Immune System

We've all heard about new Omicron subvariants with such names as BA.2, BA.4 and BA.5. The recent proliferation of variants begs the question: is Covid-19 mutating faster than ever before? Dr Sebastian… Audio

In his new book, Mustn't Grumble: The Surprising Science of Everyday Ailments and Why We're Always a Bit Ill, award-winning science writer Graham Lawton covers over 100 ailments and explains the… Audio

The recent Tokyo Olympic Games was the culmination of years of training as much as twice daily for hundreds of world-class athletes. But how often should ordinary, even reluctant, exercisers be… Audio

Cold-water swimmers have long been known for espousing the benefits of cold-water dips. But is it all good? New Scientist writer and ex-Antarctic biologist Alison George has investigated whether… Audio

Nobel prize-winning geneticist Sir Paul Nurse's latest book, What Is Life?, explores the question of what we as humans share with all other living things on this planet.  Audio

A new study suggests that there could be another key reason to get a flu jab: it might reduce your risk of contacting Covid-19. Professor Michael Baker is back with us to discuss this and other… Audio

Moving your facial muscles in a way that mimics a smile can trick your brain into a more positive state, according to a new study. Lead researcher Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos says that even though the… Audio

A new study out of UC San Francisco has found that low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diets have a dramatic impact on the microbes residing in the human guts.  Audio

Gary McLean is a professor in molecular immunology at London Metropolitan University who specialises in infectious diseases, immunology and antibody engineering. He discusses the big international… Audio

A study out of Stony Brook University has found cognitive ageing starts earlier than expected. That's the bad news. The good news is that it looks like this process can be prevented - or even reversed… Audio

Researchers at the University of New South Wales have found that having two copies of the same sex chromosome is associated with having a longer lifespan. Co-author of the research Zoe Xirocostas… Audio

The human immune system is a complex system where T cells, B cells and antibodies battle invaders such as bacteria and viruses such as the one that causes COVID-19. Audio

Being able to talk about how you feel without getting emotional is an important skill for everyone in a workplace, says Liz Fosslien, co-author of No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing… Audio

There's new evidence that schizophrenia could be related to our immune system – a discovery which could radically change the way the condition is treated. Audio

Bruce Beutler received the 2011 Nobel Prize for discoveries about the innate immune system in mammals. Audio

This year's IgNobels have been announced, we'll take a look at some of the winners. Also, blocking a specific part of the brain's immune system has switched off the impulse of mice to drink alcohol in… Audio