Oxford University launches science podcast
3 March 2009
Is ‘Tuesday’ yellow? Is 37 a ‘lumpy’ number? Why have astronomers recruited a volunteer force bigger than the Italian army? These and other questions are explored in the very first Inside Oxford Science podcast, giving anyone the chance to listen to Oxford University scientists discussing the latest scientific discoveries and stories.
Inside Oxford Science, which launches today, is presented by Marcus du Sautoy, Professor of Mathematics and Charles Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University, and is a regular series of audio podcasts for iTunesU and www.ox.ac.uk
‘This new podcast series is a great opportunity to profile all the excellent science taking place at Oxford University,’ said Professor Marcus du Sautoy. ‘We’ll be covering everything from the latest discoveries about our brains and bodies, to how the world around us works, as well as investigating the mysteries of deep space, big numbers and just about anything in between.’
In the first edition neuroscientist Professor Irene Tracey discusses synaesthesia – a condition which may cause people to ‘taste’ sounds or experience colours while reading letters or numbers. Oxford researchers have recently found four genetic regions associated with synaesthesia. Understanding the condition could have important implications for why some children have trouble learning to read as well as giving an insight into the way the brain processes sensory information and how that influences the way we all experience the world.
Also in this edition astrophysicist Dr Chris Lintott explains how so-called ‘citizen science’ projects – where the public contribute to research – is turning science on its head as armies of armchair enthusiasts follow their passions resulting in some surprising and intriguing discoveries. Chris’s own online astronomy project, Galaxy Zoo 2, has already seen some of these gifted amateurs lead research into unusual topics such as the ‘Galaxy Zoo peas’ – what is believed to be a new class of small, green, star-forming galaxy.
More volunteers are needed at www.galaxyzoo.org
Completing the team is cosmologist Professor Pedro Ferreira who gives his thoughts on galaxies, numbers and what’s in the news.
Inside Oxford Science: on the web and ItunesU:
http://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/#mathsci_body_div
Listen to Inside Oxford Science now:
http://media.podcasts.ox.ac.uk/mpls/oxsci/oxsci01-medium-audio.mp3?CAMEFROM=podcastsGET
More about the podcast:
http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/science_blog/090303.html
For more information contact the University of Oxford Press Office on +44 (0)1865 283877 or email pete.wilton@admin.ox.ac.uk