The Naked Scientists Podcast
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The Naked Scientists Podcast
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.
Recent Episodes
1279 episodes
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...
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 M...
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 tre...
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...
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...
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 rock...
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. Th...
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 clo...
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, dev...
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...
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 differen...
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 Univ...
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 an...
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 tryi...
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 t...
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 r...
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; Ia...
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 rat...
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 Nal...
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 fightin...
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 as...
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...
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 t...
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 cance...
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...
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 chang...
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...
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...
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...
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 te...
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...
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 diseas...
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 advanta...
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 res...
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 repea...
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 Univ...
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...
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 floodin...
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 stri...
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 fr...