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Why do we believe in conspiracy theories, and what’s going on in our brains when we lie? Read more
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The man who couldn’t lie
Why do we believe in conspiracy theories, and what’s going on in our brains when we lie?
Protecting the Moon
India's lunar landing has us looking at unexpected science around the moon
Zombies, cows and coups
The wasp that turns cockroaches into zombies and the science hiding behind coups
Forgetful fish, telescopic worms and bad air days
As oceans take the heat for global warming, fish find it harder to learn their way.
Can technology read our mind?
The UN General Assembly has us examining how our brains process language
How inflation affects the entire cosmos
The science behind news about inflation leads us to the first moments of the universe.
Complete shutdown
How would it feel wake up several years later?
How bedbugs took over the world
Why is bedbugs' unconventional mode of reproduction so successful?
Putting Madonna to the test
Do Madonna's lyrics stand up to scientific scrutiny?
Fashion to dye for
As Lagos Fashion Week begins, we follow the trends into science
Scary science
Is fear good for you? In the week where many celebrated Halloween, we look at the science
Working 70 hours a week
If you work twice as long, do you get twice as much done?
Why we need to talk toilets
Nov 19 is UN World Toilet Day. Can the world sanitation crisis be tackled?
All about cricket(s)
The science of spitting on cricket balls, particle accelerators and insect sounds
Meetings with intelligent worms
From worm blobs to mangoes - there’s more to meetings than you thought.
Boring science
How might our future lie underground?
An exploration of empathy
On the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights, we look at empathy
A very dark day
The solstice takes us on a journey through darkness and light.
The Best of Unexpected Elements
Marnie Chesterton and Caroline Steel look back at some of the best bits of the show.
Timing is everything
Can you visualize time? We don’t all see it the same way
Super corals and science diplomacy
Could tensions around the Red Sea affect research into heat-resistant super corals?
Rulers and the rules of ageing
Under the stress and strains of leadership, how might power affect youthfulness?
Populations of people, frogs and microbes
With China’s population declining, would decreasing populations be better for the planet?
How plankton made mountains
The world’s largest cruise ship has set sail – but what stowaways are hiding onboard?
Deep in thought
News of a microchip implanted in a human brain sends our imagination running wild
Not so random acts of kindness
Are African spiders behind the ultimate act of kindness in nature?
Going the distance
A tribute to marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum and the science behind his record performances
Leaping in Sync
As the leap year helps keep us in sync, we explore nature’s ways of staying in rhythm
Unexpected Oscars
As award season reaches its climax, Unexpected Elements holds its own glitzy ceremony.
Fandom: The next generation
K-Pop fans send us on a journey into fandom through Star Trek, football and physics
Ancient water, modern solutions
With water shortages and melting ice caps making the news we look at unexpected solutions
