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Unexpected Elements

Let them eat crab

Unexpected Elements

BBC

Science

4.4566 Ratings

🗓️ 9 August 2024

⏱️ 50 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This week we’re inspired by the price of a lobster dinner fit for a king. The recently revealed price tag for President Macron’s banquet back at the end of 2023, about half a million dollars, kickstarts an Unexpected Elements challenge – can the team create something similar and manage to save not only cash, but an Italian ecosystem from an American invader?

And waste not want not as we discover how the bits of a crustacean dinner you’d usually throw in the bin may be the key to a new generation of rechargeable batteries.

We’ll also be exploring the science of spices with Dr Stuart Farrimond and singing the praises of a blue-blooded crab that’s really a giant spider, which has been helping out the medical industry for decades.

That plus many other Unexpected Elements.

Bon appétit!

Transcript

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0:00.0

In 2019, we began investigating the disappearance of Dr. Ruzha Ignatva.

0:08.0

I believe we are a very special network.

0:10.0

A scammer who stole billions from investors around the world.

0:15.0

She's on the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list.

0:18.0

And now, we have some unmissable updates. She has money and when you have

0:23.0

money you have power. Join me, Jamie Bartlett, as the hunt for the missing crypto queen continues.

0:29.5

Listen first on BBC Sounds.

0:35.5

So this weekend, bits of my country broke out into race riots, which means humiliatingly

0:42.1

that other countries are having to warn their citizens about the dangers of travelling here,

0:47.2

which makes me incredibly sad. I moped into my flatmate's room. What's up with you? he says.

0:56.1

I'm mouvet, says I,

1:01.3

using a French word that when applied to the weather means it's all a bit grey and depressing and overcast. It's pronounced mouvetes, he says, because you're female, adding helpfully,

1:08.0

also you don't mean mouvés, that means bad.

1:11.3

You mean trist, sad.

1:13.9

And with that, I was cured.

1:16.0

I was no longer sad.

1:17.5

I was deeply irritated instead.

1:20.6

I'm Marnie Chasterton from the BBC World Service.

1:23.4

This is unexpected elements.

1:38.3

Music this is unexpected elements. And joining me are my band of joy inspiring journalists.

1:43.2

In Helsinki Finland, we have Tristan Artoen.

1:45.6

Hello.

...

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