
The Naked Scientists Podcast
The Naked Scientists flagship science show brings you a lighthearted look at the latest scientific breakthroughs, interviews with the world's top scientists, answers to your science questions and science experiments to try at home.
Latest episodes

13 snips
Jun 27, 2025 • 36min
Weight loss jab concerns, and crafty bribing caterpillars
John Wilding, a leading expert in obesity and endocrinology at the University of Liverpool, discusses the rise of weight loss jabs like Monjaro. He highlights their potential benefits alongside significant concerns about side effects and cost. The conversation also introduces a revolutionary capsule sponge test that could replace traditional endoscopies for Barrett's oesophagus. Wilding touches on fascinating caterpillar adaptations in nature, showcasing their unique survival strategies and symbiotic relationships within ecosystems.

Jun 24, 2025 • 33min
On thin ice: The race to save Antarctica
In this edition of The Naked Scientists, we speak to the Cambridge scientists who have made it their mission to understand climate change in one of the world's most inhospitable regions... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Jun 20, 2025 • 33min
HPV vaccine uptake wanes, and boozeless beer health concerns
In this edition of The Naked Scientists: HPV vaccination rates are waning. We examine the importance of the jab. Also ahead: why Africa is key to understanding the evolution of early humans. Plus, the reasons alcohol-free booze might actually not be all that good for us... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Jun 17, 2025 • 31min
Titans of Science: Sharon Peacock
In the final installment of this season of Titans of Science, Chris Smith speaks with Sharon Peacock, one of the UK's leading voices in infectious disease research. She is best known for her work on whole genome sequencing of pathogens such as MRSA and SARS CoV-2, and studies of antimicrobial resistance... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Jun 16, 2025 • 4min
Naked Scientists SOS
Cambridge University have informed us that, for cost cutting reasons, they intend to make Dr Chris Smith redundant. Naturally, this jeopardises the Naked Scientists programme, which is produced under his role. He will also lose his medical job. We regard this as a terrible decision and we intend to protest. Please listen to this short podcast to hear how you can help. Together we hope we can turn around this terrible decision... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Jun 13, 2025 • 31min
UK commits to new nuclear plant, and robot surgery
In this edition of The Naked Scientists: the UK commits to building a new nuclear power station. But is it worth the hefty price tag? Also, how robots are revolutionising surgery. We'll ask what they can and can't do. And, how NASA's top scientists track rogue near-Earth objects with remarkable precision... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Jun 10, 2025 • 28min
How can we improve young people's mental health?
The mental health of the young is reaching breaking point, globally. A recent analysis by a panel of leading researchers, young people, and policy experts, has warned that, without targeted action, by 2030, 42 million years of healthy life could be lost to mental illness or suicide; that's two million more than ten years ago. So today we're asking, why are so many young people suddenly afflicted by a decline in their mental health and wellbeing, and what are the solutions? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Jun 6, 2025 • 36min
Africa's cholera surge, and colliding galaxies
In this edition of The Naked Scientists: African leaders hold emergency talks about deadly outbreaks of cholera on the continent. But why is this happening, and what can be done to curb the threat? The James Webb Space Telescope breaks another cosmic record spotting the oldest galaxy ever seen, dating from just 280 million years after the Big Bang. We explore the hidden workings of our natural history museums: what did they decide not to display, and why? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Jun 3, 2025 • 37min
Prostate cancer: When should we intervene?
Today's programme is all about prostate cancer; exploring what the disease is, who gets it, and how it can be treated. We'll explore the game-changing test from a Cambridge based firm, and question whether sometimes the best approach is to leave the cancer alone... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

May 30, 2025 • 32min
UK invests in 'cyber army', and turning lead into gold
In this edition of The Naked Scientists: The UK announces a 1 billion pound budget for a cyber army: but what will these keyboard warriors be doing? Also, a vaccine for norovirus that is just one pill. And, physicists at CERN turn lead into gold, albeit briefly! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists