Curious Cases Podcast

How big can animals really get before they collapse under their own weight or run out of snacks? Could a 12-foot comedian survive their first punchline without snapping in half? Listener Andrew sends Hannah and Dara on a deep dive into the science of supersized species.

With evolutionary biologists Ben Garrod and Tori Herridge as their guides, they explore the quirky rules of scaling: why giant bones need air pockets, how pressure stockings arent just stylish but essential, and why massive creatures have to choose between inefficient chewing or letting dinner ferment in their cavernous stomachs.

Discover why scaling up a mouse would turn it into a blood-boiling disaster and learn the curious logic behind whether the meat bear should eat the two meat dogs, or vice versa (its a maths thingyoull have to listen). Oh, and heres the weird constant: whether youre a mouse or an elephant, everyone takes roughly the same time to pee!

Join Hannah and Dara for a colossal romp through the wild world of ancient giants and the gross super blobs of the (possible) future.

Contributors:

Tori Herridge - Senior Lecturer in evolutionary biology at the University of Sheffield Ben Garrod - Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Science Engagement at the University of East Anglia Martin Sander - Professor of Palaeontology at the University of Bonn

Producer: Ilan Goodman Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem A BBC Studios Audio Production

Think of a shark and you'll probably conjure up images of Jaws, but it turns out their skin is also covered in tiny teeth. Hannah and Dara investigate the incredible properties of these so-called dermal denticles, to find out whether they could be replicated at a nanoscale to increase vehicle speeds. They learn that while sharks might look like they have beautifully sleek surfaces, up close their skin is covered in something extremely rough and textured, a property that helps them swim up to 12 percent faster. And it's already inspiring airlines to design ultra-thin films that can reduce drag and increase efficiency.

Contributors

Dr Jess Wade Professor Manish Tiwari

Producer: Marijke Peters Executive Producer: Sasha Feachem

A BBC Studios Audio Production

Why do we giggle, snort, and bust a gut laughing? Is it just humans being weird, does it serve some higher function or do other animals crack up too? And, okay, Dara is a comedian, but has he ever really made anyone laugh, like properly?

With help from Professor Greg Bryant and Professor Sophie Scott, they dive into the science of LOLs, exploring how laughter bonds us, eases stress, and even spices up flirting. They uncover the difference between genuine belly laughs and those polite chuckles that pepper everyday interactions.

Contributors:

Sophie Scott - Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL Greg Bryant - Professor of Communication at UCLA Betty La France - Professor or Communication, Northern Illinois University

Producer: Ilan Goodman Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem A BBC Studios Audio Production

Ever wondered why some people are mosquito magnets and other people barely get bitten? Hannah and Dara grapple with the question of whether these insects are evil or genius, discovering how they’re experts at finding blood when they’re hungry, even using a specially designed syringe to suck it out. But when Professor Leslie Vosshall tells them some people are more than 100 times likely to be attacked than others, the pair start wondering which one of them is more attractive? So they put the science to the test, and reluctantly agree to send their stinky socks to Professor Sarah Reece. She reveals that one of them smells extra special to these annoying little animals, possibly because of their cheesy feet. But can you guess who?

Contributors: Professor Sarah Reece Professor Leslie Vosshall Professor John Pickett

Producer: Marijke Peters Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem A BBC Studios Audio Production

The team test the theory that you can use the weather to predict pain, separating science fact from fiction. It's an area with a huge amount of conflicting research, but one man who has investigated this is Professor Will Dixon, who explains that low pressure could be causing people's joints to ache more. Dara and Hannah are intrigued to hear our genes may also be responding to changes in temperature and hear how we might be pre-programmed to produce more inflammation during wintertime to fight off bugs - which has the unfortunate side effect of making other some conditions worse. But don't despair! The pair find out 21 degrees is the optimum temperature for health and wellbeing - a perfect English summer day.

Contributors:

Dr Chris Wallace Professor Will Dixon Professor Trevor Professor Trevor Harley

Producer: Marijke Peters Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem

A BBC Studios Audio Production