Naked Scientists Weekly: UK Calorie Policy, Neanderthal Fat Rendering, and Mars Box-Work Formations

Episode snapshot

The Naked Scientists present a survey of current science news spanning public health policy, archaeology, and planetary science. The episode examines the UK government's plan to reduce 100 calories per shopping trip, a Neanderthal bone grease rendering site in Germany, and Curiosity rover images of box-work formations on Mars. In addition, it covers space funding concerns in the US, climate repair and green technology, and a critical look at online cancer misinformation led by cancer coaches. The show also includes a political and budgetary lens on science funding, illustrating how policy and funding shape research and discovery.

Key insights

UK obesity policy and calories in the shopping basket

The podcast opens with a critical examination of the UK government’s plan to tackle obesity by encouraging supermarkets to cut 100 calories from the average shopping basket. Cambridge University’s Giles Yeoh argues the policy should not be about calories alone but about making healthier choices easier and more affordable. The discussion highlights that calories, while useful for energy accounting, do not convey nutritional density, and that policy should address the quality of foods, portion sizes, and structural subsidies. The guest proposes making healthy food the default option, keeping personal choice for those who can afford it, and reallocating subsidies to rebalance the food environment. The debate touches on equity, showing how socioeconomics influence obesity risk and access to healthy foods.

Bone grease rendering and Neanderthal behavior

The episode then covers a remarkable archaeological discovery at Neumark Nord near Leipzig, where Neanderthals appear to have rendered bone grease from 120,000 bones across 172 animals. This discovery, published in Science Advances, suggests a sophisticated approach to energy storage and provisioning for winter, akin to practices known in other cultures as pemmican or biltong. Lutz Kindler explains the site context and how bone fragmentation patterns serve as footprints of bone grease rendering. The findings imply social organization and long-term provisioning strategies among Neanderthals and challenge assumptions about the uniqueness of modern humans in the realm of planning and food storage.

Spiders on Mars and the future of Mars exploration

The podcast moves to planetary science, focusing on spider web like box-work formations on Mars observed by orbit and investigated by the Curiosity rover. These formations indicate rock structures carved by past water flow, with minerals cementing them into durable networks. The discussion notes the significance of water as a potential habitat for life and celebrates Curiosity and Perseverance as enduring symbols of engineering achievement. The segment also explores the current state of US science funding, with the White House proposing substantial cuts that could threaten future missions, including Mars sample return and collaboration with European projects such as Rosalind Franklin. The conversation underscores the broader value of space investment in economic and technological returns.

Climate repair, green tech, and energy policy

Question of the Week turns to climate change and green technology. Sean Fitzgerald from the Centre for Climate Repair discusses how the pandemic-related emissions drop was modest relative to the scale of the challenge. The key message is that the biggest gains come from infrastructure changes and energy systems transitions rather than short-term reductions. The discussion emphasizes rapid development and deployment of solar, wind, and other green technologies as essential to displacing fossil fuels, while acknowledging the need to address energy demand and equity in access to clean power.

Cancer misinformation and online coaches

The program closes with Liz o Riordan, a breast cancer surgeon and survivor, describing the danger of unqualified cancer coaches offering online therapies and questionable treatments. The discussion covers how social media enables targeted marketing and the ethical and legal concerns of advertising cancer cures online. The interview advocates educating patients, directing them to reputable sources, and enhancing digital signposting to help navigate the information landscape.