This week, a milestone in quantum computing, and rethinking early mammals.

In this episode:

00:43 A quantum computing milestone

A quantum computer is reported to have achieved ‘quantum supremacy’ – performing an operation that’s essentially impossible for classical computers.

08:24 Research Highlights

The world’s speediest ants, and the world’s loudest birdsong.

10:19 The mammals that lived with the dinosaurs

Paleontologists are shifting their view of the Mesozoic era mammals.

18:00 News Chat

A Russian researcher’s plans to edit human embryos, and ‘prime editing’ - a more accurate gene editing system.

News: Russian ‘CRISPR-baby’ scientist has started editing genes in human eggs with goal of altering deaf gene; News: Super-precise new CRISPR tool could tackle a plethora of genetic diseases

24 October 2019: Quantum supremacy and ancient mammals

Nature Podcast