Special Naked Scientist Stories from 2020
From a 46,000 year old ice bird, to life aboard a space shuttle, some of the more curious stories from 2020 from the Naked Scientists.
Episodes
5 Live Science Podcast
5 Live's science podcast, featuring Dr Chris and Naked Scientists with the hottest science news stories and analysis.
Episodes
Cake, Cows, Climate Change: Best Of 5 Live Science, 2020
Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team reflect on some of the sensational science we’ve reported on this year. From cakes on the barbie, to cow co-moo-nication.
The new strain of coronavirus, George's Marvellous Medicine, and musical computers
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team investigate how much of a threat the new strain of coronavirus is, what would happen if you actually took George’s Marvellous Medicine from Roald Dahl’s book and music legend Rick Wakeman helps answer the question "can computers give Beethoven a run for his money? This podcast was recorded before the Prime Minister’s announcement about new coronavirus restrictions on the 19th December.
The covid vaccine, research into AIDS, and cutting the carbon in crisps
The Naked Scientist team look at the latest coronavirus vaccine, why scientists invented vaccines you can inhale, what we’ve learnt from four decades of research into AIDS and why Covid-19 has a vaccine but not HIV.
The Coronavirus Vaccine, artificial vision and how science and technology came together to save Romain Grosjean
How Britain became the first country to approve a coronavirus vaccine, a breakthrough in artificial vision - beaming images directly into the brain! And how science and technology came together to save the life of formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean
Squats, globe skimmers and early human migration
This week, the Naked Scientists celebrate a month of movement science with a movement-themed Q&A show.
Covid vaccines, and the science of people moving
This week on 5 Live Science - a second Covid vaccine approaches the finishing line, but who are the also-rans? We look at who’s most likely to get the vaccine first and whether we’ve got that pecking order right. And a longer look at the science of people moving.
How our planet moves
We have the latest on the potential coronavirus vaccine, the UK scientists trying to extract oxygen from the moon, and we continue our series looking at movement - this week it’s how our planet moves, from its journey through space to how the atmosphere brews up storms.
Movement of animals and protecting bio-diversity.
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team look at the latest science news, including mass coronavirus testing in Liverpool, NASA re-establish contact with Voyager 2, what is the point of laughter and is it the best medicine? Plus a special look at the movement of animals, and how to protect species from extinction and bio-diversity on Earth.
Barrington v John Snow: How best to control Covid-19?
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team with science news stories and analysis. Recorded before the new lockdown in England was announced - the team examine the impact of lockdowns, against the argument for using less restrictive measures to manage coronavirus. Also a look at signs that coronavirus immunity is only short-lived, why a dose of vitamin D might be helpful this winter, and why the Moon is wetter than we first thought.
Catching Coronavirus on Purpose
The Naked Scientists explore why people are catching coronavirus on purpose, a breakthrough in recycling plastic, why lullabies send babies to sleep and what makes a tree, a tree.
Can you catch Covid twice?
The Naked Scientists ask if you can you catch Covid twice. They look at whether an asteroid might be one of our old spaceships and the people retreating underground to wait for the pandemic to pass.
Nobel Prizes, Attenborough's new film, and Treating Trump
This week the team take a look at the science behind the latest headlines, including the cocktail of drugs used to treat the US President for Covid-19, the 2020 Nobel Prizes, the future of university education, and David Attenborough's new documentary capturing the plight of the planet...
Science of Vegetarianism
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist with the latest science news including a look at our efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus, the new NHS app for tracking in England and Wales, and how do we manage space junk? Plus a special look at whether meat eaters might benefit from being a bit more vegetarian.
Big Data
Science news and we take a closer look at Big Data and what industry knows about you.
The science of telescopes
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientists with the latest science news. This week, how close are we to a coronavirus vaccine? Is there life on Venus? And the whale that went 20 kilometres off course up a river. And we take a closer look at the science behind telescopes of the past, present and future.
Discussing the latest developments, and your questions answered
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team discuss the latest science issues and answer your questions. Including the latest on space mission from China, the rise of mental health issues during lockdown, tracking melting antarctic ice, and the latest on vaccines for Covid-19.
Gardening and Climate Change
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team with the latest science news. Including whether you can catch coronavirus again, the answer appears to be yes. Plus a look at how Novichok works, and how bee stings could hold the key to new breast cancer treatments. Plus an in depth look at how climate change could mark the end to the traditional English country garden.
Where did COVID come from?
The Naked Scientists explore the origins of COVID-19, how it may have been transmitted from animals to humans, and its similarities to other coronaviruses found in the natural world.
Dust, oceans and if a phone can tell whether you're drunk
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientists find out how dust spreads flu, why there’s more plastic in the oceans than we thought and whether your phone can tell if you’re drunk. Get the podcast on the BBC Sounds app.
5 Live Science
Chris Smith and the Naked Scientists put Russia’s Covid-19 vaccine under the microscope and take an in-depth look the effects of coronavirus that can last for months. Plus, why your home’s bricks could one day power it, the sparkling science of prosecco and the unintended consequences from the latest panda news. Get the podcast on the BBC Sounds app.
5 Live Science : 09/08/2020
Chris Smith and the Naked Scientists look at a new study which suggests children can carry more coronavirus than we previously thought. Its also a big week for space exploration and we’re one small step closer to nuclear fusion, in France. Plus, how science could help assess your relationship with your cow, and cook a tastier barbecue. Get more in the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.
02/08/2020
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientists weigh up the science behind Boris Johnson's anti-obesity drive, and go swimming with the physics of sperm. Plus, a look at the fascinating life of pioneering chemist, Rosalind Franklin and why your cuppa can help explain leaves on the line isn't a such a flimsy excuse after all.
The Naked Scientists Pub Quiz
Now the pubs are open again, Adam Murphy and the Naked Scientists host a special science quiz. Get the podcast on BBC Sounds.
Meet the neighbours: An update on Mars and Venus
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist with the latest science news, including: heart complications in COVID patients; the action needed to tackle an urgent water crisis; and why are carrots orange, and cabbages red? And we meet the neighbours, with an update on Mars and Venus.
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientists take the fight against coronavirus to the sewers
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientists take the fight against coronavirus to the sewers and unearth the skeleton of a giant planet. Plus, a mystery that’s killing elephants in Botswana and how birds in Canada are singing to a different tune. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.
How coronavirus has created new ideas to tackle global warming
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team investigate local lockdowns in Australia, why planting trees to capture carbon might be a bad move, plus the pros and cons of deep sea mining. And a special look at how the coronavirus crisis has created some radical ideas to tackle global warming
Journey to the centre of the Earth
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist with science news, including what's happened to the UK Government's COVID-19 contact tracing app, the patient who can't see numbers and how humans really can talk to the animals. Plus a special journey to the centre of the Earth to find out what's really beneath our feet. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.
The Science Pub Quiz
The Naked Scientist team bring you a special science pub quiz, as they answer your questions.
The fifth state of matter
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Science team look at the latest science news. Including: how a llama could provide help in understanding coronavirus antibodies, evidence eggs prefer some sperm over others, and growing replacement livers in a dish. Plus a quantum leap into the fifth state of matter.