Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs.
 
In today’s programme: Nearly 2000 tech experts and scientists are calling for a halt to AI research: we talk to one of them. And “simply inexcusable”: the words of the World Health Organisation as it condemns China’s failure to share key Covid data from the beginning of the pandemic.
 
Plus we’re asking, “is there anybody out there?” - how likely it is we’re alone in this Universe?

Is There Anybody Out There?

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 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.

Why whooping cough cases are surging and looking for life on Europa

Dr Chris Smith and the Naked Scientist team present the latest science news, analysis and breakthroughs,  In this week's episode……four years after they declared COVID 19 a global pandemic, we speak to the World Health Organization to get their recollections and perspectives. A surprising finding about the particles shed from the brake pads on our cars, we look back at the remarkable life of Paul Alexander, the man in the iron lung, who’s died aged 78. And we look at the long term effects of COVID 19. Get the podcast from the BBC Sounds app.

Is There Anybody Out There?

Download our free app to listen on your phone