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| | | Leading Edge brings you the latest news from the world of science. Geoff Watts celebrates discoveries as soon as they're being talked about - on the internet, in coffee rooms and bars; often before they're published in journals. And he gets to grips with not just the science, but with the controversies and conversation that surround it.
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|  | PRESENTER | | | |
|  | | | | "If what interests you are new and exciting ideas, it's science you should be turning to. And whether it's the Human Genome Project or the origins of the Universe, Leading Edge is the place to hear about them."
Geoff Watts | | |
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This week on Leading Edge -
evolving fish stocks, preventing epidemics, the Hobbit's brain and belief as pain relief.
Preventing Epidemics
As the World Health Organisation urges countries to prepare for a bird flu pandemic, fears of the virus reaching our shores are ever present.
The SARS outbreak was a stark reminder of what can happen when an animal virus mutates and spreads among humans with lethal consequences.
Learning from SARS, what's the best way to tackle disease outbreaks in the future?
Evolving fish stocks
Calls to close fishing grounds are becoming evermore frequent as our fish stocks continue to decline.
Yet, some biologists think that the current policies are missing a vital ingredient - Darwinian evolution.
The Hobbit's brain
There's new evidence to support controversial claims that the hominid remains found in Indonesia last year represent an entirely new species of human. It's nicknamed the Hobbit.
Detailed studies of its skull, at Florida State University, reveal a very distinctive brain: ape-like in size but with some very advanced human-like characteristics.
Belief as pain relief?
Martin Redfern visits the new Oxford Centre for the Mind.
Researchers here are embarking on experiments to find how belief might bring pain relief.
The BBC will be awarding a young science broadcaster the chance to spend two weeks working with the team that brings you programmes such as MATERIAL WORLD/ LEADING EDGE. So if you are under 25 and not working as a professional broadcaster, go to
ABSW Award Scheme
to find out how you can be considered for the BBC Radio Science Unit/ Association of British Science Writers Young Broadcaster of the Year Award. Closing date is 18th March.
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RELATED LINKS
BBC News Online - Hominid find
BBC News Online - 'Hobbit' joins human family tree
BBC News Online - Q&A: Sars
Voice of America - Lessons from Sars
BBC News Online - Q&A: Avian Flu
WHO - Avian Influenza
Oxford Centre for Science of the Mind
John Templeton Foundation
BBC Science & Nature
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
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