Scientists often talk about the importance of flora and fauna to the health of our planet, but Dr Toby Kiers, an evolutionary biologist and founder of the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks, wants us to consider another force: fungi. Her work charting the planet’s vital underground systems has earned her numerous awards, including a MacArthur ... Show More
Jul 7
‘A break from scrolling’: how Gen Z fell in love with birding
In the last 50 years, Britain has lost an astonishing 73 million wild birds from its landscape, according to the British Trust for Ornithology. Habitat loss, pesticides, disease, cats and the climate crisis mean there are fewer birds than ever before. For children and young peopl ... Show More
16m 43s
Dec 2023
COP28, swine flu, Bennu asteroid and digital twins.
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs, In this week's episode... what’s on the agenda for the COP28 climate summit? What do we know about the new strain of swine flu found in North Yorkshire? Samples from the Bennu ... Show More
51m 52s
Oct 2025
How science got here, and where next
As anti-science leaves research reeling, does evidence-based policy in a scientific society have much of a future? Michael Mann, Naomi Oreskes, Angie Rasmussen and Deb Houry discuss some of the sources and motivations that perhaps belie the current state of scientific affairs. Pr ... Show More
31m 30s
Jul 2022
Chatbots that look like they're alive, and what colour wine bottles to avoid
Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.The week the team review some of the scientific highlights of the last month, including what the James Webb telescope will reveal about our place in the Universe, how orcas are ... Show More
52m 9s
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
Jul 2023
Global boiling, and crashed crafts on Mars
Sweltering temperatures wreak havoc across Europe and North America, so what needs to be done to bring them down? We hear from the Cambridge scientist who wants to create the largest ever DNA and health research programme for children and young people. And, did aliens crash-land ... Show More
27m 57s
Mar 2020
Q&A: COVID-19, Solar Storms & Ancient Teeth
What happens if you overwater a plant? How does gravity actually work? And should we be cancelling mass events to contain the coronavirus? It's Q&A time on the show, and this week Phil Sansom is joined by a brainy panel of experts: plant biologist Nadia Radzman, particle physicis ... Show More
59m 30s
Feb 2024
Blueberries, cancer waiting lists and assisted dying
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 migh ... Show More
53m 33s
Sep 2023
Eating well without compromising on taste
James Tytko, Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.London’s latest ULEZ expansion - will it make much difference to air quality?The concerning impacts of poaching, and not just to endangered species.And Dr Chris Sm ... Show More
52m 50s