Podcasts by lol lps

March 25, 2018 from 2018-03-25T17:27:45

A Brief History of Stephen Hawking from 2018-03-20T00:00

On Wednesday March the 14th, the world was shaken by the death of one of our greatest scientists, Professor Stephen Hawking. Joined by some of his Cambridge colleagues and the new generation of sci...

What Is Inside Your Computer? from 2018-03-13T00:00

This week - we use them everyday - at work, at home, to chat to our friends or listen to music - but how do computers actually work, what's inside them, and what will the computers of tomorrow look...

Before they're Gone: Fighting the Illegal Wildlife Trade from 2018-03-06T00:00

It's one of the largest criminal industries in the world, worth billions and responsible for thousands of murders, but can we win the fight against the illegal wildlife trade? We speak to the foot ...

What The Heck Is Xenobiology? from 2018-02-27T00:00

The Naked Scientists meet the biologists who are inventing a new form of genetic information: this strange science is called xenobiology. Plus, in the news, a breakthrough in the treatment of cance...

How High Can we Build? from 2018-02-20T00:00

This week, we put your questions to our expert panel of scientists - What's the tallest possible building? Do female animals flirt? And what can we do if an asteroid ends up heading for earth?

The Art of Science from 2018-02-13T00:00

The Naked Scientists ditch the lab coats for artistic overalls. From coding musical compositions to the jeans that remove air-pollution, we take a look at how art has helped science. Plus, in the n...

Turning the Tide on Plastics from 2018-02-06T00:00

This week, The Naked Scientists probe the plastic problem: can science help turn the tide on our rising consumption? Plus, the killer whale that can talk, and some groundbreaking research reveals w...

Why Bother Being Nice? from 2018-01-30T00:00

This week, we're asking would you risk your life to save someone else? Plenty of people do, and so do other animals and even bacteria. But why? And how did altruistic actions like this evolve? Plus...

James Webb: Gazing at Early Galaxies from 2018-01-23T00:00

This week, how astronomers are planning to see the beginning of our Universe: we talk to the team behind the telescope that's about to be blasted into deep space to make it happen. Plus, scientists...

Why Does Snoring Exist? from 2018-01-16T00:00

Is it possible to stop snoring? Is there a difference between running outside and on a treadmill? Which food group really is the worst for us? Chris Smith is joined by exercise expert Dan Gordon, s...

Criminal Chemistry: What's Your Poison? from 2018-01-09T00:00

This week - from adrenaline to arsenic, The Naked Scientists delve into the sinister science of poisons! Plus, what space tech is on the horizon in 2018, and the science of New Year's resolutions.

The Science of 2017 from 2018-01-02T00:00

This week, The Naked Scientists raise a glass to 2017 as they look back at their favourite science moments of the year, including: bees playing football, ghost busting, and removing farts from a car.

A Very Naked Christmas from 2017-12-22T00:00

This week, The Naked Scientists are spreading festive cheer as they get ready for Christmas, all in one hour! Joined by psychologist Philipe Bujold, tech expert Alex Farell, vibrations engineer Hug...

Social Media: Bad for our Brains? from 2017-12-19T00:00

Social media use is more common than ever, with over 2 billion of us signed up, but do we know what it's doing to our brains? We're exploring how this exploding trend is influencing our opinions an...

Star Wars: The Science Strikes Back from 2017-12-12T00:00

This week we delve into physics in a galaxy far far away as we probe the science of Star Wars! Plus in the news, evidence that London air is stunting the growth of developing babies, and scientists...

Can a shrimp punch through glass? from 2017-12-05T00:00

Are black holes really holes? Is there such thing as a genetic love match? Why do clouds move? The Naked Scientists are joined by marine biologist Kate Feller, astrophysicist Matt Middleton, geneti...

Forever Young: Can Science Reverse Ageing? from 2017-11-28T00:00

Is ageing inevitable, or can science help stop or even reverse the process? From young blood to diet fads, and stem cells to dancing, we explore what the experts think will keep us healthier for lo...

Tomorrow's Tech: Biomedical Breakthroughs from 2017-11-21T00:00

This week, new ways to spot cancers much sooner, repair nerve injuries and fix hip arthritis: we're looking at four major medical breakthroughs waiting to happen. Plus in the news, how advertisers ...

Palaeo Ponderings: Can You Dig It? from 2017-11-14T00:00

Did dinosaurs live in herds? Why are mountains pointy? And what's the best preserved mummy? Plus we had a giant snake, a few skulls, a couple of "feet" and one of the oldest rocks on Earth in the s...

Are we Working Ourselves to Death? from 2017-11-07T00:00

We devote up to 50 years of our life to it, yet it might just be getting us down. This week The Naked Scientists programme examines work, hearing how our behaviour and our buildings can change to b...

Trick or Treat: The Science of the Paranormal from 2017-10-31T00:00

This week, The Naked Scientists delve into the paranormal. We'll be asking why so many of us have supernatural beliefs, exploring the scientific origins behind our favourite monster legends, and br...

Under Your Skin from 2017-10-23T23:00

This week, The Naked Scientists get under the skin of skin. Hear about the new method to treat burn victims, the electronic tattoo that can tell if you've got flu and how to keep your skin in good ...

The Countdown to Artificial Intelligence from 2017-10-16T23:00

The Naked Scientists are joined by an expert panel to discuss the seven most significant questions people are asking about AI. We explore the risks and positive outcomes of AI, and Chris finds out ...

DNA Decoded: Past, Present and Sausage from 2017-10-09T23:00

This week we delve into DNA and what it can tell us about our past, present and future. And, what happened when we decided to read the DNA sequence of a local sausage. Plus, in the news, what won N...

What Makes the Best Breakfast? from 2017-10-02T23:00

Can your intestines grow back? How can you measure your own stress levels? How do electric eels work? Scientists David Rothery, Sarah Madden and Gareth Corbett team up to answer an eclectic and ele...

Is the future bionic? from 2017-09-25T23:00

This week a look at enhancements for future humans: wearable robots, an artificial pancreas, and a replacement retina, as well as limb and head transplants. Plus, in the news, a new hope for global...

Memories: Making Them & Faking Them from 2017-09-18T23:00

This week, we take a trip down memory lane. How scientists can implant false memories, wipe memory away, and the link between head injuries and Alzheimer's disease. Plus, in the news, farewell to C...

Drug Discovery: The Future of Pharma from 2017-09-11T23:00

This week; from Big Pharma to Little Pharma, we look at how new drugs are discovered. Plus, in the news - what powers the Northern Lights on Jupiter, why cuckoos have the last laugh, and 3 decade...

Fidget Spinners in Space? from 2017-09-04T23:00

In the latest Q and A show from The Naked Scientists, we answer your questions with the help of an expert panel - plant scientist Beverley Glover, mathematician James Grime, physicist Jess Wade and...

Can Science Mavericks Save the World? from 2017-08-28T23:00

This week, we're exploring the end of the world. From robotic AI takeovers to global floods, when it comes to the extinction of our species, is science really set up to predict or prevent such even...

Diet: Can we be healthy and sustainable? from 2017-08-21T23:00

This week, food is on the menu! Do any of the diets that you hear about actually work? What's best to eat for the health of the planet? And will the steak of the future grow in a test tube? Plus, s...

Black Holes in Sight from 2017-08-14T23:00

This week we're exploring the cosmos through your senses. How scientists are attempting to see a black hole for the first time, what Saturn sounds like, and what will the surface of Mars feel like....

Will Machines Take Over the World? from 2017-08-07T23:00

The science questions that you've been sending in get scrutinised and analysed by biologist Sarah Harrison, statistician Simon White, mental health expert Olivia Remes and machine learning guru Pet...

Can Nature Clean up Nuclear Contamination? from 2017-07-31T23:00

Chernobyl was 31 years ago, but as nuclear power is one of the few reliable and low carbon energy supplies, how long before it happens again? We meet the scientists who are are preparing for when t...

Marine Month: In too Deep from 2017-07-24T23:00

This week we round off Marine Month with a trip to the bottom of the ocean, meeting underwater robots and using maths to hunt for sunken treasure ships. Plus, a way to predict organ failure in hosp...

Marine Month: All at Sea from 2017-07-17T23:00

Our marine month continues as we swim out from the reef into the open ocean, where we'll be meeting one of the deadliest creatures on Earth. Plus, some good news about the Zika virus, how the cordl...

Marine Month: Making Waves from 2017-07-10T23:00

Marine month continues with the Naked Scientists as we move out from the beach to the coastal waters in search of the world's biggest fish and the corals that glow in the dark to survive. Plus, in ...

Marine Month: Life's A Beach from 2017-07-03T23:00

Here at The Naked Scientists HQ, it's marine month! Throughout four programmes in July, come dip your toes into all things aquatic as we work our way down to the bottom of the deepest ocean. From b...

Would You Trust a Robot? from 2017-06-26T23:00

Would you trust a robot to grow your food, to operate on you, to fight a war on your behalf, or to save your life in an emergency? We look at how robots are on course to alter our lives. Plus, new ...

Hearts in the Extreme from 2017-06-19T23:00

The Naked Scientists report back from the British Cardiovascular Society's annual conference, finding out how our tickers deal with extreme exercise and environments, from deep under the sea right ...

Can We Talk To Dolphins? from 2017-06-12T23:00

The Naked Scientists are joined by marine biologist Danielle Green, physicist Stuart Higgins, psychologist Duncan Astle and astrophysicist Carolin Crawford, to tackle your questions. This week, fin...

Cyber Security: When Crime goes Online from 2017-06-05T23:00

As life moves increasingly online, so do crime and fraud. This week, we uncover some personal secrets from a supposedly blank hard drive, find out how hackers can use baby monitors to spy on people...

Biology's Biggest Mystery: The Origin of Life from 2017-05-30T10:55

Journey back 3.7 billion years to the young earth, as we try to find out how life first began. Was it in a soup of colliding chemistry, a deep-sea hydrothermal vent or did life rain down on the e...

Why Bother Going to the Moon? from 2017-05-22T23:00

The Naked Scientists are joined by biologist Kate Feller, physicist Jess Wade, biochemist Andy Holding and Space Boffin Richard Hollingham, to field your science questions. This week, find out what...

Would Aliens Understand Maths? from 2017-05-15T23:00

Love it or loathe it maths is everywhere... from counting bees to interstellar trade with aliens, we explore how maths earned the title of the language of the universe. Plus, getting to know our ne...

The Lowdown on Language from 2017-05-08T23:00

This week, The Naked Scientists go global as we explore language - can speaking more than one exercise our brain?; and is our ability to save money purely down to the way we talk? Plus, the rodents...

Zooming in on Cancer from 2017-05-01T23:00

Cancer is a devastating disease, and one of the largest killers in the Western world. This week, in a special show, Kat Arney investigates how scientists are fighting back, from building tumours in...

Gut Bugs: Friend or Foe? from 2017-04-24T23:00

The Naked Scientists go on a tour of the intestine, from top to bottom, in search of the good and bad germs that lurk there and what they mean for our health. Plus, why touchscreens may be harming ...

Should I Sequence My Genes? from 2017-04-17T23:00

What surprises might you find lurking in your DNA, and can that information be used against you?

From Stem Cells to Brain Cells from 2017-04-10T23:00

We speak to scientists turning embryonic cells into nerve cells to treat Parkinson's disease and growing an entire system of organs in the lab. Plus, how antibiotics taken during pregnancy may affe...

Do air pollution masks actually work? from 2017-04-01T23:00

The Naked Scientists are joined by cosmologist Andrew Pontzen, biologist Sarah Shailes, neuroscientist Philipe Bujold and biochemist Sarah Madden to pit their wits against your science questions. T...

Inside the Atom: 100 Years On from 2017-03-27T23:00

100 years since Rutherford split the atom, we investigate the secrets of the building blocks of our Universe. How can we harness the energy locked inside these particles, how have scientists been e...

Is Modern Life Reducing our Fertility? from 2017-03-21T00:00

Are trends in modern living helping or harming our ability to reproduce? And how do factors affecting fertility differ between men and women? Plus, fighting brain tumours with artificial antibodies...

A Crash Course in Space Junk from 2017-03-14T00:00

There is a floating museum above our heads: millions of fragments from past space missions are hurtling round the earth and could destroy our current satellites. We find out how spacecraft are cop...

What causes Brain Freeze? from 2017-03-07T00:00

Why are we looking for earth-sized planets? Can I unshrink a woollen jumper? What does a black hole actually look like? Chris Smith is joined by David Rothery, Anna Ploszajski, Aimee Eckert and Mic...

Conversations about Climate Change from 2017-02-28T00:00

This week, a crash course in climate change: we meet one strange fish already feeling the pinch, ask if humans are wired to ignore the threat, and look at one way we could all reduce our carbon f...

Preventing HIV with PrEP from 2017-02-21T00:00

This week, we investigate the HIV preventative measure PrEP, which could be turning the tide on new infection rates - but is it safe to buy online? Plus, the toughest ever spider's web, a journey b...

Meteor, Comet or Asteroid: What's the Difference? from 2017-02-14T23:22:43

What's the difference between a meteorite, meteoroid, a comet and an asteroid? We tell you how to find your own space rock here on Earth, and hear from a scientists tracking where space rocks come ...

Can we Create Artificial Gravity? from 2017-02-07T00:00

Do giraffes get struck by lightning? What's the highest number a person could count to? How do animals have sex underwater? Chris Smith teams up with Tim Revell, Richard Hollingham, Chris Basu an...

Optogenetics: Lighting up the Brain from 2017-01-31T00:00

Could a light in your brain cure epilepsy, or send you to sleep? The Naked Scientists investigate the mysterious field of optogenetics, and the treatments it promises to bring. Plus, news of a ca...

The LED Lighting Revolution from 2017-01-24T00:00

The light bulb is a hundred-year-old technology whose time is finally up. This week, we shine a little light on its replacement to find out what makes it such a compelling alternative and look to t...

The Science of Laughter from 2017-01-17T14:39:37

This week, The Naked Scientists take a look at the science of laughter, asking why we like to laugh, hearing what babies find funny and meeting a joke-building robot. Plus, news of a gene editing t...

Are more crimes committed during a full moon? from 2017-01-10T00:00

Does being angry increase your risk of a heart attack? What's a psychopath? And how much does a single cell weigh? This week, Chris Smith answers your questions with Stuart Higgins, Maud Borensztei...

2016: A Year in Science from 2017-01-03T00:00

The Naked Scientists celebrate the dawn of 2017 with a look at their best bits from 2016, including: the science breakthrough of the year, how to use psychology to get a date and why it pays to l...

Humanity's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence from 2016-12-27T00:00

This week: is there anybody out there or are we alone in the Universe? Graihagh Jackson ponders one of the fundamental questions of humanity, from flying saucers and UFOs to why we haven't found an...

The 12 Scientific Days of Christmas from 2016-12-20T00:00

The Naked Scientists celebrate the holidays with the 12 scientific days of Christmas. From why 9 ladies like to dance to making those 6 geese eggs into bouncy balls...

What's the Healthiest Way to Eat an Entire Cake? from 2016-12-13T00:00

Chris is joined by Giles Yeo, Roger Buckley, Andrew Pontzen and Kerstin Goepfrich, and they enjoy a mince pie or two while answering listener questions, including: why isn't love blinding; are glas...

When The Drugs Don't Work... from 2016-12-06T00:00

Antibiotics are chemicals that kill bacteria but leave us unharmed. However, bacteria are evolving so that our drugs no longer kill them. If this trend continues, the treatable are going to become ...

Is DNA the Basis for all Life in the Universe? from 2016-11-29T00:00

This week: alien hunting! Life here on Earth uses DNA, but why, and would aliens be made of the same stuff? Plus, news of how your gut microbes are controlling your genes, a new way to fight phobia...

Navigating the Future from 2016-11-22T00:00

This week the show comes to you from the Royal Institute of Navigation's annual International Conference, with a look at the future of navigation. From the trousers that can track your every move t...

What's between my internal organs? from 2016-11-15T00:00

This week on the Naked Scientists, we've gathered the bright and the brainy to answer your science questions, from why ants are stealing your toenail clippings to what's between your internal organ...

The History of Hominins: Are Humans Special? from 2016-11-08T00:00

This week on the Naked Scientists we're exploring our human story, from the use of tools and fire, to ritualistic behaviour. Where did we come from and what makes us special? Chris Smith is joined ...

Your Brain on Horror from 2016-11-01T00:00

Have you ever wondered why some people enjoy being absolutely petrified by horror films? This week, The Naked Scientists investigate the spooky science of the genre: what does fear look like in the...

The End of Night from 2016-10-24T23:00

Kat and Chris are turning the lights down low in search of darkness. 80% of Europeans and Northern Americans now can't see the Milky Way. But does this extra light pollution matter? It doesn't harm...

Hospital Health Check from 2016-10-17T23:00

This week we step out of the lab and into the hospital to celebrate one of our most treasured institutions. We find out about the technology that could be changing the future of healthcare and Conn...

Will We Beat Alzheimer's Disease? from 2016-10-10T23:00

Alzheimer's: A third of the population may be destined to develop this form of dementia, which robs people of their memories and independence. So what causes it, and what can we do about it? Plus i...

Why do Cats Have Vertical Pupils? from 2016-10-03T23:00

Why do cats have vertical pupils? Do clouds defy gravity? What is the brain basis of road rage? The Naked Scientists team tackle these and many more science questions, with help from an all-star gu...

A Little Light Relief from 2016-09-26T23:00

This week we're in for a little light relief, as we explore how light-based technologies are delivering a brighter future, in medicine and beyond. Plus, in the news, a new gene therapy for spinal m...

Mapping the Milky Way from 2016-09-19T23:00

This week - Cambridge's key role in the mission to map the milky way! We learn how the Gaia space telescope is pinpointing the positions of a billion stars in our galaxy.Plus, news of a net which w...

Moulding the Minds of Tomorrow from 2016-09-12T23:00

This week, we don our uniforms for a lesson in the science of education: what's the best way to mould the minds of the future? Plus, a new drug that could cure malaria with a single dose and we fi...

How Old is the Average Atom? from 2016-09-05T23:00

Can we see the lunar landing sites with a telescope? Why is it cooler at altitude despite being closer to the Sun? Why is there no salt in sea ice? Was it windier when the Earth turned faster? What...

Scrutinizing Science from 2016-08-29T23:00

This week, The Naked Scientists are celebrating their 15th birthday and so Graihagh Jackson puts science under the microscope and questions its importance in today's world.

Animation: The Reel Deal from 2016-08-22T23:00

This week, we find out how science can help you get from script to screen in animated movies, from the physics of balancing a giraffe on a tightrope to the researcher putting voice actors in a brai...

Drugs: Time for a Change? from 2016-08-15T23:00

100 years since the first UK drug law, we explore the controversial and confusing science behind the drugs debate. From the brain basis of addiction to how ecstasy could treat anxiety, what are the...

Do Fish Fart? from 2016-08-08T23:00

From farting fish to the link between diet and cancer, Kat Arney and Chris Smith take on your questions with Matt Middleton, Giles Yeo and Eleanor Drinkwater...

The Science Too Hot To Handle from 2016-08-01T23:00

The Olympics is finally upon us and from going for gold in the tropical Rio climate to boosting the efficiency of jet engines, our ability to cope in high temperatures could make the difference bet...

Fuels Of The Future from 2016-07-25T23:00

This week we'll need you to fasten your seatbelts because we're taking a trip into the future of fuels. We're asking if biofuels are really that brilliant and finding out how one lab is attempting ...

A Dog's Life: Intelligence and Inbreeding from 2016-07-18T23:00

The Naked Scientists bring you a 'ruff' guide to dogs! We chart the ancient origins of our favourite pets, examine how smart dogs could provide clues into human disease and explore the science behi...

Concrete Jungles from 2016-07-11T23:00

The 11th of July was world population day and at current figures there are over 7.4 billion of us living on the planet. That number continues to grow and at the same time the proportion of people l...

Can toads predict earthquakes? from 2016-07-04T23:00

This week, we're answering the science questions that you've been sending in, including: is the Earth's core cooling down, how do messages from space probes get back to Earth and why sleeping on yo...

Science meets MasterChef! from 2016-06-27T23:00

The Naked Scientists are hosting their very own dinner party, and the guests include a master distiller, a MasterChef finalist and a master of chocolate, all on hand to help reveal the science behi...

Autopsy: A Matter of Life and Death from 2016-06-20T23:00

This week on the Naked Scientists, we observe a post-mortem. The patient was in his seventies but the coroner ordered an autopsy because the cause of death wasn't clear. Chris Smith observes pathol...

How to Keep your Heart Healthy from 2016-06-13T23:00

This programme comes to you from the British Cardiovascular Society Conference in Manchester, where leaders in the field have been presenting their latest research on preventing heart disease: one ...

Your Home in 2050 from 2016-06-06T23:00

A growing global population means we are facing a considerable housing shortage and it has been estimated that by 2025, as many as 1.6 billion individuals will face crowded substandard housing.But,...

Stressed? You're not the only one... from 2016-05-30T23:00

This week on the Naked Scientists, are we more prone to struggle with stress and if so why? Graihagh Jackson is probing the state of our mental health by taking a stress test to unearth how the hum...

The War on Salt from 2016-05-23T23:00

This week we delve into the science of salt: what does it do in the body, how can it cause problems for farmers, and what avenues are scientists exploring to desalinate sea water and keep us all re...

Does Telepathy Exist? from 2016-05-16T23:00

This week on the Naked Scientists, your questions go under the microscope. Do women have a superior memory? What is the evidence for climate change? Can plants get cancer? Why do we sometimes see s...

Phosphorus: Essential to All Life But Are We Running Out? from 2016-05-09T23:00

If you've followed environmental stories over the years, you'll know this tune. Scientists have long been singing off the same songbook when it comes to fossil fuels, deforestation and pollution. B...

Can Science Prove Whodunnit? from 2016-05-02T23:00

This week on the Naked Scientists, we've got science on trial! We look at real case studies, finding out how forensics can both help and hinder criminal investigations, including the insects who ar...

The Secret World of Shipping from 2016-04-26T17:32:25

This week we're taking a look at the industry that transports 90% of global trade but most of us know very little about - shipping! We're all at sea as we navigate our way through driverless ships ...

What happened to Tutankhamun's heart? from 2016-04-18T23:00

This week on the Naked Scientists, we've gathered a panel of pollies, pundits and professors to answer your science questions: from how prevalent was tooth decay in the neanderthals, to how Neil Ar...

Conflict in Conservation from 2016-04-11T23:00

Would you care about conserving an animal if it threatened your job, your food supply or even your life? This week, we unpick the hidden conflicts and controversies inside conservation, including t...

Can You Boost Your Memory? from 2016-04-05T00:00

Exam season is around the corner, so this week the Naked Scientists take a walk down memory lane to find out what's going on upstairs when you learn and remember things, and investigate if it's pos...

Will an artificially intelligent robot steal your job? from 2016-03-29T00:00

With the recent rise of the machines and robots - could an artificially intelligent robot take your job any time soon? And could they then take over the world, terminator-style? Join Graihagh Jacks...

Do you burn more calories when thinking? from 2016-03-22T00:00

This week: you asked the questions, we have the answers. Our expert panel take on queries like: why don't whales get the bends, does chloroform work like it does in the movies, and would a spinning...

Cambridge Science Festival: Battle of the Brains from 2016-03-15T00:00

This week is a Cambridge Science Festival special with the Naked Scientists coming straight from the Cambridge Science Centre alongside a very lively audience!But that's not all, it's battle of bra...

The A - Zika of viruses: Preventing Pandemics from 2016-03-08T00:00

With infectious diseases wiping out millions each year, we look at how we can predict pandemics, whether scientists should be allowed to engineer super viruses, and how war and politics could prev...

Gravitational Waves: Discovery of the Decade? from 2016-03-01T00:00

This week, the discovery rocking the world of physics: gravitational waves! But what are they, and why are they set to change how we see the Universe in the future? Plus we take a look at the week'...

Could The Internet Die? from 2016-02-23T00:00

From why spicy isn't a taste, to how long it takes a comet to form, we've gone in search of the answers to the questions you've been sending in. We investigate whether the Internet is immune to a b...

Rules of Attraction: The Science of Sex from 2016-02-16T00:00

The Naked Scientists have turned the lights down low for a stimulating odyssey through the science of dating and romance, including; which chat-up lines are most likely to get you talking, what st...

Caffeine: Friend or Foe? from 2016-02-09T00:00

Caffeine is one of the only legal psychoactive stimulants but is it good or bad for our health? This week, the Naked Scientists are delving into the science to find out. Plus, the latest on Zika vi...

Food Security: Insects for Dinner? from 2016-02-02T01:00

By 2050 the global population is set to rise to more than 10 billion people. But right now, 1 in 10 people are suffering from chronic hunger. So how do we reconcile a rising population with an alre...

Black holes: the inside story... from 2016-01-26T00:00

What's dark and so massive that not even light can escape its clutches? The answer is one of the most enigmatic phenomena known to physics: the black hole. And this week we explore the workings of ...

The Hidden World of Hibernation from 2016-01-19T00:00

Does midwinter make you want to eat all the food in your fridge, curl up in a duvet and sleep until spring? You're not alone, many plants and animals feel the same way, but you might not be so keen...

Why do we have pubic hair? from 2016-01-12T00:00

In this week's podcast, we're taking on your questions! From how we make decisions to why do we go temporarily deaf when we yawn and if light wears out, these are some of the many conundrums you as...

Do You Have Skinny Genes? from 2016-01-05T00:00

With the New Year, there's often a resolution or two to make a new you. But what makes you, you? Given that we share over 99.9% of our genes with each other, there's a lot of variety in that 0.01%....

Top Scientific Moments of 2015 from 2015-12-29T00:00

Remember that time that Ginny made Kat eat chocolate spread from a nappy? Or when Georgia broke the drone? It's the end of 2015 and what a year it's been for science! Whilst Chris and Kat take a we...

Cracking the science of Christmas from 2015-12-22T00:00

The Naked Scientists have Christmas unwrapped with a look at the science behind our favourite festive traditions, including how to pick the perfect present, the psychology behind board games and ho...

Dishing the Dirt on our Soils from 2015-12-15T00:00

This month, the United Nations published its much-anticipated report on the state of the world's soils and the results are not good. We'll be asking why, and taking a down-to-earth look at the cons...

Music Technology: Do or Die? from 2015-12-08T00:00

How will you be receiving your presents this year - a CD, a voucher for iTunes or maybe even a Spotify membership? In 2014, streaming services made more money than CD sales for the first time ever ...

Fighting Floods: Who Gets Hit? from 2015-12-01T00:00

Extreme weather events are becoming more common, and sea levels are set to rise. So could we be about to find ourselves in very deep water? This week we're exploring how to spot where and when floo...

Sugar Tax: Answer to Obesity? from 2015-11-24T00:00

This week, is sugar the enemy? Difficult as it is to digest, one person in every four in the UK is obese, and treating the condition as well as its knock-on effects, costs the health service 5.1 bi...

Big Data, Big Deal? from 2015-11-17T00:00

More pieces of data have been produced in the last five years than in all of human history put together before then. But what's driving this big data revelation? We'll discover what opportunities i...

Do squirrels ever forget where they hid their nuts? from 2015-11-10T00:00

The Naked Scientists and some special guests team up to tackle your science questions head-on. Do squirrels ever lose their nuts? Is cracking your knuckles bad for you? And could your gut bugs turn...

Electric Cars: Pollution Solution? from 2015-11-03T00:00

London and many other European cities face the prospect of a 300 million penalty every year over bad air. Engineers say part of the solution lies with electric transport, so this week the Naked Sci...

Should I Stay, or Should I go... to Mars? from 2015-10-27T00:00

The Naked Scientists have been on a trip to Mars but we forgot to ask one BIG question, should we even be going at all? We complete the series with a debate featuring a space politician, a geologis...

Could We Ever Colonise Mars? from 2015-10-19T23:00

In episode three of our series Destination Mars, we finally arrive at the Red Planet - but what is waiting for us when we get there? We examine possible solutions to the challenges of building a ho...

Mars: Are we nearly there yet? from 2015-10-12T23:00

To rocket engineers, the idea of transporting humans to Mars is a one colossal headache. Compared to inert satellites and probes, humans are highly unpredictable, needy and fragile. Radiation is ou...

Could you be an astronaut? from 2015-10-05T23:00

Destination Mars: this month we're launching a series of programmes to probe what it's going to take to send people to the Red Planet. We'll be looking at rocket technology, how to keep people fed ...

Why don't spiders get stuck on their webs? from 2015-09-28T23:00

We take on your science questions: Can animals feel guilty? Could drones detect landmines? What's the furthest a paper plane could fly, and why don't spiders get stuck on their webs? Plus, a look a...

How to Save a Life from 2015-09-21T23:00

This week we find out what it takes to save a life, from doctors performing open chest surgery in the street to helping people recover in the longer term from severe brain injuries. Plus, news of a...

Climate Change: Making Waves? from 2015-09-14T23:00

Climate change - and concerns about rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere - are often in the headlines. However, looking back in the history of the earth, it's clear that this isn't the...

Hands-on, Minds Open: The Changing Face of Science from 2015-09-07T23:00

This week we're asking whether scientists and technologists are in short supply, and how the way that we teach science in schools is changing: some classrooms are pumping out published papers! Plus...

Pluto, at Long Last... from 2015-08-31T23:00

This week is a very special, edition of the Naked Scientists as we dedicate a whole hour to the world's favourite dwarf planet - Pluto. But how did it get there in the first place? What has the New...

Truth and Beauty: The Hidden World of Symmetry from 2015-08-22T23:00

On the face of it, symmetry may seem simple, but diving beneath the surface reveals a whole new world. Over the last 100 years, the mathematical idea of symmetry has proved to be a guiding light fo...

The Yuck Factor: Why We Find Things So Disgusting from 2015-08-17T23:00

We delve into the disgusting to discover the emotion of disgust and how it affects our lives. From cockroaches dipped in juice to the importance of sanitation, no topic is off limits as we find out...

Graphene from 2015-08-10T23:00

Hundreds of times stronger than steel, transparent, an excellent electrical conductor, and weighing next to nothing, graphene is hailed as a wonder material. But what is it doing for us now? And wh...

Meet your Sex Hormones from 2015-08-03T23:00

Hormones are the driving force behind reproduction and are what make us keen to go make babies. We follow some of these hormones to hear how they have an influence from birth to death, and also the...

Why do Scientists say "So"? from 2015-07-28T19:17

From why scientists so often use the word "so" to the feasibility of charging a human by USB, how much Silly Putty it would it take to cover the entire Earth, and whether we could genetic engineer ...

The Seven Million Dollar Maths Mystery from 2015-07-20T23:00

This week, we're investigating the Millennium Prize Problems - a set of mathematical equations that, if solved, will not only nab the lucky winner a million, but also revolutionise the world. Plus,...

Make it Digital! from 2015-07-13T23:00

This week, broadcasting live from the centre of Cambridge, the Naked Scientists delve into the digital age we live in. We look at new, exciting ways to get kids into coding, how big data is changin...

BOOM! The Bang behind the bomb, and how to stop it from 2015-07-06T23:00

Things get a little dangerous as we don our body armour and head out into the battlefield. How do explosives work and what can we do to protect against them? We take a sneak peek at AnUBIS, a devic...

Caesium: The Element that Redefined Time from 2015-06-29T23:00

It's 60 years since the world's first atomic clock was created. But what is time? When did time begin, and how accurate is timekeeping today? We'll be asking why we need leap seconds, we cook up a ...

Bring out your Dead: Plague and Fire from 2015-06-22T23:00

Tens of thousands of Londoners developed painful, apple-sized, pus-filled boils before dying from the dreadful disease within days. But just as the ordeal of the Black Death seemed to be subsiding,...

What does Falling into a Black Hole Feel Like? from 2015-06-15T23:00

What's the point of mosquitoes? Do your eyes pop out if left open when sneezing? Is the Universe infinitely big? Are birds really related to dinosaurs? What is quantum entanglement? If the space st...

Behind Blood donation from 2015-06-08T23:00

For World Blood Day we've been delving into the history of blood letting, getting stuck into blood donation and exploring exciting new possibilities for making blood that's safe for everyone. Plus,...

Dark Matter: A Massive Mystery from 2015-06-01T23:00

Are we on the verge of solving one of the longest standing puzzles in physics? Physicists think we're close to discovering the identity of Dark Matter, the mysterious, invisible substance that acco...

How many geckos to hold up a human? from 2015-05-25T23:00

Colour-switching sticklebacks, geckos with enough adhesive power to hold up a human, bats with built-in sonar and moles with amazing noses - this week we go in search of the world's most incredible...

Can astronauts shower in space? from 2015-05-18T23:00

This week, can we colonise Mars? What's causes that smell after it rains? Can genetics inform skin care? And how do astronauts shower in space? Chris Smith, Richard Hollingham and Max Sanderson joi...

Safety at 40,000 Feet from 2015-05-11T23:00

This week, endoscopies for jet engines, how the aviation industry could have us cruising for an infectious bruising, the workings of radar, and whether cheap flights actually cost the Earth. Plus, ...

Violent Volcanoes from 2015-05-04T23:00

Celebrating two hundred years since the devastating eruption of Indonesia's Mount Tambora, this week, accompanied by music from Michael Levy, we explore the science of volcanoes. We find out what c...

Game on! The Science of Video Gaming from 2015-04-27T23:00

This week, the science at play in an industry that dwarfs both Hollywood and the music world: computer games. We hear how video games are altering the brains of players, why lovers of the shoot-em-...

Could Earth be Knocked Out of Orbit? from 2015-04-20T23:00

This week, you pit your wits against the Naked Scientists team and challenge us to answer your science questions. Is there an evolutionary reason why humans have rhythm? Do people sneeze in their s...

Defying Death... from 2015-04-13T23:00

The impact of modern medicine is drastically changing our concept of death. Increasingly, people are being resuscitated successfully, sometimes hours after they first died. So this week we toe the ...

Egg-cellent Easter Science from 2015-04-06T23:00

The Naked Scientists take a special holiday look at some egg-cellent Easter science, including a breakthrough in how to unboil an egg, the genetically modified chickens that can't catch bird flu an...

Whodunnit? Fascinating Forensics from 2015-03-31T00:00

From crime scene to court room and all the evidence in between. Join Chris Smith and Ginny Smith at our reconstructed crime scene to find out how science is used to help solve a forensic investigat...

Brain on fire from 2015-03-24T00:00

This week, how rogue antibodies turned one woman's existence into a living nightmare of delusions, hallucinations and paranoia, we examine the evidence that ME - or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) -...

Chasing Rainbows: The Quest to Understand Light from 2015-03-17T00:00

Is it a particle? Or is it a wave? This week we're looking at light. From its earliest origins and what it can reveal about the Big Bang, to why Newton prodded his eye with a needle to probe the or...

The Life Parasitic from 2015-03-10T00:00

This week, the world of parasites. We find out what's living in you and on you, how these invaders hijack your immune system and how they can even control the behaviours and body shapes of their ho...

Eureka Streaker: Experiments that Changed the World from 2015-03-03T00:00

From Archimedes leaping from his bath shouting Eureka, to Isaac Newton's falling apples and Volta's piles that produced electricity on tap, this week we recreate some of the scientific experiments ...

Marijuana: Risk or Remedy? from 2015-02-24T00:00

Cannabis is as controversial as it is complicated. Does smoking it cause schizophrenia, and can chemicals from the plant cure cancer? Plus in the news, the new breed of chemicals that are putting o...

Your Smartphone: What's it Saying to Cyber-Criminals? from 2015-02-17T00:00

This week, how we're haemorrhaging personal information through our smartphones. We hear how snoopers can eavesdrop on your mobile signals while you're out in public to track down your home address...

Meet the Doctors of Love! from 2015-02-10T00:00

This week, how to hack online dating, the way to maximise your chances on that crucial first date, what makes couples compatible, and the giveaway signs of fertility in the female voice. Plus, in t...

Outnumbered: Are your bacteria controlling you? from 2015-02-03T00:00

This week, why we're passengers in our own bodies, outnumbered by our resident bacteria. We explore how these bugs can alter your brain and behaviour, and "trans-poo-sion": the poo-transplant proce...

Lifting the lid on Plastic from 2015-01-27T01:00

Last year, 100 million tonnes of plastic were produced by industry. At the same time sufficient waste plastic was found floating in the world's oceans to make a string of bottles long enough to mak...

The Secrets of Sleep from 2015-01-20T00:00

Most people spend around a third of their lives asleep, and yet we know almost nothing about what goes on in the land of nod. So this week we're going "under the covers" to investigate the science ...

Fighting Fat with Science from 2015-01-13T15:06

Are you sitting comfortably? You might want to stand up, because we'll be hearing why, in health terms, sitting is the new smoking! We're also taking a look at the science behind weight loss and wh...

Dissolving teaspoons: Naked in Wellington from 2015-01-06T00:00

Dissolving teaspoons, plants that sunbathe, stopping multiple sclerosis, the ARGO floats that monitor the oceans, global warming in Antarctica, and using computers to find Kiwis. Chris Smith and Si...

Voices in the Dark from 2014-12-30T00:00

We all have an inner voice. Most of us know they're not real. But, for up to 15% of the population at some points in their lives, they can take on a different tone, as a terrifying experience that ...

The Science of Christmas from 2014-12-23T00:00

Seasons Greetings from the Naked Scientists! We invite you to spend the next hour with us as we explore the Science of Christmas. We'll be looking at why crackers are, or aren't, all that funny, th...

Total wipe out: Mass Extinction from 2014-12-16T00:00

Mass Extinction! 250 million years ago nearly all life on Earth ended. Back from the brink, history then repeated itself with the disappearance of the dinosaurs 60 million years ago. So are we next...

Good Vibrations from 2014-12-09T00:00

From the honking of cars to music blaring out of someone's bedroom window, the world around us is saturated with sound. But what exactly is sound, and how do we hear it? From mimicking an owl's win...

The Internet: the good, the bad and the ugly from 2014-12-02T00:00

This week we delve into the Dark Web, a hidden arm of the Internet where Google doesn't dare to search and where drugs, guns and hitmen are offered up for sale. We explore how the World Wide Web wo...

Does Airport Security Really Make Us Safer? from 2014-11-23T00:00

Travel by air has increased by over 60% in the last decade and annual global air traffic is expected to reach 3.6 billion passenger journeys by 2016 meaning that there are at least 1 million people...

Inside the Ebola Epidemic from 2014-11-18T00:00

Ebola has rocked the world in 2014, but why has this outbreak been so devastating? This week we get inside Ebola to find out about the virus itself, and how it causes disease and spreads. We talk t...

Combating Cancer from 2014-11-11T00:00

This week, the latest breakthroughs in cancer including blood tests to pick up the disease much earlier, new genetic treatments to trigger tumours to kill themselves, and a laser technique to zap c...

Supernatural Science from 2014-11-04T01:00

Do you believe in ghosts? For Halloween the Naked Scientists take a look at the spooky science of the supernatural. Is there evidence that paranormal beings exist and why do so many people believe ...

Transport of Tomorrow from 2014-10-28T00:00

Over the next 50 years, getting to work on time or heading out to the hinterlands for your family holiday will become much, much easier - and perhaps, even pleasurable. We're journeying into the no...

The Cities of Tomorrow from 2014-10-20T23:00

Continuing the theme of the future of humanity, this week we take a look at what we can expect from our towns and cities in the years to come. Will we be living in wooden skyscrapers, amongst crime...

Will Climate Change Cost the Earth? from 2014-10-13T23:00

What does climate change have in store for the future? What will it mean for the man, or woman, in the street? How will it hit the global economy, and what can businesses do to fight back? This wee...

Powering the Future from 2014-10-06T23:00

For years we have relied on fossil fuels to produce the light, heat and energy we need to live and work. But these supplies are diminishing, and polluting our environment. So can renewable resource...

Alien Hunters: The Search for ET from 2014-09-27T23:00

This week, is there anybody out there? We're pushing at the boundaries of science in the search for ET. We take a magnifying glass to the big questions: what is life, where can we find it and could...

Can you 3D-print me a new kidney? from 2014-09-20T23:00

This week, are we on the verge of being able to print a new kidney or liver? And will every home soon have a machine in it to make medicines so we don't need to head off to the chemist for a dose o...

Hack Attack! from 2014-09-15T23:00

Have you been hacked? This week we examine the risks from public WiFi, why the Internet of Things is jeopardising the security of your home, the threats frequently lurking inside innocent-looking d...

Does nature do it better? from 2014-09-08T23:00

This week we're looking to nature to solve some of today's biggest problems - from climate change to water shortages. We hear how spiders hold the key to making the strongest material known to man ...

Nuclear Fusion from 2014-09-01T23:00

This week, we're exploring Nuclear Fusion, the power source of the sun. What is it and how can it help us on Earth? We visit the JET fusion facility to watch a test firing, we hear how lasers can b...

The Naked Scientists in New Zealand from 2014-08-25T23:00

Dr Chris Smith

Personalised Medicine from 2014-08-18T23:00

This week we're talking about gene sequencing and how to keep that information safe.

Food for Thought! from 2014-08-11T23:00

The Naked Scientists have food on the brain this week, as we hear about how sound can affect taste, why our mood can be changed by what we eat, and we try out some unusual flavour combinations. And...

The brightest light in the Universe from 2014-08-04T23:00

This week, we hear how one of the brightest lights in the Universe is helping scientists to build better jet engines, fight off antibiotic resistant bacteria and read the biochemical make-up of lon...

A trip to the seaside from 2014-07-28T23:00

This week why whales get dandruff, what seabirds think of wind farms, the plight of coral reefs, we take a look at some giant sea spiders and look at water that can stay liquid below freezing tempe...

The End of Extinction? from 2014-07-21T23:00

Will wooly mammoths roam the tundra once more? This week we ask whether improvements in genetic technologies mean extinction is no longer the end, as well as meeting moss that came back to life aft...

Returning to the Moon - A giant leap for mankind? from 2014-07-14T23:00

We celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission by asking, should we return to the moon? We discover what scientific knowledge is still to be gained by going back, what robot missions ar...

Saddle Up: The Science of Cycling from 2014-07-07T23:00

Chimps use gestures, climate change stops fish finding friends, gut cells reprogrammed to make insulin, and people prefer shocks to thoughts! Plus Saddle Up! - we look at the science of cyling as t...

Engineering the Impossible from 2014-06-30T23:00

From levitating trains and humans to giant, climate-altering balloons, super-steels and earthquake-proof buildings, this month's live show panel reveal the latest advances in extreme engineering. P...

Ready for Kick Off... from 2014-06-23T23:00

England might be out of the World Cup this week, but thousands of fans are still cheering their teams on across Brazil. But how does chanting change the behaviour of a football crowd? Why do free k...

Untangling Alzheimer's Disease from 2014-06-16T23:00

Alois Alzheimer, who described the first case of the disease now named after him, would have been 150 years old this week. But what have we discovered about the disease since he presented the first...

Freeze Dried Blood! from 2014-06-09T23:00

Freeze Dried Blood! Every day the likes of probiotic "good" bacteria in yoghurts, and even the enzymes in washing powder, give us a helping hand. This week we investigate how scientists are designi...

Learning to Learn from 2014-06-02T23:00

Making brainwaves: from how babies' brains develop, to how children learn language and even unravelling the adolescent mind, this month's live show panel of guests walk us through how we learn to l...

The Cost of a Life from 2014-05-26T23:00

We often hear about amazing new medical developments which could improve disease treatment. But what about the ethical considerations involved in deciding how to use these advances? Hannah Critchlo...

Natural born cleaners from 2014-05-19T23:00

This week we investigate green clean ups. Can nature's recyclers, bacteria and fungi, help us clean up man-made environmental problems from oil spills to mining slag heaps? Plus in the news, how th...

Powering up the National Grid from 2014-05-12T23:00

This week we look at how our power grids are going to be transformed. From technology which hopes to reduce our energy prices to new ways to include wind and solar power in the grid. Plus, in the n...

Fascinating Fossils from 2014-05-05T23:00

In front of a live audience at the Cambridge Science Centre, Chris Smith is joined by three paleontologists to discuss fascinating fossils! Alex Liu explains where the first animals evolved from, S...

Building the Future from 2014-04-28T23:00

With the demand for new homes ever increasing, we ask what will the buildings of the future be like? Will new materials like bamboo or plastic take a bigger place in our houses? And how can we make...

Huntingtons Disease from 2014-04-21T23:00

In a special show from Cambridge and New Zealand, Hannah Critchlow investigates the research into Huntington's Disease. How has the search to correct a single gene enhanced our understanding of how...

Why do we laugh when tickled? from 2014-04-14T23:00

In this question and answer special, the Naked Scientists get stuck into your queries, like why are planets round? Why do we laugh when tickled? Does wearing glasses make your eyesight worse? And h...

Power to your Elbow: Better Batteries from 2014-04-07T23:00

Bigger, better and longer lasting - this week we go in search of the battery technology that will power the future as well as consider the shortcomings of our present technologies. We also try to t...

Right Hand, Left Hand from 2014-04-01T01:00

How handedness spans the scientific world, from the smallest particles in the Universe to the drugs that cure disease and even the way you hold a pen, goes under the microscope this week as we expl...

Devouring Raspberry Pi from 2014-03-25T00:00

2014 is the Year of Code, with the UK even becoming the first major economy to introduce computer programming to the school timetable. This week we investigate why coding, and getting kids into com...

Pit your Wits... from 2014-03-18T00:00

Pit your wits against the combined brain power of the Naked Scientists, in this question and answer Special as the team try to find out the truth behind the age of the Milky Way? Whether plants die...

Turning the tide on flooding from 2014-03-11T00:00

With climate change expected to bring more bouts of extreme weather and longer periods of drought and flooding, this week we take a look at ways to turn the tide on the looming water crisis. Plus, ...

AUTOMATE: The World of Robots from 2014-03-04T00:00

Robots are under examination this week. Engineer Blaise Thomson, from Vocal IQ, designs speech systems for smartphones, Neil Bargh builds robots for science labs, and Airbus systems engineer Paul M...

The Noro Show from 2014-02-25T00:00

Norovirus, the winter vomiting bug, affects 1 million people each year in the UK. But what is it, and how can you best protect yourself? Plus, in the news, how stress hormones depress the stock mar...

Brainy Babies! from 2014-02-24T00:00

Should you raise your baby to be bilingual? Are video games rotting or rejuvenating children's brains? We find out! Plus in the news, personalised breast milk, modelling the brain with computers, h...

David Willetts AAAS Audio Blog from 2014-02-20T00:00

UK Universities and Science Minister, David Willetts, becomes his own radio presenter; here, on a tour organised by the UK's Science and Innovation Network, he charts his meetings with scientists a...

NAKED at the AAAS from 2014-02-14T00:00

Do scientists resort to propaganda to defend climate change? How do we deal with evolution unbelievers? How do governments and policy-makers decide what science should be funded? Where will the nex...

Green Food from 2014-02-11T00:00

We're chewing over the topic of food footprints: How green is your lunchbox? What's the environmental impact of your weekly food shop? Plus, in the news, the prosthetic hand that has allowed an amp...

Nanosized Science from 2014-02-04T00:00

This week we we zoom in on the subject of nano-particles to examine how tiny objects, smaller than the wavelength of light, can be making such large waves in the fields of health, optics, and elec...

Exorcist, or Exercise: what's healthier? from 2014-01-28T00:00

Live on location at the Cambridge Science Centre, Chris Smith is joined by exercise scientist Dan Gordon, who also holds the world record in tandem cycling, epidemiologist Nita Forouhi, who studies...

And now for the weather, in space... from 2014-01-21T00:00

This week we investigate why the UK is investing in space weather forecasts. Plus how could changes in the Sun's activity affect us here on Earth? In the news, conservationists supporting the sale ...

Are old habits hard to break? from 2014-01-14T00:00

This week we want to hear how you're doing with your New Year's Resolutions as we investigate the psychology of willpower and how long it takes to form a new habit. In the news, does drinking a...

Why don't microwaves spark off themselves? from 2014-01-07T00:00

The Naked Scientists tackle your questions, from how hail storms come about to why the Mediterranean Sea has such small tides. And why do people often favour walking on one particular side of the r...

Hydrogen-powered Party Poppers from 2013-12-24T00:00

It's Christmas, and we're celebrating in style with a look at the science behind the things that grace the festive period. In a special programme recorded live in the kitchen, we produce our own ho...

Super-shape me! from 2013-12-17T00:00

How balls of cells assemble into a baby, why cell shape is crucial in cancer, telling cells where to go in an embryo, and getting a handle on how limbs develop: this week's Naked Scientists explore...

Diving into Ocean Conservation from 2013-12-10T00:00

The bid to create the world's largest marine reserve, diseases threatening corals in the Caribbean, what is the best way to conserve coral reefs in Fiji, and why fish microbes matter too. Plus news...

Life, The Universe and Everything from 2013-12-03T00:00

Live on location at the Cambridge Science Centre, Chris Smith is joined by guests Didier Queloz, who discovered the first exoplanet, Alan Tunnacliffe who investigates organisms which might be able ...

Sniff! Sniff! from 2013-11-26T00:00

This week, smells, pheromones and anosmia. We talk to a patient with no sense of smell, hear why odours might be more down to the way molecules vibrate that how they are shaped, we look at the role...

Restore, repair, retain! from 2013-11-19T00:00

This week we discover how we repair and restore everything from ancient manuscripts to the human heart! The team visits the BBC to find out how recently re-discovered episodes of the classic sci...

Stopping Multiple Sclerosis from 2013-11-12T00:00

What is multiple sclerosis (MS), what causes it, why do some people suffer from it, and how can we treat it? This week we hear about a drug that can halt the disease in its tracks for some patients...

Cutting Edge in Cancer from 2013-11-05T00:00

From detecting tumour DNA in our bloodstreams to making cancer cells stand out in an MRI scan, this week, coinciding with the NCRI Cancer Conference, we explore how best ways to detect cancer and m...

Extreme Geology from 2013-10-29T00:00

Live on location at the Cambridge Science Centre, Chris Smith, Dave Ansell, Ginny Smith and guests James Jackson, an Earth Scientist, Tehnuka Ilanko, a volcanologist, and Arwen Deuss, a seismologi...

Stopping Superbugs from 2013-10-19T23:00

What is the scale of the superbug problem? How much is antibiotic resistance costing? Can new antibiotics be made that cannot be bypassed by bacteria? And what new drugs are already in the pipeline...

Tunnelling Under London from 2013-10-14T23:00

How do you dig a 26 mile tunnel beneath a city and below the water table? This week we drop in on Crossrail, who are busy constructing a new commuter line below the UK capital, to discover how mass...

Science Centre Showoff from 2013-10-07T23:00

Live on location at the Cambridge Science Centre, Chris Smith, Dave Ansell, Ginny Smith and guests Rod Jones, an atmospheric chemist, Margaret Stanley, an HPV cancer researcher, and Caroline Godda...

Science of Sleep from 2013-09-30T23:00

What's the best way to catch 40 winks? We investigate the science of sleep, including why we need it and why do some people fall asleep at the wrong times? Jason Rhiel tell us how he investigates w...

Citizen Science: Research You can Do from 2013-09-23T23:00

What's the best way to get involved in scientific research from home? Chris Smith and Dominic Ford investigate some of the best citizen science projects which are looking for your help. From catego...

Shedding Light on the Brain from 2013-09-16T23:00

We expose how electricity powers the nervous system. Chris Smith and Hannah Critchlow speak to a panel of experts about why chillis taste hot and mint feels cool, how ion channels could tackle diab...

Get the Frack Out of Here... from 2013-09-11T23:00

Will fracking bring down energy prices and keep our lights on, or could it be an environmental disaster? Kate Lamble and Ginny Smith speak to a panel of experts about whether fracking could really ...

Can you dehydrate in a bath? from 2013-09-04T23:00

Another special question and answer edition of the show where the team get to grips with your queries, including, cna you dehydrate in a bath? What is tinnitus? What chemicals leak from batteries? ...

Shark Camouflage in Australia from 2013-08-28T23:00

This week, we have a final show from Perth in Western Australia. Chris Smith and Victoria Gill find out how camouflage wetsuits might help protect surfers from sharks, hear about a new development ...

Australia's First BBQ from 2013-08-21T23:00

This week, we have another special show from Perth in Western Australia. Chris Smith and Victoria Gill go in search of dolphins, find out how DNA sequencing technology has allowed us to find out wh...

Naked in Australia from 2013-08-14T23:00

This week we have a special show from Perth in Western Australia. Chris Smith finds out whether importing nitrogen fixing legumes could hold the answer to Perth's poor soil fertility and Victoria ...

Mapping out the Milky Way from 2013-08-07T23:00

We hear from the astronomers who are mapping out the Milky Way to work out where its stars came from.

The Science in Sport from 2013-07-24T23:00

How has new technology changed the face of sport? This week we delve into the science behind the tennis rackets that professional players use, the diets that top athletes follow, and how systems li...

The Science of Schizophrenia from 2013-07-17T23:00

What do sufferers of schizophrenia experience, and why? Might the immune system be to blame? And could an avatar be the answer to treatment? This week we delve deep into the brain circuitry behind ...

Souping up Solar from 2013-07-10T23:00

This week, the latest innovations in solar power technology including a Cambridge team racing from Darwin to Adelaide in a solar car, community co-operatives empowered by solar panels, and how alga...

The Last Organism Alive on Earth from 2013-07-03T23:00

This week, the latest from the UK's National Astronomy Meeting in St Andrews Scotland including what will be the last organism living on Earth when the end-of-life Sun swells, why space science pro...

Modelling Diseases in Dishes from 2013-06-26T23:00

Miniature lungs, breasts and other organs are being grown in dishes so scientists can study how they form, why they succumb to disease and how toxins, drugs and poisons affect them. Organ models li...

Fascinating Fungi from 2013-06-19T23:00

Fungi go under the microscope this week as we explore how they barter minerals and carry chemical messages in return for sugars from plants; we also hear from someone who nearly died after consumin...

Extreme Physiology: Everest to Ocean Floor from 2013-06-12T23:00

How can an ascent to the top of Everest help to save lives in intensive care? This week we're exploring physiology at the extremes: altitude, depth and cold. How does the human body adapt and cope ...

Can GPS systems be Spoofed? from 2013-06-05T23:00

The science of satellite navigation and how it can be fooled or "spoofed", a new system to pinpoint a person within a building to within a metre, and how GPS signals can probe and track volcanic du...

Shedding light on LEDs from 2013-05-30T15:20:18

The next generation of LEDs, how LED lighting affects health, a new way to fight flu, treating schizophrenia with avatars and bringing 400-year-old frozen plants back to life.

Do plants get jetlag? from 2013-05-22T23:00

This week, how plants keep track of time, how scientists are breeding cereal crops with ancient varieties to boost diversity and yields, how insects carry viruses between plants, and the chemical i...

Will it rain tomorrow? from 2013-05-15T23:00

How are weather forecasts made? Are they accurate, and if not why not? And how do we know when extreme weather is on the way? Also, what about on other planets and moons? To find out, we talk to th...

Gone Viral: Germs under surveillance from 2013-05-08T23:00

Under the microscope this week, where new flu viruses including influenza H7N9 come from, the threat from extensively resistant tuberculosis and how doctors keep tabs on how bugs are spreading and ...

Art & Antiquities: Conservation and Preservation from 2013-05-01T23:00

The conservation and restoration of great art once relied on only a good eye and talent with a paintbrush. Now though, scientists and art conservationists are working together to develop new techni...

Testing Legal Highs from 2013-04-24T23:00

What are legal highs, and how do scientists, doctors and law-makers keep up with new drugs entering the market? Plus, biofuels and why they cost the Earth, the cause of LED droop, a neutron star pr...

Stem Cells and Gene Therapy from 2013-04-17T23:00

We visit the annual British Society for Gene and Cell Therapy conference to explore the latest in this exciting area of medicine...

Meet the ancestors from 2013-04-10T23:00

Fossilised dinosaur egg embryos, fish fats on 15,000 year old Japanese pots, who put the arsenic in the beer, and we tour the Malapa cave site where Australopithecus sediba was discovered...

The SKA and Radio Astronomy from 2013-04-04T00:00

We take a tour of the two Australian precursors to the Square Kilometre Array - the Murchison Wide Field Array and the Australian SKA Pathfinder - to discover how big radio astronomy projects will ...

Naked Genetics Special Episode from 2013-03-28T01:00

The genetic basis of autism goes under the microscope in this special Easter edition of Naked Genetics, from Kat Arney. One per cent of UK children have autism, a complex range of disorders that ca...

The Future of Digital Storage from 2013-03-21T00:00

What the future holds for digital data storage goes under the spotlight this week - how can we ensure that what we record today - on film, discs or up in the cloud - remains readable for years to c...

BANG! Naked Science Festival from 2013-03-17T00:00

Breasts, bazookas, bosons and bombs: The Naked Scientists take to the stage for the Cambridge Science Festival 2013. An explosive mix of fertile conversation and kitchen science...

John Snow and Cholera from 2013-03-14T00:00

We celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the epidemiologist John Snow by looking at the historic and modern fight against Cholera. Also, news of what 4000 year old mummies are revealing a...

Dining Out on Food Security from 2013-03-07T00:00

How Internet searches can give clues to drug side-effects, the science of sink holes, flame-retardant DNA, brain stimulation for anorexia, and feeding the planet in future: why flies might hold the...

Extreme Engineering from 2013-02-28T00:00

This week, research at the extremes: We find out how the new Halley VI station was engineered to withstand Antarctic conditions, and how scientists tackle some of the harshest environments on Eart...

Supersenses: Extraordinary Animals from 2013-02-21T00:00

New drugs for flu, bees read electrical fields, why moles are sensitive to seismic vibrations and how good is a sharks sense of smell...?

What is Love? from 2013-02-14T00:00

Love is... neurochemistry? This week, we look at love from a scientific perspective. We go looking for love in the brain and explore the chemistry behind falling, and staying, in love! Plus, how ...

Analysing Asteroids from 2013-02-07T00:00

We're analysing asteroids in this edition of the Naked Scientists, as Earth is due a very near miss next week! We'll also meet the asteroid miners - companies looking to go prospecting in outer sp...

I'm a Tasmanian Devil, Get Me Out Of Here! from 2013-01-31T00:00

How can science save the Tasmanian Devil? New research reveals why an infectious cancer that's spreading amongst the animals isn't attacked by the immune system. Plus, the quantum basis of smell,...

We're Back! Transparent Electronics from 2013-01-24T22:45:29

WE'RE BACK! And in this first episode of our new series, a sponge for soaking up oil slicks, how dung beetles navigate by starlight, the world's largest jelly, the rebound effect, how dogs came to ...

What's Living in Your Loo? from 2012-12-30T00:00

As we gear up to launch a new series of the Naked Scientists, here's a taste of things to come with a recording of the second hour of the Naked Scientists 'Science Night' aired on BBC 5 Live, Decem...

Does a Frozen Body Shatter? from 2012-12-23T01:00

Can a frozen body be shattered with a hammer, how can speedbumps diagnose appendictis and why are reindeers' noses red? For Christmas 2012 we talk to a host of scientists doing seasonal research, f...

The Science Behind Broadcasting from 2012-12-16T00:00

How does radio reach out of the studio? This week, we tune in explore the science and technology of broadcasting to find out how a voice hits the airwaves. We discover the difference between AM, ...

Unravelling Epigenetics from 2012-12-09T00:00

Epigenetics controls the activity of genes inside cells and holds the key to new treatments for old diseases. We explore the impacts of epigenetics on embryonic development, cancer, and stem cell ...

Protecting Our Oceans from 2012-12-02T00:00

How should we protect marine ecosystems? We examine the science behind Marine Protected Areas and find out how a new plan could protect the oceans around England. In the news, the sub-zero bacter...

Investigating ISIS - The Neutron Source from 2012-11-25T00:00

This week, join us on a tour of ISIS, the STFC's Neutron and Muon source. We find out how neutrons can probe the properties of materials, help to protect electronic circuits from failure and shed ...

Can Gravity Leak from Alternate Universes? from 2012-11-18T00:00

Why does biro ink smell? How can you reset your tolerance to caffiene? Why can't my sat nav and my speedometer agree? We take on your science questions, as well as discover a lonely rogue planet...

Bed Bug Biology from 2012-11-11T00:00

Bed bug cases are on the rise after a 50 year absence from much of the Western world. But why now? We explore the genetics and bizarre biology of these parasitic pests. In the news, we examine t...

The Cutting Edge of Cancer Research from 2012-11-04T00:00

How does cancer spread? How can we target our immune system to take out tumours? This week we visit the National Cancer Research Institute's annual conference to explore the cutting edge of cancer...

Ugly Animals Need Love Too from 2012-10-28T00:00

It's not just pandas, great apes and big cats - ugly animals need our attention too. This week, we find out why some of nature's least attractive species are under threat and explore the arguments...

Is there a Googol of anything in the Universe? from 2012-10-20T23:00

Are vegetables intelligent? Is Pi a "normal" number? Are humans the only picky eaters? We take on your science questions, including why women generally don't go bald and how fingers can feel cold...

Listen Up! The Science of Hearing from 2012-10-13T23:00

How do we tell where sounds are coming from? What does life sound like through a hearing aid? Can we cure tinnitus? We try to answer all these questions and more in our show on hearing.

Tricks of the Mind from 2012-10-06T23:00

The tricks your mind plays on you are up for analysis this week as we explore the science of taste including why noise diminishes food flavour aboard an aeroplane and how much affects your choice o...

Dodging Death: Growing Old in Good Health from 2012-09-29T23:00

How can we stay sharp as a senior citizen? This week, we explore the different biological approaches to understanding healthy ageing, discover a protein that may prevents age-related nerve degen...

What shape web does a spider spin in space? from 2012-09-22T23:00

Can spiders weave webs in microgravity? Can shampooing cause hair loss? How much brain do we use at once? Can a person survive on raw food alone? This week we're answering your science questions, p...

Silicon Sailors - Robots take to the waves from 2012-09-15T23:00

Would you set sail with a robotic skipper? This week, the World Robotic Sailing Championships grace the waters of Cardiff Bay, and we meet the teams to find out how this could lead to a sea chan...

Is there life under Antarctica? from 2012-09-08T23:00

Will we find life in a lake trapped under 3 kilometres of ice? How can living above an abandoned mine cut your heating bills? What is the future for diet foods? This week, we bring you the best fro...

Cybersecurity: how safe are we online? from 2012-09-01T23:00

How is data sent safely online, and how can we keep prying eyes away? This week we investigate the basis of cybersecurity, ask if chip and pin is safe and talk to a team of hackers who attempt to ...

The Brain Uncovered: Naked Neuroscience from 2012-08-28T22:52:17

How nerve cells make decisions, how genes control behaviour, using light to interrogate neuronal circuits, anxiety attacks, deep brain stimulation to bust addiction, how the immune system can cau...

The Hydrogen Economy: Fuelling the Future from 2012-08-18T23:00

Is hydrogen the fuel of our future? As fossil fuel reserves run out, this week we ask whether hydrogen can fill the energy void? We look at work to harness bacteria to transform everyday waste into...

Do Dogs Understand People? from 2012-08-11T23:00

What happens if you're exposed to the vacuum of space? Is using a mobile phone on a flight safe? Which is more contagious - a cough or a sneeze? This week we answer your sticky science questions, ...

Curious about Mars... from 2012-08-06T17:22:25

Publishing early in recognition of the arrival on the red planet of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity Rover, this week we talk to members of the mission team, revisit some previous su...

How Science Goes for Gold from 2012-07-28T23:00

How can science, technology and engineering aid the world's elite athletes? In this special edition of the Naked Scientists, we discover how physiology, psychology and technology help get us acros...

How Powered Flight got off the Ground from 2012-07-21T23:00

From the first flight to supersonic air-travel was achieved in under 50 years. To discover what made it all possible we look at the advances in technology, engineering and materials that were neede...

Better to blow up an Earth-bound Asteroid? from 2012-07-14T23:00

Should we blow up objects on a collision course with Earth? Or will they do less damage left intact? More importantly, is there a gene for hating marmite? And what makes copper such a good conducto...

Super Bainite: Super Strong Steel from 2012-07-07T23:00

Super bainite, a surprisingly-strong steel, is the subject of this week's Naked Scientists. We discover how it's made in the metallurgical equivalent of a pizza oven, why it makes the best bearings...

An Olympic Effort - Keeping Crowds Safe from 2012-06-30T23:00

Later this month, the 2012 Olympics kicks off in London. With hundreds of thousands of people expected from overseas, is this the perfect trigger for a pandemic? This week we're looking at the publ...

Exposing Explosives from 2012-06-23T23:00

Science and technology can catch criminals and tackle terrorism. This week, we're exploring two ways to sniff out concealed explosives and a new technique to lift fingerprints from surfaces that h...

Why Do I See Stars when I Stand? from 2012-06-16T23:00

Why does a head injury, or standing up too quickly, make us see stars? Are slug pellets painful? How do flies fly in an elevator? We take on your science questions this week, and find out why we...

SETI, Aliens and the Origins of Life from 2012-06-09T23:00

How do we look for life beyond Earth? And how did it first get started down here? To help us take on these big questions, we explore the science of SETI and the chemistry of creating life. Plus,...

Getting Inside your Genes from 2012-06-02T23:00

This week, we're introducing the new Naked Genetics podcast - This time, Kat Arney takes a look at the world of top models - not the kind that won't get out of bed for less than ten grand, but the ...

Making a Meal out of Microbes from 2012-05-26T23:00

This week we explore the role of microbes in drug development, food production and soil fertility. We investigate how bacteria such as Streptomyces are used and improved to make antibiotics, discov...

From PC to Plane - Making New Metals from 2012-05-22T11:44:14

How do you make a new metal? This week, we follow a novel alloy from PC to plane, finding out how computer modelling and design can help us create new metals with exciting new properties. We also d...

Cracking Chronic Fatigue from 2012-05-12T23:00

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) sufferers describe symptoms of severe exhaustion, weakness, muscle pain and fatigue. But why, and what is science revealing about the underlying causes of the conditi...

Naked in Norway from 2012-05-05T23:00

This week we get Naked in Norway as we visit the University of Oslo to reveal the remains of ancient plesiosaurs and investigate their migration into water, discuss a new concept for more efficient...

Is there such a thing as a "girls' throw"? from 2012-04-28T23:00

Does exercise lead to a more muscular heart? Why can an unfit cyclist cycle faster than an olympic runner runs? How do kinetic watches work? We answer your questions in this week's Naked Scienti...

Clock This! - The Science of the Circadian Rhythm from 2012-04-21T23:00

The body clock goes under the Naked Scientists' spotlight this week. We unpick the mechanisms that enable human cells, plants and even bacteria to track the time of day and alter their activities a...

Saving Submariners and Studying Deep Sea Species from 2012-04-14T23:00

How can we save the occupants of stricken submarines? What species survive in the deepest depths of ocean trenches? Recognising the centenary of the Titanic tragedy, we're diving deep to meet the R...

Naked Oceans - From Plastics to Poo from 2012-04-07T23:00

This week we bring you a special look at marine pollution from the Naked Oceans team, going from plastics to poo to explore some of the many ways we pollute the seas. We find out the truth behind t...

Why did my Dishcloth Detonate? from 2012-04-01T00:00

Why does sunlight make me sneeze? What causes air turbulence? Why do energy-saving lights take time to warm up? In this week's question and answer show we also investigate why microwaving a dishclo...

Why Viruses Don't Infect the Same Cell Twice from 2012-03-18T00:00

Immune-manipulating parasites, bacterial genomes married to disease processes and viruses that bounce off already-infected cells make for an infectious episode of the Naked Scientists this week. Al...

Sensors and Sensibility from 2012-03-11T00:00

Smart sensors can open a window into the environment. In this week's Naked Scientists Podcast we find out how networks of sensors around Heathrow airport can study how planes alter the atmosphere,...

Wattage from Waste and Watching Our Water from 2012-03-04T00:00

How can we extract energy from waste? In this week's Naked Scientists we explore the technology that turns muck into methane and consider the fertile issue of nutrient overload resulting from retur...

Can a Mobile Phone Compromise your Sperm Count? from 2012-02-26T00:00

What's the point of earwax? Does WiFi damage the brain? Can a mobile phone in a trouser pocket dent a man's fertility? In this week's science Q and A show we also brush up on how they get the strip...

ZAP! Lasers on trial... from 2012-02-19T00:00

A new liquid crystal laser that can dial-up any wavelength of light you need, a laser-powered projector technology that turns any surface into a touch-screen, and a laser that fires salvoes of X-ra...

Reclaiming Wasted Watts - Thermoelectric Generators from 2012-02-12T00:00

Over two-thirds of the energy in the fuel you put into your car is wasted, most of it in the form of heat that exits along the exhaust pipe. The same is true of large-scale power stations, which ar...

Do Diet Foods Make You Fat? from 2012-02-05T00:00

Could diet foods be making you fatter? How do we learn to like the foods we eat? This week, we indulge in the science of appetite, diet and diabetes. We'll find out how our early experiences of ...

Are any viruses good for you? from 2012-01-29T00:00

Has all the air in the world been breathed before? Are any viruses beneficial to health? Can naked farts transmit diseases? You set the agenda in this Naked Scientists Question and Answer show i...

Vitamin D: Shedding light on diabetes, MS and cancer from 2012-01-22T00:00

Could a ray of sunshine hold the key to preventing MS, diabetes and even bowel cancer? Vitamin D - made naturally in skin exposed to strong sunlight - appears to reduce the risk of developing these...

Mind Meets Machine from 2012-01-15T00:00

Where do you stand on becoming part person, part machine? This week we hook up with three pioneers in the field of cybernetics including walking cyborg Kevin Warwick, who volunteered his own nervou...

What's Inside Your Nappy? from 2012-01-08T00:00

Do stars form outside galaxies? What causes ringing in the ears? How fast does force propagate? Why do spectacles still work when worn backwards? Is the expanding universe tearing galaxies apart? A...

What Colour is a Dead Chameleon? from 2011-12-18T00:00

Are candles environmentally unfriendly? Why does tinfoil touching a filling set my teeth on edge? What colour does a dead chameleon go? Does antiperspirant deodorant make you sweat more elsewhere? ...

Monitoring Moods with Mobiles from 2011-12-11T00:00

Can new technologies probe human thoughts and feelings without us even realising? This week we talk to a researcher who's using mobile phones to tap into peoples' emotions to provide new insights i...

Underwater Archaeology and Underwater Welding from 2011-12-04T00:00

How do archaeologists locate, conserve and recover historical treasures from old shipwrecks? What is erosion revealing on the foreshores of the River Thames? And how do you weld up an oil or gas pi...

Imaging the Invisible from 2011-11-27T00:00

This week, how immune cells can be caught on camera as they exit blood vessels, a new design of lensless microscope and one that sees cells in 3D, how sound and heat can be used to find faults in m...

Is Technology Altering Your Brain? from 2011-11-20T00:00

Is modern technology changing your brain? How fast does flu fly? Can you build a lightsaber? Your questions are the stars on the Naked Scientists this week, as we discuss the implications of fas...

Flu Vaccines from Tobacco? from 2011-11-13T00:00

In a show not to be sneezed at, we look at the evidence that coughs and sneezes are linked to heart attacks. We also probe the Flu Survey, a new citizen science initiative to gather data on the in...

NCRI Cancer Conference from 2011-11-06T00:00

This week Kat Arney joins us live from the National Cancer Research Institute's conference in Liverpool. We find out how mistakes in cell signalling can cause cancers and why DNA repair pathways of...

Gene Therapy and Stem Cell Therapy from 2011-10-29T23:00

This week's podcast is live from the British Society for Gene Therapy (BSGT) conference in Brighton, UK. Some of the world's top gene and stem cell therapists explain how we can manipulate genes t...

Why Is Ice Slippery? from 2011-10-22T23:00

Can moonlight and a magnifying glass be used to start a fire? Why do bananas go brown and does it happen faster in the fridge or the fruitbowl? Why are ice and snow slippery? And how does flyspray ...

Plant Pests and Plant Pathology from 2011-10-15T23:00

This week, Plant Pests and Plant Pathology - we find out what happens when plants get ill, how to understand and prevent the spread of plant disease, and how they can call up an insect army to defe...

Outpacing Petrol - Biofuels and Hydrogen from 2011-10-08T23:00

This week, we're investigating alternatives to petrol. We'll board a biofuel powered bus to meet the plant scientists who are using algae to make biodiesel. We'll find out how to turn household w...

Would a Siphon Work in Space? from 2011-10-01T23:00

Could a Siphon be used in orbit? Why do leaves change colour in Autumn? How is immunity passed from mother to baby through breastfeeding? Why do earthquakes happen away from plate boundaries? How d...

Cheese Making and Cake Baking: The Chemistry of Cookery from 2011-09-24T23:00

We've whipped up an appetising take on the science of food and cooking for you this week. With a main course of cookery in the kitchen served up by a cake-baking physicist followed by a microbiolog...

Chilling Out - The Science of Cryogenics from 2011-09-19T15:27:06

This week, we're chilling out in the world of cryogenics, the science of the super-cold. We'll find out what happens to living tissue when it freezes, and how we can use low temperatures to keep or...

Supercomputers & Super Computing from 2011-09-10T23:00

This week, we seek the science of supercomputers! We find out how they work, and how they can answer some of the biggest questions in science. We also hear about the World Community Grid, which o...

Australopithecus Sediba Special from 2011-09-07T23:00

Reader in evolution at Wits University, Lee Berger, made a life-changing discovery when he uncovered the remains of a new species of hominid, Australopithecus sediba, in South Africa. Here, Chris S...

Why do some animals dump indiscriminately? from 2011-09-03T23:00

Why do some animals poo wherever the fancy takes them, whilst others are more fussy about the locations of their lavatory actions? What triggers pins and needles? How do some fish survive in both f...

Science in Scotland from 2011-08-30T10:37:08

This week, Chris explores some of the cutting edge research taking place in Aberdeen. We meet a scientist making new cannabis-like chemicals that lack the side effects of the real thing, talk to a...

Do planes trigger rains? from 2011-08-20T23:00

The rain in Spain falls mainly on the "plane". Or so the saying goes, but new research has confirmed that aeroplanes do cause clouds to dump their contents prematurely, often around airports, and i...

Chemistry By Design from 2011-08-13T23:00

Are designer molecules poised to take us into a new chemical dimension? This week, we explore how, long before the bunsen burner gets lit, computer aided chemistry can enable us to create in silic...

Do bubbles help washing up? from 2011-08-06T23:00

Do bubbles help or hinder when doing the dishes? Can we find evidence of material from Earth on the Moon? Can camera lenses cause fires? And is fluoride in drinking water safe? In this Question and...

The Year in Ocean Science from 2011-07-30T23:00

This week, we take a dive beneath the waves to look back at the last year in Ocean science. We call in on deep sea microbes, spawning corals and even a seahorse surgery. Plus we hear how the Census...

The Year in Astronomy from 2011-07-23T23:00

This week, we look back over the last few months of space science. We'll hear how scientists search for planets in the glare of their parent star, why a simulated mission to Mars will help us to u...

Digging up the Year in Archaeology from 2011-07-16T23:00

This week we take a look back at a year's-worth of Naked Archaeology including a dig through some Pomepiian poo for clues about the Pompeiian lifestyle, the art of spear throwing with an atlatl and...

Bouncing Bombs and Blacksmiths from 2011-07-09T23:00

This week, we bring you the best bits of technology from the world of engineering including a guiding light into the workings of a retroreflector, the dual life of bi-stable structures, and a new ...

Pushing Back the Pain Barrier from 2011-06-25T23:00

This week, we explore the problem of persistent pain. We find out how chronic pain is currently treated, and look to our DNA for the genetic clues that could lead to future painkillers. In the n...

Coal Gasification and Carbon Capture from 2011-06-18T23:00

This week, we find out how to get useful gas from useless coal, and make money from waste carbon dioxide! Underground coal gasification could allow us to access huge amounts of energy in inaccessi...

Passengers in a Bacterial Body from 2011-06-11T23:00

The good side of microbes goes under the microscope this week as we explore how the 100 trillion bacteria that thrive on us and in us, and even outnumber our own cells ten times over, work with the...

Do My Eyes have Anti-Shake Vision? from 2011-06-04T23:00

What would we see at the edge of the universe? Are there long term health effects of eating spicy food? Why doesn't diesel need a spark to ignite? It's another Naked Scientists science question and...

Metallurgy - Metals at the Molecular Scale from 2011-05-28T23:00

What happens when a blacksmith meets a metallurgist? This week we explore what's happening at the molecular scale when the smithy works a piece of iron, we meet the superalloys that survive tempera...

Scratch 'n Sneeze - Science of Allergies from 2011-05-21T23:00

This week's Naked Scientists is not to be sneezed at - we're looking at the science of allergies! We explore what happens to cause your body to overreact to harmless things, and find out how poten...

Wet But Not Wild - Farming Fish from 2011-05-16T20:01:01

We cast our nets wide this week to catch the science of aquaculture or fish farming! We'll find out how farming marine life can reduce reliance on disappearing wild stocks, and explore the effect ...

Should I Lie Down to Tan? from 2011-05-07T23:00

Is standing or reclining best for the perfect suntan? Can we see atoms? Why add pennies to Big Ben's pendulum? It's a question and answer show so we shoulder your scientific conundra! We'll fin...

Brains, Batteries and Nuclear Fusion from 2011-04-30T23:00

Computers that can lip-read, a robot that follows your brain waves, prosthetic arms controlled by thinking about fingers that have been amputated, the future of nuclear fusion, Bandaids for batteri...

Diamond Light Source Special from 2011-04-23T23:00

For Easter this week, we explore how synchrotron radiation can be used to probe and find answers to a variety of scientific questions as we bring you a special programme of highlights from the Diam...

DNA-away Disease: Gene Therapy at Work from 2011-04-17T00:00

Two pioneers in the field of gene therapy join us to discuss how they're developing modified viruses to deliver healthy copies of genes to save patients afflicted by lethal genetic diseases. We als...

Are Dogs Ticklish? from 2011-04-10T00:00

Do dogs get ticklish? What wakes up mosquitoes at meal times? Do animals use weapons? In this fast-paced Question and Answer show we also focus on the nuclear threat from Fukushima and hear how gut...

Keeping the Conversation Flowing from 2011-04-03T00:00

This week, we go wireless to explore the science of mobile phones. We hear how new error-correction techniques are promising to put an end to poor quality communications, we meet a new system that ...

Life Where the Sun Don't Shine... from 2011-03-27T00:00

Life in inaccessible places - including in caves sealed off from the Sun and around deep-sea vents - is the subject of this week's Naked Scientists. In these intriguing environments, bacteria repl...

Beyond the Universe - Multiverses and More from 2011-03-20T01:00

This week, we find out what lies beyond the limits of our Universe as we discuss multiverses, higher dimensions, string theory and supersymmetry. We find out how these ideas develop from basic prin...

Why did a Laser Make My Nuts Glow? from 2011-03-13T01:00

Can you electrocute weeds? Why do teeth go wobbly? And which cells last a lifetime? In this bumper edition of the Naked Scientists, we tackle your pressing science questions and find out how the sh...

Aspirin's Anniversary from 2011-03-06T00:00

From anti-ague to anti-Alzheimer's agent: over the 112 years since it was first trademarked, Aspirin has evolved from popular painkiller to powerful preventative against heart attacks, strokes and ...

Boosting Your Bones from 2011-02-27T00:00

Just the bare bones this week as we find out how exercise strengthens the skeleton and how new scanning techniques can help to pick up osteoporosis earlier and inform its management. We also try o...

Checking the Atmosphere and Changing the Climate from 2011-02-20T00:00

We look to the skies in this week's Naked Scientists show, to uncover ways to monitor and change the chemistry of the atmosphere. We join researchers on board an air-sampling aeroplane to discover ...

What Makes Mucus Green? from 2011-02-13T00:00

How do magnets multiply? What keeps an aeroplane in the air? How do wild animals avoid incest? It's open season on science questions in this week's Naked Scientists. We'll find out if oil extra...

Low Energy, High-Power Processing from 2011-02-06T00:00

This week we're getting inside the workings of the next generation of chips that are set to pack a bigger computing-punch but at a fraction of the energy-expenditure of todays' models: CTO Mike Mul...

Leprosy: The Low Down from 2011-01-30T00:00

Leprosy goes under the microscope this week as we uncover the origins of one of the oldest known human diseases, recognised this week on World Leprosy Day. A quarter of a million new cases are diag...

Analysing Antimatter from 2011-01-23T00:00

We're analysing the matter of antimatter this week to find out what is antimatter, how is it made and why's it so rare in the Universe? We talk to researchers at CERN who are capturing anti-hydroge...

Do Metal Spinal Implants Lure Lightning? from 2011-01-16T00:00

Does a metal implant turn a person into a living lightning-conductor or radio receiver, is eye-size important, why is frost bad for freezers, where did the first organic molecules come from, what h...

Would you donate your body to science? from 2011-01-09T00:00

We're discussing human dissection in this week's Naked Scientists. Chris visits the dissection room to find out how trainee doctors benefit from dissecting real bodies, and why many medical school...

National Pathology Week 2010 from 2011-01-02T00:00

In this special podcast we focus on the highlights of this year's National Pathology Week. We'll be going behind closed doors for a tour of the pathology labs at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and ...

Back in the Saddle: Getting Paralysed Patients Riding and Rowing from 2010-12-26T00:00

In this special episode of the Naked Scientists podcast, we explore the world of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), a technology allowing people paralysed from the waist down to row and cycle...

Blowing out Candles Round Corners from 2010-12-19T00:00

In this festive episode, can you get drunk through your feet, the chemistry of cocktails, twelve marine critters of Christmas, the best food and drink combos to eschew indigestion, does a carbon fi...

Why's Graphene Great? from 2010-12-12T00:00

Graphene is the focus of this week's Naked Scientists, including how it holds the key to the super-flexible touch screen displays of tomorrow, super-light composites and the next generation of comp...

Electrifying the Future from 2010-12-05T01:00

Current breakthroughs in electricity generation and distribution go under the spotlight in this week's sizzling edition of the Naked Scientists. We talk to the team with the electrical equivalent o...

Why do Men's Bits Shrink in the Cold? from 2010-11-28T00:00

How heavy is the Earth? How do snakes digest huge meals? Should I fear falling bullets? We take on these questions and more in this Naked Scientists Question and Answer show! We'll discuss the i...

Smart Pills: Drugs to Boost Brain Power from 2010-11-21T00:00

IQ-elevating agents that can boost brain power are being used by over 10% of university students. But how do these cognitive-equivalents of anabolic steroids for the brain actually work, what are t...

The Science of Sustainable Shipping from 2010-11-14T00:00

We set sail to discover the science of sustainable shipping in this week's Naked Scientists. We visit an enormous wave tank to find out how the sea swell can impact on damaged ships, and look at t...

Cancer - Hallmarks and Hit and Run Viruses from 2010-11-07T00:00

We catch up with cancer research this week including evidence that cancers subvert stem cells to suppress the immune system and how covert "hit and run" viral infections may be triggering a lot mor...

Where does Phlegm come from? from 2010-10-31T01:00

It's National Pathology Week 2010 and to celebrate the launch we're joined by pathologist Dr Suzy Lishman to take on your science questions! We'll find out where phlegm comes from, how petroleum je...

AIDS to conquering HIV from 2010-10-23T23:00

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) goes under the microscope this week. We find out how the virus hijacks cells to construct new HIV particles and hear how close scientists are to developing a ...

The Science of Turbulence from 2010-10-16T23:00

It's a bumpy ride on this week's Naked Scientists, as we explore the science of turbulence. We'll find out what turbulence is and why it needs some of the most powerful computers in the world to s...

Neuromarketing - The Brain Basis of Buying Behaviour from 2010-10-09T23:00

How do advertisers get inside your head? This week we explore the field of neuromarketing - how a knowledge of your brain and behaviour can help marketers to manipulate your buying habits. We'll fi...

Would an Antimatter Magnet Attract a Normal Matter Magnet? from 2010-10-02T23:00

Why do you see flashes and patterns when you press your eyeballs? Would an antimatter magnet attract normal matter magnets? What is the hardest human bone to break? We take on your science question...

Neuroimaging from 2010-09-25T23:00

This week we delve deep into the secrets of the brain. We'll find out how MRIs could be used to read your mind, and how they could help unlock what is going on in the brain of a person suffering fr...

The British Science Festival from 2010-09-20T15:59:46

We explore the history of Pi, examine rheumatoid arthritis and seek the science of sleep in this roundup of the British Science Festival. In the news, we hear how to read the history of the solar ...

What Happens to a Tankful of Fish in Orbit? from 2010-09-11T23:00

Why are there two high tides a day when there's only one moon? Would a planet made of glass be transparent? Does dreaming about exercise burn more calories? And what would happen to a tankful of fi...

Science Down Under 2010 from 2010-09-04T23:00

This week, we go back down under to explore the latest science from the land of kangaroos, bandicoots and the world's largest radio telescope - the square kilometer array. Chris goes on a tour of...

Diving into Naked Oceans! from 2010-08-21T23:00

To celebrate the launch of the brand new Naked Oceans podcast, we venture beneath the waves to investigate the impacts of oil spills on the marine environment. We hunt down the hidden world of mic...

Digging in the Dirt and Looking at the Stars from 2010-08-14T23:00

This week, we've got a roundup of recent news and interviews from the Naked Astronomy and Naked Archaeology Podcasts. Digging into Archaeology, Diana O'Carroll will be looking into Bronze Age buri...

The Tour de France from 2010-08-07T23:00

The Tour de France is the subject of this week's summer special as we look into the science and engineering of professional road bikes, training the human physique to endure thousands of kilometres...

The Science of Glastonbury from 2010-07-31T23:00

In this Special edition of the Naked Scientists, we explore the science of the Glastonbury Festival. We find out what it takes to turn a farm into a city and back every year, and how to keep clean...

How do Ants Count? from 2010-07-24T23:00

How do we know that ants count their footsteps? We'll find out in this Naked Scientists Question and Answer show, as well as ask if rubber soles really protect you from electric shocks, if hair wi...

Going Nuclear from 2010-07-17T23:00

We go nuclear this week to investigate the future of atomic energy, the issues surrounding nuclear waste management and how a proposed new breed of hybrid fission-fusion reactors might help to boos...

Lasers in Medicine from 2010-07-10T23:00

The role of lasers in biomedicine goes under the spotlight this week as we explore the workings of photodynamic cancer therapy, find out how laser tweezers can be used to force-feed bugs to white b...

How do you Weigh a Volcano? from 2010-07-03T23:00

We explore the explosive science of volcanoes this week! We find out what you can learn from drilling into a restless volcano, how gravity is used to "weigh" volcanoes and watch them fill with magm...

What's the point of eyebrows? from 2010-06-29T17:21:56

Why do we have eyebrows? Can we taste food if we can't smell it? What's a cold sore? This week, we take on your science questions, as well as explore the world of social gaming, and find out how...

Seriously Small Structures from 2010-06-19T23:00

Seriously small structures are the focus of this week's Naked Scientists, as we look at nanostructures and their role in future energy technologies. We'll find out how nanostructures could enable ...

50 years of Lasers from 2010-06-14T15:48:39

We celebrate 50 years of Lasers on the Naked Scientists this week, by looking into the history, and future, of laser science. We'll hear how lasers have revolutionised manufacturing and could be t...

Creatures in Colonies from 2010-06-05T23:00

The science of social species goes under the microscope this week. We hear what radio-tagging individual ants is revealing about the way they organise their nests to decide who goes hunting and who...

Do Bacteria Grow on Bars of Soap? from 2010-05-29T23:00

In this Naked Scientists Question and Answer show, we find out if bacteria will grow on a bar of soap, why bird poo is white and whether or not a moon can have its own moon. Also, do sweeteners al...

Transmissible Tumours from 2010-05-22T22:00

Cancers you can catch go under the Naked Scientists microscope this week. We find out how a transmissible facial tumour is devastating devil populations in Tasmania and also hear how the Human Papi...

Synthetic Biology from 2010-05-15T23:00

We explore synthetic biology in this Naked Scientists Show, finding out how to learn from, and improve on, the structures and systems we find in nature. We'll meet the team of students who designed...

Does Beer Kill Brain Cells? from 2010-05-08T23:00

Is there a cure for spots? Why do we cry? Does alcohol really kill brain cells? It's a Question and Answer Extravaganza on this week's Naked Scientists! We find out what makes a Chameleon chang...

GPS - Where in the World Are We? from 2010-05-01T23:00

Where in the world am I? We're looking at the science of the Global Positioning System, or GPS, this week. We find out how satellites can tell you your location, as well as communicate with the b...

Archaeogenetics - The Past in Our Genes from 2010-04-25T22:00

We explore the marriage of archaeology and genetics in this week's Naked Scientists, finding out how modern genetic techniques are helping to reveal more about our past. We ask what archaeogenetic...

The National Astronomy Meeting from 2010-04-17T23:00

We bring you the highlights from the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting. We discover the top priorities for the next generation of space exploration, find out what the echoes ...

What do worms do in the rain? from 2010-04-11T16:29

We take on your science questions - If there's something that's been puzzling you, on any scientific topic - get them in now!

Can you Steer a Hurricane...? from 2010-03-28T16:59

Can you steer a hurricane? In this week's weather-focused Naked Scientists, we find out how aeroplanes are creating clouds, get the low-down on how insurance companies size up storm risks and hear ...

The Science of Farming from 2010-03-23T12:35:13

We dig into the science of farming this week with a look at how agriculture can adapt to a changing climate, how scientists are striving to produce a perfect pea and a new initiative to turn native...

How Do Jellyfish Reproduce? from 2010-03-15T18:31:04

How do odour-killing insoles stamp on smelly feet? Do submariners' ears pop? How do Portuguese Man o'War jellyfish reproduce? We take on your science questions this week as well as hearing the high...

The Science of Solar: Photovoltaics from 2010-03-08T17:02:04

Shedding some light on new advances in solar technology, this week's Naked Scientists explores how nanotechnology can boost solar cell efficiency and how flexible photovoltaics can be rolled up - a...

The Science of Water Security from 2010-03-01T18:03:36

We dive into the science of water security in this week's Naked Scientists. We find out how building a dam alters the local weather, and how simple interventions can help bring safe water and sani...

Winds, Wings, Whale Fins and Wind Power from 2010-02-23T14:13:45

How can we make the most of the wind? In this week's Naked Scientists, we find out how Humpback whales have inspired a new, more efficient design for turbine blades and stall-resistant aeroplane wi...

Do animals use toilet paper? from 2010-02-16T13:28:05

We investigate the toilet habits of the animal kingdom this week as well as taking a pot shot at which way a dirty golf ball swings in mid air, answering whether warmer waters attract more sharks a...

Pollution & Plastics from 2010-02-08T15:26:51

Could plastics be polluting your body? This week, we hear how hormone-mimicking chemicals leaching from plastics can cause coronaries, strokes and diabetes. Even the plastic mineral water bottle is...

Augmenting Reality from 2010-02-01T16:23:05

The high-tech scanners that can home in on chemicals produced by cancers, how bats and dolphins share genes for echolocation and why barefoot runners have a smoother track record. Also this week, ...

Explosive Science! from 2010-01-25T14:44:37

On this explosive Naked Scientists, explore the science of explosions, looking at what happens when a landmine explodes and how to study shockwaves. Plus, how to make safer 'insensitive' munitions...

Does Farting make you Weigh Less? from 2010-01-19T12:13:19

Can sea water keep roads frost-free? Why does the LHC need to be so cold? How does antifreeze work and what's the freezing point of beer? This week we run the risk of frostbite to tackle the cooles...

Listen Here! The Science of Sound and Hearing from 2010-01-11T15:23:54

We open our ears to the science of sound and hearing this week with a look at the genetic causes of deafness and how a deaf person's brain decodes sign language. We also hear how auditory illusions...

Launching Naked Astronomy from 2010-01-05T16:50:18

Thrusting space science into the audio dimension, this week the Naked Scientists unveil a new series for 2010 - Naked Astronomy. Hosted by Ben Valsler together with Cambridge space scientists Carol...

Dissecting Christmas Dinner from 2009-12-21T14:55:06

In a festive mood, this week the Naked Scientists meet their meat and dissect Christmas Dinner, but not with a carving knife! We also hear how scientists are able to re-create the acoustics of long...

Was Swine 'Flu Man-Made? from 2009-12-14T18:23:04

Where did the 2009 H1N1 swine influenza pandemic come from? This week we hear the evidence that this new 'flu may have escaped from a laboratory. We also explore rising rates of resistance to the a...

Understanding Hepatitis C from 2009-12-07T17:10:01

Join us to explore the virus behind Hepatitis C. We'lle be investigating the causes, prevention and treatment of this often masked but serious disease.

What if a Meteorite Destroyed the Moon? from 2009-11-30T18:20:22

How wide is the universe? What makes steak tough? Why does beetroot give me red urine? These tricky questions get stripped down in this Naked Scientists Question and Answer show. We'll be hearing a...

Science Down Under from 2009-11-23T15:39:04

This week, we head down under to explore the latest Australasian science - we'll discover the new, state-of-the-art facility where high-tech lasers and cameras breed the best plants; explore a new ...

Producing Planets from 2009-11-17T14:56:08

On this week's Naked Scientists, we seek the start of the solar system. We'll be finding out how clouds of gas and dust can clump and diversify to become stars, asteroids and the planets we know s...

Investigating Infertility from 2009-11-09T13:40:30

This week, we investigate infertility and In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF). We find out how a new high resolution temperature monitor conceived in Cambridge can help couples get pregnant, and explore n...

Where do lost socks go? from 2009-11-03T18:30:53

The most distant object ever discovered as well as the events of National Pathology week feature in this week's show as we take on your science questions! We investigate whysocks go missing in the ...

Introducing - The Diamond Light Source Podcast from 2009-10-29T14:14:30

This week we're showcasing a new bimonthly programme strand which we're making in collaboration with the folks at Diamond, the UK's Synchrotron Light Source. In this episode, we dig deep into the w...

The Diseased Brain from 2009-10-27T11:51:49

We explore the basis of brain diseases on this week's Naked Scientists. We find out what happens to the brain in Huntington's disease, discover the genes behind Alzheimers and a potential treatment...

High Altitude Adventures from 2009-10-20T10:13:35

We reach for the skies on this week's Naked Scientists, with High Altitude Adventures. We find out how the body reacts to the low oxygen at high altitudes, and join Laura Soul testing the theories...

Why does Water Expand when it Freezes? from 2009-10-13T15:44:57

The Nobel prizes feature on the Naked Scientists this week alongside a bumper crop of your science questions! We find out why water expands when it freezes, whether animals have regional accents, a...

Catching Up with Cancer Research from 2009-10-05T15:22:39

This week, we catch up with the latest from the front line of cancer research. Kat Arney reports from the National Cancer Research Institute's annual conference, we find out how proton therapy is ...

Researchers Revealed! from 2009-09-29T14:24:47

We bring you the highlights from European Researchers Night 2009, which filled the Great North Museum with explosions, music and laughter. We meet Brainiac's Jon Tickle to discuss the physics of c...

Life in the Branches from 2009-09-21T15:32:52

Join us in a peek at the secret lives of birds. We find out just how a cuckoo convinces others to care for it's young, and the tragic outcome for the cuckoo chick when the rouse is discovered. We...

Building Bodies and Mending Broken Hearts from 2009-09-14T17:03:44

This week we find out about bionic bodies. We discover whether it's possible to mend a broken heart with stem cells as well as investigate if soft nanobots could soon be delivering drugs around ou...

Can you run faster on the moon? from 2009-09-07T14:35:54

This week we're taking on the questions you've waited all summer to find the answers to. We find out whether humans can run faster on the moon than here on Earth, if tea tastes better in china cups...

Diana and Meera's Best Bits from 2009-08-30T11:50

Diana and Meera select their favourite bits of Naked Science, including parajetting over the Himalayas, digging up Greek brothels and making the perfect cup of tea scientifically. Plus, Dr Hal blow...

Ben and Dave's Best Bits from 2009-08-25T13:08

Ben and Dave select their favourite bits of Naked Science: from taking an MRI of outer space to orange fireballs and chocolate teapots. We explore the boys' best Naked capers. Plus, we join Dr Hal ...

Helen's Best Bits from 2009-08-17T14:47

It's big, it's blue, it's where life began and life certainly wouldn't be the same without it: yes, that's right, it's the sea. This week Helen Scales is taking the show underwater to explore her f...

Kat's Best Bits from 2009-08-11T17:18

This week, Kat Arney has been through the archives and picked out her personal Naked highlights, including making experimental jelly, sneezing at computer screens, stabbing potatoes and Ben dancing...

Peeing on an Electric Fence from 2009-08-04T15:59:57

What happens if you urinate on an electric fence? We find out the answer to this and some of your other science questions on this week's Naked Scientists, including why chilli peppers are red, how...

Rubbish! from 2009-07-28T13:04:21

We dig deep into the science of rubbish, refuse, waste and recycling...

Making Babies - Pregnancy and Fertility from 2009-07-20T15:51:24

The latest in the science of fertility, IVF and pregnancy... We find out how pre-implantation tests could improve the success of IVF and how stress during pregnancy affects foetal development. Plu...

The Rap Guide to Evolution - Darwinian Hip Hop from 2009-07-16T16:46:39

Award winning Canadian hip hop artist Baba Brinkman brings us his Rap Guide to Evolution, an hour of clever, witty and scientifically accurate rhymes that will have you seeing Darwin from a whole n...

Here's Looking at You - the Science of Vision from 2009-07-14T11:15:03

We seek the Science of Sight on this week's Naked Scientists, discovering how deep sea fish use clever bioluminescence and biological mirrors to cope with the darkness of the deep. We hear how our...

Why Does Toothpaste Make Food Taste Funny? from 2009-07-07T12:38:33

This week, we're taking on your science brainteasers! We find out why toothpaste ruins other flavours, whether humans have a mating season and why food goes in multicoloured, but comes out brown......

Driving into the Future from 2009-06-30T17:07:38

This week, we look into new ways of putting a tiger in your tank! We find out how pond life could help make eco-friendly biodiesel and how new types of batteries can power electric cars for furthe...

The Future of our Food from 2009-06-22T16:36:34

This week we dig into into the science of farming and food production. We find out how transgenic plants can help us dispense with the need for chemical pesticides and how giant greenhouses at the ...

Your Science Questions from 2009-06-16T15:54:18

On this Naked Scientists Question and Answer show, we discover how storms create slow earthquakes and how a local star, betelgeuse, could explode very soon. We also hear of an accurate way to date...

The Science of Architecture from 2009-06-09T13:49:12

This week, we seek the science of Architecture. We find out how rapid prototyping technology could help us print out entire houses, and how natural light and ventilation could cut our energy bill...

Bioengineering from 2009-06-01T15:55:55

How does nature inspire technology and engineering? We find out how bamboo may make effective wind turbines, and how the material that makes up locust tendons could soon be in your shoes and electr...

Getting Under Your Skin from 2009-05-26T11:34:02

Science gets under your skin on this week's Naked Scientists, where we find out how human skin colour evolved to make the best of our sunlight. We explain why albino people have no skin pigment at...

Science Questions and Answers from 2009-05-19T10:53:44

We're open to your questions on the Naked Scientists this week, finding out how photosynthesis works underwater, exploring the sex lives of barnacles and discussing if rockets punch holes in the oz...

Clean Water and Alien Invasions from 2009-05-11T15:42:22

This week, we're diving into the science of clean water, finding out why rivers and ponds are essential for wildlife, and how alien invaders are colonising our waterways. Plus, how a diet of glyce...

Tackling Transport from 2009-05-05T15:17:39

On this week's Naked Scientists, we explore the engineering and materials science that will give rise to the future of transport! We find out how jet engine parts grown as a single crystal of supe...

Cleaner City Air from 2009-04-28T12:02:34

In this week's atmospheric Naked Scientists, we're putting the air that we breathe under the microscope. We find out how air quality is monitored, how new technology could help you plan the least p...

SciFest Africa from 2009-04-07T16:58:41

This special Naked Scientists comes to you from the MTN Sciencentre in Cape Town, South Africa, with some of the highlights of SciFest Africa. Meera goes on safari to find out how the Born Free Fo...

History of Medicine from 2009-03-29T22:54:35

This week we hark back to the days before NHS patient records and find out how illnesses in ancient Rome, Victorian London and 17th century Italy were treated. We also explore how the modern histor...

Computer Science from 2009-03-24T09:54:59

This week, we'll strip computer science down to it's components and find out what we should expect to see in the next 5 years. We find out about the thinking behind artificial intelligence, what th...

Your Questions and the Science of Sword Swallowing from 2009-03-10T14:47:46

We get to the point of cutting edge Naked Science this week, answering your science questions and exploring the science of sword swallowing. We find out how the Amazon rainforest could become a ca...

Inspired by Science from 2009-03-03T18:02:52

This week we're seeking the science of laughter and music. We're speaking to comedian Robin Ince about how geneticists and astronomers can inspire stand up comedy, listening to the music of the wo...

The International Year of Astronomy from 2009-02-24T11:18:58

On this week's stellar Naked Scientists we're staring out into space. We find out how technology developed to see inside your body can give a whole new dimension to pictures of deep space, we cele...

The Science of Love from 2009-02-16T16:59:48

Happy Valentines Day! We may not be sending you a card, flowers or chocolates, but we love all our listeners. This week's show is all about the science of love and bonding, we'll be exploring the m...

Stripping Down your Questions from 2009-02-10T18:20:01

On this weeks snow-bound Naked Scientists, we're taking on your science questions! We discover the caterpillar that tricks it's ant hosts into treating it like royalty, find out why fish get lost i...

The Science of the Seriously Small from 2009-02-03T18:40:33

This week, we're studying the science of the seriously small - nanotechnology. We'll find out how tiny, flexible electronics could be implanted under the skin to restore lost sensation, and how tin...

Material, Heal Thyself from 2009-01-27T17:21:45

We get Smart on this week's Naked Scientists with the science of self-healing, self-sensing and self-cleaning materials. We hear how carbon fibre polymers could lead to self-healing spacecraft, wh...

Obesity in your Genes from 2009-01-20T12:09:05

Is obesity in your genes? This week we find out how hormones, genetics and even your mother's diet contribute to your chances of becoming obese and succumbing to obesity-related diseases. We also t...

New Year, New Naked Science from 2009-01-13T18:48:25

Happy New Year! For our first show of 2009, we take on your science questions. We find out how earthworms can get airborne, why people get cramp and why Dr Chris' hypnic jerk frightens people on th...

Why not "Ask the Naked Scientists?" from 2009-01-06T21:04:33

There's no Naked Scientists show this week, so why not try "Ask the Naked Scientists" - our weekly phone in show with Sue Marchant. This week, we answer qustions like why do we have Adam's Apples? ...

Introducing - Naked Archaeology from 2008-12-30T14:19

There's no Naked Scientists Show this week, but we're proud to introduce a new series of podcasts, starring our own Diana O'Carroll: Naked Archaeology This episode features the tale of TB's earlies...

Merry Naked Christmas! from 2008-12-22T17:29:37

We look back on the greatest science news of the year, discuss our top science facts and take on your festive questions in this festive edition of the Naked Scientists. We find out how scientists ...

Emerging Diseases from 2008-12-16T17:26:25

New and Emerging diseases go under the microscope in this week's Naked Scientists, as we discover how new diseases arise, cross species barriers and spread throughout the population. We hear about...

The Science of Sight from 2008-12-09T17:57:33

The science of sight submits to the scrutiny of the Naked Scientists this week as we look at lens replacement surgery, the genetics of degenerative eye diseases such as macular degeneration, and fi...

The Naked Scientists in LA from 2008-12-02T16:46:20

The Naked Scientists hit Hollywood for a special show all the way from California. We meet the cream of Californian scientists from the University of California at LA and at San Diego to find out w...

Would a Helium Balloon Float on the Moon? from 2008-11-24T15:38:21

This week we hear how lasers might replace X-rays as a way to see inside the body, we delve into the genetic code of the extinct woolly mammoth and hear about a government competition to exploit th...

Archaeology from 2008-11-18T12:36:37

We dig into the world of archaeology this week to uncover what DNA is revealing about how humans domesticated plants and livestock. We also delve into the story of stonehenge and hear how scientist...

National Pathology Week from 2008-11-11T19:22:35

This week's Pathological programme brings you a glimpse into the world of the pathologist. We attend a real autopsy to discover how a pathologist uncovers a cause of death, and hear how Cambridge s...

Should we fill Tyres with Nitrogen? from 2008-11-03T17:28:57

It's been cold in the UK this week! So what better way to spend your time than to stay in the warm and find the answers to all of your nagging science questions... So if you've ever wondered how fi...

The Psychology of Drinking and Dancing from 2008-10-28T18:12:11

Disco Psychology - the science of drinking and dancing feature in this week's Naked Scientists. We find out what your dance moves say about your genes and why drinking alcohol or smoking cigarette...

Fusion - The Real Solar Power from 2008-10-21T17:35:34

Nuclear fusion is the power source inside the Sun - so can we copy the physics of the stars to generate energy here on Earth? This week, we find out how nuclear fusion works, and how to mimic a sta...

How Does a One-way Mirror Work? from 2008-10-14T17:13:41

New techniques to test for Down's Syndrome and oesophageal cancer feature in this week's Naked Scientists, along with the nanotechnology that may let you climb walls like spider man! We also take ...

Catching Up with Cancer from 2008-10-07T18:52:31

We catch up with the latest on cancer this week including an update from the National Cancer Research Institute conference in Birmingham. We hear how computers are helping doctors to read mammogram...

Young at Heart - Healthy Ageing from 2008-09-30T16:57:34

This week, how to live longer and look younger with the science of ageing! We discover how repairing damage to DNA could prevent the diseases associated with old age, and find out how to keep your...

Superbugs - MRSA and C. diff from 2008-09-22T16:31:26

Superbugs and hospital acquired infections go under the microscope on this weeks Naked Scientists. We find out why Clostridium difficile has become such a problem, how to keep bacteria away from s...

Why do we Stop Noticing Smells? from 2008-09-15T17:28:30

There's a bulging mailbag of science questions for the Naked Scientists this week, as we find out why we stop smelling smells, whether we can use viruses to kill cancer and why crisp and sweet pack...

The Large Hadron Collider from 2008-09-08T16:13:46

The biggest science experiment in the world - The Large Hadron Collider at CERN, will start on September 10th. So this week we peer inside a proton and discover how the LHC works to help scientis...

The Science of the Sea from 2008-09-02T14:57:34

Before Chris and Co get back for the start of the new series, Ben and Diana dive deep into the science of the sea. We find out why cold water corals can act as a climate calendar, how fish feminis...

The Sounds of Science from 2008-08-18T11:50:39

The hunt for Bigfoot, how a beer or two can boost attractiveness and the brain basis of imagination go under the lens this week when Ben and Diana also meet the chemist-turned-rapper behind the con...

The Final Frontier from 2008-08-12T16:35:49

Diana and Ben take the bridge this week for a journey around the world and out into space, with a selection of the best science from the Naked Scientists worldwide travels. We find out how planets...

A Punt down the Cam from 2008-08-04T09:50:42

Science on the River - A Punt Down the Cam. The river Cam runs through Cambridge, past the colleges that have been home to influential scientists for hundreds of years. This week, we drift down t...

Can you Flavour Breast Milk? from 2008-07-29T16:35:18

It's an Extravaganza of Questions and Answers on the Naked Scientists this week as we take on your questions, including whether dogs can sniff out a seizure, what is fire made of, and how do glow i...

Discovering Drugs from 2008-07-22T12:36:03

Drug Discovery: On this week's Naked Scientists, drug development goes under the microscope as we explore two new ways to find the treatments of tomorrow. We find out why size is important when it ...

Olympic Science from 2008-07-15T09:37:58

We're going for gold on this week's Olympian Naked Scientists, by discovering the sporty science of performance enhancement. We find out how drugs can help boost an athlete's performance, and how ...

Body Clocks and Circadian Rhythms from 2008-07-07T13:27:38

Give yourself the time to listen to this week's Naked Scientists Show, where we find out about the Body Clock! We discover the constant chemical cascade that keeps your clock in check, and how not...

Naked Evolution from 2008-07-01T17:22:18

It's 150 years since Darwin's theory of Evolution was presented to the Linnean Society, and so we've Naturally Selected the Science of Evolution! We find out why scientists have revisited a textbo...

How do Atoms make Colours? from 2008-06-24T17:15:07

Mirrors, Magnets and Meteorites make an appearance in this week's Naked Scientists Question and Answer Show. We find out how the immune system could be convinced to fight skin cancer, how future M...

Fire and Mud from 2008-06-17T17:07:21

Get Red Hot and Dirty with the Naked Scientists as we explore the science of volcanoes. We discover how the heat from hot rocks can be used to work out what gases are emerging, how likely a volcano...

The Secrets of Odysseus from 2008-06-10T14:30:17

Ancient Greece is on the naked scientists' menu this week as we travel back in time to 1200 BC to discover how modern science and a 3000 year old poem have solved an ancient riddle. A team of class...

Questions and Answers from 2008-06-03T12:30:31

Footballs in space, mind-controlled machines and long-lasting bubbles join your questions on this week's Naked Scientists Question and Answer show. We discover the feminine side of prostate cancer ...

Life on Mars from 2008-05-27T15:19:45

Hours before NASA's phoenix mission was due to land on Mars, the Naked Scientists took our own tour of the Martian landscape. We discuss how looking in valleys could tell us what shaped the Martia...

Your Bacterial Body from 2008-05-20T17:19:13

Come with us on a tour of your body to discover how the bacteria that live on and in you play an important role! Bad breath bacteria, good gut bugs and the ones that escape through the other end al...

Repelling Pests - Mosquitoes, Moths and Weeds from 2008-05-13T17:34:12

Using nature's own tricks, we find out how to avoid mosquito bites, grow more crops and keep the weeds away in this week's Naked Scientists. We find out why mosquitoes prefer some people to others...

Clothed Questions, Naked Answers from 2008-05-06T15:23:15

Black holes, bright birds and ice evaporating in the freezer all come under scrutiny in this week's Naked Science Question and Answer Show. We also find out why space is so cold, what happens when ...

Diamonds and Gemstones from 2008-04-29T15:44:16

Stunning sapphires, dazzling diamonds and red rubies abound in this week's sparkling edition of the Naked Scientists in which we find out how gemstones are formed, what makes them so beautiful and ...

Houses of the Future from 2008-04-22T15:14:38

Sustainable Solar power in Sydney, home-generated electricity and green-housing developments go under the microscope this week as we explore the science of sustainable living. Meanwhile Dave goes f...

The Science of the Sun from 2008-04-15T15:12:49

Solar Flares and the Sun's influence on our climate are the burning issues of this week's show. We discover an explosion on the Sun so large that it cut global communications all over the world an...

Q&A and the Edinburgh Science Festival from 2008-04-08T15:30:33

Can cold water cause weight loss, is my mother-in-law turning into a reptile and why doesn't a mobile phone interfere with itself are all answered in this week's Naked Science Question and Answer E...

TB and Magnetic Bacteria from 2008-03-31T16:32:51

This week we visit the Historic city of Edinburgh to put Scottish science under the microscope! We discover the incredible magnetic bacteria and find out how their bio-nano-magnets could help trea...

The Cambridge Science Festival from 2008-03-18T17:57:48

This week, we catch up with the action from this year's Cambridge Science Festival. We find out what you could learn from a plasticine brain and how your next holiday could be literally out-of-thi...

Science of Music from 2008-03-03T17:39:14

This week we're exploring the science of sound and music. We sound out the human voice, hear why we all talk differently, and probe the origins of accents and the means by which impersonators mimic...

Virtual Life from 2008-02-25T11:52:08

This week the Naked Scientists go virtual! We'll be hearing how a new computer system can accurately gauge your age from a mugshot, we come face to face with the painting fool, a computer that can ...

Boston T-ransplant Party from 2008-02-19T16:02:33

On this weeks Pan-Continental Naked Scientists we bring you the latest science news from the AAAS conference in Boston. We hear about why cholesterol-lowering drugs are good for us but bad for bac...

Wet and Wild from 2008-02-04T16:03:02

Get Wet and Wild with the Naked Scientists! We don our wellies and wade into the science of wetlands, discovering the species you might see and why wetlands are vital for wildlife on land and at se...

Viruses and Vaccines from 2008-01-28T17:02:25

In this week's not-to-be-sniffed-at infectious episode of the naked scientists, we find out the facts of flu, including how the virus hijacks your cells, how new strains of the virus emerge to trig...

Combating Climate Change from 2008-01-21T17:00:08

On this week's Naked Scientists, We look at ways to tackle the problem of climate change - including capturing carbon at sea, trapping carbon dioxide in coal to release a useful fuel, and a way to ...

Addiction and Dieting from 2008-01-07T17:01:03

Hooked on the Naked Scientists? This week we're looking into the science of addiction, finding out how smoking alters the teenage brain, why a mixture of brain chemistry and psychological habits ma...

Climate Change and more Ask the Naked Scientists from 2008-01-02T11:41:58

Happy New Year! We celebrate the arrival of 2008 with a second special edition of our new podcast, Ask The Naked Scientists, followed by a 25 minute round up of the top climate change stories featu...

Ask the Naked Scientists from 2007-12-26T18:43:53

Happy Christmas! To keep you entertained while we're off tucking into Turkey, this week and next we've got special editions of a new series of programmes we're launching in 2008 called Ask The Nake...

Naked Science Christmas Party from 2007-12-17T15:18:22

Ho Ho Ho! This week on the Naked Scientists we're celebrating the festive season in style, with a party right here in the studio. From Christmas crackers to Brussels sprouts, we'll be looking at s...

Alzheimer's, the Brain and Memory from 2007-12-04T13:40:27

This week we learn about Alzheimer's disease, how it changes the brain and may be caused by the virus which causes cold sores. We probe your grey matter to find out how memory works, what goes wro...

Science in South Africa Special from 2007-11-26T16:08:22

This week, we bring you the highlights of the Naked Scientists trip to South Africa. We explore what life is like in the poor regions of Johannesburg, and how the frightening reality of HIV and AI...

The South Africa Space Special from 2007-11-19T13:49:51

This week on the Naked Scientists we cross hemispheres to explore galaxies far far away. Chris presents live from Johannesburg to discuss the South African Large Telescope whilst back in the studio...

Human Origins and Migration from 2007-11-05T15:01:38

This week on the Naked Scientists, we're probing the origins of man and pursuing the spread of humans around the world. We find out how to date a hobbit, discover how an enormous flood formed the E...

Stem Cells and Cloning from 2007-10-30T18:05:58

This week on the Award Winning Naked Scientists we find out about stem cells and cloning. We discuss the elusive 'stemness' that allows cells to specialise, and learn about cloning in the post-Doll...

Particle Physics Show from 2007-10-22T13:42:11

This week, we delve inside atoms to find out what matter is made of, and how smashing them together can tell us about the birth of the universe. We learn about quarks, antimatter and the 'god part...

Beer & Brewing from 2007-10-08T14:26:02

This week, we're quenching our thirst for knowledge with the science of Beer and Brewing! We learn about how beer is made, why nitrogen is vital for the perfect pint of Guinness and why professors...

Smart Materials from 2007-10-02T11:13:36

This week, we're exploring the science of Smart Materials - we discover a Super-Non-Stick coating that even honey wont stick to and flexible plastic paper with E-Ink that we-writes itself on demand...

Robots and Artificial Intelligence from 2007-09-25T12:13:33

This week, robots have taken over the Naked Scientists! Okay, not really but we are looking into the world of robotics to find robots that can clean your floor, disarm bombs and wage war on our beh...

The Best of the BA Festival from 2007-09-18T15:34:53

This week we're bringing you the very best bits from the BA Festival of Science in York. We discover a chewing gum that dissolves in the wash but still keeps your breath fresh, get some good news a...

Naked Science Q&A & the BA Festival from 2007-09-09T21:29:58

This week, we look at the latest science news and tackle more of your questions. We uncover the source of the asteroid that finished off the dinosaurs, find out how moray eels eat like aliens, and...

Naked Science Q&A from 2007-09-04T17:25:01

This week, Chris and Co are back from their holidays! So they're tackling their bulging mailbag of your questions. We discuss how scientists have been given the green light to cross human DNA wit...

The Best of the Naked Scientists 2 from 2007-08-28T13:16:55

This week, we look back at more of the very best bits of Naked Science. We find out why scientists are swollen with success after discovering spider venom with Viagra-like properties, We meet a cow...

The Best of the Naked Scientists from 2007-08-21T16:14:44

This week, we look back at some of the juiciest bits of Naked Science from the last series. We find out how an iPod became an iRod to conduct lightning, discover an electrifying bikini and find ou...

Summer Special Q&A Show from 2007-08-14T11:52:12

This week, do diet foods make children fat? Could a space screw save us from catastrophe collisions? Have we seen the last of the Yangtze river dolphin? And should we look to the Simpsons for our s...

Venoms and Toxins - Natures Arsenal from 2007-08-07T16:49:56

This week, mind reading children, scientists find a new gene in the lung cancer cocktail, and satnav or map-nav - what's greener? Plus we become biological weapons inspectors and explore nature's a...

Naked Science Q&A Show from 2007-07-31T16:25:55

This week, clean coal technology - how to get the energy from coal without digging it up, why GM goats are helping to combat nerve gas attacks, and how scientists have found the 'itch' gene. We als...

Extreme Survival Show from 2007-07-23T16:41:19

This week, we find out about survival in extreme environments. We find out how free divers descend hundreds of feet underwater without air, how life thrives beneath the ice in Antarctica, how fight...

The Brain, Epilepsy and Out of Body Experiences from 2007-07-10T16:33:55

This week news that men talk as much as women, cosmetics from jellyfish, songbirds "greatest-tits", a breathtaking asthma breakthrough and a gene-screen for bowel cancer. We also uncover the cause ...

ARMAGEDDON - Super Volcanoes, Meteorites and Earthquakes from 2007-06-26T16:02:27

This week a rabies-based Trojan Horse that smuggles drugs across the blood-brain barrier, why first-borns are brighter, progress with Parkinson's and a lunar telescope more powerful than Hubble. Pl...

Forensic Science Show from 2007-06-19T11:49:11

Under the microscope this week, the science of forensics. We find out how scientists have exploded the myth about old aged whales thanks to a piece of shrapnel, about a new rice-based vaccine for c...

Question and Answer Show from 2007-06-12T15:47:32

This week, why some people have green blood, how radiation-hungry fungi will feed astronauts of the future, and how a cider a day keeps the doctor at bay. We discuss corrupt chemists, what happens ...

Animal Behaviour - Feathered Einsteins, Mischievious Meerkats and Monkey Vision from 2007-06-05T16:03:39

This week, will a hot mint still taste cold? Also how skimmed milk could come straight from the cow in future, and why we walk upright without dragging our knuckles. Nicky Clayton discusses clever...

Planets and Cosmology from 2007-05-28T15:15:14

This week, Drs Chris and Helen find out how your fingers can reveal whether you're mathematically minded, and bridge-building ants that quite literally let themselves be walked over. Also, Astrono...

Volcanic pollution, the Ozone Hole and the Greenhouse Effect - The Atmosphere Show from 2007-05-22T17:04:46

This week, scientists recreate hair follicles, we uncover a means of making hydrogen in a hurry, hear about a stealthy way to destroy cancer and find out why a dose of herpes could be good for you....

Germs, Fungi and Viruses - The Microscopic World from 2007-05-15T16:06:55

This week, Dr Chris and Dr Helen explore the microscopic world, finding out why diarrhoea and projectile vomiting make cruise ships the perfect culture vessel for noroviruses, and asking why fungi ...

Naked Scientists Question and Answer Show from 2007-05-07T23:00

This week Drs Chris, Dave and Phil find out how a venomous spider has got scientists swollen with excitement because it's bite has Viagra-like properties, how maggots are fighting off MRSA from ulc...

Migrating Genes, Surnames and Y Chromosomes from 2007-05-01T16:59:44

This week we're exploring how populations come by their genes including the surprise finding of African DNA in a remote village in Yorkshire. Oxford University's Bruce Winney explains how studying ...

Oceans and Marine Conservation from 2007-04-24T16:32:16

This week on the Naked Scientists an invitation to come and dive beneath the surface of the sea, to find out what is happening in the world's oceans. Your guides will be Marine Biologist Dr Annelis...

New Ideas in Cancer from 2007-04-16T23:00

This week we look at new developments in the science of cancer with Fiona Watt and Andy Futreal, we will see how new gene technologies could be key to understanding cancer, and knowing the role of ...

Heart Disease and Repairing the Damaged Heart from 2007-04-03T00:00

This week we explore the science of Heart Disease. Dr Niall Campbell joins us to explain what heart attacks are and how theyre treated, Dr Anthony Mathur discusses how stem cells might hold the key...

The Science of Flight from 2007-03-27T00:00

This week we explore the science of flight. Dr Graham Taylor from Oxford University talks about the aerodynamics of insect flight and how video camera back-packs allow him to see how eagles fly, an...

National Science and Engineering Week from 2007-03-20T00:00

Every year the Cambridge Science Festival celebrates some of the best and most exciting science and engineering going on in the UK - and the Naked Scientists were there! Find out about the cool sci...

Peruvian Mummies and Animal Domestication from 2007-03-06T00:00

This week we unwrap the secrets of ancient mummies from Peru with the help of London Universitys Lawrence Owens, find out where domestic animals and pets came from with Keith Dobney from the Univer...

Parasites and Clean Water Supplies from 2007-02-27T00:00

Clean water is something that many of us take for granted, but Mark Booth describes how in many parts of the world dirty water can lead to life-threatening disease and parasitic infections. To talk...

Naked Question and Answer and Venomous Vipers from 2007-02-20T00:00

Dr Chris and Dr Helen answer all your burning science questions, including why frost can form even when the air temperature is above zero, why hair looks darker when it is wet, why sunlight looks r...

Nuclear Power and Radiation in Medicine from 2007-02-13T00:00

Nuclear energy is always in the news, but how much do you know about nuclear fission and what happens to nuclear waste? To find out how it works, Anna Lacey and Dave Ansell visit Sizewell B power s...

Science of Pain and Phantom Limbs from 2007-02-06T00:00

The science of pain is our hot topic this week. David Julius reveals the molecular mechanisms of pain and what a chilli pepper has in common with a tarantula, Geoff Woods describes the genetic muta...

Extreme Organisms and Hydrothermal Vents from 2007-01-30T00:00

This week we take a look at extreme environments and the organisms that live in them. Crispin Little talks about hydrothermal vents and the fastest fossilisation on the planet, Steve Scott explains...

Climate Change and Renewable Energy from 2007-01-23T00:00

Following this weeks crazy weather we have a look at Climate Change with Eric Wolff from theBritish Antarctic Survey, who will be talking about secrets about the climate locked away in ancient ice,...

Naked Science Question and Answer and the World of Chemistry from 2007-01-16T00:00

With a new year comes a whole new stack of science questions to challenge Dr Chris, Dr Dave and Dr Kat. This week they explain where the sand in the Sahara comes from, whether mirrors can reflect x...

Red Wine, Caffeine and Bugs in Your Guts from 2007-01-09T00:00

In the first show of 2007, Drs Chris, Dave and Helen find out why red wine is better for you than white wine or grape juice, and explore the science of healthy living with with London University re...

Christmas Question and Answer and the Star of Bethlehem from 2006-12-19T00:00

In the final show of 2006, Chris, Dave and Kat answer all your science questions including why poppadoms curl upwards in the pan, how seedless grapes grow, and if lightning really does strike twice...

Dark Matter, Northern Lights and Mars in 3D from 2006-12-12T00:00

Shedding light on the deepest depths of the universe is Gerry Gilmore, who talks about the Big Bang and the mystery of dark matter. We also hear from Peter Muller and Giulio del Zanna about 3-D ima...

Naked Science Question and Answer and Polonium Poisoning from 2006-12-05T00:00

Dr Chris, Dr Dave and Dr Phil answer all your questions on science, technology and medicine, including why spiders do not run out of silk, what the universe is expanding into, what a flame looks li...

Repairing the Retina and Spinal Cord from 2006-11-28T00:00

Repairing damage in the nervous system is incredibly challenging, but our guests this week have some promising solutions. Consultant ophthalmologist Robert MacLaren and colleagues at University Col...

Science in Antarctica from 2006-11-22T00:00

As winter approaches, we take a trip down south to look at some of the cool research going on in Antarctica. Jane Francis talks about six-foot penguins and a time when Antarctica was warm and ice-f...

The Sound of Music from 2006-11-14T00:00

This week we explore the science of sound including the mathematics of music and the geometry of jazz with mathematicians Tim Gowers, from Cambridge University, and Robin Wilson from the Open Unive...

Naked Science Question and Answer and Record Breaking Fireworks from 2006-11-07T23:00

Why scratch your head at science when Dr Chris, Dr Dave and Dr Kat are here to answer all you questions?! In this weeks question and answer special, we discover why liquid washing tablets don't dis...

Superconductivity and Cooling Devices from 2006-10-31T23:00

This week we take a look at some super cool science, as Tim Jackson describes how superconductors work, what they are, and how superconductors are helping astronomers get a clearer view of the univ...

How We Hear, Echolocation and Giant Whoopee Cushions from 2006-10-27T23:00

Helping us tune into the science of sound this week is Bob Carlyon, who explains how we hear, how we can concentrate on one voice in a noisy room, and what it sounds like to have a cochlea implant....

Science of Sight, Eye Diseases and Animal Vision from 2006-10-17T23:00

Taking a look at the science of sight is consultant ophthalmologist Nick Sarkies, who will discuss eye diseases and how we can treat them, and Ron Douglas provides insight into colour vision and ho...

How Cancers Form, Cancer Biology and Future Therapies from 2006-10-12T23:00

Cancer biology goes under the microscope this week, as Gerard Evan talks about the causes of cancer and how cancer spreads around the body. Also on the show, and joining us live from the National C...

Naked Science Question and Answer and New Horizons from 2006-10-05T23:00

Answering all your cosmic conundrums this week are Drs Chris, Dave and Phil who discuss why blood is red, the size of the ozone hole, how to make magnets, the best way to get rid of excess mucus, ...

Catalysts for Cleaner Environments and Future Energy from 2006-09-26T23:00

Chemistry and lightning quick reactions are under discussion this week as Emma Schofield explains what a catalyst is, how catalytic converters work and how catalysts can help to clean up the atmosp...

Peruvian Mummies, Ancient Environments and the Sahara from 2006-09-22T23:00

Explaining how science can help us dig up the past is Lawrence Owens, who uses teeth and bones to uncover the life and sometimes gruesome death of mummies in Peru and Bolivia, and Harriet Allen des...

Hot Nectar, Warming Weather and Birds Missing the Spring from 2006-09-15T23:00

In the hot seat this week is Beverley Glover, who will describe how flowers warm their nectar to entice passing pollinators, real life weatherman John Law discusses weather predictions and how to c...

Crowd Control, Football Hooligans and Singing Mosquitoes from 2006-08-01T00:00

I predict a riot... or not. This week we're joined by crowd control experts Dr Clifford Stott, from Liverpool University, and Dr John Drury, from Sussex University, wholl be discussing why violence...

Exploding Jellyfish, Marine Conservation and Sharks-3D from 2006-07-25T00:00

Marine biology and conservation specialist Dan Laffoley, from English Nature, and Chris Lynam, from the University of St Andrews join us to dissect the state of the worlds oceans and marine protect...

The Science of the Sun, Sun Tanning, Nuclear Fusion and Fission Power from 2006-07-18T00:00

Rutherford Appleton Laboratory astrophysicist Chris Davis joins us to shed light on the structure and workings of the sun and the newly-launched STEREO mission, Cambridge University engineer Jeffer...

Allergies, the Immune System and Parasites from 2006-07-12T00:00

In honour of the annual hoards if bleary-eyed hayfever sufferers, we are joined by Carrock Sewell who describes how the immune system works, what causes allergic reactions and how we might be able ...

Sex Chromosomes, Genetics and Food Webs from 2006-07-05T00:00

Breaking things down to the building blocks of life this week is Mark Ross, who discusses the evolution of sex chromosomes, genetics and genomes, Michael Traugott describes a novel way of using gen...

Naked Question and Answer and The Life of Benjamin Franklin from 2006-06-27T00:00

Answering all your questions on science, technology and medicine this week are Drs Chris, Dave and Kat, who will be revealing why spicy foods make you sweat, the highest possible temperature, the c...

Social Insects and Locust-Inspired Car Safety from 2006-06-20T00:00

Scratching the itch of curiosity this week is William Foster, who will be talking about the evolution of social insects and his quest for social beetles in Thailand, Claire Rind flies in the face o...

Bacteria, Viruses and Fungi from 2006-06-14T00:00

This week we focus on the science of the very small - the microbial world of bacteria, viruses and fungi with Nottingham Universitys Liz Sockett and Cambridge Universitys Stacey Efstathiou and Ali ...

Oil, Fuel Cells and Alternative Energy from 2006-06-06T00:00

Powering the generators for the show this week is Nicky White who describes how oil is formed, how we find and extract oil and how long oil supplies will last, Lynne Macaskie discusses how fuel cel...

Naked Science Question and Answer and the Science of Happiness - Naked Scientists 06.05.28 from 2006-05-30T00:00

Answering all your science questions this week are Chris, Kat and Dave, including why some people are so prone to static electric shocks, whether humans will exceed the speed of light, how pain kil...

Music Technology and the Science of Sound from 2006-05-23T00:00

Bringing music to our ears this week is Hugh Hunt who discusses the science of sound, how harmonics work and how to play music in a tea cup, Jez Wells describes the frontiers of music technology in...

BSE, Cervical Cancer and Toxoplasmosis from 2006-05-16T00:00

As the ten-year ban on British beef is lifted, Tony Minson joins us to discuss what causes BSE, how it is spread and why it is such a problem, and with another example of how animal diseases pass t...

Dinosaurs and Fossils - Jurassic Science set in Stone from 2006-05-11T00:00

This week we return to the lost world of the dinosaurs. Cambridge University palaeontologists Leslie Noe and Matt Wilkinson discuss the origins, life and demise of the dinosaurs including how they ...

Naked Science Question and Answer from 2006-05-02T00:00

Brightening up the darker corners of your science knowledge this week are Chris, Phil and Kat, who look at colour-blindness in dogs, harnessing heat energy from the centre of the Earth, how glow in...

Coral Reefs and Creatures of the Deep Sea from 2006-04-25T00:00

Delving into the dark depths of science this week is Ron Douglas who describes the fascinating world of deep sea fish, bioluminescence and the sights from a deep sea sub, Jason Hall-Spencer talks a...

Forecasting Weather and Climate from 2006-04-12T00:00

Bringing a ray of sunshine to the studio this week is Alex Hill from the London Met Office, who will be describing how meteorologists predict the weather on a daily basis, Tim Palmer reveals how un...

Brainwashing and the Science of Pain from 2006-04-05T00:00

Picking apart the inner workings of our brains this week are Irene Tracey, who discusses the neurological origin of pain and how we can reduce pain, Philip Shaw reveals why having a bigger brain do...

Naked Science Questions and Answers from 2006-03-28T00:00

Answering all your burning science, technology and medicine questions this week are Drs Chris, Dave and Phil, who will be looking at why purifying seawater is not the answer to water shortages, how...

Invasive Species, Conservation and the Last Giant Tortoise from 2006-03-21T00:00

Conservation and saving species go under the spotlight this week as Henry Nicholls draws attention ot the plight of Lonesome George, the last giant tortoise of his kind, David Aldridge discusses th...

Body Clocks, Circadian Rhythms and Time from 2006-03-14T00:00

Time is very much the essence of this weeks show, as Russell Foster discusses the human body clock, where the body clock is and how it gives our bodies a daily rhythm, Karl-Arne Stokkan describes h...

Recycling, Water Use and Problem Plastic from 2006-03-08T00:00

The recycling revolution and the whereabouts of our waste are hot topics this week as David Butler describes a new technique for recycling water, Rebecca Weymouth lifts the lid on what happens to o...

The Science of Nanotechnology from 2006-02-28T00:00

Picking apart some miniature morsels of science this week are David Carey, who provides the big picture on the world of nanotechnology, Donald Fitzmaurice describes how DNA may be used as scaffoldi...

Chinese Medicine and the Healing Power of Plants from 2006-02-21T00:00

Unlocking Natures medicine chest are doctors orders this week as Monique Simmonds reveals the research behind old herbal remedies, Tai-Ping Fan describes how Chinese medicine is being used for illn...

Science of Seduction, Pheromones and the Food of Love from 2006-02-14T00:00

Love, seduction and sexual attraction are in the air this week as Peter Brennan woos Chris and Kat with a discussion of pheromones and the science of smell, Charles Wysocki suggests how farmers can...

Your Questions, Infectious Cancer and Louisiana Wetlands from 2006-02-07T00:00

This week we hand the show over to you, as Chris, Kat and Phil answer all your burning questions on science, technology and medicine. Anne-Maree Pearse joins us to describe the hellish plight of th...

Meteorites, Satellites and Avoiding Asteroids from 2006-01-31T00:00

This week we look to the solar system as Ian Sanders discusses where meteorites come from and how we can find them, astronaut Dr Stan Love describes how to avoid Armageddon asteroids, Maggie Aderin...

Geology of Natural Disasters, Volcanoes and Earthquakes from 2006-01-24T00:00

This week we shake up the world of science as Janet Sumner describes the dynamics of volcanic eruptions and the strutcure of the Earth, Tamsin Mather talks about how the gases from volcanoes affect...

Plant Science, Composting and Mosquito Repellents from 2006-01-17T00:00

This week we go green as Alison Smith discusses how algae get their vitamin B12, Tim Upson reveals the science behind composting, Heather Gorringe and Richard Fishbourne dish the dirt on what worms...

Obesity, Appetite, Exercise and Weight Loss from 2006-01-10T00:00

With the indulgences of Christmas behind us, Steve ORahilly sheds some light on shedding a few pounds as he discusses the science of appetite, obesity and weight loss, Len Almond describes the role...

The Coriolis Effect and Christmas Questions for Dr Chris Smith from 2005-12-21T00:00

This week we put our heads in a spin as listeners across the world test whether it is possible to detect the Coriolis Effect from your bath tub, Karl Kruszelnicki provides the answer to the Corioli...

Animal Communication, Sexual Signalling and Emotions from 2005-12-13T00:00

This week we learn about animal communication straight from the horses mouth. Dr Gillian Forrester, from the University of Sussex, describes how gorillas use tactile signals to communicate, Dr Kati...

Forensics, DNA Fingerprinting and Human Origins from 2005-12-06T00:00

This week we take a foray into forensics, as DI Alan Cook talks about how DNA is used to solve crime, Alec Jeffreys helps us brush up on how DNA fingerprinting works, Tamsin OConnell describes how ...

Stars, Cosmology and the Beginning of the Universe from 2005-11-29T00:00

This week we dive into deep time as cosmologist Mike Hobson explains how we measure the universe, the distance of the nearest galaxy, how scientists calculate the life span of the sun, and the defi...

Naked Scientists - 05.11.20 - Genetics, DNA Extraction and the Human Genome Project from 2005-11-23T00:00

This week we unravel the secrets of DNA as Darren Grafham discusses the importance of sequencing genomes and how the Human Genome Project has improved medicine, Mike Majerus reveals why we look dif...

Parasites, Hookworms and Allergies from 2005-11-15T00:00

This week Prof. David Pritchard gets to the bottom of why parasites may help to get rid of allergies, Elizabeth Bernays describes how caterpillars acquire a taste for plants containing toxic chemic...