
5 Live Science Podcast
5 Live's science podcast, featuring Dr Chris and Naked Scientists with the hottest science news stories and analysis.
Latest episodes

Sep 10, 2023 • 52min
Titans of Science: Helen Sharman
James Tytko, Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.In this week’s episode….Can civil engineers help rescue UK’s Schools and hospitals? We’ll be hearing about a new initiative that is hoping to improve the treatment of Sepsis, and how the scent of ancient Egypt has been replicated in a Danish museum.And in our new series Titans of Science, Chris Smith chats to Helen Sharman, the first Britain in space, about her life from her childhood in Sheffield to becoming a the first Western-European to visit space. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

Sep 3, 2023 • 53min
Eating well without compromising on taste
London expands ULEZ for air quality, impacts of poaching on endangered species, Dr. Chris Smith takes on a summer cooking challenge to eat well without compromising on taste

Aug 27, 2023 • 53min
India Land on the Moon
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.In today’s programme: a leading authority on serial killers examines Lucy Letby’s motives and how we prevent a repeat. And DJ Chris Evans reveals he has melanoma, but what exactly is it? Plus: India becomes only the fourth country in history to land a spacecraft on the Moon. We find out how much we really know about the brightest object in our night sky.

Aug 20, 2023 • 53min
The real Oppenheimer
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientists with science news stories and analysis.Including how Artificial Intelligence might influence elections in the future and how brain structure affects the likelihood that teens take up smokingPlus following the release of the Hollywood blockbuster Oppenheimer, an inside look at the reality of the atom bomb.

Aug 6, 2023 • 53min
Q&A
Chris Smith and the panel are answering the science questions you've been sending in, including:
Is the universe mainly empty space, can you really win the lottery every week, and where does curry really come from. Plus our quiz that you can play along with at home.

Jul 30, 2023 • 53min
Artificial Intelligence
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. In today’s programme: Sweltering temperatures wreak havoc across Europe and North America; Have aliens crash landed on Mars; and the Cambridge scientist who wants to create the largest ever DNA and health research programme for children and young people.
Plus we look at Artificial Intelligence - what can this emerging technology really do for us?

Jul 23, 2023 • 53min
Tackling Depression
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. In today’s programme: a breakthrough in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease; warnings we might be on the brink of a measles outbreak in London; and why algae might help vegans with their vitamins.Plus we look at what depression is, and how we can help to manage the condition. For support on topics covered in this programme, you can get details of organisations within the UK by visiting the BBC Actionline website. bbc.co.uk/actionline

Jul 14, 2023 • 53min
Protecting the Oceans
Heatwaves in Europe, "greedy" gene in womb, tennis ball selection process, protecting oceans by scientists

Jul 9, 2023 • 52min
We answer your questions
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.In today’s programme - your questions go under the microscope: including why don’t whales and dolphins drown when they go to sleep? Is it true that a fungus from a nuclear reactor can help patients undergoing radiotherapy?And do magnets around your water pipes prevent limescale building up? Plus, when the whistle goes for half time, we’ll have a quiz for you to have a go at too!Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

Jul 2, 2023 • 54min
Light Pollution
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.In today’s programme: How an artificial-intelligence technology from Cambridge is helping cut cancer treatment waiting times. We also hear how the James Webb Space Telescope is shedding new light on the chemical building blocks of life, the universe and everything. Plus heat-resistant drones that can fly into burning buildings to track down survivors.And this week, light pollution goes under our spotlight.
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