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Ask the Naked Scientists

Dr Chris Smith
Climate Change
Dogs
Moon
Cancer
Aging
Mosquitoes
Artificial Intelligence
Immune System
Diabetes
Vitamin D
Water On Earth
Malaria
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Hiccups
Gravity
Addiction
Genetics
Microplastics
Obesity
Artificial Sweeteners

How many organs could you donate and remain alive? How many planet Earths could fit inside the Sun? How high is a giraffe's blood pressure? Why is the sea blue? To find out, Ask The Naked Scientists!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes808Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Life SciencesNatural SciencesScience

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Ask the Naked Scientists

Latest Episodes

Dr Chris Smith and Relebogile Mabotja explore why it's hard to reach a human in customer service. How did humans migrate from Africa, and can we trace our ancient paths? Why do people and animals have different neck sizes? Can you really hear your he... more

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Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford discuss the world's hottest creature, why antimatter matters, whether weight-loss pills can cause blindness, and why some birds die when they fly into power cables while others can perch on them with impunity. Then, w... more

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Can sensors help keep our roads in good shape? If the Earth is round, why aren't the people at the bottom standing upside down? How efficient is the human body? Why can't periods be controlled like going to the bathroom? Do animals have periods too? ... more

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Should we take AI warnings seriously? Do fingernails and hair grow more quickly after they are cut? How does caffeine trick the brain into making us feel less tired? Are high levels of low-density lipoprotein a concern? What is mirror life, and shoul... more

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Dr. Chris Smith
The Naked Scientist, on-air expert
Independent scientist/medial communicator
Episode: Are there sounds around us that we can't hear?
Chris Smith
Naked Scientists; Consultant Virologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital
Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge
Episode: How do vultures find their prey?
Ali Probst
Researcher at Harvard working on malaria treatments
Harvard University
Episode: When did life start evolving sex?

Host

Clarence Ford
Host of Views and News on Cape Talk; frequent Cape Talk segments including Naked Scientists discussions

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 286 ratings
  • I dunno…

    You guys are a great podcast and whatever … go check out but why they are amazing (no offense)

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Perth,wa
    Australia3 months ago
  • Very Interesting

    Great for anyone who loves science or leaning new things.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ColoRebecca
    United Statesa year ago
  • Knittin nan

    Love this and thank you for it. Dr Chris kept me sane and keep perspective right through the covid days , on radio and tv. He does the same on this questions series

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KnittinNan
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • The radio show, which is then uploaded as podcast, is meant for children and very rarely answers the questions asked, or answers them poorly. Often there is an assumption, that any random scientist knows everything about everything. This is false and this Naked Scientist guy knows about as much as anyone who can do a 1 minute Google search.

    Podcast Addict
    Nero
    4 years ago
  • The radio show, which is then uploaded as podcast, is meant for children and very rarely answers the questions asked, or answers them poorly. Often there is an assumption, that any random scientist knows everything about everything. This is false and this Naked Scientist guy knows about as much as anyone who can do a 1 minute Google search.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    Nero
    4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Strong live Q&A format; hosts and guests balance depth with broad accessibility.
Shows are engaging and accessible, making science feel approachable.
Experts provide credible, clear explanations that satisfy curiosity.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can curly hair straighten with age?
Q: Is there evidence that specific life-stage factors or hormones drive hair changing its curl?
Yes, the aging process involving hormonal changes influences hair growth patterns, follicle cell activity, and pigment changes, which collectively can modify curliness and color as people get older.
Can curly hair straighten with age?
Q: Are there particular conditions that could explain abrupt changes in hair texture besides aging?
Yes, hormonal shifts and follicle changes with age can alter hair texture; external factors like medications or scalp conditions can also influence curl and thickness over time.
Can curly hair straighten with age?
Q: What determines whether curly hair becomes straighter or more curly over time?
Curliness depends on the shape and behavior of hair follicles and the protein keratin; aging can alter the configuration of follicle cells and keratin, potentially changing curl pattern over time.
Can curly hair straighten with age?
Q: Why does hair color change as people age?
Melanocytes in hair follicles produce melanin, and as we age, these pigment-producing cells mature differently and may produce more or less pigment, leading to color changes; hair color and thickness also shift due to hormonal changes and follicle aging.
Where did water come from, and why doesn't it go off?
Q: How efficient is the human body in converting food energy into usable work, and why is some energy wasted as heat?
The human body operates at roughly 20-30% efficiency in muscle work, with the remainder lost as heat which helps maintain core body temperature in a homeothermic state, a purposeful byproduct of metabolism.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ask the Naked Scientists

What is Ask the Naked Scientists about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A science-focused call-in and Q&A format that mixes rapid-fire questions with accessible explanations from a Naked Scientist expert. Episodes cover biology, physics, health, space, and everyday curiosities, featuring live listener questions, demonstrations, and expert context to unpack complex concepts for a general audience. A standout thread is the ability to connect quirky questions (like why toast lands butter-side down or cube-shaped wombat poop) to real-world science, making topics approachable without sacrificing credibility. The show is notable for its frequent, approachable expert guests and a conversational style that encourages curiosity across a broad range of science topics.

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How many listeners does Ask the Naked Scientists get?

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How many subscribers and views does Ask the Naked Scientists have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Ask the Naked Scientists has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Ask the Naked Scientists?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ask the Naked Scientists:

1. The Naked Scientists Podcast
2. Unexpected Elements
3. CrowdScience
4. BBC Inside Science
5. The World, the Universe and Us

How many episodes of Ask the Naked Scientists are there?

Ask the Naked Scientists launched 18 years ago and published 808 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Ask the Naked Scientists?

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What guests have appeared on Ask the Naked Scientists?

Recent guests on Ask the Naked Scientists include:

1. Dr. Chris Smith
2. Chris Smith
3. Ali Probst

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