The Naked Scientists Podcast - podcast cover

The Naked Scientists Podcast

The Naked Scientistswww.thenakedscientists.com
The Naked Scientists flagship science show brings you a lighthearted look at the latest scientific breakthroughs, interviews with the world's top scientists, answers to your science questions and science experiments to try at home.
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Episodes

New ways to combat the Antibiotic Apocalypse

Today, synthetic bacteriophages, a breakthrough vaccine for TB, and how unpicking the pathways used to make antibiotics are helping scientists to combat rising rates of antimicrobial resistance around the world... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Nov 25, 202533 minEp. 1208

Small modular reactors for Wales, and moss survives in space

In the news, why the UK appears to be betting big on small modular nuclear reactors. Also, Iran seeds the skies in bid to end its worst drought in decades. And moss grows fat on a rolling stone - but a new study claims it can survive in space. We'll explore the significance. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Nov 21, 202531 minEp. 1207

A climate COP out?

Today, we're analysing the COP30 conference in Brazil, asking whether the will to tackle climate change is drying up. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Nov 18, 202532 minEp. 1206

Flu season starts early, and staving off hungry seagulls

In the news show, flu season starts early in the Northern hemisphere due to pesky new strains, so will vaccines be effective? Also, the baby 'swim cap' which promises less invasive brain monitoring, and the European Space Agency's GPS powered satellites which are surveying the water cycle. Then, we find out the best way to shout at seagulls to stop them stealing our snacks... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists...

Nov 14, 202528 minEp. 1205

80 years of nuclear weapons

In this edition of The Naked Scientists, we go nuclear, and explore the science and politics of weapons of mass destruction... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Nov 11, 202532 minEp. 1204

Vaping rates surge, and space race to deliver economic boon

In this edition of The Naked Scientists: Among British people vapers now outnumber smokers for the first time. From Big Bang to Big Crunch - the new theory showing the expansion of the Universe might be slowing down. And, evidence that our early ancestors, three million years ago, may have excelled at DIY!Linda - So these are the annual population survey statistics from the Office for National Statistics that look at smoking, it was the main focus, so smoking in the UK but also vaping behaviour....

Nov 07, 202530 minEp. 1203

The National Physical Laboratory at 125

In this edition of The Naked Scientists, we go behind the scenes at the National Physical Laboratory as it celebrates 125 years at the forefront of science... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Nov 04, 202533 minEp. 1202

Hurricane Melissa's wake, and alcohol-free beer with a buzz

In this edition of The Naked Scientists: How the latest science helped the Caribbean prepare for Hurricane Melissa. Also ahead, the alcohol-free beers providing a 'buzz' without the hangover. And, why a German warehouse is simulating a European Moon landing... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Oct 31, 202536 minEp. 1201

Proteomics promises a revolution in preventative medicine

Today, in association with Proteomics International, we're hearing about a new era in medicine where we can tell people not what diseases they've got, but what ones they will have in ten years' time, giving them a chance to turn things around... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Oct 28, 202529 minEp. 1200

Eye implant restores vision, and corvids follow human calls

In the news podcast, a new retinal implant - just two millimetres wide - that is helping restore sight to blind people; a 'pristine' star that gives us a glimpse of the workings of the early Universe; and we'll be finding out how wild rooks can master human commands. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Oct 24, 202535 minEp. 1199

Frozen Flora: 25 years of the Millennium Seed Bank

As the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew celebrate the 25th Birthday of the Millenium Seed Bank in Sussex, James Tytko ventures into its giant underground vaults to learn why they are a crucial part of global plant conservation... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Oct 21, 202532 minEp. 1198

Talc linked to cancer, and improving yoghurt with ants

In this edition of The Naked Scientists: Whether talc-based products - like baby powder - can cause ovarian cancer. Also ahead, the "Sword Dragon of Dorset" found on England's Jurassic Coast. Plus, we'll be finding out about the 'double comet' visible in the night sky... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Oct 17, 202534 minEp. 1197

Hearing loss, and what we can do about it

In this edition of The Naked Scientists, why we lose our hearing and what we can do about it... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Oct 14, 202532 minEp. 1196

Top athlete reveals MND diagnosis, and 2025's Nobel Prizes

In this edition of The Naked Scientists: Is elite level sport linked with Motor Neurone Disease? We examine the evidence as another top player announces his diagnosis. Also, cages that can sieve out molecules, the immune system peacekeepers; and the quantum realm: we look at this year's Nobel Prizes for science. And, how did birds react to the Great American Eclipse last year? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists...

Oct 10, 202541 minEp. 1195

Has COVID-19 weakened our immunity?

You've probably heard of Omicron, but what about Nimbus and Stratus? These are the latest COVID strains spreading around the world, and for most people they'll amount to a heavy cold at worst, lasting just a few days. Or will they? Are these coronaviruses doing more to our immune systems than meets the eye? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Oct 07, 202531 minEp. 1194

Embryos made from skin cells, and remembering Jane Goodall

In this edition of The Naked Scientists: US scientists have turned skin cells into human embryos for the very first time. We unpack the significance. Also ahead, the legacy of the primatologist and conservationist, Jane Goodall, who has died at the age of 91. Plus, we hear from a chemist who believes he has cracked the mystery of ghostly lights we call will-o'-the-wisps... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Oct 03, 202534 minEp. 1193

Painting: where art meets science

Today, we're picking up a brush, and probing the science of paint. Where does chemistry stop, and the art take over? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Sep 30, 202531 minEp. 1192

Huntington's treatment, and the High Seas Treaty

On today's show:, scientists successfully treat Huntington's disease for the first time, slowing the disease by at least 75%: we hear how they've done it. Also, the High Seas Treaty takes a step closer to protecting the world's oceans. And the Earth-sized planet not that far away that might have conditions suitable for life. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Sep 26, 202538 minEp. 1191

Lung cancer: looking at the latest developments

Lung cancer is one of the world's biggest killers. Today, we explore why, and how medical research into this disease is seeing the development of better diagnostic tools, cancer treatments and even a vaccine to prevent tumours from taking hold in the first place... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Sep 23, 202533 minEp. 1190

US-UK nuclear deal, and forensics for plastic pollution

In the news podcast, the US and the UK have forged a long-term nuclear alliance - but what will it really deliver? We also examine a new study on whether smoking cannabis makes it harder to get pregnant. And we'll be hearing from a forensic scientist who is using detective work to rid our oceans of plastic. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Sep 19, 202534 minEp. 1189

A decade of detecting gravitational waves

To celebrate 10 years since they were first detected, we're examining gravitational waves. What are they? And how do we find them? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Sep 16, 202536 minEp. 1188

Ancient Mars bacteria, and 'fugitive' methane leaks

In this edition of The Naked Scientists, the strongest hint yet of life on Mars. Should we get excited? Or is it another red herring? Also ahead: The first new UK-wide study of babies in 25 years. We'll find out why it matters. Plus, an ancient lizard-like fossil is discovered on the coast of Devon. We'll uncover the significance... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Sep 12, 202535 minEp. 1187

Made in orbit: How to sustain life in space

What does it take to build a society in space? Today on the Naked Scientists, we explore efforts to make microgravity amenable to humans; including how to harvest energy, make fresh food, and even birth the next generation of space explorers... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Sep 09, 202535 minEp. 1186

Energy drinks curb, and biting back against beetles

In this edition of The Naked Scientists: A new test to detect Alzheimer's disease long before symptoms first appear. Also, the study showing Earth can sequester only a tenth of the carbon we thought it could. And, how drones, traps and sniffer dogs are protecting the UK's timber industry from beetle attack... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Sep 05, 202535 minEp. 1185

Is AI changing the way we think?

In this edition of The Naked Scientists, from bogus scientific papers and misleading made-up "facts", to potentially curtailing our critical thinking, we look at the effect that mass adoption of AI might be having on the way we think, the decisions we make and the information we learn and act on... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Sep 02, 202534 minEp. 1184

First pig lung transplant, and the origins of dark energy

Today on the Naked Scientists: a pig lung is transplanted into a man in China, but what was the outcome? Also, scientists have a theory for the origins of Dark Energy - and it makes sense that a black hole might be the source! And, why the dawn chorus is starting earlier and finishing later these days: what's getting into wildlife? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Aug 29, 202534 minEp. 1183

What can we do about hair loss?

In this edition of The Naked Scientists, we look at the science of hair, why we suffer hair loss, treatments that can slow hair loss, whether wigs are any good, and what happens during a hair transplant? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Aug 26, 202537 minEp. 1182

Apple wins privacy row, and microbes dictate chocolate taste

In this edition of The Naked Scientists, Apple locked horns with the UK government who were demanding a security back door through the company's encryption. What was the outcome? Also, scientists discover the secret to the tastiest chocolate - it's all down to microbes. And, archaeologists uncover the earliest evidence yet of our ancestors using stone tools... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Aug 22, 202535 minEp. 1181

What Niger's AMR outbreak means for the world

In this edition of The Naked Scientists, why we need to pay closer attention to antimicrobial resistance in some of the world's poorest nations... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Aug 19, 202531 minEp. 1180

Decoding our inner voice, and hunting for life on Mars

Discover how Stanford scientists are decoding brain signals behind inner speech, potentially aiding communication for those unable to speak. Learn about a new study revealing how ultra-processed foods hinder weight loss, even when nutritionally balanced. The episode also features innovative research using existing Mars rover technology to detect active life and butterfly-inspired advancements for more efficient and visually appealing solar panels.

Aug 15, 202537 minEp. 1179
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