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5 Live Science Podcast

Latest episodes

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Jan 28, 2024 • 52min

Retinas, biological cells and pond skater insects.

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode...what the structure of your retina reveals about your risk of developing a range of different diseases, have we finally cracked how the first biological cells appeared 4 billions years ago? And how pond skater insects survive potentially lethal run-ins with large raindrops. Plus we’re continuing our “Titans of Science” series, this week we interviewing Wales former Chief Scientist and Alzheimer's guru, Julie Williams. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.
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Jan 21, 2024 • 53min

The Black Death, wine measures and pot holes

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode...did the black death really kill so many in Europe that if left an indelible mark in the population’s DNA? New research suggests that might be a myth. Also could smaller wine measures in pubs help to tackle our unhealthy relationship with alcohol and later on, the Cambridge engineers who are using science to plug the gaps in the UK pot-holed roads. Plus we continue our Titans of Science series, this week featuring the cosmologist, astrophysicist and member of the House of Lords, Martin Rees. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.
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Jan 14, 2024 • 52min

Titans of Science: Professor Deborah Prentice

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode...why a dose of old drugs might be a new way to beat depression. With many countries gearing up for general elections in the year ahead, why AI generated deepfakes have got politicians very worried. We look back at the life of the pioneering British transplant surgeon, Professor Sir Roy Calne and we continue our Titans of Science series with the psychologist and new Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University – Professor Deborah Prentice.Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.
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Jan 7, 2024 • 53min

Measles, Terror Chatbots and the Microbiome

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientists investigate why the world is seeing a surge of measles, look into how Japan prepares for earthquakes, asks if AI glorifies terrorism, and whether space junk is worth recycling. Plus they delve into the microbiome including how a "transpoosion" can reverse antibiotic resistance.
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Dec 31, 2023 • 53min

Quantum Leap

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.This week, Chris Smith and Will Tingle look back on some of 2023’s most important scientific discoveries and ponder what we should expect in 2024.Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.
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Dec 24, 2023 • 52min

Christmas science stories and computer games

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present a special ChristmasThe science of champagne, a look at the light hearted stories from the Christmas edition of the British Medical Journal, and the 150 million year old marine reptile with a slot on prime time Christmas TV. Plus a look at some of the best computer games you can play across Christmas.Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.
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Dec 17, 2023 • 53min

Titans of Science: Chris Hadfield

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.In today’s programme: Nausea in pregnancy, scientists have solved why it happens and what we can do about it. Also, COP28 is over, but what was actually achieved And what science is revealing about the methods of great artists like Rembrandt. Plus Titans of Science returns, talking to leading scientists around the world, and today’s relaunch features former astronaut and commander of the International Space station, Chris Hadfield.
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Dec 10, 2023 • 53min

Covid Inquiry, fossilised trees in the Fens, and getting Britons moving

James Tytko and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.This week Boris Johnson gives evidence to the UK Covid Inquiry, the farmers digging up 5000 year old trees on the Fens, a new drug to prevent fentanyl overdose, and how to confront the UK’s activity crisis.Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.
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Dec 3, 2023 • 52min

COP28, swine flu, Bennu asteroid and digital twins.

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode... what’s on the agenda for the COP28 climate summit? What do we know about the new strain of swine flu found in North Yorkshire? Samples from the Bennu asteroid arrive in the UK, we talk to the scientist who just got her hands on some. As technology advances, how can we all save time and money by having a digital twin?Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.
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Nov 26, 2023 • 52min

Cyber attacks, red wine headaches and Parkinson’s disease

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

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