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BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

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: Vaginal Microbiome

Discussion & Talk

Vaginal Microbiome

27/05/2017 GMT

BBC World Service - Unexpected Elements, Vaginal Microbiome

The influence of sexual activity on the vaginal microbiota

Vagina Microbiome; Sherpas; Juno; Cancer; Salt; Saving the Vaquita; Lasering fruit

An Australian study has shed light on the collection of microbes that help to keep a woman’s vagina healthy.  Unprotected sex not only spreads sexually transmitted diseases but also penile bacteria, which changes the vaginal microbiome and increases the risk of bacterial vaginosis. 

Why flamingos can stand on one leg has always been a bit of a mystery but by studying dead ones, scientists have finally cracked it.  Meanwhile, US Navy-trained dolphins are being used to find the incredibly rare vaquita porpoise in the Gulf of Mexico. There are only 30 left and conservationists hope to catch them and give them a new, protected home.

"Bring out the lasers!" Marks and Spencer and other European supermarkets are trying to reduce the waste and environmental burden of having to label every piece of produce by marking them with a very clever laser label.  Plus, our studio guest Marnie Chesterton finds out why salt tastes salty. 

The superior performance of Sherpa guides on Mount Everest is legendary and new findings reveal how their bodies do it.  Beyond Everest, the Juno space probe has reached Jupiter and has photographed giant, Earth-size hurricanes.


(Image caption: Bacterial infection. Rod-shaped Lactobacillus bacteria © iStock / Getty Images Plus)


The Science Hour was presented by Claudia Hammond with comments from Marnie Chesterton who presents BBC World Service’s CrowdScience


Producer: Graihagh Jackson

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