RAZOR Sounds

Scientists have managed to launch rovers on the Red Planet, but what will it take to get a human on the surface?Could their bodies survive the rigors of the seven-month journey plus the seven minutes of terror it takes to enter, descend and land safely on the surface of Mars? And could their minds cope with the isolation and the myriad psychological challenges they would be faced with?Find out more on this special Mission to Mars Razor podcast. Go to https://stories.cgtneurope.tv/how-to-get-to-mars/index.html#group-section-Your-home-jw6Qr8akag to see some of the footage discussed in the podcast.

The natural ecosystems we depend upon are in crisis globally, with around a million species at risk of disappearing from the wild. Penguins feed in the ocean and breed on land, so they face dangers in both places – more than half of penguin species are threatened with extinction.In this Razor Podcast special, our correspondent Sylvia Rowley takes a trip to the picturesque southeastern coast of Australia to learn more about the work of the conservationists trying to protect the little penguin.On Phillip Island, about 140 km from Melbourne, Summerland Peninsula has become a refuge for penguins from humans and predators such as foxes. The colony there has bounced back from 8,000 to 32,000 birds and the whole ecosystem has flourished.Go to https://stories.cgtneurope.tv/saving-the-little-penguin/index.html to see footage of the little penguins. Also if you want to see more RAZOR videos go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvPxSZWJo7MVrWR7bLC45FQ and subscribe to our Youtube channel ‘Razor Science Show’. 

It’s long been known that fish swim in schools to protect themselves from predators, but could there be another reason? This week on the podcast, Shini Somara talks to Iain Couzin, professor of biodiversity and collective behavior at the University of Konstanz. His team has been placing robotic fish among schools to study the animals’ energy consumption. Couzin explains what we can learn from this study and why it could have real-world benefits for humans. [05:39].Finally, in what’s exciting us in science this week, Emma Keeling tells us about a new eco-friendly rocketfuel and Shini explains the best way to transport rhinos over long distances. The Razor Podcast is going on indefinite hiatus while we redesign the program to bring you bigger and better content. In the meantime, if you want to look at the videos from these stories go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvPxSZWJo7MVrWR7bLC45FQ. 

This week we look at a revolutionary new cancer treatment. Emma goes to Portugal to talk to Rita Fuore about how she realized injecting tumors into zebrafish could help doctors make more informed decisions about which cancer treatment is best for their patients [01:33].  In science this week, Frankie finds out how people’s mood can influence the efficacy of COVID19 vaccines and Emma explains why scientists are close to discovering new techniques to reverse the damage done by motor-neurone disease [13:12].   Remember, if you want to see the stories discussed in the podcast, you can find them on YouTube - just type in ‘Razor Science Show’, or click on this link to take you there: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvPxSZWJo7MVrWR7bLC45FQ

This week on the RAZOR Podcast, Shini Somara and Emma Keeling hear about a revolutionary new therapy that could challenge the aging process. Glenn Jeffery from University College London has been working on a way to slow down the aging process by focusing on “recharging” mitochondria. His team has been using red light therapy on fruit flies and has started to move into human trials [04:42].  We speak to evolutionary biologist Nick Lane who explains why mitochondrial therapy could be a game-changer for medicine. In what’s exciting us in science this week, Shini Somara tells us about a unique way of measuring whale populations [13:39] and Emma Keeling finds a surprising new way to use soda bread [17:06].Click here if you want to see the video clips from some of the stories we cover on the RAZOR podcast. 

It&aposs the final Razor podcast of 2020! In this episode Shini Somara and Emma Keeling look at what would happen if Covid-19 took hold in animals. Emma spoke to Tony Goldberg, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Wisconsin in the U.S. Goldberg  has been studying the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases in nature and explains the dangers of covid-19 moving back into animal populations [02:03]. In what’s exciting us in science this week, Shini explains how you can take a simple test to find out if you’re healthy and Emma shares some interesting facts about murderous hornets.  If you enjoy the podcast and you want to check out some of the clips we discuss in the show, subscribe to RAZOR Science Show on Youtube.  

This week on the podcast Emma Keeling and Shini Somara look at a magical mushroom that can be turned into insulation material for our homes. Emma visits Biohm, the company behind the innovation to find out how they came up with the idea and why this idea could revolutionise the construction industry [01:30]. We learn how owner Ehab Sayed came up with the idea for the company and why he’s trying to change an industry that’s traditionally been very slow to adapt to green technology [07:01]. In what&aposs exciting us in science this week, Shini tells us why a positive attitude can slow the ageing process and Emma gives us an unexpected benefit of global warming [14:40]. 

This week on the podcast Shini Somara and Emma Keeling look at hair loss as a potential Covid-19 symptom.  A leading hair loss clinic in London has recently reported that a number of patients suffering from temporary hair loss also experienced COVID-19 related symptoms three months prior to seeking treatment. Emma Keeling spoke to an administrator at the clinic who also tested positive for Covid-19 in March [01:03]. Rali Bozhinova, a trichologist at the clinic, also gives a possible explanation for the temporary hair loss and why she thinks there has been a rise in the disorder during the pandemic [03:56]. In what’s exciting us in science this week, Shini Somara tells us about a biotechnology that could lead to less seafood waste and Emma Keeling explains why mouthwash could help us fight COVID-19. 

This week on RAZOR, Shini Somara speaks to mechanical engineer Richard Johnston, a professor at the Materials Research Centre, Swansea University to find out about a collaboration between jet engineers and Egyptologists. Their work gives a detailed look into the past and promises great innovations in the future. Johnston explains how analyzing ancient mummies can lead to advances in mechanical engineering, including how jet engines are designed [03:30]. He also tells us how the collaboration developed by accident and where he thinks his technology will be useful in the future [11:01]. In what’s exciting us in science this week, Emma Keeling explains why octopuses might help transplant surgeries and Somara explains how AI can help treat tumors.If you want to see the videos from these stories and more, check out our Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvPxSZWJo7MVrWR7bLC45FQ

This week on Razor Sounds we look at a company that’s looking to revolutionise the way we try and feed the world. Entocycle is a biotechnology company that farms Black soldier flies to convert their larvae into protein that they use to feed livestock.  Emma Keeling spoke to founder and director Kieron Whitaker who explains how he came up with the idea for Entocycle [01:39]. Emma also takes us on a tour through the facility and tries a cookie made from larvae! On what’s exciting us in science this week, Emma explains how doctors have discovered an unusual way that might cure tinnitus and Shini explains why fish scales have given engineers new insights into aerodynamics. If you want to view the videos talked about in Razor Sounds, visit https://www.cgtn.com/europe/razor . 

On this week’s episode of the RAZOR podcast, Shini and Emma look at a group of researchers studying our sewer system to better manage the COVID-19 outbreak. Emma speaks to Dr. Monica Ghandi, an infectious disease expert from the University of California in San Francisco to hear the evidence for wearing face coverings and a hypothesis on how facemasks can work in a similar way to vaccines in fighting COVID-19.  Sewers4COVID is a collaboration of researchers from Greece, Spain, the Netherlands and the UK who have developed a system of wastewater surveillance to track the spread of COVID-19. Their prototype proves sewer surveillance could be an effective tool in the fight against the pandemic and they are now looking into the feasibility of setting up a Europe-wide monitoring system. Shini spoke to Dragan Savic of KWR Water Research Institute to find out more. Savic explains how this technology started and why analysing sewage is a good way to get a picture of a population’s behavior and habits without infringing on individual privacy. He also tells how exactly this technology can help us fight COVID-19 and could be a good predictor of future pandemics.On what’s exciting us in science this week, Shini explains why staring at a seagull could be the way to help manage their populations. 

Today we’ll be looking at women in Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics [STEM]. Not too long ago, we interviewed two young women making massive strides in the STEM arena. Michelle Hicks and Inge-Sarah Andersen both work in traditionally male dominated areas, and we wanted to get a take on their experiences in their fields. We interviewed them on international women’s day earlier this year and thought we’d like to share that discussion with you here on the podcast. We talk about the importance of role-modelling if we are to inspire young women into entering STEM [04:26]. Michelle and Inge-Sarah also underline the need for representation and why it matters in fields where there’s not always a clear entry-point for young people [16:30]. They also explain who a greater representation of women in the workplace is also advantageous for men, and why we should actively and be more inclusive when considering a greater spectrum of emotions and personalities in the workplace [12:20]. At the time of recording, Michelle was a project manager at Merlin Entertainment, which is the job title she gives in the interview. She&aposs since moved on to being a project manager at Michelle Hicks, Managing Director at Firefly Creations.This episode originally aired on June 03, 2020.

On this episode of the RAZOR podcast we look at a company that&aposs revolutionising food waste. CGTN America correspondent Mark Niu tells us about his visit to Treasure 8 - a company using a drying technique to make food last longer. Niu explains how the technology works and why he was intrigued by the process [06:01].   He also tells us about the difficulties filming this story during a pandemic, and the precautions he had to take while doing the story [08:30]. Niu explains why he thinks this company will come into its own during the pandemic [13:05]. In our what’s exciting us in science this week, Emma Keeling tells us about a surprising link between kittens and autism - and Shini Somara tells us how flies’ eyes could help make us safer. 

Today on the RAZOR Podcast we Emma and Shini revisit one of our most popular stories. Back in Episode 13, Emma spoke to us about the anthropause: the worldwide slowing of human activity, which has led to many animals venturing further afield as people retreated inside. During that story we played you a clip from Professor Jim Smith from the University of Portsmouth. He  explained to us why the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster gave us a lot of insight into how animals behave in the absence of humans in an urban environment.Today on the podcast we share more from Prof Smith as we discuss what humans will have to do to address some of the damage that we’ve done to the planet [02:05]. We also hear from Shini and Emma as they tell us which stories have caught their attention in the world of science this week [06:22]. Remember if you want to watch the stories you can go to https://www.cgtn.com/europe/razor. 

This week on the RAZOR podcast Emma Keeling dives deep into one of our most popular stories over the past year. One New Zealand boss had changed to a four-day working week even before the virus spread, and he said going back to our old ways after the pandemic would be a wasted opportunity. Businessman Andrew Barnes tells us how moving to a four-day working week has helped his business become more productive [01:50]. Andrew tells us how he came up with the idea to move to his company to a four-day workweek and why he believes the way we currently organize our work-lives needs to change forever [06:01].  We spoke to Andrew in episode 12 of the RAZOR podcast. Keeling also spoke to Andrew’s partner Charlotte Lockhart, who helped set up 4 Day Week Global, a website providing guidance to companies that would like to move to the shorter working week. Lockhart explains why we can’t wait for governments to make these changes and why businesses have to take the lead in helping to facilitate a better work-life balance for their employees [09:49]. 

Today on the podcast we look at the lasting effects that COVID-19 can have on our brains. Emma Keeling talks to professor Robert Stevens from Johns Hopkins Medicine in Maryland. Stevens describes a “secondary pandemic” where we could be struggling with the after-effects of COVID-19 long after we think we’ve recovered [02:02]. Only a slightly lighter note, Shini Somara talks to professor Robin Beaman, a scientist at James Cook University. Professor Beaman is part of the The Nippon Foundation-Gebco Seabed 2030 Project, a project committed to mapping 100 percent of the ocean floor. Beaman describes the ocean life he saw on his team’s state-of-the-art camera and he also tells us why he thinks it&aposs important for us to have an accurate picture of what our ocean floor looks like [11:01].  In a new segment, Shini and Emma talk about some of the biggest stories in science that we might have missed this week. Shini tells us what she thinks of SpaceX’s joint venture with NASA and how excited she is for the next era of space exploration [22:11]. 

Today on the Razor Podcast  Emma and Shini look at how the animal kingdom has responded to the covid-19 pandemic. You might have noticed more wildlife in your garden, parks and even in urban areas. That&aposs because of what scientists are calling the anthropause: the worldwide slowing of human activity, which has led to many animals venturing further afield as we retreated inside. Emma talks to  Dr. Chrstian Rutz from the University of St. Andrews to find about the origins of the term. Dr. Rutz tells us why his team came up with the term and what it means for his research [01:55]. Emma also spoke to Professor Jim Smith from the University of Portsmouth who explains to us why the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster has given us a lot of insight into how animals behave in the absence of humans in an urban environment [05:06]. In our second story, Shini tells us about a new technology that could help us detect Covid-19 without doing a test on a human host. In Switzerland a team led by Professor Jing Wang explains how we might be able to detect the Covid-19  in the air around us [12:28]. 

Today on the Razor Podcast we look at life after Covid-19. How we are going to put society back together and continue to our lives after the disruption of lockdown. Our first story looks at the aerodynamics of Covid-19 in airplanes. The airplane industry has been hit particularly hard by Covid-19. With planes grounded all over the world, the question has become how do we restore airplane travel without spreading the virus all over the world. Shini spoke to Professor Qingyan Chen who recently published a story about the aerodynamics of Covid-19 in airplane cabins. Professor Chen explains what the risks are for airplane passengers [02:16]. He also tells us how his team has been working with Boeing to make sure that air is filtered in the cabin. [06:30]. In our second story we move into the realm of social science and look at how a New Zealand businessman is championing the 4-day workweek. Andrew Barnes tells us how moving to a 4-day workweek has helped his business become more productive [09:50]. Emma and Shini also tell us what they would do if they could move to a 4-day workweek and we learn some surprising facts about what’s happening in Emma’s garden [16:01]. 

Today on the show Emma and Shini are joined by another Razor team member. Over the course of the Razor Podcast we have covered topics by reporter Jo Colan, and on this episode she updates us on some of your favourite Razor episodes. The repurposing of drugs or treatments originally used to treat other diseases is common in science and it&aposs happening even more now.  Jo came across an example of this when researchers working to find a universal anti-venom to snake-bites received an unexpected phone call from the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. Find out how snakebite research relates to HIV/AIDS firstly, and secondly, how does it relate to treating Covid-19 [03:40]. Jo also tells us what it was like being there in person for our snakebite story we first mentioned all the way back in episode 1 of the Razor Podcast [09:30]. In our second story Jo tells us all about meeting Chris Toumazou from DNA Nudge from episode 3 of the Razor Podcast. DNA Nudge is a DNA sequencing business mostly focused on informing customers of their genetic profiles and helping them make healthier lifestyle choices. During the pandemic, the company has pivoted toward making Covid-19 tests. Jo tells us how this works and why the company is perfectly set-up for this new innovation [14:00]. Jo also tells us what she learned about her own genetic profile when she took a DNA Nudge test back in 2019 [14:44]. 

Today on the Razor Podcast Shini talks to Louis Koizia from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London about mixed-reality headsets that are helping to keep doctors safe while treating Covid-19 patients. Louis explains why these headsets are vital to treating the disease and enforcing the principles of social distancing under very difficult circumstances [01:30]. Shini also shares her adventures with mixed-reality headsets and tells us why it&aposs taken this long for them to finally catch on [10:00]. Remdesivir is an antiviral medication originally developed to treat Ebola. While it wasn&apost effective it did show promise treating SARS and MERS in animal studies. Emma spoke to Dr Neera Ahuja, the principal investigator of the trial at Stanford University School of Medicine. She talks about how the drug might help in the fight against Covid-19. Dr. Auhja explains how the drug works and why she thinks the drug shows promise [12:49]. 

Today on the Razor Podcast Shini and Emma look at the origins of Covid-19. Allegations that the coronavirus may have escaped from a laboratory, or even been created, are part of an info-demic of misinformation. Razor producer Neil Cairns spoke to Susan Weiss who has been studying coronaviruses for most of her career. He started off by asking if she believed that the coronavirus was created in a lab. She says that it’s highly unlikely that this is the case [01:20]. She tells us why she hopes that we’ll be ready for the next pandemic and what scientists will be doing to make sure that something like Covid-19 doesn’t catch us unawares again [05:13]. As we emerge from lockdown and begin to return to work, we need to start looking at how we commute without breaking the principles of social distancing.  John Irving might have the solution to the problem. John  is the founder and CEO of AER Electric, a company that manufactures e-scooters for the United States market. At the moment the scooters are banned on UK roads, but there is hope that that might be changing in the not too distant future [16:17]. Shini also tells us about her experience with her e-scooter and why she thinks it might be the perfect tool for  a socially distanced commute [17:30]. 

In today’s episode of the Razor Podcast we look at how science is fighting COVID-19. In our first story, Shini Somara tells us how understanding aerodynamics can help us better understand how COVID-19 spreads. Shini speaks to Bert Blocken about his study, which has mapped the flow of particles we breathe out to see how they are affected by rapid movement. Blocken explains why countries around the world have issued different advice on social distancing [02:03]. We also learn why cycling and running can lead to greater spreading of COVID-19 and how we can help limit the virus’s reach [04:00]. In our second story, Emma Keeling speaks to Emma Hodcroft, co-developer of Nextstrain, an open-source project to harness scientific data on pathogens, the organisms that cause disease. Nextstrain tracks Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and is essential to limiting our exposure to it. Hodcroft explains how it works and how the hunt to better understand seasonal flu led to a greater understanding of the seasonal patterns of the disease [09:05]. We also learn why this tracking might have a Western bias and what’s being done to ensure countries won’t be excluded due to a lack of resources [14:30]. 

Today we’ll be looking at women in Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics [STEM]. Not too long ago, we interviewed two young women making massive strides in the STEM arena. Michelle Hicks and Inge-Sarah Andersen both work in traditionally male dominated areas, and we wanted to get a take on their experiences in their fields. We interviewed them on international women’s day earlier this year and thought we’d like to share that discussion with you here on the podcast. We talk about the importance of role-modelling if we are to inspire young women into entering STEM [04:26]. Both women also underline the need for representation and why it matters in fields where there’s not always a clear entry-point for young people [16:30]. They also explain who a greater representation of women in the workplace is also advantageous for men, and why we should actively and be more inclusive when considering a greater spectrum of emotions and personalities in the workplace [12:20]. At the time of recording, Michelle was a project manager at Merlin Entertainment, which is the job title she gives in the interview. She&aposs since moved on to being a Managing Director at Firefly Creations.Facebook Live link: https://www.facebook.com/cgtneuropeofficial/videos/525854411404728/

Human beings have been fascinated by Mars for centuries. Since 2012, NASA&aposs Curiosity Rover has been traversing the red planet to see if it could support microbial life. In today’s episode Emma went to speak to the ExoMars team who are attempting to search deeper with the Rosalind Franklin Rover which will be launched to Mars in 2022.At the core of this mission to Mars is  the Rosalind Franklin Rover. An autonomous machine that is going to be traversing the landscape on Mars and gathering information. Emma spoke to Abbie Hutty, a lead structures engineer on the project. Abbie introduces Emma to Bruno, a version of the Rosalind Franklin Rover. Abbie explains the challenges involved with a project this size, and how they hope to overcome the difficult Mars terrain. Missions to Mars have a success rate of approximately 50% so those involved have to have a clear idea what can go wrong while their machine is in space.  Emma also went to speak to Andrew Coates, ExoMars Special Investigator, who outlined a litany of risks associated with the project.Since the beginning of time we’ve looked up at the sky and wondered what it would be like to be able to fly.  In our first story, our very own Shini Somara tries on a jetpack and tells us exactly what it&aposs like!To find out more, Shini goes to visit Richard Browning, the founder of Gravity Industries.  Richard is the innovator behind a jet pack that allows him to partake in the miracle of personal flight. She found out how Richard thought of the idea and what inspired him to develop the machine. Shini also takes the jet pack for a spin and tells us exactly how difficult flying actually is. 

A fair portion of discarded electronics ends up in landfills and that ends up harming our planet. A recent UN report found that we’re throwing away more than 48 million tons of electronics a year. The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Sciences in Zurich have developed a wood-derived material which is an alternative to traditional plastics and polymers. Shini Somara speaks to Gilberto Siqueira, the lead scientist at the facility, to find out more.Siquera explains how this new technology works and why it can be a game-changer in his industry [02:00]. This new technology depends on cellulose, the material found in the walls of plants. Shini also spoke to Gustav Nystrom, the head of the cellulose lab. Gustav explains what is still lacking in the process but remains hopeful about finding a solution to the technology’s shortcomings [06:01]. In our second story, Emma Keeling heads to Gothenburg in Sweden, to investigate a new way of recycling plastic that could break our dependency on fossil fuels. She speaks to Henrik Thunman and his team at Chalmers University about this new form of technology that aims to increase the amount of plastic we can recycle, thereby minimising the amount that is polluting the planet. Henrik explains how his team uses a process called “steam-cracking” and also reveals the surprising ingredient that makes it all possible [11:17]. . 

One of the reasons we need more trees is because of photosynthesis. This is the process through which plants make their own food, but it’s also how they help us get rid of excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It&aposs a vital process, but one of the misconceptions about it is that it&aposs just about plants creating oxygen, which isn&apost the case. It&aposs about plants taking energy from the sun, and storing it chemically. Today on the Razor Podcast, Shini goes to see a new technology that takes sunlight and CO2 and creates fuel [01:30]. She speaks to Virgil Andrei from Cambridge University’s department of Chemistry, who explains why this new technology can be a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Shini also spoke to Professor Erwin Reisner who explains the challenges they’re facing when it comes to putting this technology into everyday commercial use [04:52]. The maritime industry is one of the major contributors to pollution worldwide, with over 90% of the world’s trade being by sea. In our second story, Emma tells us about her time spent on a hydrogen boat, and why it could be the solution to fixing one of the biggest contributors to global pollution. She speaks to the engineer of The Energy Observer -  a boat that is on a six year mission around the world - using only solar, wind, hydrogen and battery power [07:30]. Emma also explains why this boat remains safe even with highly flammable hydrogen on-board [12:00]. She also speaks to the captain of the boat, Victorien Erussard, about what it&aposs like to manoeuvre and maintain the The Energy Observer [13:45]. 

Every year there are around 1 million amputations globally – that’s one every 30 seconds. But not everybody can afford a bionic limb or even a basic prosthetic. One scientist wants to change all of that. Emma went to speak to a professor at Glasgow University about a new technology that could be revolutionary for amputees – a prosthetic arm powered by solar panels that also gives tactile feedback like a real limb. Emma speaks to double-amputee Corinne Hutton about her challenges, and how exciting this new technology can be [01:50]. The Razor team also spoke to Andrew Hart, one of Corinne’s surgeons, who explained what patients are looking for when it comes to a new prosthesis [02:54]. Corinne went to go and see Ravinder Dahiya at the University of Glasgow where she got to see what Dr. Dahiya’s team is producing [06:30]. Vitamin D is vital for a healthy life. It&aposs important for our internal body clock, also known as our circadian rhythm.  It can play a big role in mental health and personal happiness levels. Scientists have found that something as simple as changing the type of lighting in nursing rooms can have a profound influence on certain types of patients. The Razor team went to visit a care home where the light bulbs mimic natural light. Javid Abdelmoneim went to speak to Dr. Anders Soder West about this revolutionary new therapy in Copenhagen [13:03]. We learn that the key to this is an emphasis on “blue light”; light that operates on a different frequency to what we find with everyday light bulbs.  Javid also speaks to Torbin Hansen, the chief technology officer at Chromoviso the company behind this new technology [17:05]. 

On this episode of RAZOR we delve deeper into our DNA and take a closer look at who we really are. Shini and Emma look at how we map and understand our DNA and why it&aposs not as clear-cut as you might think. The Human Genome Project was one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by science. An international team of scientists spent 13 years mapping our genetic data; pinpointing and laying out the sequence of all our genes.However, there is a problem.  Seventy percent of its first DNA sequence came from the genetics of just one man while the rest came from about 50 other volunteers. Their data formed the backbone of the Human Genome Project&aposs first DNA sequence which has since become a reference; the standard to which every human DNA sequence is compared. Shini speaks to Dr. Julia Wilson from the Wellcome Sanger Institute about the lack of diversity in the project could be holding us back [01:54]. The RAZOR team goes further and investigates exactly how the “mapping” of the human genetic sequences happen [04:02]. To do this she speaks to Sumit Jamuar, the CEO of Global Gene Corp, a company that is spearheading efforts to diversify genomics by collecting genetic data from India.The RAZOR team also looks at a new company that has found a way to look at how DNA testing can help us make better nutritional choices on a day-to-day basis. DNA Nudge is a company that focuses on on-site DNA testing that could highlight genetic predispositions and help their customers to adapt their lifestyles accordingly. Jo Colan went to investigate exactly how the company plans to do this [09:52]. Jo also speaks to the founder of the company Chris Toumazou who talks about the deeply personal inspiration behind the company [14:30]. 

On today’s episode of the RAZOR Podcast Shini and Emma look at the most cutting edge issues in science today.  How can something “be” and “not be” at the same time?  To answer this question, Shini went to talk to Winfried Hensinger, a professor of Quantum Technologies at Sussex University. Hensiger is at the forefront of developing quantum computers and does his best to explain what quantum mechanics is [01.52].  Professor Hensinger also shows Shini some of the technology they are using to isolate ions for computing purposes [03.31]. The German company Siemens Mobility are testing a system like this on the roads, with electric or hybrid trucks, so they can continually charge their battery as they drive along a highway. In this episode, our reporter Guy Henderson goes to Berlin to speak to the CEO of Siemens’s mobility department about a way that might potentially decarbonise Europe’s transport system [06.51].  Guy also spoke to one Hasso Grunjes from Siemens Mobility about how far away we are from this technology becoming a reality [09.08].And finally Emma found out how a viral treatment developed by former Soviet scientists could potentially be used to combat brain cancers. Phages or ‘bacteriophages’, to give them their full name,  are a type of virus that infects bacteria. Emma went to speak to Dr Matthew Williams, a consultant oncologist at Imperial College London explained why brain cancers are difficult to treat  and how phages can help to address this issue [12.23]. Emma also talks to Professor Amin Hajitou who is passionate about phage therapy and has been working for 12 years on a cancer treatment using bacteriophages [14.16]. LISTEN HERE. RAZOR. Remember to subscribe to the RAZOR podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts.

On today’s episode of the RAZOR podcast Emma and Shini discuss the development of a new snakebite anti-venom being made in Liverpool. The World Health Organization calls snakebites one of the world&aposs priority neglected tropical diseases. Up to one hundred thirty eight thousand people die every year from snake bites due to a drastic global shortage of anti-venoms. Our reporter Jo Colan goes out to the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to talk to a group of scientists taking steps to address the situation [01.40] . According to NASA, the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are higher than they’ve  been at any time in the past four hundred thousand years. Scientists think one way of reducing levels is right under our noses. Emma went out to a power plant in Iceland where they&aposre taking carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and turning it into stone [08.06].Cars are essential to the hustle and bustle of modern city life, but as the globe gets warmer and their emissions more toxic, it&aposs important to find alternatives.  Shini goes to the Shell Eco-Marathon, where innovators and engineers are competing against each other to design, build and race energy efficient cars of the future.  The stakes are high as engineers compete to see who can design the most efficient car that can last the longest around the track [11.06].