5 Live Science Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Belly fat, BRCA gene and synthetic opioids Apr 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 we discuss why our belly fat could be key to helping people with spinal injuries, a breakthrough in understanding why the BRCA genes lead to breast cancer in some people and we look at the new breed of synthetic opioids making their way on to the streets of Britain, and find out why they’re so deadly.

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Why whooping cough cases are surging and looking for life on Europa Mar 24, 2024

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Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientists look at what's behind a spike in whooping cough cases occurring across the UK and Europe.

COVID-19, 4 years on. Mar 15, 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……four years after they declared COVID 19 a global pandemic, we speak to the World Health Organization to get their recollections and perspectives. A surprising finding about the particles shed from the brake pads on our cars, we look back at the remarkable life of Paul Alexander, the man in the iron lung, who’s died aged 78. And we look at the long term effects of COVID 19.

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Cyber Crimes in Cyber Times Mar 10, 2024

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Off the back of cyber-attacks on the British Library and Cambridge University, Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist look at the how they happen, who is responsible, and how can we protect against them. Plus the team find out why a gene might be responsible for a Labrador's weight, how early springs are affecting migratory birds, and hear from the Cambridge team who have found the oldest known dead galaxy in the universe.

The gene that turns Labradors into gluttons, migratory birds and the oldest known dead galaxy. Mar 10, 2024

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The team discuss the gene that turns Labradors into gluttons, migratory birds and the oldest known dead galaxy.

Lithium batteries, human tails and the science behind potholes Mar 03, 2024

Show notes

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

In this week's episode……as the UK re-joins the EU horizon research programme we hear from the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on what she sees as the main benefit from this new deal. Also, scientists discover a way to get lithium batteries charging faster and performing better in the cold, and how and why did we humans lose our tails back in history? Plus we’re looking into potholes, what’s causing them and the research drive to try and fix them permanently.

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Whale songs, fake fossils and "Forever Chemicals" Feb 25, 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 unveil prehistoric cases of Down’s syndrome, but how did they find them? How whales really produce whale songs and the famous fake fossil that foxed palaeontologists for the best part of a century. Plus we’re taking a look at the so called “Forever Chemicals”…what are they? And how they might be damaging for us and the environment.

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Dengue fever, sense of humour and fish skin Feb 18, 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...a huge outbreak of dengue fever in Brazil so should we be worried here in Europe? Also scientists discover the types of microbe that drive the decomposition of animal flesh and they do it in a pretty gruesome way. And where do we get our sense of humour from? Plus we find out how fish skin is fighting infection on the battlefield and take a look at the origins of medics in conflicts.

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Blueberries, cancer waiting lists and assisted dying Feb 11, 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... why cancer waiting lists have lengthened and the importance of catching the disease early? Also how pollution is blinding insects to plants they might want to pollinate? And how do blueberries come by their colour? It’s not as simple as it sounds, squash one and you’ll see they are not blue inside. Plus we’re looking at the debate at around assisted dying after Dame Esther Rantzen told the BBC she’s decided to join an assisted dying clinic in Switzerland.

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Elon Musk's brain implants and the science of shipping Feb 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...a human receives one of Elon Musk’s brain implants, but why? Also scientists unlock part of the puzzle of why fasting can cut inflammation and slow down the gaining process, and a brief history of spine – we explore a new exhibition on vertebrates. Plus The science of shipping – we go to sea on a ship of the future to hear how the industry is trying to cut it’s carbon footprint.

Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.