The Smell Of Christmas Is Tree Screams

The Rest Is Science

Goalhanger

Physics, Science, Mathematics

4.5 • 1K Ratings

🗓️ 25 December 2025

⏱️ 35 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Each December millions of homes fill with the unmistakable scent of pine. It's sharp, resinous, and strangely comforting, feeling timeless…familiar…safe. But what if that smell isn’t what we think it is at all? Professor Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens follow the trail of the molecules that shape this seasonal scent. It turns out it didn’t evolve to delight, but to warn and repel. The smell of Christmas is the smell of fear. Welcome to The Rest Is Science: Field Notes. Each Thursday, Hannah and Michael rummage through their personal troves of scientific treasure to source objects and ideas that hope to expand our understanding the universe, scramble our brains, or hint at forces that are invisible to the naked eye. They’ll also be tackling your questions, so email The Rest Is Science at therestisscience@goalhanger.com. ------------------- For more information about Cancer Research UK, their research, breakthroughs and how you can support them, visit ⁠⁠https://cancerresearchuk.org/restisscience⁠⁠ Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ. ------------------- Find The Rest Is Science all over the internet by ⁠clicking here.⁠ ------------------- Video Producer: Adam ThorntonVideo & Social: Bex TyrrellAssistant Producer: Imee MarriottProducer: Becki HillsSenior Producer: Lauren Armstrong-CarterHead Of Digital: Samuel OakleyExec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Cancer Research UK.
0:02.8	Dinosaurs walked the earth 180 million years ago.
0:07.0	But you know, cancer was part of their story too.
0:10.2	Scientists have found tumors in ancient fossils.
0:13.2	Well, that is part of the reason why cancer is a big part of our story, right?
0:18.2	It's the other side of evolution.
0:19.9	It's the most complex disease that we face.
0:22.7	There are more than 200 types of cancer in total, each with distinct characteristics, challenges, and mysteries.
0:28.7	And that complexity demands scale. Cancer Research, UK, is the world's largest charitable funder of cancer research,
0:35.1	with more than 4,000 scientists, doctors, and nurses
0:38.7	working across more than 20 countries in the search for answers. And then sharing their
0:44.0	discoveries beyond borders. And the impact of this collaboration is clear, because over the last
0:48.2	50 years, the charity's pioneering work has helped to double cancer survival in the UK. That is more people who are living longer, better lives.
0:57.7	Fossils can show us the past, but research is shaping the future.
1:02.0	And for more information about Cancer Research UK, their research, breakthroughs and how you can support them,
1:08.9	visit cancerresearchuk.org forward slash rest is science.
1:15.1	This episode is brought to you by Vanta. Security and compliance done wrong is a headache.
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1:34.7	From startups like Cursor to enterprises like Snowflake, top companies choose Vantor.
1:39.5	Do security and compliance right.
	...

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