In a ‘historical turning point’ there are now more overweight than underweight children and teenagers worldwide according to a new report from UNICEF. Claudia Hammond is joined by BBC’s Laura Foster to understand what changes to our food environments may be driving this shift.An international row has erupted over durian fruit, with China limiting imports of Vietnamese fruits due to health concerns. Journalist Sen Nguyen explores the potential health impacts of the durians and whether new regulations will put China’s concerns to rest. Also on the show, how the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is progressing and the rapid response from health services.Claudia is joined by Paula Prist from the International Union for Conservation of Nature to share her latest findings that Indigenous Amazon Territories may safeguard human health against certain fire-related and zoonotic diseases.Plus, the latest AI tool in healthcare, Delphi-2M, has been announced. Likened to a weather forecast but for health, how might this tool help us predict the occurrence of over 1000 diseases in the future?Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Hannah Robins
Assistant Producer: Katie Tomsett
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The psychology of curiosity
Is curiosity good for us, or should we learn a lesson from what curiosity did to the cat? And why does curiosity drive some people to explore the ends of the earth and beyond, while others just really aren’t very curious at all? We invite a panel of people for whom curiosity is also at the centre of what they do to discuss the psychology of curiosity in front of an audience at the Cheltenham Science Festival in the UK. They are... Tim Peake – astronaut, test pilot and author. His lifelong curiosity took him to live for six months on the International Space station. While he was there he famously ran the London Marathon on a treadmill and he was the first British astronaut to walk in space. Gosia Goclowska - a lecturer in the department of psychology at the University of Bath. She researches some of the more unusual emotions we experience such as curiosity, awe and surprise. And Matthias Gruber - an associate professor of psychology at the University of Cardiff. His research focuses on the neuroscience of curiosity and learning. Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Lorna Stewart
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Have we found a better alternative to aspirin?
Millions of us take aspirin daily to ward off heart attack or stroke, but a new study has found an alternative blood thinner, clopidogrel, could be more effective. We find out how it compares.An oral health check-up at least two weeks before surgery has shown to reduce the risk of post-operative infections such as pneumonia as well as reduce the length of a patients' hospital stay. Dr Kristina Wanyonyi-Kay Research Programme Leader at The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute at the University of Cambridge assesses what this Japanese study tells is about the connection between oral health and the rest of our bodies.The Africa CDC and WHO have just launched ambitious targets to cut Cholera by 90% across Africa. Global health journalist Andrew Green assesses if this target is likely to be met with the measures proposed.We meet a Chilean football team who’ve all had organ transplants. They’re trying to raise awareness and improve the number of donors in the country. Our reporter Jane Chambers went to Santiago to find out more.Could music help or worsen travel sickness? A study in China found happy music improved symptoms whilst sad music made them worse.Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producers: Katie Tomsett & Hannah Robins
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A breakthrough in treating chronic pain
One in five of us suffer with chronic pain globally and the exact cause of it is often unknown making it very hard to treat. However, in what has been hailed as a remarkable breakthrough, a gene has been identified that is critical for regulating pain signals. Professor David Bennett, head of Clinical Neurology at Oxford, who led the research explains.BBC Africa’s health correspondent Dorcas Wangira joins Claudia to delve into a decade-long research programme that found child mortality rates almost halved when poorer families in Kenya were given $1000 unconditionally.Chhavi Sachdev reports from India where government efforts to curtail rising rabies infections from stray dog bites has caused mass uproar.We explore the drivers behind a global wildfire paradox where scientists have observed a decline in the total area burned by fires but found the number of people exposed to wildfires has increased. Plus, Dorcas brings us the latest on the $9.7 million worth of contraceptives due to be destroyed after the scaling back of USAID.Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Hannah Robins
Assistant producers: Katie Tomsett and Alice McKee
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Using AI to discover new antibiotics
AI models have helped to discover new potential antibiotics to treat drug resistant infections of gonorrhoea and MRSA. We speak to Professor Jim Collins from MIT to understand what’s next for his machine-generated medicines and the role AI could play in the future of drug discovery.
A new report has found high rates of bloodstream infections and antibiotic resistance in central lines used in Indian ICUs. Family doctor Ann Robinson joins Claudia to understand the risks posed to already vulnerable patients. We consider a new review that found no evidence ketamine is effective at helping those with chronic pain, despite it being prescribed off-label for this use in some countries.
Rwandan MPs have approved lowering the age adolescents can access sexual and reproductive health services without parental consent from 18 to 15. We catch up with BBC reporter Dorcas Wangira on what this could mean for the health of adolescents and the fallout of the decision in Rwanda.
Finally, people with diabetes in India have long been told to steer clear of mangoes - Ann and Claudia unpick whether this advice needs to change.
Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Hannah Robins
Assistant Producer: Katie Tomsett
Ireland