The Naked Scientists Podcast
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.
Episodes
Nature's clocks: why some lives fly by
Today, what causes ageing, and why some animals age faster than others. Joao Pedro Magalhaes discusses ageing biochemistry; Noah Snyder-Mackler links "jumping genes" to shorter lifespans in big dogs; Stephen Clark introduces Jonathan, the 194-year-old tortoise; and Andrew Steele explains Peto's Paradox, showing why large animals get less cancer than expected. Like this podcast? Please help us by s
US blocks Starlink in Ukraine, and a Parkinson's blood test
Coming up, the US places restrictions on Starlink in Ukraine, and MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum warns that AI is accelerating cyber threats from Russia. Plus, an electronic sensor that can help detect Parkinson's disease, the health of a generation raised on sugar rations, and why dogs can understand our words and intonation. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
What is menopause, and how can you manage it?
Today, Rachael Ralph explores menopause and perimenopause. This episode features renowned gynecologist Heather Currie on what we know about this stage of life and who it affects; GP and broadcaster Nighat Arif on menopause-related problems and possible treatments; Uri Alon at the Weizmann Institute of Science on whether menopause involves a 'cliff-like' decline; and Lachlan MacBean at the Universi
Plague death in Russia, and the 2026 Nobel Prizes
A 28-year-old Russian researcher has reportedly died after contracting pneumonic plague. What do we know about this medieval-era disease? Plus, we unpack the 2026 Nobel Prizes, the world's first self-setting nuclear clock begins ticking in Vienna, and why scientists are simulating microgravity on cells in a dish. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Why AI is changing everything
In this special episode, in partnership with Frontiers Science House, we launch our new Why? series by asking one of the biggest questions of our time: Why AI? Why has artificial intelligence advanced so rapidly, why does it work the way it does, and why could it fundamentally change how we think, work, and live? To explore the answers, we hear from four remarkable voices at the heart of the AI co
Cancer drug gene screen, and world's most powerful rocket
New CRISPR technology tool uncovers genes that have become resistant to chemotherapy drugs. We speak with the scientist behind the cancer discovery. Plus, how butterflies use their wing patterns to confuse and evade predators; why Fiji has declared HIV a national emergency; and how SpaceX's Starship rocket launch is fuelling the race back to the Moon. Like this podcast? Please help us by supportin
What is heart disease, and how can it be tackled?
Today, in partnership with British Heart Foundation (BHF), we take on the world's biggest killer: heart disease. This episode features BHF's Ruth Goss on why this disease kills so many people; Will Watson at the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge on what arterial disease looks like under a microscope; Cathy Shanahan at King's College London on attempts to stop blood vessels from becoming hard an
Kent's meningitis outbreak, and heat-loving amoeba
Coming up, scientists discover why the UK's recent men B outbreak was so severe. How did they do it? Also ahead: an international study suggests that bats originated in Europe 65 million years ago; how a tiny single-celled organism can survive at high temperatures; and the search for the resting place of Egypt's heretic queen, Nefertiti. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Sc
The magic of mushrooms and the science of fungi
Coming up, we forage for mushrooms to unearth fascinating alternative uses for fungi, from cleaning up pollution and making building materials to treating mental health. This episode, produced by Laura Verdina at Queens' College, Cambridge, features Laura and Nathan Smith at Grantchester Meadows; Joni Wildman from the University of Bath on mycelium-based materials; Magnus Ivarsson at MycoMine; and
AI poses biosecurity risk, and the ice that doesn't shatter
Coming up: lawmakers scramble to stop AI from being used to develop bioweapons. What has spooked the experts? Plus, we look at how childhood chemotherapy can leave genetic scars on organs, raising disease risk; why ultra-strong ice could soon be used as a construction material; and how researchers are tracking weather patterns on distant planets. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the
A super El Nino is on the way. What should we expect?
El Niño 2026 is predicted to be the strongest on record, and today we consider how the climate pattern can affect the weather, the economy, and our health. This episode features forecasting supremos Aidan McGivern and Peter Gibbs; leading economist Vicky Pryce on the impact on our wallets; and Rachel Tolhurst at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Teresa Zakaria at the WHO on public h
World-first baby skull surgery, and could AI kill us?
Coming up, we hear from the scientists behind a world-first treatment to reshape the skull of a one-year-old boy. How did they do it? Also ahead, an Anthropic researcher warns that AI is advancing so quickly that it may, with a slight chance, "kill all humans" within the next decade; how narwhals are helping scientists collect data in Greenland's fjords; and a German startup launches the first com
What you need to know about driverless vehicles
We've partnered with the Royal Institute of Navigation to explore driverless vehicles, also known as autonomous vehicles, or AVs. The Naked Scientists ride on a self-driving bus in Cambridge to see what makes them tick. We hear from 'driver' Nick Bailey, as well as Daniel Clarke from Greater Cambridge Partnership, Jamie Wilson from Alexander Dennis, Jim Hutchinson from Fusion Processing, Ramsey Fa
Supersized El Nino strikes, and navigation app for the blind
Coming up: El Niño weather phenomenon will be 'exceptional' and last months, say forecasters. What should we know about it? We also hear from the team behind a successful at-home bladder cancer test, learn about the science behind the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope, and meet a Harvard researcher who has created an app to help visually impaired people get around. Like this podcast? Please help
How chemistry can make us healthier
Coming up: how chemistry is transforming 21st-century healthcare. Jeremy Nicholson from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology talks about phenomics. Gemma Sharp shares how the world's largest menstrual fluid biobank was created. David Nutt from Imperial College explains drug mechanisms, and Nobel Prize winner David Baker discusses the role of AI in treating diseases. Leilani Arrow-Smi
Shingles vaccine and heart disease, and allergy transpoosion
Coming up, groundbreaking research suggests the shingles vaccine can greatly reduce the risk of heart attacks. What's the science behind it? Also ahead: the New Space Race between the US and China goes up a gear as Beijing unexpectedly delays the launch of its Chang'e 7 mission. Plus, the frozen 'poo pills' that scientists hope can help keep allergies at bay. Like this podcast? Please help us by s
Incredible insects and their special skills
Today, we are exploring the lives of insects, and some of the incredible abilities they've evolved to enable them to thrive. Coming up, the fly larvae that can withstand huge pressures in some of the world's deepest lakes; the butterfly caterpillar that pretends it's an ant to blag free board, lodgings and even ant grubs to eat inside ant nests, and the remarkable visual systems of wasps that enab
Salmonella outbreak, and Roman shipwreck discovery
Coming up, health agencies grapple with a Salmonella outbreak across Europe. What's behind it? Also, astronomers spot the fastest-moving star in the Milky Way, hurtling around the supermassive black hole at the heart of the galaxy; regulators in the United States have followed Europe's lead by approving an influenza vaccine that relies on mRNA technology; and we explore the remnants of Neapolitan
How can chronic wounds cost more than cancer?
We have partnered with UK Research and Innovation to study wounds and their impact on healthcare. What challenges do wounds create, and how can we treat them? This episode features Mat Hardman at the Wound Innovation Institute; Ketan Dhatariya at the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists; and Holly Wilkinson at the University of Hull. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Na
Malaria drug breakthrough, and space radiation vests
Coming up, Australian researchers have found a new way to help prevent malaria. How have they done it? Also, the UK is "leading the world" in efforts to eliminate hepatitis C, a designer vest that could protect our astronauts from space radiation, and how a new aerogel-based toothpaste can tackle tooth sensitivity. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Solar eclipse special
On August 12th, 2026, nearly one billion people could see a partial solar eclipse, and 15 million will see totality, when the Moon completely obscures the disc of the Sun. In this episode, Becky Smethurst explains solar eclipses; Stephen Price, from Bristol Astronomical Society, explains how best to observe one; astrophysicist Megan Argo documents what mankind made of eclipses in years gone by, an
Breakthrough womb surgery, and the SpaceX Moon crash
Coming up, a team of doctors successfully conducts surgery on a baby still inside the womb. How did they do it? Also, what does SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket collision with the Moon mean for future space missions; how the bright lights and loud sounds of gambling machines promote higher risk-taking; and the deadly cyclosporiasis parasite that's causing bouts of explosive diarrhoea across the globe. Lik
The food of the future
This week, we explore how the food industry uses science to develop new foods that are better for the environment, healthier, and still taste good. The show is produced by Petra Merzan, a student of the Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership, which is funded by UKRI-BBSRC. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Chasing fire clouds, and nanoparticles blitz brain cancers
In this week's show, wildfires have now spread to Italy, Canada, and the wine-producing region of France, Bordeaux. These fires produce a peculiar cloud phenomenon called pyrocumulonimbus and scientists plan to fly a jet over these clouds to determine how they operate. Also, we hear how drug-packed nanoparticles can aid brain cancer treatment, the genetic evidence of smallpox in Incan mummies, and
Titans of Science: Sara Wickstrom
This week, our Titan of Science is cell biologist Sara Wickstrom. Her work focuses on how cells communicate with one another to coordinate growth, development, and movement. These insights have just won Sara the Koerber European Science Prize, and, in this episode, she tells us how she will spend her million Euro winnings, and how her discoveries will inform future treatments for diseases like can
Wildfires worldwide, and algae microbots for drug delivery
In this week's show, wildfires continue to race across the world in Canada, Ireland, Scotland and Italy. Why are they happening, and what can we do to prevent them? Plus, scientists track neighbourhood food consumption from DNA in sewage, the first evidence of an "exomoon" orbiting a planet outside our solar system, and how tiny "algebots" can deliver cancer chemotherapy in the bladder. What makes
Titans of Science: Adrian Owen
This week, our Titans of Science series continues with neuropsychologist and author Adrian Owen. Adrian's work has focused on determining how different parts of the brain contribute to functions such as cognition and memory, and famously led to him being being able to communicate with a patient in a long-term vegetative state using a brain scanner. Here he retells the story, and explains the basi
Alzheimer's drug breakthrough, and sugar in space
A new drug called Trontinemab, which could stop Alzheimer's disease, is about to start clinical trials. How does it work? Also, scientists at the University of Oxford have created a vaccine to fight Ebola; researchers have documented three different types of severe pneumonia; and why the discovery of sugars in space matters. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Titans of Science: Enrico Coen
Titans of Science continues with plant biologist Enrico Coen, a professor at the John Innes Centre in Norfolk. His work investigates how genes move and interact to create tissue shapes during plant development, and how this process varies to produce such a wide range of plant forms. In this episode, we find out how Enrico's early work on fruit flies paved his path to plants, and his work on 'jumpi
Weight loss pills on sale, and Dolly the sheep's legacy
Coming up, Wegovy weight loss pills are now available in pharmacies and online in the UK. Will they help tackle obesity? Plus, how scientists are trying to restore sensation in the feet; the legacy of Dolly the sheep 30 years on; and space rovers and the solar eclipse with the astronomer Megan Argo. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Titans of Science: Tara Spires-Jones
Titans of Science returns with Tara Spires-Jones, a world-leading neurobiology researcher and Director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh. She studies the mechanisms and reversibility of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease and other degenerative brain diseases. We explore Tara's path to neuroscience, the history and biology of Alzheimer's, and treatments
Children's mental health, and mapping bilingual brains
Coming up: England's mental health services are reportedly in "crisis", with over 1 million children referred. What is driving the uptick? Plus, new research suggests that antibodies protect against norovirus, strategies to improve plastic recycling rates, and insights into the bilingual brain. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
The science of sound and music
Coming up, Rachael Ralph explores the role of science in music. At Trinity College, Cambridge, engineer Hugh Hunt demonstrates how sounds are made; Ian Cross discusses turning experimentation into music and instruments; Trinh Nguyen examines music and development in babies; and Jacopo de Berardinis explains AI's role in the 21st-century music revolution. Like this podcast? Please help us by suppor
Europe swelters in 'heat dome', and Martin Rees on aliens
Coming up, most of Europe smashes June temperature records. But what is the 'heat dome' that's driving this extreme weather? Plus, why HPV vaccine rates are declining despite a huge reduction in cervical cancer deaths; Sonia Shah on her book The Fever: How Malaria Has Ruled Humankind for 500,000 Years; and former Astronomer Royal, Lord Martin Rees, on aliens. Like this podcast? Please help us by s
Lessons from our ancient ancestors
Coming up, we explore the life and times of our ancient ancestors, and what they can teach us. In this episode, Lee Berger tells us about the Homo Naledi species that ritualistically buried their dead; George Nash on remarkable cave paintings in South Wales; Andrea Manica explains how our ancient ancestors evolved sickle cell to sidestep malaria; and Rod Flower on our forebears making medicine and
UK's under-16 social media ban, and the first trillionaire
Coming up, the UK follows Australia's lead in introducing age-related restrictions on social media. But do they work? Plus, how biologists are fighting infection from inside cells; researchers trace the origins of cotton to Mexico; and Elon Musk becomes the world's first trillionaire. How might he spend his fortune? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Stonehenge and the summer solstice
Coming up, we explore the summer solstice and its enduring connection with Stonehenge. Larissa Palethorpe at the University of Bristol explains the astronomical significance of the summer solstice; Jennifer Wexler at English Heritage on the origins of Stonehenge; Richard Bevins at the University of Aberystwyth on the geology of the famous stones; and Vincent Gaffney at the University of Bradford o
Christian Eriksen's heart device, and air leaks on the ISS
Coming up, Danish footballer Christian Eriksen is reportedly "doing well" after collapsing for a second time during an international match. Did a tiny device called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator save his life? Plus, whether magnetic immune cells in the liver can drive a pigeon's homing instincts; how astronauts repaired air leaks on the International Space Station; and we ask whether m
Fever pitch: the science of the Football World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is taking place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It's often called the beautiful game, but is it really more science than art? This episode features Rachael Ralph, Hugh Hunt, and Alex Grantham on the physics of football; Tom Brownlee on elite player performance; Gill Cook on the psychology of fans; and Jan Wendt on whether AI can assemble a top squad. Like this podc
Ovarian cancer wonder drug, and the birth of black holes
In this episode, we hear about a breakthrough drug called mirvetuximab, which has been dubbed a "biological missile" in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Plus, astronomers suggest some black holes may have formed before the stars in their host galaxies; a 'killer fungus' that could help habitats damaged by invasive moss; and Blue Origin officials assess the damage caused by the New Glenn rocket's d
Should we be concerned about Ebola?
In this episode, we explore the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring Uganda - including the origins of Ebola and how it is transmitted; how an outbreak is modelled; how we treat and manage Ebola with drugs and vaccines; and what happens if international medical teams become infected. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Rising melanoma rates, and artificial bird's eggs
In today's episode, the rising rates of melanoma skin cancer in the UK - why is this happening? Also, evidence that pregnancy induces epigenetic changes to brain gene expression, researchers produce the world's first artificial bird egg to bring back the Dodo, and an electrical technique to discover the composition of the best coffee... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Sci
The future of AI
Today, we unpack artificial intelligence. What does it do well? And how is it advancing science? This episode features the BBC's Zoe Kleinman, Oxford University's Mike Wooldridge, Raj Jena, the UK's first clinical professor of AI in radiation oncology, and Google's Annalisa Pawlosky... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Ebola outbreak in the DRC, and Artemis III preparation
Coming up, we explore an outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring Uganda. How is it being managed? Plus, NASA announces preparations for Artemis III, whether nuclear power plants are susceptible to attacks from rogue actors and natural disasters, and whether ice vests and cold showers could help people lose weight... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the
Dealing with depression
Today, the basis of depression and how science is helping in its management. Neuroscientist Trevor Robbins defines this condition; GP Munro Stewart tells us how it might be diagnosed and managed through medication; Jackie Rogers at the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy examines the role of talking therapy; and Imperial College London's David Nutt looks at how ECT, deep brain st
Virologists on hantavirus, and extreme heat at the World Cup
Coming up, a virological voyage through what is known about the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius. Plus, scientists create the first detailed map of the smell receptors in the nose; how footballers can cope with extreme temperatures at the FIFA World Cup; and the Trump administration releases a tranche of UFO files... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Hantavirus outbreak: cruising for a biological bruising
This week, we explore an outbreak of hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius. Cambridge virologist Colin Crump explains how the outbreak of this viral disease may have occurred; Emory University's Boghuma Titanji explores the clinical impact of hantavirus infection; Amesh Adalja at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security explains how the disease passes into humans; and the World Health Or
Hantavirus outbreak, and salmon on cocaine
This week, we discuss the hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondius. What are we beginning to learn? Plus, how potatoes were the driving force for advantageous gene selection in the Indigenous Andean population, the salmon being exposed to cocaine in polluted rivers, and what newly discovered molecules are teaching us about ancient life on Mars... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Na
Meningitis under the microscope
Today, we put meningitis under the microscope. Robin May at the UK Health Security Agency explains this group of conditions and how his team might respond to an incident; Kat Sharrocks at Addenbrooke's Hospital details a range of symptoms associated with meningitis; and the Oxford Vaccine Group's Andrew Pollard on the protection that inoculation offers... Like this podcast? Please help us by suppo
Chernobyl 40 years on, and countering ash dieback disease
Forty years on from the Chernobyl disaster, we discuss radioactive fallout and our relationship with nuclear risk. In sport, researchers suggest repeated head impacts may disrupt the blood-brain barrier, potentially increasing dementia risk in retired athletes. And a new approach offers hope for speeding up recovery from ash dieback in affected woodlands... Like this podcast? Please help us by sup
Giant leaps in astronomy: the telescopes taking us further
Today, we are taking a journey through the evolution of space telescopes and observatories. They are continuing to drive our understanding of the Universe, and the latest iterations - the Vera Rubin Observatory and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope - are hoping to go even further. But what are these ambitious eyes on the sky revealing? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked
Microbiome links to Parkinson's, and a massive laser boost
This week scientists confirm the link between changes to the microbiome and later development of Parkinson's Disease, a super speedy microfluidic way to diagnose infection and probe antibiotic susceptibility, how many infections does daycare cause in your toddler, and the breakthrough capable of boosting laser power by orders of magnitude... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Nake
What is flooding? And how do we tackle it?
We dive into the science and impact of flooding and coastal change. In partnership with UK Research and Innovation, this podcast explores what flooding is, how we measure tides, the dangers flooding presents to people and places, and how computing and AI are helping us predict, manage, and reduce its impact... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Alzheimer's drugs & tackling HIV
This week, we look at UK Alzheimer's drugs and the latest debate over whether new treatments are a genuine breakthrough or overhyped, alongside a striking HIV case from Oslo that has raised fresh questions in medical research. We also explore new findings on gut health and its link to hormones and modern disease in industrialised societies, before turning to the skies for the Lyrid meteor shower 2
Oil, gas & what comes next
This week, we are exploring the oil and gas industry, literally from the ground up: what's the geology of oil formation, how does a petrochemist go from crude to highly refined, can the UK solve its energy price problem by actually using the oil on its own doorstep, and what lies downstream of oil as we transition to alternatives? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientist
Space travel alters the body, and chronic pain on the mind
This week, we find out how space travel is likely to affect the bodies of the Artemis II astronauts. Plus, how conflict and other adverse events during childhood influence young lives, what is the link between chronic pain, stress and the brain, and how male octopuses use a specialised arm to find mates... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
What is time?
Time waits for no one, but what exactly is it? Is it just a human construct, or something far deeper, flowing through our minds and bodies? In this episode, we examine the very fabric of time: how we created it, how we perceive it, the hidden rhythms of our body clocks, and what the future might hold as science and technology bend the boundaries of time... Like this podcast? Please help us by supp
Artemis II launch, and tackling physical inactivity
Artemis II begins its mission to take humans farther into space than ever before, scientists in London unveil the first lab-grown oesophagus, the dangers of physical inactivity and why we urgently need to tackle it, and brain cells on a chip learn to play video games like humans... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Nature frozen in time
Across our planet, natural archives preserve the biological footprints of species long gone, from woolly mammoths at the macro scale, through plants and seeds, to dormant bacteria and viruses at the micro end of the spectrum. And one environment that safeguards some of this material in the best condition of all is the cold - in other words, in ice. So, this week, we're going to look at what is sit
Social media addiction, and the famous honeybee dance
This week: social media's role in user harm and the plausibility of app addiction, a sunken Soviet sub revealing how nuclear materials behave deep underwater, a hidden "magnetic shadow" on the Moon that could improve space travel safety, and the science behind the famous "waggle dance" performed by honeybees.... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Return to the Moon
Coming up, we explore the race back to the Moon. Why are we going? How will we get there? Can we live and work on its surface? And what can we grow when we get there? We explore the science, the engineering, and the possibilities of humanity's next giant leap... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Meningitis in Kent, and sonic hedgehogs
Coming up, we explore an outbreak of meningitis in the English county of Kent. Will a targeted vaccination campaign bring it under control? Plus, a fast diagnostic swab test that may help diagnose schizophrenia, how thousands of old tumour samples could aid our understanding of rising bowel cancer rates in people under 50, and a new study that suggests ultrasound could help save European hedgehogs
Understanding endometriosis
For Endometriosis Awareness Month, we explore a condition which affects 10% of women around the world. Cells that form the lining of the uterus crop up in other parts of the pelvis, and elsewhere in the body. It prevents many patients from being able to carry out everyday tasks, and can also cause infertility. In this episode, we explore the condition, hear the experiences of those living with end
War and the environment, and Neanderthal-human interbreeding
Coming up, we assess the environmental and health impact of conflict in the Middle East. Plus, the gene variants that affect how heavily someone smokes, a medication called ruxolitinib that could help the vitiligo community, and a fascinating new study on interbreeding between Neanderthals and humans... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Eradicating polio
This week, we're exploring polio: a highly infectious viral disease that can attack the nervous system and cause paralysis, mainly in young children. Polio has been pushed to the brink of elimination thanks to global vaccination efforts - but it still persists. In this episode, we'll look at what polio is, how vaccines have helped control it, where the virus still exists today, and whether it can
Immune reprogramming for cancer, and squeaky shoe science
Coming up, we explore how CAR-T cell therapy is revolutionising personalised cancer treatment. Plus, how NASA's DART mission tested Earth's asteroid defence, what we are learning about the benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby health, and we delve into the physics behind squeaky shoes... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Titans of Science: Mike Wooldridge
Our Titans of Science series continues with Mike Wooldridge, Ashall Professor of Foundations of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Oxford. He has conducted extensive work in the field of agentic AI, systems comprising multiple interacting AIs. In this episode, he tells Chris Smith what drew him to computers and AI in the first place, the pioneering work of Geoff Hinton, why ChatGPT isn't
Brain fats cleared during sleep, and bird poo powered Peru
Today, how the brain harnesses immune cells to clear burned out fats during sleep: does this protect from Alzheimer's disease? Also, the nutrient-rich guano of seabirds that shaped society in ancient Peru, fast footage reveals how kangaroos hop faster at no extra energy cost, and how horses whinny! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Titans of Science: Jane Carlton
Our Titan of Science this week is leading light in the field of malaria, Jane Carlton. The first to sequence the genome of malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax, she also helped sequence the deadlier Plasmodium falciparum. Jane tells Chris Smith the ins and outs of malaria, her journey to become Director of the Malaria Research Institute at Johns Hopkins, and how stealing her brother's genetics textbo
Navalny's dart frog poisoning, and cat cancer genomics
This week, we look into the science behind Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's death, caused by dart frog poison, and why Russia resorted to such an exotic means of dispatch at all. Also, how cat cancer genomics can provide new insights into human malignancies, and - more with a whimper than a bang - how a dying star skipped the supernova and became an instant black hole. Plus, Barack Obama
Heart failure: can you mend a broken heart?
This week, in partnership with British Heart Foundation, we explore heart failure. Leading experts from the UK's largest independent funder of cardiovascular research tell us about the condition, the symptoms to look out for, what happens when a heart fails, how heart failure has traditionally been managed, and whether it is possible to regenerate a damaged heart... Like this podcast? Please help
A nasal spray for flu, and is this how life began on Earth?
This week, we discuss a new antibody-based nasal spray that protects against the flu: how does it work? Plus, the tiny self-replicating molecule that may give clues to the origins of life on Earth, whether we should regulate "mirror life" research, and how bacteria protect oak trees from drought and other stresses... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
The mosquito: the world's deadliest animal
Coming up, we explore the tremendous impact mosquitoes have had throughout their evolution. In this episode, we break down what mosquitoes are, how they track down a meal, the diseases they carry, and the strategies that scientists are currently deploying to control them... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Shingles vaccine delays dementia, and chatting AI bots
This week, we examine a herpes zoster vaccination that can reduce or delay dementia diagnosis. How does it work? Plus, the BBC's Zoe Kleinman explains a social media site for AI chatbots, the discovery of microplastics in remote parts of the Pacific Ocean, and why the Artemis II launch has been delayed once more... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Motor neurone disease: what does the science say?
Today, we take a closer look at motor neurone disease (MND), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting the motor neurones that control voluntary muscle movement. This programme explores the clinical features of MND, what it is like to live with the condition, how it is diagnosed, and the current approaches to treatment and management... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the
Cracking cancer's code, and the cow that scratches its back
Coming up, a world-first gene cancer database is launched. How might it help us gain a better understanding of how disease develops? Plus, the link between vitamin D deficiency and respiratory infections, Austria's back-scratching cow, and SpaceX carries out its latest launch of Starlink satellites... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Titans of Science: John Zarnecki
Titans of Science is back with John Zarnecki, a towering figure in the UK's space community. He has played a crucial role in designing instruments for groundbreaking space missions, and has also helped shape Europe's planetary science programme. In this episode, John shares compelling stories from his career with Chris Smith - including the significance of the Cassini-Huygens mission to Titan, the
Alzheimer's fingerprick test, and space debris sonic booms
This week, a blood finger-prick test has been developed to detect Alzheimer's disease before symptoms arise. But how accurate is it? Plus, tracking space debris reentry from their sonic booms with earthquake-detecting seismometers, what happens in our noses when we are infected by the common cold, and the plants that use heat to get pollinated by beetles... Like this podcast? Please help us by sup
Generation New Era: The UK's new birth cohort study
This week, we're looking at a major study that is following the development of children born in the UK in 2026. It's called Generation New Era, and in this episode we hear from the team leading the research: how they plan to run it, what earlier cohort studies have revealed, and what they hope to discover this time around. The study has been funded by public investment from UKRI, and their Economi
China's new London embassy, and screen-time retards speech
This week, China's attempts to build a new "mega-embassy" in London, but are there security risks? Plus, the UK plans to build a record number of offshore wind farms for cleaner energy, the impact of TV screens and tablets on speech development in toddlers, and NASA's first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Sci
