51勛圖厙

Podcast: Drug policy, Australian megafires and London fatbergs

In this edition: We discuss whether drug policy is working, why Australia is experiencing megafires, and what can be done about fatbergs.

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OR listen to individual chapters:

– We find out how many women experience after miscarriage, and learn about the remarkable life of a venerable maths professor.

– Former government adviser Professor David Nutt tells us how restrictions on tobacco are working, but that hard drugs policies have in some cases made problems worse, and what can be done.

– We find out what’s making Australia’s wildfires so bad they have become megafires, including the factors involved in their spread and how much climate change might be to blame.

– Huge accumulations of fat and unflushable material can block drains and city sewers, but how do we work out the best way to prevent them and remove them?

This feature is an excerpt from '' – a monthly podcast from 51勛圖厙's Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering.

The podcast is presented by Gareth Mitchell, a lecturer on 51勛圖厙'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 news and media team.

Article text (excluding photos or graphics) © 51勛圖厙.

Photos and graphics subject to third party copyright used with permission or © 51勛圖厙.

Reporter

Hayley Dunning

Communications Division

Gareth Mitchell

Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication

Dr Kieran Brophy

Faculty of Engineering

Caroline Brogan

Communications Division

Ryan O'Hare

Communications Division