Â鶹ԼÅÄ

Marcus Du Sautoy doesn't fall into any of the stereotypes you might imagine for an OxfordÌýUniversity Professor of Mathematics. He's a surfer, a trumpeter and an ardent fan of Arsenal Football Club. ButÌýhis great passions are prime numbers, patterns and symmetry.

Ìý

Ahead of hisÌýappearance at the Hay Literary Festival, he talks to Adam Walton about the importance of numbers and patterns in everyday life. He explains whyÌýprimeÌý numbers, for instance, are favoured by successfull footbal players.ÌýWith his 'maths glasses on' he tells AdamÌýhow he enjoys music and art all the more because he recognises the mathematical sequences and patterns behind the work.

Ìý

Links:

There’s a real battle going on in Wales’ woodland. Our native trees are fighting pests and disease including Ash dieback, Oak decline, Pine weevil and different strains of the deadly phytophthora fungus in both Larch and Juniper. In Science Café this week, Adam Walton travels to an affected forest in Tal Y Bont on Usk, near Brecon, to talk to Prof Hugh Evans, the head of Forest Research in Wales, about the scientific research being done to counter the threats. Chris Jones, a senior tree protection manager with Natural Resources Wales, gives a clearer picture of some of the problems on the ground and Dr Trevor Dines, of Plantlife Cymru, tells Jeremy Grange about a plant scheme that could safeguard the gin industry.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Ìý

Ìý

Useful Links:

Ìý

OPAL -

Ìý

Pine Weevil –

Ìý

Natural Resources Wales -

Ìý

Ìý

Saving Juniper/Plantlife -

Ìý