars.... Presenter: Tom Whipple Producer: Dan Welsh Editor: Ilan Goodman & Martin Smith Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
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BBC Inside Science broadcast an episode examining three scientific topics. The US military announced plans to screen service personnel aged 30 and older for testosterone deficiency, with voluntary hormone replacement therapy offered to those identified with low levels. The episode included expert discussion on this policy. Additionally, marine biologists documented previously unobserved collaborative behaviour in orcas interacting with dead sunfish. The episode also covered recent developments in artificial intelligence and mathematical research.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.
Find out how to listen to other BBC stations
Radio 4,·30 Jul 2026,·28 mins
Available for 28 days
Scientists have long referred to the Goldilocks zone – the region around a star where conditions are not too hot and not too cold but “just right” for life. Joined by a live audience at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK, Tom Whipple asks what are the true limitations of alien life? How do we spot it? And have we been looking too narrowly? Planetary scientist at MIT Sara Seagar discusses her team’s mission to Venus where, on the surface, temperatures can reach 500 degrees Celsius and it rains sulphuric acid. Above the rain, up in the clouds, Sara Seagar tells us how there could be life. And Lewis Dartnell, Professor of astrobiology at the University of Westminster, describes how he looks for extremophiles. These are organisms on earth that are found in places we once thought impossibly hostile to life. Plus, the missions to find life on Mars.... Presenter: Tom Whipple Producer: Dan Welsh Editor: Ilan Goodman & Martin Smith Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Read the full story at BBC ↗
BBC Inside Science episode aired 23 July 2026, approximately 28 minutes US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth announced military screening for testosterone deficiency in personnel aged 30 and older Voluntary hormone replacement therapy offered to those with low testosterone levels This screening aims to ensure 'a healthy, capable, and decisively dominant fighting force' Episode featured Professor Joe Herbert discussing testosterone policy implications Marine biologist Kathryn Ayres described newly observed orca behaviour involving collaborative interaction with dead sunfish Discussion included whether this behaviour functions as teaching or play Mathematician Kit Yates discussed AI capabilities and resolution of an 87-year-old mathematics conjecture
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- BBC Inside Science episode from 23 July 2026 covers US military testosterone screening and hormone replacement therapy for personnel aged 30+
- Episode includes discussion of newly observed orca behaviour involving collaborative interaction with dead sunfish
- Programme also features segment on AI capabilities and mathematics conjecture resolution