Feb 10

The mosquito: the world's deadliest animal

Coming up, we explore the tremendous impact mosquitoes have had throughout their evolution. In this episode, we break down what mosquitoes are, how they track down a meal, the diseases they carry, and the strategies that scientists are currently deploying to control them... Like ... Show More

29m 37s

Feb 6

Shingles vaccine delays dementia, and chatting AI bots

This week, we examine a herpes zoster vaccination that can reduce or delay dementia diagnosis. How does it work? Plus, the BBC's Zoe Kleinman explains a social media site for AI chatbots, the discovery of microplastics in remote parts of the Pacific Ocean, and why the Artemis II ... Show More

29m 9s

Feb 3

Motor neurone disease: what does the science say?

Today, we take a closer look at motor neurone disease (MND), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting the motor neurones that control voluntary muscle movement. This programme explores the clinical features of MND, what it is like to live with the condition, how it is d ... Show More

29m 33s

Dec 2024

Debunking 'junk' DNA

In this episode of Naked Genetics: What new DNA techniques are revealing about human sacrifices in Mayan culture; we debunk the 'junk', in junk DNA; and, the upside down sea snail that makes rafts of its own snot... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scient ... Show More

32m 47s

Aug 2025

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

Aug 2024

Will It Sequence? 700-year-old DNA

In this episode of Naked Genetics: A mammoth discovery in ancient DNA structure; on the subject of ancient DNA, what can we sequence for a centuries old body? And, in quirks of evolution, the animal that drinks its own offspring's blood... Like this podcast? Please help us by sup ... Show More

21m 17s

Jan 2025

Titans of Science: Marc Abrahams

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.Including the news that the US has recorded their first human death from bird flu, and should we be concerned? Plus a new drug to treat drug resistant prostate cancer, and new ... Show More

51m 30s

Feb 2024

Whale songs, fake fossils and "Forever Chemicals"

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 t ... Show More

52m 41s

Jul 2025

The babies born with DNA from three parents

Doctors in the UK have announced the birth of eight healthy babies after performing a groundbreaking procedure that creates IVF embryos with DNA from three people. Ian Sample tells Madeleine Finlay about the life-threatening genetic disorders that the technique appears to prevent ... Show More

17m 10s

Dec 2024

'They Might Be Giants' Sings About Science

<p>As part of Science Friday’s 33rd anniversary show, we’re revisiting our listeners’ favorite stories, including this one from 2009.</p><p>In the album “<a href="https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/archive-they-might-be-giants/?utm_source=wnyc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign= ... Show More

26m 44s

Oct 2024

Will It Sequence? Synthetic DNA

In this episode of Naked Genetics: How much of your personality is down to your DNA; we also look at synthetic DNA, and why we'd want to make it; plus, the spiders that turn one species of insect against its own kind... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Sc ... Show More

24m 43s

Jul 2025

Joyce Harper, PhD - The New Science of Creating Life

How far can we push our biology? Meet Joyce Harper, an internationally renowned, award-winning scientist and Professor of Reproductive Science at University College London, Institute for Women’s Health. Joyce has worked in the fields of fertility, genetics, reproductive health an ... Show More

53m 14s

Feb 2025

The War on Science

U.S. science is in turmoil. Amid agency firings and confusion over federal funding, researchers are freaking out. Many can’t do their work, and they have no idea what the future holds. Plus, we’re hearing that all of this could jeopardize medical treatments for people in the U.S. ... Show More

34m 43s

A nasal spray for flu, and is this how l...