Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs. In today’s programme: The old liver drug that turns out also to be able to prevent Covid-19 infection and the Artificial Intelligence systems that pass the Turing Test and can write their own computer programs. Plus, the 8 billionth person was born last month, so we ask - how many people can the planet really support?

8 billion people and counting

5 Live's science podcast, featuring Dr Chris and Naked Scientists with the hottest science news stories and analysis.

Science

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team discover:  Why we need stricter smoking and vaping controls and will they work?  The remains of what’s believed to be the largest reptile to have roamed our Severn Seas.  A tribute to the BA pilot who saved his air passengers from a volcanic ash cloud – so why are volcanoes so disastrous for jet engines?   Finally, a look at how food production will cope with climate change in the future.

Smoking and vaping controls, the remains of the largest sea reptile, volcanic ash and jet engines and food production

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.  In this week's episode….Scientists invent artificial platelets to help us clot blood better, why it might be time to reappraise the peace loving nature of Bonobos, why the moon apparently turned itself inside out in the past.  Plus as a special tribute to the revered British Scientist Peter Higgs who died this week aged 94, his friend Lyn Evans tells us about the 40 year search for the Higgs boson particle that provides some answers to life, the universe and everything… Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

Artificial platelets, Bonobos and a tribute to Peter Higgs

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs,  In this week's episode we discuss why our belly fat could be key to helping people with spinal injuries, a breakthrough in understanding why the BRCA genes lead to breast cancer in some people and we look at the new breed of synthetic opioids making their way on to the streets of Britain, and find out why they’re so deadly.  Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

Belly fat, BRCA gene and synthetic opioids

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team find out how climate change is making the earth turn more slowly, whether vaccines can combat bovine tuberculosis, and take an in depth look at our understanding of Alzheimer’s.

Has Alzheimer's treatment hit a turning point?

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientists look at what's behind a spike in whooping cough cases occurring across the UK and Europe.

8 billion people and counting

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