Frontiers
The recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan remind us of the destructive forces that can lurk in the deep ocean. But while waves of up to 40 metres height pummelled the Japanese coast line, as happened in Sumatra 2004, Japan was prepared, and had defences and emergency routines in place.
The death toll was much lower than in the Indian Ocean, but great sea walls crumbled under the assault of the powerful ocean waves, and whole towns were still washed away. Roland Pease reports from Japan on the lessons learnt from the recent tsunami.
Wednesday 15 June, 21:00, BBC Radio 4
Science in Action
Looking for a weekly half-hour insight into what's happening in the world of science? Then check out Science in Action from the BBC's World Service.
Science in Action is accessible, informative and wide-ranging. You're guaranteed a diverse and unpredictable range of stories. Each week is different, but the programme always explains scientific developments in an exciting and relevant way. Science in Action will tell you what's happening - and why it matters.
Thursday 16 June, 19:32, BBC World Service
Health Check: HIV 30
Thirty years since doctors in the United States published a report describing AIDS for the first time, Laura Sheeter reports on what has changed over those years in the USA.
Includes interviews with DeeAnn Gruber, Louisiana’s Office of Public Health, who has been tracking the virus for more than twenty years; Professor Russell Van Dyke at Tulane University in New Orleans, who specialises in HIV in children; Gjvar Payne tested HIV positive, three years ago, aged 21 (he is now working to keep other HIV positive people in treatment and to raise awareness across Louisiana); and teenage girls speak about a youth awareness programme in New Orleans.
Wednesday 15 June, 19:32, BBC World Service
The Infinite Monkey Cage
Robin Ince and Brian Cox are joined by comedian Helen Keen ("It is Rocket Science") and space medicine expert Dr Kevin Fong, to discuss the future of human space travel.
As NASA's space shuttle program comes to a close, what does the future hold in terms of humans bid to leave the confines of earth, and what has human space travel provided in terms of scientific understanding? Brian Cox acknowledges the importance of the Apollo moon landings in inspiring him, and many like him, to take up careers in science - so what will the next big scientific inspiration be?
Listen to the previous episode on BBC iPlayer
Available now on BBC iPlayer