Science In Action

BBC World Service

The BBC brings you all the week's science news.

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335 episodes
Updated Oct 30, 2025

Episodes335

Newest first

Sep 5, 2024 · 30 min
Concerning viruses found in fur farmed animals
A survey of diseased animals from fur farms has revealed potentially threatening viruses
Aug 29, 2024 · 29 min
Wow! A mystery signal solved
In 1977 astronomers recorded a strange radio transmission, perhaps even from aliens.
Aug 22, 2024 · 29 min
Fisheries mismanagement uncovered
Fishery assessment models overestimate the sustainability of the world’s fisheries.
Aug 15, 2024 · 30 min
The spread of rabies into Cape fur seals
In June this year there was the first detected occurrence of rabies in Cape fur seals.
Aug 8, 2024 · 32 min
Detecting undetected bird flu cases
Cases of bird flu in farm workers in the US may be going underreported.
Aug 1, 2024 · 29 min
Examining Nasa's new evidence for Martian life
Mars rock found that may indicate it hosted microbial life billions of years ago
Jul 25, 2024 · 31 min
The human cost of the decline of nature’s carcass cleaners
The loss of vultures in India may be responsible for half a million human deaths.
Jul 18, 2024 · 33 min
Destination Asteroid Apophis
The ESA is starting preparatory work for its next planetary defence mission.
Jul 11, 2024 · 28 min
Hurricane Beryl’s trail of destruction
Hurricane Beryl hit the Caribbean, before moving into Mexico and then Texas.
Jul 4, 2024 · 29 min
Cleaner mining, cleaner batteries
Science in Action is at the UK's Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition.
Jun 27, 2024 · 28 min
On the road to halting HIV
An injectable antiviral "PrEP" therapy that gives 100% protection against HIV infection.
Jun 20, 2024 · 26 min
China: Scientific superpower
How has China reached the top spot of scientific research?
Jun 13, 2024 · 34 min
US bird flu response warning
Mice become the next to get it and expert Rick Bright calls for stronger counter measures
Jun 6, 2024 · 38 min
A humungous temporary tentacle
The origami superpowers of a single-celled pond hunter, the protist Lacrymaria olor.
May 30, 2024 · 31 min
Trusting AI with science
AI will be a feature of future breakthroughs, how will we know when to trust its results?
May 23, 2024 · 30 min
The roots of fentanyl addiction
A study in mice suggests that fentanyl affects the part of the brain that regulates fear.
May 16, 2024 · 31 min
Aurora Bore-WOW-lis
They were the best northern and southern lights in decades, but why? And what’s next?
May 9, 2024 · 31 min
Changing blood types and whale grammar
Could future blood transfusions be made safer by mixing in a new bacterial enzyme?
May 2, 2024 · 27 min
Crossover infections
Bird flu spreads from cows to cats in the US, as chimps are seen eating bat poo in Uganda
Apr 25, 2024 · 26 min
An armada for asteroid Apophis?
Friday, April 13th 2029 – mark it in your calendar...an asteroid is coming