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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: Floods and Border Politics

Discussion & Talk

A general view shows the Nepalese village of Lamo Sanghu by the Sukoshi river, some 80 kms northeast of Kathmandu

10/09/2016 GMT

Floods and Border Politics

BBC World Service - Unexpected Elements, Floods and Border Politics

How a lack of cross border information is worsening flood damage in Asia

Floods and global politics; Air pollution and brain function; Remote Animal Logging; Alpine ice on Antarctic voyage; Touching the future with virtual dials; Phantom traffic jams

A lack of cross border information on melting glaciers may be worsening flood damage in India and Nepal.  Many countries in Asia share the rivers that start their course high in the Tibetan plateau.  Their source is melting glacial ice. In July the town of Liang in Nepal was almost washed away when floodwaters hit the region. Authorities in Nepal say to help them plan flood alleviation they need more information on the state of glaciers and rivers in Chinese controlled territories, from which this flood water flows.

Air Pollution and Brain Function
This week saw the publication of results of study looking at air pollution and brain function.  Particles from pollutants have been found in the brains of people sampled for the study.  It raises a serious question for mental health researchers, on whether there could be link between these polluting particles and degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease

Remote Animal Logging
Rory Wilson, Professor of Zoology at Swansea University, has found a way to eavesdrop on animals that live in remote parts of the world.  He has developed a logging device that collects a whopping amount of data - 400 items each second. He explains how the device has been used to work out how Albatross catch squid at night using bioluminescence.

Alpine Ice Begins Antarctic Voyage
More than 400 pieces of Alpine ice have been moved to a giant freezer - a first step in their journey to Antarctica.  The seemingly strange plan to send ice to the coldest place on Earth is part of a scientific mission to "rescue" some of the world's melting glacial ice.  Bubbles in old, deep glacial ice are frozen records of our past atmosphere.

Raising a Bump on Flat Screens
Computer scientist Professor Matt Jones from Swansea University looks into the future of screen technology.  He and his team have been exploring displays that mutate to create virtual 3D controls.

Phantom Traffic Jams
Doctors Rutherford and Fry discover the cause of phantom traffic jams.  Adam ventures on to the M25 in search of a tailback, and Hannah looks at projects around the world designed to thwart traffic tailbacks.


(Photo caption: A general view shows the Nepalese village of Lamo Sanghu by the Sukoshi river, some 80 kms northeast of Kathmandu © Prakash Mathema/AFP/Getty Images)

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