The Naked Scientists Podcast

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The Naked Scientists flagship science show, includes the latest science news, interviews with top scientists, hands-on science experiments and answers to your science questions.

The Naked Scientists


    • May 9, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 50m AVG DURATION
    • 1,155 EPISODES

    4.6 from 532 ratings Listeners of The Naked Scientists Podcast that love the show mention: best science podcasts, chris smith, chris and dr, one of the best science, naked, cattle, british accents, favorite science podcast, fun science, questions from listeners, science show, great science podcast, carbon, scientific topics, science news, scientists, experiments, discoveries, billion, astronomy.


    Ivy Insights

    The Naked Scientists Podcast is a remarkable podcast that offers a diverse range of topics and a consolidated view of scientific areas. Each episode covers different subjects, allowing listeners to explore various aspects of science in an accessible and engaging manner. The podcast stands out for its ability to present complex scientific concepts in a way that is understandable for everyone, making it a valuable resource for individuals who are interested in expanding their knowledge about the world of science. One of the best aspects of this podcast is the quality of the content and the delivery. The hosts provide fascinating discussions about scientific discoveries and present information in an engaging and informative manner. They have a knack for selecting interesting topics and finding authentic guests who genuinely care about being positive forces in the world through their contributions to science. This dedication shines through in every episode, making it a truly mind-blowing experience to listen to the insights they bring to bear. Furthermore, each episode offers something new and valuable, ensuring that listeners gain knowledge from every episode they listen to. The length of each episode, which is just under 60 minutes, is perfect as it does not feel overwhelming or too short. The analysis provided is objective and dives into the right depth necessary for understanding complex scientific concepts without overwhelming the audience. Overall, The Naked Scientists Podcast impresses with its commitment to providing high-quality content on a wide range of scientific topics.

    While there are many positives about The Naked Scientists Podcast, one minor drawback could be its emphasis on COVID-related material. While it is an essential topic, some listeners may feel overwhelmed or tired with constant coverage of COVID-related material due to its omnipresence in today's world. However, this critique can be subjective as it depends on individual preferences and circumstances.

    In conclusion, The Naked Scientists Podcast is an excellent podcast that delivers fascinating discussions on various scientific topics while maintaining accessibility for all audiences. It consistently provides valuable insights into significant discoveries and developments within the field of science. Listeners are guaranteed to learn something new from each episode, making it a must-listen for anyone who wants to stay up-to-date with scientific advances. The outstanding delivery, intelligent analysis, and engaging presentation ensure that this podcast remains one of the top choices in the realm of science podcasts.



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    Latest episodes from The Naked Scientists Podcast

    Tough climate future ahead, and self-inflicted snake bites

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 37:52


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists: A landmark report that outlines the generational impact of climate change; also, the man bitten by snakes and even injected with venom hundreds of times has provided the key to a powerful new antivenom; and a breakthrough in oven technology that's helping to cook up a revolution in industrial baking... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    How fungi shape our world

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2025 33:50


    This episode of The Naked Scientists was brought to you in partnership with the health foundation Wellcome. This week, the first in a two-part series on the hidden world of fungi. What we do - and don't - know about them, and how the fungal landscape is set to shift as our climate changes. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Indus River in Kashmir crossfire, and gene-stealing cancers

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 35:13


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists: Will - and could - India switch off the water supply to Pakistan amid mounting tensions over Kashmir? Also, how a transmissible canine cancer from 8000 years ago is shedding fresh light on tumour biology - and how cancers can steal foreign genes, today. And, testing out a virtual reality tool designed to help us confront our fears of speaking in public... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Titans of Science: Andrew Pollard

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 32:04


    Today's Titan is former chair of the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, and a key figure in the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine which rolled out during the Covid pandemic. Andrew Pollard tells Chris Smith how vaccines work, how public health bodies decide what to protect us against, and how current technology will shape the future of immunisation... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Malaria fight in jeopardy, and bone collecting caterpillars

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 36:15


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists: World Malaria Day, and why overseas aid cuts in the US are threatening to cause a crisis; the carnivorous caterpillar dubbed the "bone collector" that steals from spiders; and the biotechnologist attempting to feed astronauts better in space... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Titans of Science: Sara Russell

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 31:36


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists, Titans of Science continues with planetary scientist charged with analysing rock samples brought in from outer space, Sara Russell... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Martian carbon cycles, and magnetic flip fried Neanderthals

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 36:46


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists: Evidence of a carbon cycle on Mars has been unearthed by the Curiosity rover. What does it mean for the red planet's past habitability? Also, the cannabis-based painkiller as powerful as an opioid, but without the side effects. And, could fashion sense and a primitive sunscreen have been the deciding 'factor 50' which allowed us humans to outlast the Neanderthals... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Titans of Science: Richard Thompson

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 30:50


    Titans of Science series is back for another run. And to kick us off, marine biologist Richard Thompson, who first brought to the world's attention 20 years ago the problem that is micro - and now nano - plastic pollution... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Womb transplant baby, and ancient seafarers

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 36:48


    In the News podcast: the first baby is born in the UK to a woman with a transplanted uterus, and we speak to the surgeons responsible. Also, the best evidence yet the shingles vaccine can help reduce the risk of developing dementia; a drug that could make human blood deadly to mosquitoes. Then, we travel back in time 8,500 years to hear about the sea voyage of hunter gatherers to the Mediterranean island of Malta... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Why are measles cases surging?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 30:42


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists, what's behind a sharp rise in measles cases? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Antibiotics affect babies' vaccinations, and space miso

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 35:01


    In today's news podcast, a study shows a reduced effectiveness of vaccinations in babies who have antibiotics treatments early in life. Also, the world's smallest, light-powered pacemaker, and we learn the secrets of the broadclub cuttlefish's crab-catching colour display. Then, we follow the journey of miso paste up to the ISS and back to Earth again, and hear what it tastes like! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    How bad is the air we breathe?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 31:17


    Take a deep breath. Yes, literally. And ask yourself: what's in the air I just inhaled? It's almost certain, with our modern lives and built, busy environments, that it contains a range of harmful particles. Whether it stems from city traffic or wildfires, air pollution has many sources, it affects all of us, and it has the potential to become much worse. So today, we're examining what constitutes a bad air day, the biggest producers of pollution, how we monitor the problem, and what can be done to improve matters. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Pig liver transplant breakthrough, and weird early galaxies

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 35:45


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists: the first transplant of a gene-modified pig liver into a human; also, the James Webb Space Telescope sees one of the first galaxies ever to exist, and it's very strange indeed; and scientists explain why we can't recall our early years... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    AMR unleashed: the silent pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 32:22


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists, Antimicrobial Resistance, or AMR, is going under our microscope. What is it, how does it happen, what's the scale of the threat, and how can we fight back? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Stranded astronauts return, and the whale pee funnel

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 33:07


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists: Stranded Nasa astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams come down to Earth with a splash and some awesome drone footage; also, Cambridge scientists are mapping where to find the world's rarest minerals; and the massively under-appreciated role that whales play transporting nutrients thousands of miles...using their urine. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    The mounting misgivings over microplastics

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 30:29


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists, what threat do microplastics pose to our health, and the health of the planet? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    North Sea ship crash, and super spuds

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 40:33


    On this edition of the Naked Scientists Podcast, what are the potential environmental impacts of the ship crash in the North Sea? Also, we find out what's being done to reduce the risk from engineered pandemics, and reveal what's going on inside the best electric vehicle batteries on the market. Then, it's off to Lincolnshire to profile the bruise-resistant, quicker-cooking potatoes of the future... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    CRISPR, and the ethics of gene editing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 30:34


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists, we take a closer look at CRISPR gene editing. What is it? And what are the ethics involved in rewriting the human genome? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    New part of the immune system, and greedier labradors

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 34:01


    In the news pod, scientists in Israel discover a new part of the immune system. We'll find out why it matters. Also, the Blue Ghost mission that just landed on the Moon and could change the way we conduct Lunar exploration. And greedy labradors: we find out why dogs (and their owners) are prone to putting on weight. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Incoming: what happens when the next asteroid hits Earth?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 31:11


    This week, we're examining NEOs - near-Earth objects - asking whether any of them might be on a collision course with our biggest cities... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Glucose monitor misinformation, and AI dairy farms

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 35:20


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists: Continuous Glucose Monitors are increasingly popular. But are they feeding us dietary misinformation? Also ahead: the "sexome": scientists describe the genital microbiome, and how it might help with forensic investigations. And, we go to Wales to find out how artificial intelligence is helping dairy farmers... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    What is mirror life?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 32:44


    We're taking you through the looking glass to explore 'mirror life': could we be about to flip biology on its head? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Game-changing prostate cancer test, and magnetic turtles

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 33:05


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists: A new screening test for prostate cancer that can, the inventors claim, accurately catch 96% of cases, and early. Also, why you might want to eschew artificial sweeteners: a new study suggests they can accelerate arterial disease. And, scientists show that turtles can sense magnetic fields to find their way around... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Halting the progress of multiple sclerosis

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2025 27:42


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists, we're looking into multiple sclerosis, following the progression of the condition from relapses to neurodegeneration, asking, can we halt the disease in its tracks? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Record-breaking neutrinos, and quantum train travel

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 36:31


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists: A particle with a record-breaking energy is discovered: but where did it come from? Also, damaged hearts healed using stem cell "patches" of tissue: human clinical trials are about to kick off. And, the project using quantum mechanics to revolutionise the London Underground... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    From Russia with Love: The Science of Hybrid Warfare

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 31:36


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists, we'll find out how Putin and his cadre in the Kremlin play a neverending game of technological cat and mouse... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Mantis shrimp's punch, and low-methane rice

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 32:08


    In this week's Naked Scientists Podcast: Uncovering the secret behind the mantis shrimp's giant punch. Also, developing a new strain of rice that produces a fraction of the methane, and shaking virus particles to hear their song. Plus, we profile NASA's new chief, Jared Isaacman... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Can you grow a building?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 33:57


    This week on The Naked Scientists, we've teamed up with Cambridge University Press and specifically the team behind Research Directions, their suite of new, open access journals that are all about publishing research in a novel and exciting way.Science is, of course, all about asking questions and developing experiments to test hypotheses. But only rarely does a topic have a single facet. Instead, one key question invariably leads to many others; and the answers to these can, as the Research Directions team put it, "assemble into chains of collaborative work".They're asking really important... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Asteroid Bennu's brine, and DeepSeek shocks Silicon Valley

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2025 35:25


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists: Samples back from space reveal tantalising insights into where the life-linked chemicals that kick-started biology on Earth could have come from. Also, the impact of China's DeepSeek AI model on society, finance, and the global tech market. And why imported olive trees turn out to be the perfect cover for stowaway snakes and insects... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Titans of Science: Charlie Swanton

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 31:35


    It's our final Titans of Science offering of this series, with world-leading cancer expert Charlie Swanton. We'll hear how the latest developments in our understanding of cancer's mechanisms are shaping treatments and preventative measures... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Malaria infection trial, and weeing chimpanzees

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 34:15


    On the Naked Scientists News show: a new UK trial seeks to infect healthy people with malaria in a bid to get to grips with the dormant stage of the infection. Then, we hear how T cells could be the key to ensuring more organ transplant successes, and should we all be taking fewer flights? Also, some curious observations regarding chimpanzees and their communal toilet routines... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Science of Scotch: How whisky is made

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 32:36


    In this special episode of The Naked Scientists, join Chris Smith on a journey from farm to whisky tumbler, as he witnesses the intricate processes behind producing high quality Scotch. Richard Broadbent leads a tour of Bairds Malt's site in Witham, explaining how British barley is prepared for its transformation into the delicious spirit, before Alistair McDonald of the Clydeside Distillery in Glasgow walks us through the five hundred year old craft of distilling malt whisky... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    5 years of COVID, and the hunt for Planet X

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 31:22


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists: It's 5 years since COVID began and the WHO hosted their first press conference. But how much have we learned and are we prepared for the next pandemic? Also, a report from the UK House of Lords points to a rapidly closing window of opportunity to capitalise on "engineering biology" - but what is that? And, is there a hidden planet lurking out past Pluto? A new telescope will soon enable astronomers to find out... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Titans of Science: Antje Boetius

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 30:49


    Titans of Science continues with the microbiologist who discovered how an extraordinary relationship between two methane-eating seafloor species has shaped the world we know today. To explain that and much more is the ocean aficionado Antje Boetius... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Bird flu threat, and what the Romans really did for us

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 33:37


    In the news podcast this week, the first human death from bird flu in the US has made virologists vigilant about its potential threat. Also, we learn about the potentially billions of tonnes of sequestered hydrogen on Earth that could be used for clean energy, and hear of the promising results in animals for new drugs for treatment resistant prostate cancer. Then, the unintended cognitive consequences of lead mining in the Roman empire, and question of the week takes us back to a time when all the continents were clumped together... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Titans of Science: Trevor Robbins

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2025 29:31


    Titans of Science continues, where we talk to some of the major movers and shakers leading the way in their respective fields. This time we're hearing from Cambridge neuroscientist, and expert on obsessive compulsive disorder - OCD - Trevor Robbins... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    What science will thrive in 2025?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2025 28:35


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists, a look ahead to 2025. We ask experts in the field of health, AI, astronomy, marine science, and archaeology what we should look forward to over the next 12 months... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Titans of Science: Marc Abrahams

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2024 29:10


    In this edition of Titans of Science, Chris Smith chats with co-founder of Annals of Improbable Research, and the master of ceremonies for the Ig Nobel prize, Marc Abrahams... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    The science that defined 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2024 28:10


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists, we ask leading experts in the fields of health, AI, space, marine biology, and archaeology about the moments that defined 2024... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    The best of 2024!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 53:43


    In this edition of The Naked Scientists, we look back at another brilliant year of science and select some of our favourite stories to come out of it... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Titans of Science: David Baker

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 28:16


    Our Titans of Science season continues with the man who used AI to create an unprecedented number of custom proteins: Nobel Prize winning biochemist David Baker... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

    Food science, ancient human genes, and dark comets

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 33:49


    In the news pod, Chris van Tulleken tells us what he's got planned for this years Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. Then we hear about the innovation to harness energy from radioactive carbon-14 atoms, and learn more about when humans and Neanderthals got to know each other. Then, we look skyward, where astronomers have described a series of mysterious near-Earth objects similar to the famous Oumuamua... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

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