Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists - podcast cover

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists

Each week we set out to solve one of the world's weirdest, wackiest, funniest and funkiest scientific puzzles. And along with the answer there's a brand new question to think about for next time...

Episodes

When I scratch part of my body, why do I tingle elsewhere?

Jim writes in to say, 'Sometimes when I pinch near my knee, I will feel a tingling or tickling sensation behind one of my shoulder blades. What's up with that?' James Tytko found him an answer, with help from neuroscientist Dr Mark Hoon from the NIH... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Oct 11, 20245 minEp. 586

Do snails get dizzy?

Oscar asks whether the snail stuck on the inside of his car wheel while he went for a drive would have felt the effects afterwards. Jon Ablett from the Natural History Museum helped James Tytko with the answer... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Oct 04, 20244 minEp. 585

Can dead animals poison the food chain?

Akori wants to know whether it is safe to eat vegetables and herbs grown where animals have been buried in the past. James Tytko sought the help of Professor Malcolm Bennett at the University of Nottingham's School of Veterinary Medicine and Science... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Sep 27, 20244 minEp. 584

Is there a cure for musical anhedonia?

This week, Carl writes in to ask whether he can be cured of specific musical anhedonia. This is a condition whereby a person can hear and distinguish between different types of music and the emotion they convey, but doesn't feel moved in the same way most people do. James Tytko took on Carl's conundrum with the help of Malinda McPherson, Assistant Professor at Purdue University's Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scie...

Sep 13, 20244 minEp. 582

What is the shutter speed of our eyes?

When listener Suzy is taking pictures of the night sky, she makes use of longer shutter speeds to capture more light to get better images of stars. That got her thinking, do human eyes also have a shutter speed? James Tytko took up the question... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Sep 06, 20244 minEp. 581

What if the Moon had never formed?

Thanks to Dana Mackenzie for the answer! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Aug 30, 20245 minEp. 580

Why does spider silk feel so weird?

In this week's Question of the Week, listener James writes in to ask, is it just him, or does spider silk feel really strange? James Tytko took on the question with Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Genetics at the University of Nottingham, Sara Goodacre, and entomologist at Western Sydney University, Eleanor Drinkwater... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Aug 23, 20245 minEp. 579

What are the carbon emissions of wildfires?

This week, Jon wants to know, in the wake of wildfires across the world in recent years, should we be concerned about their carbon footprint? James Tytko asked Jim Dale from British Weather Services for the answer... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Aug 16, 20244 minEp. 578

Do I need to keep taking probiotics continuously?

Christine emails in with this message: 'Does bacteria contained in probiotics become part of the microbiome; in other words can one stop taking probiotics after 30 days of taking probiotic-containing capsules?'James Tytko sought to find the answer with the help of Alex Almeida, microbiologist at the University of Cambridge. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Aug 09, 20244 minEp. 577

If the Universe is expanding, what is it expanding into?

Anne writes in with this question, which James Tytko took on with the help of the University of Cambridge's Public Astronomer, Matt Bothwell... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Aug 02, 20244 minEp. 576

What is the smell when it's raining?

Elizabeth with a transatlantic teaser for this question of the week: "I heard that people in the UK can't smell when it rains, but us Americans can. If I went to the United Kingdom, would I be able to smell the rain there? Would someone from the UK be able to smell rain here? What is going on?" James Tytko sought the answer with the help of Anne Jungblut from the Natural History Museum... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists...

Jul 26, 20244 minEp. 575

Can we extract DNA from fossils?

Join James Tytko in the hunt for ancient DNA thanks to this question from listener Phil. Jack Lovegrove from the Natural History Museum was on hand to help with the answer... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Jul 19, 20245 minEp. 574

What makes up the space when subatomic particles move?

Phil sent in this quantum conundrum which Will Tingle took on with the help of Ben Allanach, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Jul 12, 20244 minEp. 573

Do plants get cancer from UV light?

Thanks to Garth Jenkins from the University of Glasgow for the answer! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Jul 05, 20244 minEp. 572

Are there stars outside of galaxies?

Brian has been in touch to ask whether stars can be independent of galaxies. James Tytko asked the University of Cambridge's public astronomer Matt Bothwell to help find the answer... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Jun 28, 20245 minEp. 571

Why are wind turbine blades shaped the way they are?

For today's question, James Tytko takes on Janey's query on the shape of modern wind turbine blades and draws a comparison with old fashioned windmills: why such different designs? Professor of Renewable Energy Simon Hogg from Durham University provides the answer... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Jun 21, 20245 minEp. 570

Is maths the easiest school subject to remember?

While helping his son with his maths revision, Andrew was struck by the ease with which he slipped back into the groove of the subject. He wants to know why that might be. James Tytko sought to find out with help from Catherine Loveday, neuropsychologist at the University of Westminster... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Jun 14, 20245 minEp. 569

Why do we need to keep replacing our cells?

James Tytko answers listener John's question with the help of Professor of Cardiovascular Health, Nadia Rosenthal... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Jun 07, 20244 minEp. 568

What kills an unused car battery?

Thanks to Rhod Jervis for the answer! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

May 31, 20243 minEp. 567

Are the laws of physics consistent around the universe?

James Tytko asked Toby Wiseman, professor of theoretical physics at Imperial College London, to answer this question from listener Daniel... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

May 17, 20245 minEp. 565

Why does some plastic lose its flexibility over time?

Jimmie sends in this week's question, seeking an answer as to why plastic loses its flexibility. James Tytko took on the question with the help of Chemistry World's Phillip Broadwith... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

May 10, 20246 minEp. 564

Could we make ourselves disgusting to mosquitoes?

Thanks to Professor Heather Graham for the answer!This episode of Question of the Week, listener Donald asks:"Assuming mosquitoes have taste buds, then they should have adverse tastes. Have molecular scientists explored how to make or find chemicals that make mosquitoes disgusted?"Will - As someone who's about to head off to a particularly mosquito-heavy part of the world, I too would find great reassurance in knowing that I was using the most effective means of preventing a mozzie bite. Paul on...

May 03, 20244 minEp. 563

Can a "random" action ever be exactly replicated?

This week's Question of the Week comes in from listener David, who asks:'On the show 'Tipping Point', Often at the end they play out the final three counters as 'What would have happened.' Would the result actually be what would have happened?Thanks to Tony Padilla for the answer! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Apr 26, 20245 minEp. 562

Will eating sugary foods last avert glucose spikes?

Steve has written in to us to ask whether the order in which one eats their food makes a difference to whether or not they experience glucose spikes. We thought this was an interesting question for Cambridge Professor Giles Yeo to sink his teeth into... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Apr 05, 20244 minEp. 559
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