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Unexpected Elements

Factual: Science & Nature

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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: Do New Violins Sound Better Than Old Famed Instruments?

Discussion & Talk

cropped_violin1.jpg

13/05/2017 GMT

Do New Violins Sound Better Than Old Famed Instruments?

BBC World Service - Unexpected Elements, Do New Violins Sound Better Than Old Famed Instruments?

Classical concertgoers rate new fiddles better than revered old ones

Violins; Uber and the investigating regulators; Eye robot; Mangroves; Snake-skin inspiration; Dialling down the thermostat; Ejector seats

Classical fans will know of the legendary violins made by the Italians in the 17th and 18th century.  But new research has found that concertgoers rated the music of new fiddles better than the old ones. We make the test of our own and put your ears through their paces. 

Uber faces allegations that their software is deliberately evading US transport officials. Google's autonomous cars spinoff Waymo has also filed a lawsuit against them over trade secrets.

Driverless cars are one thing but how would you feel if an autonomous robot were to give you an injection in your eyeball?  We will be hearing about a Swiss trialling this technology.  Meanwhile in Germany, researchers are copying snakeskin's waterproofing capabilities. 

We will be wading through the muddy swamps of Singapore to see how mangroves are acting as carbons sinks.  Just as turning down the thermostat is considered better for the environment, research suggests it could be good for your waistline too. The diameter of a tree's trunk is providing satellite scientists with important information about trees.  Surprisingly, there was 40% more dry forest cover than we thought. 

Finally, we will be asking why commercial flights do not have ejector seats like fighter jets.


(Photo caption: People play violins and cellos at the Palais Royal in Paris during the annual music event © Pierre Andrieu/AFP/Getty Images)


The Science Hour was presented by Claudia Hammond with comments from Victoria Gill, BBC Science Reporter


Producer: Graihagh Jackson

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