Naked Scientists: Early Flu Wave, Neonatal Brain Imaging, Hydro GNSS Satellites, and Gulls Respond to Voices

This episode surveys an early Northern Hemisphere flu wave driven by H3N2 mutations and imperfect vaccine matches, reports on a cot-side neonatal brain-imaging approach combining optical and ultrasound techniques to detect early brain function changes, and previews the European Hydro GNSS mission using recycled GNSS signals to map soil moisture and water distribution. The show also investigates seabird behavior, showing gulls respond differently to angry versus calm human voices, revealing how human communication can influence wildlife. Together, these stories illustrate how rapid diagnostics, climate-relevant satellite data, and humane wildlife management can shape health, environment, and technology.

Overview: rapid health and environmental science on the horizon

The Naked Scientists episode traverses four scientific frontiers: an unusually early flu wave in the Northern Hemisphere driven by H3N2 mutations, a cot-side neonatal brain imaging technology that aims to forecast neurodevelopmental outcomes, a European space mission Hydro GNSS designed to map water distribution using reflected GNSS signals, and a behavioural study showing seagulls respond to the intonation of human voices. Each segment highlights practical applications, from improving individual protection against respiratory illness to enabling earlier interventions for at-risk infants, to providing climate-relevant data products for weather and environmental research, to informing humane strategies for human-wildlife coexistence.

Across these stories, the program emphasizes the limits and benefits of current technologies. Vaccines, while not perfect, reduce severity and transmission, and even imperfect protection remains a critical shield for vulnerable populations. In neonatal imaging, the combination of near-infrared light and ultrafast ultrasound offers cot-side insights into brain function, potentially enabling earlier therapies for language, motor, or cognitive development issues. Hydro GNSS represents a clever reuse of existing signals to measure soil moisture and vegetation characteristics across the globe, providing data that climate models crave for more accurate predictions. The gull study demonstrates a non-violent method to deter feeding by birds by decoding human vocal cues, underscoring how social signals can influence wildlife behavior without harm.

"it won't give you perfect protection, but it will give you some" - Ed Hutchinson

Early flu wave and vaccine considerations

The discussion opens with a health briefing on flu season dynamics. The current dominant strain, H3N2, has accrued mutations in the surface proteins that antibodies recognise. This mutation trajectory challenges the match between circulating viruses and vaccines prepared months in advance, though the vaccines still appear to protect against the worst outcomes. The conversation clarifies that vaccines primarily reduce severe disease and the likelihood of hospitalisation, while also helping limit onward transmission. The speakers advocate vaccination for those eligible, plus hand hygiene and staying home when symptomatic to curb spread, especially to vulnerable populations.

"these vaccines give you some and will also protect you to an extent against disease" - Ed Hutchinson

Groundbreaking neonatal brain imaging at cot-side

Next, researchers describe a pioneering technique that merges optical and ultrasound modalities to observe brain function in newborns. The approach uses near-infrared light to monitor oxygenation and an ultrafast ultrasound to visualize deep brain blood flow, enabling a whole-brain functional map at the cot side. The system is designed to identify early signals that predict later neurodevelopmental challenges such as cerebral palsy or language and learning difficulties, allowing timely interventions during the critical 18 months to 3 years window. The goal is to complement structural imaging with functional insights, capturing how neural networks wire up during early life and guiding early therapies that optimise outcomes.

"detect altered brain function as early on as possible to predict those babies who may go on to develop problems later on" - Topper Austin

Hydro GNSS: mapping Earth’s water from space

The program then turns to space science, detailing ESA’s Hydro GNSS mission. Two identical, compact satellites will ride a near-polar, sun-synchronous orbit to probe soil moisture, frozen-thaw cycles, wetlands, and forested regions by analyzing reflected GNSS signals. The concept reuses signals from existing navigation networks (GPS and Galileo) rather than transmitting their own radar light. Each satellite carries GNSS receivers capable of interpreting reflections with a 19-centimeter wavelength, offering day-night operation through clouds and partial penetration into vegetation and soil. Success is defined by meeting essential climate variable targets such as soil moisture with validated accuracy and resolution, enabling climate scientists and weather researchers to enrich models with data that are otherwise sparsely covered.

"these measurements are available for climate scientists" - Martin Unwin

Seagull study: listening to human voices deters chip stealing

Finally, Nil Bogart’s study on seagull behavior reveals that gulls are sensitive to the intonation of human voices when approached at feeding sites. Using a controlled setup with indexical cues, researchers showed that shouting and even calmer tones influenced gulls to retreat or avoid food, with a robin song serving as a baseline control. The findings suggest that birds in human environments respond to nonverbal vocal cues and that inducing fear without physical confrontation could be a humane strategy to reduce nuisance feeding. The researchers note this behavior is likely learned and emphasise the potential to adjust human conduct rather than escalate conflict with wildlife.

"shouting intonation is more threatening to them than a calm intonation" - Nil Bogart

Context, impact and future directions

Across these segments, the episode highlights practical science at the intersection of health, environment, and technology. Vaccination remains a cornerstone of public health, while innovative imaging and satellite technology promise earlier interventions and richer data for modelling climate processes. The gull study offers a humane, non-violent approach to coexistence with wildlife. Together, these stories illustrate how rapid diagnostics, climate monitoring, and characterisation of animal behaviour can shape policy, patient care, and daily life in meaningful ways.

Contextual takeaway and next steps

Listeners are invited to consider how early diagnostic tools, targeted vaccination, and reliable environmental data influence public health and policy. The episode closes by pointing to COP30 discussions and ongoing research that will determine how quickly these innovations translate into real-world benefits, underscoring the continued need for robust science communication and responsible technology deployment.