Welcome to Tech & Science Daily’s health and medical news review, where you’ll hear selected stories and interview highlights from 2024.

In this episode: AI assistant for Alzheimer’s patients, world-first lung cancer vaccine given to UK patient, cancer breakthrough: glowing dye helps find invisible cells, Musk’s Neuralink brain chip fitted to paraplegic chess player - what happened?

Also in this episode:

Pioneering sleep apnoea nerve stimulator treatment

The science of happiness revealed

Tiny robots ‘to treat brain bleeds’

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Founded in post-war Britain by Trevor Francis, Scalextric has entertained families worldwide for generations. But in an era of rapid technological advancements, digital gaming, and AI, can this iconic brand stay on track? Will Scalextric remain a festive favorite in the years to come?

To explore these questions, we’re joined by Simon Owen, Head of Brand at Hornby Hobbies.

In this episode:

• The evolution of Scalextric, from 1957 to 2025.
• What inspired the creation
• How the company make the classic toy
• Does Father Christmas embrace the new designs and technology?
• How do they compete with digital gaming?
• Their plans for the future and the use of AI
• Growing up with a Scalextric set and family relationships
• Why Simon thinks Scalextric can survive the demands of technology

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What are the gaming highlights of 2024 and what can we expect in 2025?

From the big beasts such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and EAFC 24, to indie gems Balatro and Animal Well, we look at the hits - and misses - of the year.

In this special episode, we’re joined by the London Standard’s culture and gaming writer, Vicky Jessop. Vicky also discusses the surprises and flops, best sellers, and we get a sneak peek into the most anticipated games of 2025, including GTA 6 and Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

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On this special episode, we're joined by Alex Dehgan, CEO of Conservation X Labs. Alex explains their new technology, a handheld molecular lab that can fit in the palm of your hand, which they claim can help towards preventing the sixth mass extinction.

In this episode:

• What is a sixth mass extinction?
• What is the Nabit technology, and how does it work?
• Developing their technology and using AI
• Could this tech detect ‘mirror image bacteria’?
• What conversations are they having with governments?
• Are alarm bells ringing?

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Elon Musk has been fomenting a revolt over a bipartisan federal government funding bill opposed by incoming president Donald Trump, in a direct challenge to the authority of Republican house speaker Mike Johnson. Ghost palms and toothy toadstools are among new species that were named by Kew’s Royal Botanic Gardens in 2024. We’re joined by Kew mycologist and research leader Dr Anna Bazzicalupo.

Also in this episode:

• US scientists say the moon may actually be older than previously thought
• Study on employees suffering mental and physical strain linked to tech gadgets use. We spoke to lead author, ESRC PhD student Elizabeth Marsh, from the University of Nottingham’s Schools of Psychology and Medicine.
• Discovery of a mastodon jaw in a New Yorker’s back yard.
• And, OpenAI announces…a phone-line: 1-800-ChatGPT.

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Research lead author Dr Charlotte Angus, from the Astrophysical Research Centre at Queen’s University in Belfast, on the giant “hiccupping” star, which has been documented for the first time.

Scientists research ADHD treatment to find out what actually works best - the London Standard’s health reporter Dan Keane explains all.

Also in this episode

• ‘12 days of OpenAI’ continues…
• What data is being shared by your ‘internet of things’ connected devices? With Stephen Almond, executive director for regulatory risk at the Information Commissioner’s Office
• The RSPB reveal its ‘nature wins of 2024’

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A top Russian general was assassinated, in an attack claimed by Ukraine, using an e-scooter bomb in Moscow. Plus, what are mysterious ‘blimps’ spotted on Russia’s border with Estonia? We’re joined by The London Standard’s defence editor, Robert Fox.

Also in this episode:

• More than 6m properties in England face flood risk
• Dust levels on the Victoria line are ‘worst on Tube’, with The London Standard’s transport editor, Ross Lydall
• How Saturn’s rings might be keeping a youthful appearance
• Waymo robo taxis to start in Japan from 2025

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Met Office operational meteorologist Nick Silkstone on Cyclone Chido, the worst extreme weather event to hit the French territory in 90 years. The prefect of Mayotte, Francois-Xavier Bieuville, said on Sunday that the death toll would “certainly be several hundreds, maybe we will reach a thousand, even several thousands.”

A new class of magnetism called ‘altermagnetism’ has been imaged for the first time in a new study - Tech & Science Daily spoke to lead author, Professor Peter Wadley, from the University of Nottingham’s School of Physics and Astronomy. Could the find transform digital devices?

Plus, is Apple developing a foldable iPhone and iPad?

Also in this episode:

• Brussels Sprouts are bigger this year, but by how much?
• The skin has its own immune system
• Six rare giant catfish surface in Cambodia

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