Unexpected Elements

The spiralling cost and short supply of microchips – something the tech journalists have dubbed ‘RAMageddon’ – has the Unexpected Elements team investigating all things chip-related. We start things off by finding out about a mini cervix-on-a-chip and how this could help us better understand premature birth. We then feel a little salty when we discover that chips (also known as fries) may create cancer-causing acrylamides when cooked. Should we be worried?Next up, Professor Paul Graham from the University of Sussex reveals why gulls love to steal your chips, and (crucially) tells us how to defend our dinner. Plus, the world’s largest whale graveyard, the health benefits of the humble spud and why some people are better at napping than others. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements.Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Katie Silver and Kai Kupferschmidt Producers: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with Sophie Ormiston and Robbie Wojciechowski

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 the brain and why listening to it live can feel more emotional. Also, can we measure how lucky we are? We look at a possible formula, and how you can increase your chances of striking on a lucky event. We are then joined by professor of marketing Marco Bertini, who explains the wild west of dynamic pricing and gives us some tips and tricks along the way. Plus we hear about Kenya’s ambitious plans to integrate traditional medicine into its health system.And finally, why we dance when we pee and the Great British art of queuing. That’s all on this week’s Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Phillys Mwatee and Imaan Moin Producer: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins, with Ella Hubber, Lucy Davies, Imy Harper and Tim Dodd

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 who live alone, so it’s got us contemplating the science of connection and loneliness. First, we take a look at the most isolated trees on Earth and how they act as important recorders of history. We also discuss NASA’s space probe Voyager 1, and how we can connect with a device that’s 25 billion kilometres away from us.We’re joined by glaciologist Liz Morris, who shares what it was like to do research far from civilisation, in Antarctica. Then we reunite with a species that we thought was lost for ever, and answer an important question: just how big can spiders get?All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements.Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Candice Bailey and Ogechi Ekeanyanwu Producers: Ella Hubber, with Lucy Davies, Imy Harper, Tim Dodd, Sophie Ormiston and Margaret Sessa-Hawkins

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 of Australia’s iconic marsupials and Marnie gets up close and personal with Pez the Tasmanian Devil. We also talk to Andy Flies from the University of Tasmania who is working on a vaccine to combat a deadly contagious cancer spreading through Australia’s Devil population. Next, we’re joined by Susan Sawyer from the University of Melbourne as we delve into the debate surrounding Australia’s social media ban for under 16-year-olds. Are the kids alright? Plus, we find out about the tree that seems to be adding fuel to the country’s recent wildfires. All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Katie Silver and Jonathan Webb Producers: Margaret Sessa-Hawkins, with Ella Hubber, Sophie Ormiston and Lucy Davies

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 Michigan.Next, we return to our favourite food facts with a small surprise for one of the presenters.Then, we put our knowledge to the test with extra quizzes and examine the randomness of multiple-choice questions.Finally, we’re joined by Dr Alyn Euritt to discuss the importance of connection, especially between Marnie, Caroline and all the loyal listeners of the show.All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenters: Caroline Steel and Marnie Chesterton Producers: Imaan Moin, with Margaret Sessa-Hawkins and Lucy Davies