The Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry

Original version

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry

Podcasts

Factual: Science & Nature

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Science sleuths Dr Adam Rutherford and Dr Hannah Fry investigate everyday mysteries.

Science sleuths Dr Adam Rutherford and Dr Hannah Fry investigate everyday mysteries sent by listeners.

BBC Radio 4 LW

BBC Radio 4 FM

The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry: Series 15: A Cold Case Part 1

A Cold Case Part 1

Series 15

BBC Radio 4 - The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry, Series 15, A Cold Case Part 1

Why do we get more colds in winter? A viral story for Rutherford and Fry

“I suppose a cold is called a cold because we catch it in the winter," writes Alison Evans from St Albans. "But why is it that we get more colds in winter than in the summer?”

This week's Cold Case is all about the common cold, a set of symptoms caused by hundreds of different strains of cold and flu viruses. 

Adam uncovers the stinky history of infectious disease with medical historian Claire Jones.

Virologists Jonathan Ball and Wendy Barclay describe how spiky viruses lock on to our cells, but why many of the symptoms of a common cold are due to our own body's overreaction. 

Plus, we delve into the science of sneezing with nose doctor Carl Philpott.

Presenters: Adam Rutherford, Hannah Fry
Producer: Michelle Martin

The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry: Series 15

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Dr Adam Rutherford and Dr Hannah Fry investigate science mysteries sent by listeners.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Curious Cases of Rutherford & Fry

Series 15

A Cold Case Part 1

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC Radio 4 Extra

About BBC Radio 4 Extra