Download the Nature podcast January 8, 2025
In this episode of Nature podcastwe find some scientific stories from the holiday period by diving into the Nature Briefing.
00:53 Retraction of controversial COVID study that promoted unproven treatment
A much-criticized study demonstrating the now-debunked idea that hydroxychloroquine could treat COVID-19 has been retracted – more than four and a half years after it was published.
Nature: Controversial COVID study that promoted unproven treatment withdrawn after four-year saga
09:10 The skin’s unexpected immune system
Researchers have discovered that healthy skin – once thought of as a passive barrier – can actually produce antibodies that fight infections. It is hoped that this discovery could one day lead to the development of needle-free vaccines that can be applied to the skin.
Nature: The “surprise” power of the skin: it has its own immune system
13:02 Researchers fear that Europa’s icy crust is much thicker than previously thought
New estimates, based on data collected by NASA’s Juno space probe, suggest that the ice on the surface of Jupiter’s moon Europa may be much thicker than previously thought. If these estimates prove accurate, it could reduce the chances of Europa being habitable for extraterrestrial life.
Science: Surprisingly thick ice on Jupiter’s moon Europa complicates hunt for life
20:11 Modeling the running prowess of our ancient parents
3D computer simulations of Australopithecus afarensis – an ancient hominid that lived more than three million years ago – reveals that although our relatives could run on two legs, they probably did so at a much slower pace than modern humans.
Nature: Humans evolved for running – but their ancestor ‘Lucy’ didn’t go far or fast
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