Virtual Life

Welcome to a voyage of discovery using only the view from your window. From cloudspotting to birdwatching to stargazing, you're never going to look at the sky the same way again. Plus, news of how the world's poorest countries are bracing against the next wave of coronavirus, as well as a drug that could block the virus from getting into our cells... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

21 Apr 202057min

Today, we're taking a step back from talking about coronavirus, to bring you a QnA show with a difference! We're answering some of the questions you've been sending in, and we're also getting stuck in to some kitchen science experiments which you can join in with at home, whether you're a big kid or a little one. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

14 Apr 202056min

This week, we are looking at radioactivity, from its uses in medicine to its uses in war. Plus, a sneak preview of a new film due out soon all about radioactivity pioneer Marie Curie. Plus, a new 90 minute test for coronavirus infection, how fast is the new coronavirus mutating, and evidence that humans are just like dogs - we eat much faster if there's someone else around! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

7 Apr 202059min

This week - from genetics to geoscience, chemistry to komodo dragons, an explosive hour of science fun! Hear what went on at our live event recorded back on 11th March for the 2020 Cambridge Science Festival - one of the last events that went ahead before the rest of the festival was cancelled. Demos, anecdotes, questions, and booms with Giles Yeo, Ljiljana Fruk, Eleanor Drinkwater and David Rothery... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

31 Mar 202058min

Here are a few extra bits from our live show as part of the Cambridge Science Festival, recorded back on 11th March 2020 before the rest of the festival was cancelled, that we couldn't fit into this week's episode, but that we thought you might enjoy, nonetheless. To remind you of our panel - there's geneticist Giles Yeo, chemist Ljiljana Fruk, animal behaviour expert Eleanor Drinkwater and planetary geoscientist David Rothery, and former Naked Scientist Dave Ansell. Presenting the show were Adam Murphy and Chris Smith... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

30 Mar 202021min

We take a detailed look at the coronavirus pandemic that's sweeping the globe. How does it affect the lungs? What can doctors do about it? And meet some of the teams working on solutions, from new rapid tests for the virus to vaccines to stop it. Plus, in other news, evidence that solar storms can cause whales to beach themselves - and meet the ancient bird they call Wonderchicken... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

24 Mar 202058min

With billions of people moving to cities in the next few decades we are looking at the secrets for making cities sustainable, from a virtual world to a World War 2 air raid shelter. Plus in the news, how the Amazon could disappear faster than we expect, what territorial gorillas can teach us about ourselves, and would you shop in a place that didn't have tills... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

17 Mar 202054min

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 physicist Chris Rogers, bioarchaeologist Emma Pomeroy, and virologist and Naked Scientist Chris Smith. Prepare to have your curiosity satisfied... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

10 Mar 202059min