5 Live Science Podcast

BBC Radio 5 Live

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

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446 episodes

5live science 31/03/24

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.

52m
Mar 31, 2024
Why whooping cough cases are surging and looking for life on Europa

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientists look at what's behind a spike in whooping cough cases occurring across the UK and Europe.

53m
Mar 24, 2024
COVID-19, 4 years on.

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode……four years after they declared COVID 19 a global pandemic, we speak to the World Health Organization to get their recollections and perspectives. A surprising finding about the particles shed from the brake pads on our cars, we look back at the remarkable life of Paul Alexander, the man in the iron lung, who’s died aged 78. And we look at the long term effects of COVID 19. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Mar 15, 2024
The gene that turns Labradors into gluttons, migratory birds and the oldest known dead galaxy.

The team discuss the gene that turns Labradors into gluttons, migratory birds and the oldest known dead galaxy.

52m
Mar 10, 2024
Cyber Crimes in Cyber Times

Off the back of cyber-attacks on the British Library and Cambridge University, Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist look at the how they happen, who is responsible, and how can we protect against them. Plus the team find out why a gene might be responsible for a Labrador's weight, how early springs are affecting migratory birds, and hear from the Cambridge team who have found the oldest known dead galaxy in the universe.

53m
Mar 10, 2024
Lithium batteries, human tails and the science behind potholes

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode……as the UK re-joins the EU horizon research programme we hear from the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on what she sees as the main benefit from this new deal. Also, scientists discover a way to get lithium batteries charging faster and performing better in the cold, and how and why did we humans lose our tails back in history? Plus we’re looking into potholes, what’s causing them and the research drive to try and fix them permanently. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Mar 03, 2024
Whale songs, fake fossils and "Forever Chemicals"

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode...scientists unveil prehistoric cases of Down’s syndrome, but how did they find them? How whales really produce whale songs and the famous fake fossil that foxed palaeontologists for the best part of a century. Plus we’re taking a look at the so called “Forever Chemicals”…what are they? And how they might be damaging for us and the environment. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Feb 25, 2024
Dengue fever, sense of humour and fish skin

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode...a huge outbreak of dengue fever in Brazil so should we be worried here in Europe? Also scientists discover the types of microbe that drive the decomposition of animal flesh and they do it in a pretty gruesome way. And where do we get our sense of humour from? Plus we find out how fish skin is fighting infection on the battlefield and take a look at the origins of medics in conflicts. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

53m
Feb 18, 2024
Blueberries, cancer waiting lists and assisted dying

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode... why cancer waiting lists have lengthened and the importance of catching the disease early? Also how pollution is blinding insects to plants they might want to pollinate? And how do blueberries come by their colour? It’s not as simple as it sounds, squash one and you’ll see they are not blue inside. Plus we’re looking at the debate at around assisted dying after Dame Esther Rantzen told the BBC she’s decided to join an assisted dying clinic in Switzerland. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

53m
Feb 11, 2024
Elon Musk's brain implants and the science of shipping

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode...a human receives one of Elon Musk’s brain implants, but why? Also scientists unlock part of the puzzle of why fasting can cut inflammation and slow down the gaining process, and a brief history of spine – we explore a new exhibition on vertebrates. Plus The science of shipping – we go to sea on a ship of the future to hear how the industry is trying to cut it’s carbon footprint. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Feb 04, 2024
Retinas, biological cells and pond skater insects.

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode...what the structure of your retina reveals about your risk of developing a range of different diseases, have we finally cracked how the first biological cells appeared 4 billions years ago? And how pond skater insects survive potentially lethal run-ins with large raindrops. Plus we’re continuing our “Titans of Science” series, this week we interviewing Wales former Chief Scientist and Alzheimer's guru, Julie Williams. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Jan 28, 2024
The Black Death, wine measures and pot holes

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode...did the black death really kill so many in Europe that if left an indelible mark in the population’s DNA? New research suggests that might be a myth. Also could smaller wine measures in pubs help to tackle our unhealthy relationship with alcohol and later on, the Cambridge engineers who are using science to plug the gaps in the UK pot-holed roads. Plus we continue our Titans of Science series, this week featuring the cosmologist, astrophysicist and member of the House of Lords, Martin Rees. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

53m
Jan 21, 2024
Titans of Science: Professor Deborah Prentice

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode...why a dose of old drugs might be a new way to beat depression. With many countries gearing up for general elections in the year ahead, why AI generated deepfakes have got politicians very worried. We look back at the life of the pioneering British transplant surgeon, Professor Sir Roy Calne and we continue our Titans of Science series with the psychologist and new Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University – Professor Deborah Prentice. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Jan 14, 2024
Measles, Terror Chatbots and the Microbiome

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientists investigate why the world is seeing a surge of measles, look into how Japan prepares for earthquakes, asks if AI glorifies terrorism, and whether space junk is worth recycling. Plus they delve into the microbiome including how a "transpoosion" can reverse antibiotic resistance.

52m
Jan 07, 2024
Quantum Leap

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. This week, Chris Smith and Will Tingle look back on some of 2023’s most important scientific discoveries and ponder what we should expect in 2024. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Dec 31, 2023
Christmas science stories and computer games

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present a special Christmas The science of champagne, a look at the light hearted stories from the Christmas edition of the British Medical Journal, and the 150 million year old marine reptile with a slot on prime time Christmas TV. Plus a look at some of the best computer games you can play across Christmas. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Dec 24, 2023
Titans of Science: Chris Hadfield

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. In today’s programme: Nausea in pregnancy, scientists have solved why it happens and what we can do about it. Also, COP28 is over, but what was actually achieved And what science is revealing about the methods of great artists like Rembrandt. Plus Titans of Science returns, talking to leading scientists around the world, and today’s relaunch features former astronaut and commander of the International Space station, Chris Hadfield.

52m
Dec 17, 2023
Covid Inquiry, fossilised trees in the Fens, and getting Britons moving

James Tytko and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. This week Boris Johnson gives evidence to the UK Covid Inquiry, the farmers digging up 5000 year old trees on the Fens, a new drug to prevent fentanyl overdose, and how to confront the UK’s activity crisis. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Dec 10, 2023
COP28, swine flu, Bennu asteroid and digital twins.

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode... what’s on the agenda for the COP28 climate summit? What do we know about the new strain of swine flu found in North Yorkshire? Samples from the Bennu asteroid arrive in the UK, we talk to the scientist who just got her hands on some. As technology advances, how can we all save time and money by having a digital twin? Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

51m
Dec 03, 2023
Cyber attacks, red wine headaches and Parkinson’s disease

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode... a damning indictment of our politician’s grasp of science emerges from the COVID enquiry. We’ll ask who is behind the high-profile cyber attacks on the British Library and how researchers got to the bottom of why some of us get red wine headaches. Plus we find out what it’s like to live with Parkinson’s disease and what is science revealing about why it happens and what we can do to make life more bearable. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Nov 26, 2023
Chickenpox, Champion Jockeys and Light Speed

Will Tingle and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. This week, the decision to give chickenpox vaccines to kids: what changed medics' minds? Also, spinal injuries, the building blocks of life and why the universe has a speed limit. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

27m
Nov 19, 2023
Anastrozole, COP 28, hedgehogs and the James Webb space telescope

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. In this week's episode, the drug Anastrozole can prevent thousands of cases of breast cancer among older women, but at what cost? Climate change expert Mark Maslin on what we need to know about the forthcoming COP 28 summit that’s going to kick off soon in Dubai. How the UK’s hedgehogs have been going through something of a rough patch recently. Plus we’ll take a look at what the James Webb space telescope has been teaching us. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Nov 12, 2023
Winter flu, AI Summit, Cockney accent and the COVID enquiry

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode... Winter flu season hits the northern hemisphere but how are scientists trying to stay one step ahead of the virus, we’ll be unpacking the Artificial Intelligence summit that’s been happening at historic Bletchley Park and we’ll be finding out why the world famous cockney accent is dying out among the young in the Southeast of England. Plus as the ongoing COVID enquiry lays bare the mistakes been made during the pandemic, we speak to experts on how we can be better prepared for the next one. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

53m
Nov 05, 2023
Long COVID, Hurricanes and "Spooky" Organisms.

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. In this week's episode...there’s new analysis on the prevalence of long covid, how widespread is it? Could climate change be making hurricanes in the Atlantic stronger? And as we are in the middle of the spookiest time of year is it time to reappraise the benefits of a few organisms that are considered gross, dangerous and scary. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Oct 29, 2023
Mouthguard technology, space junk and Is it time to stop changing the clocks?

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. In this week's episode...the mouthguard technology that is helping tackle head knocks in sport. We’ll assess the impact that space junk is having on our atmosphere. It’s that time of year again. As many parts of the world prepare to change their clocks, we’ll examine the case for doing away with the practice altogether. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Oct 22, 2023
Titans of Science: Dame Sally Davies

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. In this week's episode...the rise of the bed bugs, leading bed bug expert James Logan tells us all we need to know, could genetically modified pig kidneys soon be transplanted into the humans? The clinical trial ixs now awaiting approval. And why it might be time for us to reappraise the impact of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. Plus in our Titans of Science series, we hear from England’s former chief medical officer Dame Sally Davies on her career in the top job and the antibiotic apocalypse that she’s made it her mission to combat. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Oct 15, 2023
New malaria vaccine, radioactive water and Lord Robert Winston

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. In this week's episode...Will a new vaccine help to turn the tide against malaria? As Japan releases radioactive water into the sea from Fukushima, should we be worried? What and who have won Nobel prizes this year? And why a lion’s roar isn’t the most feared sound on the South African Savanna. Plus in our Titans of Science series, we talk to Lord Robert Winston, the pioneer of IVF treatment. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Oct 08, 2023
Covid vaccine for all variants, and Anthony Fauci in conversation

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. In this week's episode... we discuss a future proof Covid jab that combats variants that don’t even exist yet, signs that antimatter does obey the rules of gravity and why one doomsday scenario is predicting we’re all going to wiped out in 250 million years’ time when plate tectonics give us a new super continent. Plus in our Titans of Science series, we talk to former Chief Medical Advisor to the White House, Dr Anthony Fauci, about what It was like working with Donald Trump across Covid and his handling of the first cases of HIV in the USA back in the 1980s. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Oct 01, 2023
Spinal cord injury treatments, red fire ants and asteroid samples.

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. In this week's episode... A breakthrough in treating spinal cord injuries, worrying news about red fire ants in Sicily, we look at what it means for us in the UK and NASA is sending a sample of an asteroid back to Earth - it arrives this weekend - find out what scientists are hoping to learn. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

27m
Sep 24, 2023
Titans of Science: Helen Sharman (Part 2)

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. In this week's episode...After a rise in Covid cases across the country, we try to find out when exactly are people infectious? The potential ban on single use vapes and farewell to Dolly's father, we look at the legacy of Ian Wilmut, who cloned the world's most famous sheep. Plus in our new Titans of Science series, we continue with part 2 of our interview with Helen Sharman, the first Britain in space, we find out what day to day life was like on the Mir Space Station. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

52m
Sep 17, 2023