5 Live Science Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Is there a link between some cosmetics and cancer? Aug 25, 2024

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Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.

This week: The regulator says the Alzheimer's drug Lecanemab is safe, but NICE say we can't afford it. The UK Ministry Of Defence launches its first Earth imaging satellite. And the BBC's Frank Gardner on why the UK's butterflies need our help.

Plus is there a link between some cosmetics and cosmetic trends and cancer? We examine this in more detail in the second part of the programme.

Mpox, Clever Horses, and Circadian Rhythms Aug 18, 2024

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Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.

This week: we discuss the spread of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, after the WHO declares a public health emergency of international concern. How a laser has unlocked the secret of the origin of Stonehenge's famous altar stone, and why researchers think horses might be cleverer than we've previously given them credit for.

Plus our summer series of Titans of Science concludes with circadian rhythm Russell Foster, who has helped to transform our knowledge of the body's internal clock, and he reckons he's got a cure for jet lag.

Aliens, Dark Energy and Brian Schmidt Aug 11, 2024

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The Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.

This week: scientists think they've revealed what makes ketamine an effective antidepressant, the astonishing navigational capabilities of bees, and a brief guide to aliens with astronomer Adam Frank.

And Titans of Science continues with the renowned astrophysicist discoverer of the accelerating expansion of the universe and the man who gave us dark energy, Brian Schmidt.

Bird flu, fog harvesting and dark matter Aug 04, 2024

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Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.

In this week's episode…. Scientists show that when two people talk, their brains really do sync up. Bird flu is now spreading among cattle via their milk. So what are the implications of that? A new scientific twist for better, more efficient fog harvesting to keep arid areas better watered.

Plus our Titan of Science this week explains dark matter and how we know it's out there.

Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

Extreme athletic performance Jul 28, 2024

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Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.

This week: New muscles on a chip technology goes into orbit to find new drugs to block the ravages of weightlessness and ageing, how artificial intelligence looks set to revolutionise how we forecast the weather, and scientists track down the brain pathway that controls the placebo effect.

Plus an in-depth look at how athletes compete at the highest level as the Olympic Games get underway.

Why do seagulls try to steal your chips? Jul 21, 2024

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Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.

In this week's episode…. we discuss self test kits to help doctors bear down on cervical cancer - We find out how successful they are. The jelly batteries that could be used in wearable tech devices, including implanted in your own brain and why seagulls keep trying to steal your chips and how to stop them.

Plus Titans of Science continues this week with Susan Solomon who is one of the first people to respond to reports that the ozone layer had an Australia sized hole in it.

Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

Covid app findings, AI writing, and brainy birds Jul 14, 2024

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Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.

This week we discover what the Covid app has told us about how diseases spread across the UK We look at what the appointment of Sir Patrick Vallance as Minister for Science means for the scientific community. And whilst generative AI can boost productivity for writers, it can also produce very similar stories. So are we willing to trade boring for productive?

Plus in our Titans of Science series we continue with Cambridge University psychologist and bird fanatic Nicky Clayton, as we discuss the cognitive behaviour of birds.

Long Covid, Mosquitos and Formula 1 Jul 07, 2024

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Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs,

In this week's episode…. body scans give us new insights into long Covid. Scientists discover the switch that triggers a mosquito's bloodlust, but can we turn it off? And we'll take you on a whistlestop tour of the Royal Society's Summer Science Exhibition.

Plus... as the British Grand Prix prepares to get underway, one of the best in the business tells us what makes a Formula One car purr.

Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

Titans of Science: Geoffrey Hinton Jun 30, 2024

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Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. And our series Titans of Science returns, as we speak with the artificial intelligence pioneer Geoffrey Hinton.

In this week's news: Edward Stone, the man who led the Voyager probe missions, which are still working half a century on, has died at the age of 88. We reflect on his legacy.

Also, scientists discover what they think is the first Neanderthal with Down’s Syndrome, clearly cared for by his community.

And what should be in your first aid kit if you’re heading to a major music festival?

E. coli, DNA sniffing, and tracking trees Jun 23, 2024

Show notes

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.

This week: how scientists are getting to grips with the UK's E. coli outbreak. Lettuce leaves look likely to be the source, but how? We find out how atomic bomb tests have helped us to build a better picture of how much carbon plants can actually lock away. And why are scientists near Norwich sniffing the air for DNA?

Plus we get to the root of how our changing climate is affecting trees.