Podcast: Everest, drugs, and science on show

In this edition: A medical researcher who scaled new heights, investigating the possible positives of psychedelics, and a summer science exhibition.

The podcast is presented by Gareth Mitchell, a lecturer on Imperial's Science Communication MSc course and the presenter of Click Radio on the BBC World Service, with contributions from our roving reporters.

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News: The power of coffee and investigating egg shape – A huge study reveals coffee really is good for you, and we find out why some eggs are pointier than others.

Research adventures on Everest – Would you spend three months at Everest base camp in the name of science? We talk to Dr Liesl Wandrag, who did just that to find out the impact of low oxygen on critically ill patients back at sea level.

The potential upsides of psychedelic drugs – Could the active ingredient in magic mushrooms help treat depression, or could LSD help us understand consciousness? Dr Robin Carhart-Harris tries to find out in a series of intriguing and tricky trials.

Summer science – We catch up with Imperial researchers who left the lab for a week of science and fun at the Royal Society Summer Science exhibition. Molecular cages, supernovas and intelligent surgical tools were on show.

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We are always keen to get feedback on how we can make the podcast even better for our listeners. With that in mind, this summer we’ll be carrying out a series of focus groups with our listeners to learn more about what they like, what they would like to hear more of, and also about their podcast listening habits in general.

If you would be available to take part in a focus group - either in person or over the phone - we would love to hear from you. Just drop us an email at socialmedia@imperial.ac.uk