In this episode:

00:45 A new insight into cancers' selective spread

Cancer cells can spread to bones in the late stages of disease and in many cancers, cells actually preferentially metastasise to the spine. The reason for this has been a puzzle to researchers for years, but now a team has found a new kind of stem cell that may be involved in this process. The stem cell is found in mice and humans and could represent a clinical target in the treatment of cancer.

Research article: Sun et al.

News and Views: Stem cells provide clues to why vertebrae attract tumour cells

09:55 Research Highlights

A preference for certain percussion instruments among palm cockatoos, and modelling where people wait on train platforms.

Research Highlight: This parrot taps out beats — and it custom-builds its instruments

Research Highlight: The maths of how we wait in crowded places

12:29 Briefing Chat

This time, a second trial shows the effectiveness of using MDMA to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder, and how an upgrade to an X-ray laser will let researchers make ultra-crisp ‘molecular movies’.

Nature News: Psychedelic drug MDMA moves closer to US approval following success in PTSD trial

Nature News: World’s most powerful X-ray laser will ‘film’ chemical reactions in unprecedented detail

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Why does cancer spread to the spine? Newly discovered stem cells might be the key

Nature Podcast