The Naked Scientists Podcast

The Naked Scientists 1294 - AI poses biosecurity risk, and the ice that doesn't shatter

The Naked Scientists flagship science show brings you a lighthearted look at the latest scientific breakthroughs, interviews with the world's top scientists, answers to your science questions and science experiments to try at home.

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18 Sep 2026

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30 Jun 2026

This episode explores diverse scientific and environmental topics, beginning with the impact of a 'heat dome' causing record-breaking temperatures in Europe and the role of the jet stream. The discussion then shifts to public health, examining the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine in preventing cervical cancer alongside the concerning decline in vaccination rates following the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the episode delves into the history of malaria control through DDT and its ecological consequences. Finally, the conversation explores the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, considering Lord Martin Rees's theories on post-human evolution and the possibility of detecting advanced electronic or robotic life via energy signatures in the Milky Way.

26 Jun 2026

This episode explores groundbreaking archaeological and evolutionary discoveries, beginning with the ritualistic burial practices of Homo naledi in South Africa and the identification of Britain's oldest prehistoric art in Bacon Hole Cave. The discussion also examines the evolutionary impact of malaria on human migration in Africa and the historical use of plant-based medicines. Finally, the episode investigates the archaeological evidence of medicinal and mind-altering substances in ancient burials and the theory of zoopharmacology, which suggests humans may have learned medicinal practices by observing animal behavior.

23 Jun 2026