The Naked Scientists Podcast

Picking apart some miniature morsels of science this week are David Carey, who provides the big picture on the world of nanotechnology, Donald Fitzmaurice describes how DNA may be used as scaffolding for the next generation of computer chips, we breach the boundaries between physics and biology as Stephen Webb discusses how new microscopes can see developing cancers at the nano-scale, and Neal Morgan explains how nanoparticles are stamping out stinky socks. Also on the show, Jim Clark digs up the ancestors of T. rex, and in Kitchen Science Derek and Dave dish the dirt on how gravy thickens. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Unlocking Natures medicine chest are doctors orders this week as Monique Simmonds reveals the research behind old herbal remedies, Tai-Ping Fan describes how Chinese medicine is being used for illnesses from gout to endometriosis, Jack Cuzick talks about clinical trials for a new drug for breast cancer, and Dr Chris is in St. Louis with details on a potato that fights back... In Kitchen Science, Derek unleashes the explosive power of flour, and Anna Lacey asks Peter Austin why thousands of languages are threatened with extinction. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This podcast delves into the science of seduction, pheromones, and the food of love. Experts like Peter Brennan discuss the role of pheromones and the science of smell, while Charles Wysocki suggests ways to mask odors like manure. William Brown shares tips for success on the dancefloor, and Peter Barham talks about the science of taste and ingredients for a perfect Valentine meal.

This week we hand the show over to you, as Chris, Kat and Phil answer all your burning questions on science, technology and medicine. Anne-Maree Pearse joins us to describe the hellish plight of the Tasmanian Devil as it succumbs to an infectious facial cancer, Emma Marris discusses how scientists are bogged down in trying to prevent the Gulf of Mexico reclaiming large areas of Louisiana, and Derek and Dave put glow-sticks on ice in Kitchen Science. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This week we look to the solar system as Ian Sanders discusses where meteorites come from and how we can find them, astronaut Dr Stan Love describes how to avoid Armageddon asteroids, Maggie Aderin talks about satellites that monitor wind speeds, Richard Preece recounts the sticky tale of the hitchhiking snails, and Derek and Dave make water fibre optics in Kitchen Science. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This week we shake up the world of science as Janet Sumner describes the dynamics of volcanic eruptions and the strutcure of the Earth, Tamsin Mather talks about how the gases from volcanoes affect our atmosphere and environment, Tiziana Rossetto discusses earthquakes, tsunamis and Pakistan, and Derek joins Herbert Huppert for an explosive experiment in Kitchen Science. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This week we go green as Alison Smith discusses how algae get their vitamin B12, Tim Upson reveals the science behind composting, Heather Gorringe and Richard Fishbourne dish the dirt on what worms get up to in your compost heap, and John Pickett talks about natural mosquito repellents. Sticking with the insect theme, Nigel Franks describes how the first example of animal teaching has been found in ants, while in Kitchen Science, Derek is itching to reveal how ants lay chemical trails to their food. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

With the indulgences of Christmas behind us, Steve ORahilly sheds some light on shedding a few pounds as he discusses the science of appetite, obesity and weight loss, Len Almond describes the role of exercise in losing weight, John ODoherty talks about what happens in our brains when we reach for our favourite brands, Jane Visvader and Connie Eaves describe their discovery of the breast stem cell, and Dave and Derek find out what cream and paint have in common in Kitchen Science. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This week we put our heads in a spin as listeners across the world test whether it is possible to detect the Coriolis Effect from your bath tub, Karl Kruszelnicki provides the answer to the Coriolis quandry from a bathroom Down Under, Kat Arney interviews Jack Ashby about how insects can catch criminals, and Drs Chris, Dave and Phil answer all your questions on science, technology and medicine. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

This week we learn about animal communication straight from the horses mouth. Dr Gillian Forrester, from the University of Sussex, describes how gorillas use tactile signals to communicate, Dr Katie Slocombe, from the University of St. Andrews, talks about her work on how chimpanzees use certain grunts to refer to specific food sources, Professor Joan Silk, from the University of California, discusses whether chimps are charitable to their chums, Professor Keith Kendrick from the Babraham Institute in Cambridge discusses how sheep recognise emotion, and Dr Vicki Melfi, from Paignton Zoo, tells... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists