Oct 7

Has COVID-19 weakened our immunity?

You've probably heard of Omicron, but what about Nimbus and Stratus? These are the latest COVID strains spreading around the world, and for most people they'll amount to a heavy cold at worst, lasting just a few days. Or will they? Are these coronaviruses doing more to our immune ... Show More

30m 39s

Oct 3

Embryos made from skin cells, and remembering Jane Goodall

In this edition of The Naked Scientists: US scientists have turned skin cells into human embryos for the very first time. We unpack the significance. Also ahead, the legacy of the primatologist and conservationist, Jane Goodall, who has died at the age of 91. Plus, we hear from a ... Show More

34m 8s

Sep 30

Painting: where art meets science

Today, we're picking up a brush, and probing the science of paint. Where does chemistry stop, and the art take over? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

31m 11s

Nov 2023

Chickenpox, Champion Jockeys and Light Speed

Will Tingle and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.This week, the decision to give chickenpox vaccines to kids: what changed medics' minds? Also, spinal injuries, the building blocks of life and why the universe has a speed limit. ... Show More

27m 40s

Sep 19

The evolutionary price we pay for longer lives; the asteroid coming VERY close to Earth; how dinosaurs shaped the ecosystem

Episode 321 Humans live a lot longer than other primates - and much of that is down to our immune system. But there’s a price we pay for the capacity to fight off infections: inflammation. Chronic inflammation is to blame for a range of health issues, especially those related to ... Show More

32m 59s

May 2025

Special Episode: Dr. Adam Ratner & Booster Shots

For the past few months, measles has been in regular rotation in the news cycle here in the US, with outbreaks occurring across the country in regions with low vaccine uptake. These outbreaks represent a worrying trend in the rejection of scientific and medical expertise, with lo ... Show More

52m 32s

Sep 15

Kissing Bugs, Koalas and Clues to Life on Mars

A paper published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention argues that Chagas disease is now endemic in the U.S. Koalas may finally be spared from a deadly epidemic. Meanwhile NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover has uncovered tantalizing clues about potential ancient microbia ... Show More

9m 37s

Oct 6

Enceladus’s Alien Ocean, Ancient Fungi and the Flavor of Influenza

Saturn’s moon Enceladus reveals complex organic molecules that could hint at extraterrestrial life. Researchers also uncover fungi’s ancient reign over Earth and warn that second COVID infections may pose greater risks to young people. Plus, ants ferment yogurt, and flu detection ... Show More

9m 47s

Feb 2024

S27E17: Ancient Lake on Mars Confirmed - Excitement Ensues

Get Our Exclusive 60% off Incogni deal here ➼ https://incogni.com/stuartgary or use the checkout code STUARTGARY. It's the peace of mind you need online made easy! The Space, Astronomy and Science Podcast. SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 17 *Confirmation of an ancient lake on Mars bu ... Show More

36m 44s

Aug 18

Chikungunya Outbreak, Glacial Outbursts and a New Human Ancestor

The chikungunya virus is rapidly spreading in China. Could it make its way to the U.S.? Meanwhile in Alaska a glacial lake outburst flooded the nearby Mendenhall River to record levels. And in Ethiopia fossilized teeth reveal a new species of Australopithecus—one that possibly li ... Show More

10m 50s

Apr 2025

Measles: How Worried Should We Be?

Measles is spreading in the U.S., with hundreds of cases across more than 20 states. And tons of people online are arguing over how we should feel about it. Some say this is bad because measles is SO contagious — and not enough people get the vaccine. But others say that measles ... Show More

36m 26s

Feb 2025

Bennu's Building Blocks of Life, Asteroid YR4's Threat, and Lunar Dome Mysteries: S28E15

SpaceTime Series 28 Episode 15 The Astronomy, Space and Science News Podcast Building Blocks of Life on Asteroid Bennu, New Asteroid Threat, and Lunar Dome Mission In this episode of SpaceTime, we uncover groundbreaking discoveries from the asteroid Bennu, where scientists have d ... Show More

29m 8s

Aug 5

Summer picks: what is ‘mirror life’ and why are scientists sounding the alarm?

Recently, a group of world-leading scientists called for a halt on research to create ‘mirror life’ microbes amid concerns that the synthetic organisms would present an ‘unprecedented risk’ to life on Earth. Ian Sample tells Madeleine Finlay about why this work initially seemed e ... Show More

17m 33s

Chickenpox and weather bots