
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

Apr 16, 2023 • 53min
What is Pain?
Chris Berrow presents 5 Live Science this week, looking at the future of solar power, why some people are sensitive to magnetic fields, and the scientists studying bird poo! Plus, what exactly is pain, and what happens when you can’t control the amount of pain you're in?

Apr 9, 2023 • 53min
Is There Anybody Out There?
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.
In today’s programme: Nearly 2000 tech experts and scientists are calling for a halt to AI research: we talk to one of them. And “simply inexcusable”: the words of the World Health Organisation as it condemns China’s failure to share key Covid data from the beginning of the pandemic.
Plus we’re asking, “is there anybody out there?” - how likely it is we’re alone in this Universe?

Apr 2, 2023 • 43min
Dinosaur faces, laughing gas, and repairing broken gadgets
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.In today’s programme: Why we might need to re-draw dinosaur faces: it turns out T Rex had lips - how did we miss that? Also, as the UK government moves to make laughing gas illegal we look at how it works and why they’re doing this.Plus these days nothing seems to be repairable - it’s almost as if manufacturers don’t want you to fix a broken gadget and instead buy a new one. We find out why that might be.

Mar 26, 2023 • 53min
The High Seas Treaty
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.In today’s programme: how scientists are making measuring animal welfare a top priority on farms, and why superglue might be the key to superior plastic recycling.
Plus we dive into the high seas treaty: the ambitious plan to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.

Mar 19, 2023 • 52min
Recharging In Nature
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.This week: How doctors in the US have “cured” a woman with HIV. Does Venus have volcanoes? Re-examining 30 year old probe footage has got scientists wondering.Plus we look at the value of national parks to our wellbeing, and the new project to make it easier to recharge not just your mental batteries but also your electric car in remote parts of the country.

Mar 12, 2023 • 52min
Q&A: Ask Us Anything
Dr Chris Smith is joined by a space scientist, a geologist, a psychologist and a linguist to answer some of the science questions you've been sending to the 5 Live Science team. To ask a question for a future edition, email 5livescience@bbc.co.uk

Mar 5, 2023 • 53min
What can the Earth tell us about itself?
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. In today’s programme we look at how taking a daily brisk walk could take 25% off your mortality rate. The northern - and southern - lights and why they’ve been so pronounced of late? And have scientists discovered the world’s first Roman sex toy?Plus we look at the science of tectonics and ask, what can the Earth tell us about itself?

Feb 26, 2023 • 53min
Male Pill, Invisible Shrimp, & Fusion Power in Future?
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. This week: the likelihood of commercial fusion power by 2040, male contraceptive pills, how shrimp use a trick of the light to disappear, and when our European ancestors first armed themselves with bows and arrows

Feb 19, 2023 • 53min
Gene therapy, the world's biggest penguin, and the threat from bird flu
We explore how the gene therapy worked to save the life of 19 month old MLD victim Teddi Shaw, hear about a new system to make seeds sow themselves, meet the world's biggest fossil penguin, and size up the threat from bird flu...

Feb 12, 2023 • 53min
Quakes, bad indoor air, and will we be eating bacteria in future?
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.Why Turkey can expect aftershocks for up to a year, as we examine the science behind this week's massive earthquake. Plus encrypted letters from Mary Queen of Scots decoded, efforts to drive up indoor air standards, and the revolutions in farming and food production to make food cheaper.
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