00:54 How Mammals’ mutation rates affects their lifespanFor biologists, a long-standing question has been why some animals live longer than others. This week a team have attempted to answer this, by measuring the rates that different animal species accumulate mutations. They show that longer-lived animals acquire mutations at a slower rate, which helps to explain why cancer risk does not scale with lifespan.Research article: Cagan et al.News and Views: Mutational clocks tick differently across species07:56 Research HighlightsA clinical trial suggests a change to the treatment of a pregnancy ailment, and astronomers identify the largest known structure produced by a single galaxy.Research Highlight: Ambitious trial inspires a rethink on a common ailment of pregnancyResearch Highlight: Even among ‘giant’ galaxies this one is record-setting10:43 The war in Ukraine’s effects on global energyMany European countries are dependent on Russian fossil fuels for energy production. Following Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, these countries are looking to wean themselves off these fuels, which could have short- and long-term impacts on emissions and food production.Feature: What the war in Ukraine means for energy, climate and foodEditorial: The EU can simultaneously end dependence on Russia and meet climate goalsEditorial: The war in Ukraine is exposing gaps in the world’s food-systems research19:58 A new measurement of a particle’s mass hints at new physicsLast week, a new estimate of the W boson’s mass caused much excitement among physicists. The result suggests that this particle is heavier than theory predicts, a finding that could be the first major breach in the standard model of particle physics. However, measuring W bosons is notoriously tricky, and further work will be needed to confirm the finding.News: Particle’s surprise mass threatens to upend the standard model Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.