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19/05/2013

The Archers Omnibus Matt's got a lot on his mind, and Jazzer loses his rag.

Science programme reporting on developments across the disciplines. Each week, scientists describe their work, conveying the excitement they feel for their research projects

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Quantum computer; Ancient water; Stem cells; Dambusters

Scientists to have access to one of the world's most powerful "quantum" computers.

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23/05/2013

Quentin Cooper investigates the news in science and science in the news.

Thursday 16:30 BBC Radio 4

See all upcoming broadcasts of Material World (2)

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See all Material World episodes available (329)

  • A 3-D Digital Map of the World

    A 3-D Digital Map of the World

    Artist's impression of the formation flight of TerraSAR-X / TanDEM-X
    Copyright: © Astrium

    A pair of German satellites flying in formation has completed the most detailed 3-D map of the land surface of the Earth ever made. Luis Gomes of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd and Prof Philippa Berry of De Montfort University in Leicester discuss the satellite radar technology used to create such maps and their applications, particularly for predicting the consequences of floods and other natural disasters.

  • The Lost Fossils of Darwin's Friends

    The Lost Fossils of Darwin's Friends

    Thin sections of plant fossils from the newly rediscovered collection including the 300 million-year-old cones of giant club moss trees from the Midlands and a sample of fossil wood collected in Chile by Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle. Photos: British Geological Survey.

    While searching through the vaults of the British Geological Survey, palaeontologist Howard Falcon Lang of Royal Holloway University of London came across a cabinet labelled unclassified plant fossils. It contained microscope thin sections and almost the first he looked at had a name on it: Mr C Darwin. It turns out to be a collection of fossils brought together by Darwin's friend Joseph Hooker in the mid 19th century and subsequently forgotten.

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    Material World

    Weekly science conversation, on everything from archaeology to zoology, from abacus to the...

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