Original version

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

Science in Action

Science In Action

Factual: Science & Nature

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

The BBC brings you all the week's science news.

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service East Asia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

Science In Action: Bird flu (H5N1) outbreak in mink

Magazines & Reviews

GettyImages-1229514998.jpg

26/01/2023 GMT

Bird flu (H5N1) outbreak in mink

BBC World Service - Science In Action, Bird flu (H5N1) outbreak in mink

A review of the first mammal to mammal transmission of avian flu, observed in Spain

Does this mammalian outbreak of bird flu pose a risk to humans? How India’s caste system is stifling fair representation in academia, liquid robots, and snotty echidnas.

An outbreak of pathogenic bird flu, H5N1, in a Spanish mink farm could be a cause for concern. Some experts fear the virus may now spill over to other mammals without strict surveillance. Marion Koopmans, professor of virology at Erasmus Medical Centre, talks Roland through the potential risks. 
 
India’s caste system affects all aspects of society, but how does the hierarchy influence representation of marginalised groups in academia? Science journalist Ankur Paliwal believes that, despite efforts to combat discrimination, not enough is being done, and he has the data to prove it.  
 
Imagine a robot... Is it hard, metallic and humanoid? Professor Carmel Majidi from Carnegie Mellon University and his colleagues are thinking outside the robotics box. Their new material, magnetic in nature, can shift between solid and liquid states. It’s even capable of breaking out of robotic jail... 
 
And how do echidnas – spiny, long-nosed, egg-laying mammals – manage to stay cool during the hot Australian summers?  
 
Image credit: Ole Jensen/Getty 
 
Presenter: Roland Pease 
Producer: Harrison Lewis  
Assistant Producer: Sophie Ormiston

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Science In Action

Bird flu (H5N1) outbreak in mink

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

About BBC World Service