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Last broadcast on Mon, 28 Mar 2011, 21:00 on BBC Radio 4 (see all broadcasts).
Synopsis
Quentin Cooper presents his weekly digest of science in and behind the headlines. He talks to Professor Robin Grimes, the Director of the Centre of Nuclear Engineering at Imperial College, London about the latest developments at the Fukushima nuclear plant. We speak to an ornithologist who is battling to save penguins in one of the remotest parts of the world - the islands of Tristan da Cunha - following an oil spill. Also on the programme; can Hollywood put real science into the movies and the latest in sport engineering and how it can lead to gold medals.
The producer is Ania Lichtarowicz.
UK Penguins
Picture credit: Arjan Haverkamp
A grounded cargo vessel has been wrecked on Nightingale Island – part of the Tristan da Cunha UK overseas territory in the South Atlantic - and threatens to create a twin environmental disaster for the island’s wildlife, which includes nearly half of the world population of northern rockhopper penguin; one of the world’s most threatened species of penguin. The fuel oil and cargo of 1500 tonnes of heavy crude oil has been leaking into the sea, posing a major hazard to the island’s tens of thousands of pairs of penguin as well as the economically-important rock lobster fishery. Hundreds of oiled penguins have already been seen coming ashore. Quentin talks to Katrine Herian, RSPB Project Officer.
Japan Nuclear Reactor
Picture credit: National Land Image Information (Color Aerial Photographs), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (taken 1975)
After last week’s programme, which looked at the Japan nuclear power plant crisis, Quentin talks to Professor Robin Grimes, Director of the Centre of Nuclear Engineering at Imperial College, London, to find out the latest from the Fukushima plant and what is next for the reactors.
Science in films
Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, released in 1968, is perhaps the most scientifically accurate film ever produced. Using advisors from 65 scientific organisations. Other films such as A Beautiful Mind, Finding Nemo and The Hulk have achieved some degree of scientific credibility because of science consultants. Quentin talks to Dr David Kirby, author of Lab Coats in Hollywood, to find out how important science consultants are to films.
Sport and engineering
Picture Credit: Jeff Overs
Sports science and engineering in the UK have vital roles to play in the success of British athletes. This includes identifying high performance technology across a range of sports and providing specialist support services in physiology, nutrition, strength and conditioning to ensure British athletes are at the top of their game. Quentin talks to Professor Steve Haake, Director of the Centre for Sports Engineering Research at Sheffield Hallam University, about modelling performance.
Broadcasts
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Thu 24 Mar 201116:30
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Mon 28 Mar 201121:00
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