A bumper edition
The viral ‘bumping man’ phenomenon has Japanese pedestrians shoving each other, and the Unexpected Elements team exploring some bumpy science.
Japanese pedestrians have been forcefully colliding with each other in a spate of butsukari otoko – or ‘bumping man’ – incidents and the Unexpected Elements team has been inspired to investigate some bumpy science.
First, what does your heart desire? Well, at a cellular level, the perfect match! We hear how your heart is built by cells going speed dating. Then, we discuss how birds avoid in-flock collisions, and we learn all about mesmerising murmurations.
Next, we’re joined by science journalist and author Robin George Andrews, who tells us about NASA’s mission to avoid a city-killing disaster by bumping into an asteroid before it can bump into us.
Also, a colourful question about migraines, a surprising new treatment for them, and the scientists who took antimatter for a test drive.
All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements.
Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Sandy Ong and Phillys Mwatee
Producers: Sophie Ormiston, with Ella Hubber, Katie Tomsett, Imy Harper and Lucy Davies
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Unexpected Elements
The news you know, the science you don't