How can science help us fight wildfires?

BBC Inside Science

BBC

Technology, Science

4.5 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 8 May 2025

⏱️ 36 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In the past few days, UK firefighters have been tackling wildfires across the UK. As global temperatures rise, fires are likely to increase in strength and number. We hear from Rory Hadden, Professor of Fire Science at the University of Edinburgh, and Aidan McGivern, meteorologist and weather presenter from the Met Office.

Presenter Marnie Chesterton has been behind the scenes at Cambridge’s Natural History Museum with Assistant Director of the University Museum of Zoology Jack Ashby.

Also, the woman who came third in the Brighton marathon in the middle of her hen weekend. We hear from Dr. Ann-Kathrin Stock, neuroscientist at Dresden University Clinics and member of the international Alcohol Hangover Research Group about the science behind hangovers and why it might not be such a good idea to run a marathon whilst hungover.

And science journalist Caroline Steel has been scouring the science journals.

Presenter: Marnie Chesterton Producers: Clare Salisbury, Dan Welsh, Jonathan Blackwell Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth

Transcript

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0:00.0	Before you listen to this BBC podcast, I'd like to introduce myself.
0:03.7	My name's Stevie Middleton and I'm a BBC Commissioner for a load of sport podcasts.
0:08.4	I'm lucky to do that at the BBC because I get to work with leading journalists, experienced
0:12.2	pundits and the biggest sports stars.
0:14.3	Together we bring you untold stories and fascinating insights straight from the player's mouths.
0:19.1	But the best thing about doing this at the BBC is a unique access to the sporting world. What that means is that we can bring you podcasts that create a real connection to dedicated sports fans across the UK. So if you like this podcast, head over to BBC Sounds where you'll find plenty more.
0:35.6	Hello, you have downloaded BBC Inside Science with me, Marnie Chesterton.
0:40.9	This show was first broadcast on the 10th of April 2025.
0:45.4	Hello, this week I get to poke around in museum stores.
0:50.1	I'm not about a paradise.
0:53.3	The colours, I'm sorry that this is radio.
0:56.7	That iridescent green is absolutely fantastic.
1:00.4	And find out how the specimens there might help save the world.
1:04.4	And on my hen weekend, wanted to do something iconic and memorable.
1:07.7	And, yeah, I wasn't expecting a podium finish.
1:09.4	So it's just made the weekend even more special. The woman who came third in a marathon in the middle of her hen weekend iconic yes but
1:17.4	scientifically advisable we find out and science journalist caroline steel is with me have you ever
1:24.1	run a marathon hangover optional extra no never run a marathon definitely not on a hangover i don't think i've run anything marathon, hangover, optional extra? No, never run a marathon, definitely not on a hangover.
1:30.0	I don't think I've run anything on a hangover and never will.
1:33.2	Okay.
1:33.8	And you've joined us because you've been scouring the science journals this week,
1:38.4	so we don't have to.
	...

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