Greenland's mineral riches, long COVID and ME, and a near-Earth-object defense for 2032 | Inside Science

Inside Science explores Greenland's potential to host vast critical minerals, the relationship between long COVID and ME and how deep sequencing may illuminate shared pathways, and the planetary defense dialogue surrounding the 2032 near-Earth object scenario. The program also previews notable studies in nature journalism, from octopus-inspired camouflage skin to ancient poison-tipped arrows and a modern take on Chess 960.

Greenland's mineral wealth and mining prospects

The episode opens with a speculative look at Greenland in 2028, imagining the island as a major new mining frontier. Adrian Finch, a geology professor at the University of Saint Andrews, explains how rare earths and critical minerals form in geology and why Greenland’s geology could host economically viable deposits. He discusses the need for deep geological access, the role of ancient volcanic plumbing systems, and how Greenland’s relatively sparse population could influence mining development. The discussion also considers how global demand for minerals used in green technologies might drive interest in Arctic resources, while acknowledging local sentiment about foreign ownership and environmental impact.

Quote 1 "Certainly a very, very large jurisdiction and it has a wide variety of different resources that we know about." - Adrian Finch, Professor of Geology, University of Saint Andrews

Long COVID and ME: a Rosetta Stone for persistent viral conditions

The program then shifts to a health science discussion about long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Danny Altman from Imperial College London outlines a major research effort that uses deep sequencing to compare immunological pathways across the two conditions, seeking shared mechanisms and biomarkers. The aim is to bring diagnostic clarity and identify potential autoimmune aspects that could bridge understanding between long COVID and ME. The team frames long COVID as a persistent viral syndrome that may illuminate a broader class of post-viral illnesses, potentially transforming diagnosis and care if biomarkers can be validated and standardized for general practice.

Quote 2 "we need biomarkers because we need diagnostic tests for everything, don't we?" - Danny Altman, Imperial College London

Planetary defense: tracking 2024 YR4 and a lunar angle

Roland Pease provides an update from the realm of astronomy and planetary defense. The transcript recounts the evolving assessment of asteroid 2024 YR4, its orbit around the sun, and the small but non-negligible probability of Earth impact by 2032. The James Webb Space Telescope is highlighted as a critical instrument for refining size and trajectory estimates, offering a path to eliminating the collision probability. Even if 2024 YR4 becomes less threatening, the Moon’s own position in the defense planning zone raises questions about how lunar activity could influence debris and satellite risks, expanding the scope of planetary defense considerations beyond Earth itself.

Quote 3 "the moon remains in the target zone with a 4% chance of impact in 2032." - Roland Pease

Nature News: camouflage skins, poison arrows, and new chess ideas

Lizzie Gibney covers a trio of Nature-published studies: a synthetic skin that can camouflage on demand by exploiting a water-responsive polymer; a report on ancient humans using poison-tipped arrows 60,000 years ago, with toxins such as buphaninidine demonstrating delayed action; and a chess-960 analysis that blends Fischer’s opening randomization with modern chess engines to probe what positions actually favor white or black. The camouflaging material hints at potential energy-efficient building technologies, while the poison-tipped arrows paper sheds light on cognitive and technological capabilities of early humans. The chess piece study reveals how randomization in chess back-row setups interacts with AI evaluation to challenge traditional opening theory.

Quote 4 "the first direct evidence of ancient humans, hunter gatherers, using poison tips on their arrows" - Lizzie Gibney

Conclusion: a mosaic of science in one program

The episode closes by tying these disparate strands together as examples of how science progresses through interdisciplinary dialogue, from geology and health to space and history. Each segment showcases the ingenuity of researchers using innovative methods to answer deep questions about our world and beyond.