The Naked Scientists Podcast

A sweet truth: the history and science of sugar

This week, Rachael Ralph investigates sugar. Perry Bateman from British Sugar tells her how white sugar and demerara differ; the British Dental Association's Mick Armstro

Mars moon mission to Phobos, and a DNA typewriter

Today, we explore a Japanese mission to return a sample from Phobos. What might the project tell us about Mars's moons? Plus, Mariam Jamal-Hanjani at Cancer Research UK o

Nature's clocks: why some lives fly by

Today, what causes ageing, and why some animals age faster than others. Joao Pedro Magalhaes discusses ageing biochemistry; Noah Snyder-Mackler links "jumping genes" to s

US blocks Starlink in Ukraine, and a Parkinson's blood test

Coming up, the US places restrictions on Starlink in Ukraine, and MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum warns that AI is accelerating cyber threats from Russia. Plus, an electronic

What is menopause, and how can you manage it?

Today, Rachael Ralph explores menopause and perimenopause. This episode features renowned gynecologist Heather Currie on what we know about this stage of life and who it

Plague death in Russia, and the 2026 Nobel Prizes

A 28-year-old Russian researcher has reportedly died after contracting pneumonic plague. What do we know about this medieval-era disease? Plus, we unpack the 2026 Nobel P

Why AI is changing everything

In this special episode, in partnership with Frontiers Science House, we launch our new Why? series by asking one of the biggest questions of our time: Why AI? Why has ar

Cancer drug gene screen, and world's most powerful rocket

New CRISPR technology tool uncovers genes that have become resistant to chemotherapy drugs. We speak with the scientist behind the cancer discovery. Plus, how butterflies

What is heart disease, and how can it be tackled?

Today, in partnership with British Heart Foundation (BHF), we take on the world's biggest killer: heart disease. This episode features BHF's Ruth Goss on why this disease

Kent's meningitis outbreak, and heat-loving amoeba

Coming up, scientists discover why the UK's recent men B outbreak was so severe. How did they do it? Also ahead: an international study suggests that bats originated in E

The magic of mushrooms and the science of fungi

Coming up, we forage for mushrooms to unearth fascinating alternative uses for fungi, from cleaning up pollution and making building materials to treating mental health.

The magic of mushrooms and the science of fungi

Coming up, we forage for mushrooms to unearth fascinating alternative uses for fungi, from cleaning up pollution and making building materials to treating mental health.

AI poses biosecurity risk, and the ice that doesn't shatter

Coming up: lawmakers scramble to stop AI from being used to develop bioweapons. What has spooked the experts? Plus, we look at how childhood chemotherapy can leave geneti

A super El Nino is on the way. What should we expect?

El Niño 2026 is predicted to be the strongest on record, and today we consider how the climate pattern can affect the weather, the economy, and our health. This episode f

World-first baby skull surgery, and could AI kill us?

Coming up, we hear from the scientists behind a world-first treatment to reshape the skull of a one-year-old boy. How did they do it? Also ahead, an Anthropic researcher

What you need to know about driverless vehicles

We've partnered with the Royal Institute of Navigation to explore driverless vehicles, also known as autonomous vehicles, or AVs. The Naked Scientists ride on a self-driv

Supersized El Nino strikes, and navigation app for the blind

Coming up: El Niño weather phenomenon will be 'exceptional' and last months, say forecasters. What should we know about it? We also hear from the team behind a successful

How chemistry can make us healthier

Coming up: how chemistry is transforming 21st-century healthcare. Jeremy Nicholson from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology talks about phenomics. Gemma Sh

Shingles vaccine and heart disease, and allergy transpoosion

Coming up, groundbreaking research suggests the shingles vaccine can greatly reduce the risk of heart attacks. What's the science behind it? Also ahead: the New Space Rac

Incredible insects and their special skills

Today, we are exploring the lives of insects, and some of the incredible abilities they've evolved to enable them to thrive. Coming up, the fly larvae that can withstand