(Re)New Year
Unexpected Elements
BBC
4.4 • 566 Ratings
🗓️ 3 January 2025
⏱️ 50 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Happy New Year! This week, the Unexpected Elements team is reflecting on 2024 and looking forward to 2025 for renewed chances to spot the northern lights while they're at their peak visibility in this current solar cycle, and we recap on cellular regeneration advancements and regulations in embryonic stem cell models.
We chat to Professor Rene Oudmaijer from the Royal Observatory of Belgium who explains that stars also renew themselves... and this process is key to our lovely planet (and ourselves) existing!
We also learn all about the potential of bogs and wetlands in the fight against climate change from Professor Christian Dunn of Bangor University.
With another amazing year behind us, we reminisce about our favourite stories and listener correspondences in 2024.
And finally, we’re wowed by the regenerative ‘superpowers’ of the magnificent axolotl who has the cellular capabilities to re-grow limbs!
That, plus many more Unexpected Elements.
Presenters: Marnie Chesterton and Caroline Steel Producers: Harrison Lewis, Imaan Moin and William Hornbrook Sound Engineer: Duncan Hannant
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. |
| 0:35.2 | So this week I heard a brilliant proposal, or rather a non-proposal. A friend of mine geared up to propose to her girlfriend. She had the ring, the perfect location, the non-refundable weekend away in a romantic hotel. But in the days before the big event, |
| 0:54.4 | the partner had her semi-regular winter wobble, |
| 0:57.9 | the one that probably all Antipodeans get |
| 1:00.4 | when they stare at the blue skies of home on social media |
| 1:04.1 | and then contrast that with the reality |
| 1:06.4 | of a gloomy British rain-soaked day. |
| 1:09.5 | Why am I living in this dump? |
| 1:11.2 | She muses out loud. |
| 1:12.8 | Oh yeah, because of you. |
| 1:15.1 | Maybe I should just move back to Australia. |
| 1:18.1 | Hearing that, just before you pop the question, |
| 1:20.8 | makes you want to not pop the question. |
| 1:23.8 | Never start an engagement on a cloud of mutual hostility. |
| 1:28.1 | So, everything needs to be postponed, |
| 1:30.8 | which leaves my friend making begging calls to that non-refundable hotel. |
... |
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