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Unexpected Elements

Factual: Science & Nature

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

The news you know, the science you don’t.

The news you know, the science you don’t. Unexpected Elements looks beyond everyday narratives to discover a goldmine of scientific stories and connections from around the globe. From Afronauts, to why we argue, to a deep dive on animal lifespans: see the world in a new way.

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Unexpected Elements: Why Birds Survived Dinosaur Extinction

Discussion & Talk

Evidence of seed eating dinosaurs

23/04/2016 GMT

Why Birds Survived Dinosaur Extinction

BBC World Service - Unexpected Elements, Why Birds Survived Dinosaur Extinction

Beaks rather than teeth could be the reason why birds survived dinosaur extinction

Dinosaur bird evolution; Quantum games; QB50; Concussion Test; Orgueil Meteorite; Click – Identity Day

It seems that early dinosaur precursors to birds that had beaks rather than teeth gave them the advantage to survive the meteor crash almost 66 million years ago.  Jack Stewart talks to palaeontologist, Derek Larson, from the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum, in Alberta Canada.

Quantum Games
Scientists in Copenhagen are developing a quantum computer.  To help them solve a particular problem, they have turned to human brain power, harnessing our ability to play computer games.  Adam Rutherford talks to Jacob Sherson from Aarhus University in Copenhagen.

QB50
A European project called QB50 plans to gain greater insight into a section of the atmosphere called the thermosphere, by sending 50 small satellites, known as CubeSats, into orbit this summer. Marnie Chesterton talks to scientists at UCL’s Mullard Space Science Laboratory in southern England.

Concussion Test
American doctors say they’re just five years away from a pitch-side blood test to spot concussion – which is an injury caused for example by a bang to the head.  Claudia Hammond discusses with Dr Linda Papa the work by researchers at the Orlando Regional Medical Centre in Florida who have detected two substances which are released into the blood stream after a brain injury which may help to develop a simple blood test.

Orgueil Meteorite
In 1864 the Orgueil meteorite fell in rural France at a time when arguments raged over the origin of life. Could life possibly form from mere chemicals?  Phil Ball describes how the meteorite galvanised the debate.

Click – Identity Day
How is technology increasingly shaping our identities?  As part of the BBC Identity Season Neil Harbisson, who was born colour-blind, describes how an electronic eye implanted allows him to hear colours.


(Image caption: Evidence of seed eating dinosaurs © Danielle Dufault/PA Wire)


The Science Hour was presented by Gareth Mitchell with comments from the BBC Technology presenter LJ Rich


Producer: Colin Grant

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