Podcast: Cancer-causing virus, feeding the world and updating The Planets

In this edition: The latest research into a cancer-causing virus, a sustainable agriculture hero turns 80, and The Planets get a scientific update.

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News: Potent psychedelics and Imperial Lates – We hear how a shamanistic drug creates episodes similar to near-death experiences, and look forward to the new Imperial Lates season, celebrating everything from green innovations to science fashion.

The virus that causes cancer – The HTLV-1 virus is a cousin of HIV, causing an incurable form of leukaemia in some patients and paralysis in others. We find out what researchers have learned about the virus, and how it might be stopped.

Professor Sir Gordon Conway at 80 – Since his first posting in Borneo in the 1960s, international development expert Gordon Conway has been obsessed with feeding the world. As he turns 80, with no plans to retire, he tells us about listening to local farmers and helping them grow the best crops.

The Planets suite gets a scientific update – Gustav Holst’s The Planets rocked the classical world 100 years ago, but now we know more than ever about the true character of the planets. With help from Imperial scientists, composers are creating new arrangements to reflect the real worlds.

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

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The Imperial College Podcast is now also available on the brand new visual podcast app, Entale.

If you have an iPhone, download the app and search for ‘Imperial College Podcast’. You’ll see how our episodes really come alive on the exciting new platform. Download Entale for free on iOS.