5 Live Science Podcast - podcast cover

5 Live Science Podcast

BBC Radio 5 Livewww.bbc.co.uk

5 Live's science podcast, featuring Dr Chris and Naked Scientists with the hottest science news stories and analysis.

Episodes

The Origins of Covid 19

The latest science news with Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team. This week: A breakthrough in the treatment of people paralysed by spinal injuries, and what colours not to wear, if you want to fly beneath a mosquito’s radar. We also look at what we know about the origins of Covid 19 … was it a leaked lab experiment, or a spillover from nature?

Feb 13, 202249 min

Would Saturn Float?

Solving the science questions you've been sending in, Naked Scientist Julia Ravey talk astrophysics, black holes, shrinking squid and ways to bust anxiety.

Feb 06, 202249 min

Why do we lose our sense of smell?

The week's science news with Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team. This week: How close are we to being able to grow complete new arms and legs? New research looks very promising in this direction. And a breakthrough in sight restoration: we take a look at the patient who’s received a bionic eye Plus, in the wake of Covid-19, millions of people have suffered smell and taste loss; for some it’s never returned, and others are left living in a world that doesn’t smell, or taste quite right; ...

Jan 30, 202249 min

5 live science

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientists look at why the government thinks now is the right time to ditch Covid Plan B? Also, how can your brain tell the difference between noises it can ignore, and ones that should be alarming when you are asleep? We’re exploring the world of robotics, what does it involve and how can we use the technology to improve our lives?

Jan 23, 202254 min

The Sword of Damascus, cutting covid isolation

We look at the science behind cutting covid isolation to 5 days Vets declare the largest ever outbreak of bird flu across Europe, but why now and how should we respond… We’re looking into the microscopic world of nanotechnology: the science of the very small, including the incredible story of the sword of Damascus; it turns out that the blacksmiths of centuries ago knew a thing or two about carbon nanotubes and how to make metal incredibly tough.

Jan 16, 202249 min

A century of insulin, hedgehogs and MRSA

This week Dr Chris delves into the science behind the headlines, including an update on Omicron, top tech and the latest in the gaming world, a century since insulin, how hedgehogs gave us MRSA, and David Attenborough's new documentary.

Jan 09, 202249 min

Good News Science Stories from 2021

Sally Le Page from the Naked Scientists presents some of the best good news science stories from 2021. Including how we may have solved train delays caused by leaves on the line, and the mystery of how wombats make their poos cubed shaped. Plus how scientists have made breakthroughs in wiping out malaria this year.

Jan 02, 202255 min

A Christmas Quandary

Something mysterious is a foot at The Naked Scientists office... It would seem that Dr. Chris has been playing the part of a very naughty Santa. Join the gang as they attempt to solve some of our biggest festive questions ever! Working together perhaps they'll be able to bring about some Christmas cheer and save the day.

Dec 19, 202149 min

Life in plastic, is it fantastic?

As the UK government moves to Plan B, introducing new restrictions, what actually happens when people catch the new Covid variant? Can wearables like watches predict if you’re incubating a coronavirus infection? Plus, plastic is used in many different contexts… but should we be looking to replace it with a new material? Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

Dec 12, 202149 min

Festive Q&A: Rubies, Robots and Christmas 'Rapping'

This week, your Christmas science questions and a sprinkling of festive fun as Julia Ravey hears about a planet where it rains rubies, robots that feel pain, a crab with a hairy chest, and how to make a top science rap hit! Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

Dec 05, 202155 min

Covid, NASA, and Wood!

Put on some safety goggles as Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team ignite your bunsen burners with the hottest science news stories, analysis and breakthroughs. We investigate the rising number of Covid cases across Europe, why’s it happening, and where does the UK stand? Plus, why is NASA on a collision course with an asteroid? And as we strive for better sustainability, we investigate the strengths of one of our oldest, and most environmentally-friendly building materials… wood!...

Nov 28, 202154 min

Climate Change and Covid

As pressure on the NHS intensifies, are covid vaccine passports on the cards? Plus, the scientists using nanotechnology to make silk shirts that cool you down when the sun shines on them! And We look back on what was and wasn’t said at the COP-26 climate change summit, and ask how is climate change already taking its toll on all of us.

Nov 21, 202154 min

Malaria, Mars, and Monstrous Ducks!

This week, it's Q&A time and we find out if there's an end in sight for malaria, how female vultures can have chicks without any males, what it's like to live on Mars for two weeks, and the flesh-eating ducks in Antarctica.

Nov 14, 202154 min

Climate Change, Dating and Spiders

In this week's 5 Live Science, we go behind the scenes at the Glasgow COP-26 climate summit, hear about a new discovery into what makes two people click, and explore the science of spiders, including the world's most venomous ones.

Nov 07, 202155 min

To Plan B, Or Not To Plan B

Scientists turn antibiotics into double edged swords that also activate the immune system to fight superbugs, and should the government turn to Covid Plan B now? And as the World Health Organisation convenes a new team to investigate the origins of COVID-19, and whether it in fact did come from a lab, we look at why scientists would want to engineer deadly viruses in the first place.

Oct 31, 202155 min

All The Small Things

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team with the latest science news stories. In today’s programme: Alarming numbers of unvaccinated pregnant women are ending up in ITU with Covid, but why? And we look into the court case over who owns cells taken from a cancer victim over half a century ago... Plus we delve into the particles that make up the Universe around us to find out what makes them tick.

Oct 17, 202154 min

Supply Chain Reaction

We assess the covid vaccine situation around the world, why are some countries lagging behind? We’ll find out who and what has won Nobel prizes this year in Medicine, Physics and Chemistry. Plus... we look at global supply chains, and how they are disrupted… from fuel… to bananas!

Oct 10, 202155 min

Menopause for thought

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team with the latest science news stories, analysis and breakthroughs. In today’s programme: Are we destined to catch the “worst cold ever” this winter? Scientists peer into the past and read previously hidden parts of Marie Antoinette’s love letters... Plus, what is the menopause, why does it happen and what can we do to help women through it? Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

Oct 03, 202154 min

Off-limits bits of the Universe, and a lack of CO2

It's Q&A time this week and a climate scientist, an astronomer, an economist and a medicinal botanist join us to talk about why we're heading back to the Moon, what's causing the CO2 shortage, how nature might hold the key to the next blockbuster drug, and why there are some parts of the Universe that we'll never get to see.

Sep 26, 202155 min

Off-limits bits of the Universe, and a lack of CO2

It's Q&A time this week and a climate scientist, an astronomer, an economist and a medicinal botanist join us to talk about why we're heading back to the Moon, what's causing the CO2 shortage, how nature might hold the key to the next blockbuster drug, and why there are some parts of the Universe that we'll never get to see.

Sep 26, 202154 min

AI vs Sepsis

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team with the latest science news stories, analysis and breakthroughs. In today’s programme: Covid jabs are confirmed for 12 to 15 year olds, are we making too much of the possible side effect myocarditis? Find out who won the Ignobel prizes this year, for unusual and often hilarious scientific studies. Plus... it’s sepsis awareness month, but what is this condition that seems to be being reported a lot more often in recent years, and can artificial intelli...

Sep 19, 202155 min

What is covid immunity?

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team with the latest science news stories, analysis and breakthroughs. This week: Could we send hydrogen to houses through the gas network? Why rats that eat late at night, are more likely to have problems with their weight! Plus... We’re delving into what immunity to Covid-19 really means.

Sep 12, 202155 min

Long Covid

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team with the latest science news, including: As children return to school, will there be a spike in covid cases? Leaded petrol disappears from the last service stations; but why did we use it in the first place? Plus, we look at long covid, and ask what can we do to help people who are suffering?

Sep 05, 202155 min

Can nature solve the climate crisis for us?

The Naked Scientist team takes a deep dive into the world of carbon sequestration. They hit the Fens, the beach and the farm to hear how nature can help us to lock away carbon and tackle climate change.

Aug 29, 202155 min

Will incentives boost Covid vaccine uptake?

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team with the latest science news stories. Including a look at whether incentives will boost Covid vaccine uptake, the discovery of a new carnivorous plant, and the search for the Loch Ness monster with the help of environmental DNA technology.

Aug 15, 202154 min

Are we ready for the electric vehicle revolution?

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team with the latest science news stories. Including a look at the electric vehicle revolution, the antibodies needed for Covid protection, and the 100 year history of insulin.

Aug 08, 202157 min

The beginning of the end of the Covid pandemic?

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientists with science news stories. Including a look at whether we are seeing the beginning of the end of the Covid pandemic, as cases fall. Plus tips for athletes coping with extreme temperatures at the Tokyo Olympic Games, and the team go behind the scenes at the Royal Society’s “Summer Science” exhibition which has been taking place online this year.

Aug 01, 202152 min

Summer Science Q & HEY!

Tackling the latest talking points, including Covid and its impact on the Tokyo Olympics, the billionaire race for space, and animals with personalities, we answer the science questions you've been sending in.

Jul 25, 202156 min