logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2009
55m 54s

Dissecting Christmas Dinner

THE NAKED SCIENTISTS
About this episode
In a festive mood, this week the Naked Scientists meet their meat and dissect Christmas Dinner, but not with a carving knife! We also hear how scientists are able to re-create the acoustics of long-gone churches and cathedrals to appreciate how ancient musical compositions and carols would have sounded to an assembled congregation. Plus we also come face to face with a submarine volcano, dip into the story of a planet formed exclusively from water and find out why the skull is impervious to the effects of osteoporosis... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Up next
Jul 4
The "Nanny Plate" debate, and the Neanderthal fat factory
In the news, counting the calories: The UK government want shops to help us put 100 fewer calories in our baskets to beat obesity. So will it work? Also, archaeologists uncover the world's oldest fat factory - it turns out that Neanderthals were processing bones for their grease ... Show More
33m 32s
Jul 1
Why proteins matter
This episode was produced and presented by Dr Marushka Soobben, a scientist from South Africa who's been taking part in an internship here at the Naked Scientists. And this week, a journey into the world of proteins. What are they? why do they matter? And why did predicting their ... Show More
29m 30s
Jun 27
Weight loss jab concerns, and crafty bribing caterpillars
In this edition of The Naked Scientists, weight loss jabs being prescribed by GPs in England, but do we know enough about the side effects? Also, a new simple test to replace endoscopies for patients with Barrett's oesophagus. And we hear from one of the engineers at the Vera Rub ... Show More
35m 31s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2023
A Scientifically Superior Christmas Dinner
How many Scientists does it take to cook Christmas dinner? Marnie seeks help from a food scientist, a geneticist, a doctor and a botanist to create the perfect festive feast. 
28m 7s
Dec 2022
Where Christmas Traditions Come From & How to Talk With Children
When you go to a restaurant, there are some things you may not want to touch. Why? Well, because they are crawling with germs and just kinda gross. This episode begins with a look at the germiest things in restaurants. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/19/germ-infested-areas- ... Show More
50m 52s
Dec 2021
Christmas Music Psychology, Most Influential Films, Mistletoe Science
Learn about why Christmas music sounds like Christmas; the most influential films ever; and the truth behind mistletoe.The stories in this episode originally aired on these dates:December 21, 2018: "Scientists Have Determined the Most Influential Film of All Time" and "Mistletoe ... Show More
23m 14s
Dec 2022
I Believe in Father Christmas
Some people say it's a protest song about the commercialisation of Christmas. Others that it's anti-religious. I Believe In Father Christmas is about neither, although lyricist Peter Sinfield concedes that it does include a touch of cynicism but says ultimately it's a song of joy ... Show More
27m 47s
Dec 2019
A Russian Christmas
Become a patron of the show and help me make even more great episodes! Donate by visiting www.patreon.com/trucepodcast Christmas and New Years can be a stressful time for us. But what if you had to celebrate two Christmas' and two Years'? Our special guest Jennifer Eremeeva (auth ... Show More
22m 45s
Dec 2021
CrowdScience Christmas bonanza
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens – CrowdScience has covered a lot this year. And what better way to see out 2021 than to look back at a few of our (and your!) favourite things? Great questions are right at the top of the team’s list – especially with the way that for ev ... Show More
31m 43s
Dec 2020
Let’s Nerd Out on Christmas
Transcribed highlights of the show can be found in our episode summaries.Believe it or not, Christmas is this week. Yup, even in a year that felt like it was always winter and that there could not ever be Christmas. And we need a little Christmas, right this very minute. Candles ... Show More
51m 56s
Dec 2015
End-Of-Year Feast
Cheese science, cilantro phobia, and fork usage: we’ve covered it all on Gastropod. And, for our special end-of-year episode, we’re bringing you updates on some our favorite stories. Join us to find out what happened next… Ever wondered what happened to those researchers in Colom ... Show More
33m 56s