Podcasts by Ask the Naked Scientists
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!
Further podcasts by Dr Chris Smith
Podcast on the topic Biowissenschaften
All episodes
How old is the Universe? from 2023-12-12T16:52:43.406913
How old is the universe? What is the big bang? How did the universe begin? What happens when you power nap? What is the science behind black holes? What is the difference between a black hole and a...
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What is the science behind a midlife crisis? from 2023-12-08T03:54:53
What is the science of a midlife crisis? Can you store stainless steel in the fridge? Where do flies go in the winter? Could you make food directly from soil? Do the sun and the moon change positio...
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Are scientific discoveries becoming less groundbreaking? from 2023-12-01T12:00:09
Dr Chris and Clarence Ford take on listener questions. This time they include, is intelligence more nature or nurture? Is time travel possible? Could time travellers be walking among us? Are Tibeta...
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Will we be able to put the AI genie back in the bottle? from 2023-11-24T12:08:31
Should we ban AI from the military sphere? Does eating too much meat cause gout? What determines the shape of clouds? Are recycled tyres a safe material for roads? Like this podcast? Please help us...
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Should you sleep on your side or your back? from 2023-11-17T01:30:14
Does COVID damage your brain? Why do moths have 'dust' on their wings? Where did the oldest plants come from? Is it better to sleep on your side or your back? Who is the top dog in a pack when huma...
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Does alcohol burn off in cooking, and is curiosity genetic? from 2023-11-14T10:10
Does alcohol burn off during cooking, why people put their principles in front of their own life and freedom, what causes ageing and can gene editing be used to reverse it, and is curiosity genetic...
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Why does music make me emotional? from 2023-11-10T12:42:48
Dr Chris takes more listener questions. This week, they include: Why do the sun and the moon appear the same size during a lunar eclipse? How long does it take bowel movements to return to normal a...
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How long do dreams actually last? from 2023-11-03T01:30:06
How does a boomerang work? Are windturbines harmful to birds? Which are smarter, dogs or cats? Can you breathe liquid air? How do racecar spoilers work? How long are dreams in real time? What affec...
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What causes amnesia? from 2023-10-27T12:33:20
In this edition of Ask!, Dr Chris answers these questions and more: Do pineapples really eat you as you eat them? Do they have any health benefits? And why am I gaining weight as I go through the m...
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Why is cancer so hard to treat? from 2023-10-20T01:19:47
Can fasting help with gut health? Why is cancer so hard to treat? Does a change in the weather lead to joint pain? How do you deal with chronic constipation in children? Dr Chris Smith and Relebogi...
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Why are there 7 years in a dog year? from 2023-10-13T04:27:06
What is our water carbon footprint? Does microwaving food destroy the nutritional value? Why do golf balls have dimples? Should we be desalinating water? Why are breastfed babies less likely to bec...
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Does eating grapefruit affect taking medication? from 2023-10-06T02:13:21
Does prior infection or vaccine protect better against COVID? How do you know when something is wrong with your bowels? What is the difference between old and new vaccines? What effect does grapefr...
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Will ChatGPT replace The Naked Scientists? from 2023-09-29T01:34:11
Why do animals dream? Why do weird dreams feel so normal? Do ovulating people have more vivid dreams? Why might someone stop dreaming? Will ChatGPT replace The Naked Scientists? What is deja vu? Wh...
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Is one apple a day enough? from 2023-09-22T12:13:09
Do skin care products live up to the hype? Is it cheaper to heat homes with electricity or gas? How does IVF work? How long will the sun continue to burn for? What is arthritis? What is the sensati...
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How do we know what other planets are made of? from 2023-09-15T02:03:32
How does colour blindness work? How do we know what other planets are made of? Why might a red dye suddenly disappear? Why don't you feel the velocity of a plane for the whole flight? Do mobile pho...
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What's the best way to stop signs of aging? from 2023-09-08T02:11:24
Do collagen skin treatments work? What exactly are teeth? Are DNA tests ever 100% accurate? Why do dead bodies float? Why doesn't the pole star move? Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen
Why do wires always end up in knots? from 2023-09-01T10:27:39
Why am I right footed, but left handed? Why are dogs' sense of smell so superior? Do people with bigger eyes have better peripheral vision? Why do guns recoil? What's the function of the black patt...
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Are there chemical elements yet to be discovered? from 2023-08-25T12:48:28
Why do I have to pee when I wash my hands? Are daddy long-legs poisonous? Are taste buds generic across the population? Why are babies so amused by their reflection? How effective are statins? Like...
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When does earth's atmosphere become space? from 2023-08-18T02:34:34
Dr Chris Smith tackles the impressive array of questions from listeners. What gives non Newtonian liquids their special properties? Could wearing socks in bed increase the risk of having a stroke? ...
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What holds atoms together? from 2023-08-11T01:31:19
Why do we explore space? Why does a flame produce less of a shadow? Do zeolites pollute water? Why do some people float better in water than others? Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen
Why do fridges get lights but freezers don't? from 2023-08-04T12:11:33
Should you drink re-boiled water? How do bees know who to attack? Should we just leave the deep sea alone? Why do some countries drive on the left? What causes fire? Why do we need the toilet as so...
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What causes cluster headaches? from 2023-07-28T07:20:28
How do we fuel cars more sustainably? What causes morning sickness during pregnancy? Why does California have a sunny Christmas? Why are some smells able to summon powerful memories? Why can I hear...
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What is on the dark side of the Moon? from 2023-07-21T12:48:03
How high a temperature can human's survive? Why does cleaning your ear make your eyes roll? How do astronauts make it back from the moon? What is on the dark side of the Moon? Should we put parachu...
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Do artificial sweeteners cause cancer? from 2023-07-14T04:15:03
Why do we itch ourselves? How do kidney stones form? I've started sleeping on a more comfortable mattress - why am I getting back pain? Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen
What is causing climate change? from 2023-07-08T09:34:45
What is causing climate change? Does pumping out oil leave a hole behind in the Earth? What does an Adam's apple do? What causes temperature differences from day to day? How does throat singing wor...
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What causes ocean swell? from 2023-06-30T10:54:24
If there was nothing before the big bang, who created nothing? When egg shell falls into the pan, why is the rest of the egg shell the most effective way to fish it out again? And what's going on w...
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How much pressure was on the Titan sub? from 2023-06-23T10:08:32
What are the benefits of cold water swimming? How much pressure was on the Titan submersible? How big are protons and electrons? Why do all babies have straight hair? Why are orcas sinking sailboat...
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Why is a cold called a cold? from 2023-06-09T10:39:01
Why do my eyes burn when raindrops run into them? Why can eye and hair colour change? Why do I cry when I go to the loo? Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen
Why disinfectants kill only 99.9% of germs from 2023-06-02T08:22:48
How do flysprays work, and are they harmful for humans? What's "muscle memory" and where are these memories stored? Why do disinfectants "only" kill 99.9% of germs? How do I cleanse domestic rainwa...
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Why do my flowers only smell nice at night? from 2023-05-27T10:46:08
This week,?What makes an appendix burst? Why do we blush??Do carrots really improve our eyesight? What other foods can we eat to regenerate our organs? Can lions survive on seafood? Can studying th...
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Why do bright lights make spots in my vision? from 2023-05-15T11:07:18
What are hiccups and what's the medical term for the phenomenon? How far to the horizon and why does it always appear to be at eye-level? What are lectins and are they harmful? What is pulmonary fi...
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Which came first, the chicken or the egg? from 2023-05-14T02:51:53
Why do we always find cockroaches on their back? How does medicine know where it hurts? Why do we dream? Why is the Earth still so hot? What came first, the chicken or the egg? Why did Chernobyl ex...
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Is JWST disproving the big bang theory? from 2023-04-28T11:19:53
Why do I feel phantom pain? What is the sleep in my eyes constituted of? Why are things we drop into our eyes poisonous to ingest? What is fibromyalgia? What is aquamation? Like this podcast? Pleas...
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Do we have two sets of DNA? from 2023-04-21T11:08:10
What makes the brain age? Why don't ice skaters get dizzy? Do we have two sets of DNA? Where does all of the burned fuel go? Do dogs get headaches? Why are dogs so good at pattern recognition? Does...
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Can we control AI? from 2023-03-31T12:14:08
The dangers of mains electricity. Are computers helping or hindering our lives? What if I shine a torch while travelling at the speed of light? Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen
Why do we cry when we laugh? from 2023-03-24T11:06:01
Why is TB so drug resistant? How do nature drugs fit the lock and key in our brains? Why are some family members less fussy eaters than others? Why do we cry when we laugh? Is a love of public spea...
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Does red really make bulls angry? from 2023-03-17T09:37:31
How do we get a transplanted heart to start pumping in someone's body? Is it possible to have a stomach transplant? Is Earth's crust displacement likely to have occured in the past? Like this podca...
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What would T-Rex taste like? from 2023-03-17T09:15:08
Can pain medicines go off? Why is mouldy cheese ok? What is the James Webb Space Telescope looking at? How long would it take someone to adapt to living in a different climate? Like this podcast? P...
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Can mosquitos get drunk off blood alcohol? from 2023-03-03T11:15:27
How can I bulk up my muscles? Where does candle wax disappear to? Why don't pigs eat onions? Do women take on male DNA when they're pregnant? Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen
Can you sing one song to the tune of another? from 2023-02-06T03:26:52
Why do we teach kids nursery rhymes? How do we know how anatomically modern humans populated the world? What is cataract surgery, how is cataract surgery performed, and is there an upper age limit?...
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Are mobile phone microwaves dangerous? from 2023-01-27T10:21:27
Why is earth's magnetic field changing direction? Why can I sense when someone is looking at me? How might the world come to an end? Why does time seem to be going past more quickly as I get older?...
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What would a solar flare do to Earth? from 2023-01-20T11:04:45
What would a large solar flare do to Earth? Why do stars appear to flicker, or move? Can animals experience regret? How does AI work? What are probiotics? Dr Chris Smith has all the answers for the...
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Is the carrot top safe to eat? from 2023-01-13T10:21:30
Do scientists know how many stars are in the galaxy? Why do some ailments only affect us at night? Should I get a petrol or diesel car? Are we drinking the same water as our ancient ancestors? What...
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Are there any advantages to having a disease? from 2023-01-06T10:37:49
Does flash photography harm baby's eyesight? What is ocular myasthenia gravis? Can having a disease give you an advantage against another disease? Why are soldiers so prone to PTSD? Why is it so di...
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What is cellular data and what do we pay for? from 2023-01-04T01:24:03
Is carbonated water better for you than still water? Why are some dogs scared of fireworks, and being touched? Is there a cure for tinnitus? Do energy drinks actually give you energy? Why does the ...
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Will identical twins die of the same thing? from 2022-12-16T11:02:28
Chris answers an eclectic crop of science questions including: why do we appear to have superhuman strength in high stress situations? Are science and religion at odds with one another? What's the ...
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How does our brain coordinate our body? from 2022-12-09T11:26:36
What role do cockroaches play in our ecosystem? What would happen if all of Earth's gases combined? Why is the universe expanding? What is the most flammable gas? Why does the Earth look flat from ...
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How do we know how old the Earth is? from 2022-12-02T09:57:28
When is the next comet? What is past the milky way? Which animals have been sent into space? Did the moon come before the Earth? What lifts up the moon? What are all the dents in the moon? How did ...
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How do animals survive in the deep sea? from 2022-11-25T09:12:04
Why is nearly everyone right handed? How do genetically modified crops work? Why do some animals bob their head as they walk? How did stem cells restore people's sight? Why are people so hesitant t...
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Why do I cry when I trim my nose hairs? from 2022-11-11T01:03:54
Are we the only animals that do maths? Why are we still driving vehicles with high emissions given our climate concerns? Could volcanoes pose a threat to earth? Are animals susceptible to malaria? ...
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Do I get drunk quicker after Sober October? from 2022-10-25T10:11:15
Neanderthal genetics and what DNA can tell us about ancient societies, no evidence for telekinesis, whether low blood pressure is a bad thing, the reason why humans cry, human DNA diversity in Afri...
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How do planes fly upside down? from 2022-10-14T10:36:41
How do planes fly upside down? Why do sheep eat so much grass? What is outside of the universe? How does hypnotism work? What does anaesthetic do? Why don't the colour stripes in toothpaste mix? Wh...
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Why are bad habits so hard to kick? from 2022-10-07T11:07:49
Why are bad habits so hard to drop? Are we in a new industrial revolution? Why don't islands have snakes? How do drugs know where to go? Would fireworks work on Mars? Which foods cause inflammation...
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Why do birds fly in formation? from 2022-09-30T11:59:16
Why is Pluto not considered a planet anymore? What is the possibility of there being more than one universe? Why do birds not get electrocuted when they stand on electrical wires? Is the universe f...
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Why Doesn't Super Glue go Hard in the Tube? from 2022-09-19T10:30:23
What's the difference between mist and fog? Would 1 kilometre on our orbit make the difference between life and death on Earth? How do washing powders get clothes clean? How does sunlight and seawa...
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Why do some people learn languages so easily? from 2022-09-14T04:39:41
What is the difference between 93 and 95 octane petrol? Why is the sea salty? What is at the end of the universe? How can we cure epilepsy? Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen
Are diet supplements a scam? from 2022-09-02T10:10:44
Could we slow down light to see backwards in time? Why does the moon appear not to rotate? Why don't some melting icebergs lead to sea level rise? What are the problems with Newtonian physics? Do a...
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Should we want to stop feeling pain? from 2022-08-05T04:09:34
Did the Earth just have its shortest day ever? Should we ever stop feeling pain? Why are different areas of hair on our body different colours? Is your car's speedometer correct? Are orcas evil? Wh...
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Why does time only move forward? from 2022-07-29T03:05:54
How do we know that white light contains every colour? Why does time only move forward? Why aren't birds electrocuted by power lines? How do aeroplanes manage to stay airbourne? Why can't different...
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Can we Still see the Big Bang? from 2022-07-22T11:26:16
Can the James Webb telescope see the origins of the Universe? Does freezing your jeans remove stains and preserve the colour? What are the effects of tumours in the adrenal glands? How many people ...
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What is time? from 2022-07-08T11:48:29
What's better to injest after antibiotics treatment, yoghurt or probiotics? What makes milk and snow so white? Why does being exposed to cold water make one breathe so heavily? Is time really a hum...
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Do we sneeze in our sleep? from 2022-07-01T12:39:24
Why chainsaw's blunt over time, planet rotation, Star Trek's on the money with scientific accuracy, mathematical conundrums, sneezing in your sleep, the kinetic energy of a sneeze and our perceptio...
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Counting all the stars in the known universe from 2022-06-24T12:39:49
Consumption of energy in the brain; the role of my adam's apple; seed anatomy; why there are so many planets; body components that suck oxygen from the air; NASA predicts the number of stars in our...
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Drinking alcohol as you soak? from 2022-06-17T11:59:54
Soap on the bathroom mirror with a hot shower running; sedatives acting unusually; coffee reduces tiredness but also provides a lick of energy; does a glass of sherry warm you up on a cold night; h...
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DNA fingerprints after an arm transplant! from 2022-06-03T09:45:16
The Platinum Jubilee; aerodynamics and physics of tailgating vehicles; why planets and the moon are all in the same orbital plane; how ants lead their nest-mates to a food source; animal extinction...
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How do ants breathe? from 2022-05-28T09:29:23
What are stars made of? How do ants breathe? How does a person catch chickenpox? Why are sunsets and sunrises red? What are planets made of? How many bones in a human body? How do Earthquakes occur...
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Why do boats have round portholes? from 2022-05-20T02:14:14
Shortages of cooking oil, risks of being hit by lightning and can lightning travel through your plumbing; why boats have round portholes; what's the memory capacity of a human brain; can we measure...
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Why doesn't our own snoring wake us up? from 2022-05-02T11:37:49
Why do some animals sleep standing up? And do fish sleep? Why are elderly voices higher pitched than younger voices? Why does the outside temperature drop just before the sunrise? Why do I feel pai...
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How are some children geniuses? from 2022-04-08T09:05:43
Can trees produce more than 1 type of fruit? Why do some flowers only have a scent at night? What makes fruit taste sweet? How does the Google search engine work? How do motorcycle tyres grip the r...
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Will a cold onion make me cry less? from 2022-04-04T09:37:38
Why are humans still born with bits we don't need - will evolution do away with them? Did an onion make me cry less because it was cold from the fridge? Do animals get diabetes like humans do? What...
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Smoking causes cancer but cures salmon?! from 2022-03-18T08:39:33
Nominative determinism; can cold showers ward off coughs and flu; what's von Willebrand's Disease; if smoking causes cancer how does it cure salmon; why can some people roll their tongues; what's "...
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Blessed Algorithms from 2022-03-14T01:03:58
We have Alexa, we have drones in the sky, killer robots on the battlefield and creepy algorithms designed to anticipate our every need. But do we lose sight of the potential benefits of A.I? Beth S...
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Full tank or better to drive about half full? from 2022-03-11T03:31:18
Is it better to keep the tank topped up to full, or should I drive around on half empty: what's better for my car and fuel consumption? Why might althletes take an ice bath after exercise? If I go ...
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If identical twins marry identical twins... from 2022-03-01T10:21:40
What happens, genetically, when a black and a white human partner have children? And if a pair of genetically identical twins marries another pair of identical twins, are their kids genetically bro...
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Are my feet ageing faster than my face? from 2022-02-20T10:11:57
Why does my kiddie object to wearing shoes? What is spacetime and how does time dilation work? What is entanglement, otherwise known as spooky action at a distance? Are my feet ageing faster than m...
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Dark side of the moon for the James Webb? from 2022-02-07T07:17:43
How does the James Webb Space Telescope work, and what will it reveal to us? How do spring and neap tides work, and what determines the times of tides? What causes hot flushes and night sweats? And...
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What's the best shaped ice cube? from 2022-01-14T06:55:13
What's the best shaped ice cube, the study suggesting a pan-coronavirus vaccine might be on the cards, why a temperature of 30 degrees C feels hot despite being below human body temperature, what e...
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Why do I think I look different in photos? from 2021-12-24T07:11:18
Why cockroaches invariably are found dead on their backs; what happens to old and previous Covid-19 variants; why do I see myself differently in photographs compared with when I look in the mirror;...
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Why does everything taste rotten after Covid? from 2021-12-17T12:02:16
Why, after a dose of Covid-19, am I left with a new taste sensation resembling rotten onions? Why does bleached hair look blond, not white, and does salt water decolour the hair of surfers? How do ...
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Can memories be artificially implanted? from 2021-12-04T02:27:56
What boils fastest, a glass or plastic kettle? Do animals adapt to their surroundings? Why do I feel sleepy when I take a trip to the coast? What's an itch? Why can I hear my husband snoring, but n...
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Is Google Maps harming my sense of direction? from 2021-11-20T11:49:53
This week, what's the bottom line on sanitising surfaces against Covid-19? Why, wonders Lester, am I so sluggish for the first few hours of the day? And can you train your chronotype to be a better...
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Why doesn't an injured spinal cord re-grow? from 2021-11-11T08:55:43
The chemistry of fireworks, can I safely eat one year old Christmas cake, why we don't fall out of bed at night, what the Universe is expanding into, the reason we have to remove laptops from bags ...
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How long does Covid-19 vaccine immunity last? from 2021-11-03T12:42:22
This week we join young learners at Christel House school who ask us about the duration of immunity to Covid-19 post-vaccine and post-infection. Also, menstrual synchrony and whether it's fact or f...
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How different are dog and human brains? from 2021-10-25T01:59:10
What gases are present in lava? What happens when hot magma meets cold water in the sea? How different is an animal's brain to my own? How much of my intelligence is down to genes, and how much is ...
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Are farts infectious? from 2021-10-15T11:00:57
This week, James Croll and Mulitun Milankovic's contributions to planetary climate cycles; what it takes to knock a planet off-axis; where do clouds falling off Table Mountain go; does a discharged...
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Why are only some batteries rechargeable? from 2021-10-04T12:48:27
This week, where Vitamin D comes from, if lab-grown protein is vegan-friendly, how mammals evolved to dive deep underwater, how genes can be used to track evolution, how chillies create a burning s...
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What makes a virus like Covid-19 mutate? from 2021-09-29T01:14:49
What makes a virus mutate? Why does bladder control become so much harder to achieve the closer I get to a toilet? How does sneezing work? How are vaccines quality controlled and assured around the...
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Can science bring back extinct species? from 2021-09-18T11:58:10
This week it's time to join another local school to answer their burning science questions including can we bring back extinct species from the dead; is the Universe infinite; can we replace cells ...
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How does a water softener work? from 2021-09-11T10:04:39
What causes r-rolling difficulties otherwise known as rhotacism? Also, why do we have to stay still in an MRI scanner, why is calcium a metal, what makes water hard and how does a water softener wo...
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Why does heat wipe out a magnet? from 2021-09-03T01:27:37
This week we ask whether we're about to start spoiling other planets with our space forays, if there is antimatter in the human body, what causes cluster headaches, whether microwaving can ripen av...
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Can two light rays collide? from 2021-08-28T10:43:10
Is there such a thing as a true circle? Can two light rays collide with one another? What makes the sky look blue? Have aliens ever visited Earth? Will time travel ever be possible? What's the perf...
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In computing, how does the cloud work? from 2021-08-21T09:57:43
Why do I shiver when I wee? How does carbon dating work? What can I not tickle myself - is that similar to why I mind my own farts less than someone else's? Does breath-holding block tickle sensati...
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Allergic to just one part of an animal? from 2021-08-14T10:20:46
Can you be allergic to one part of an animal but not another? What's the point of dreaming? What happened before the Big Bang? What's in wine that causes hangovers, and is this an allergic reaction...
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Does digital data weigh anything? from 2021-08-06T09:50:27
How do African animals withstand extreme cold in the Kalahari? Does the data we're all generating and storing weigh anything? How does relativity relate to the real world? Why do we run Olympic rac...
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Are we at peak human Olympic performance? from 2021-07-24T09:58:12
Why do some forms of heater seem to warm a room up faster? What's the different between Alzheimer's Disease and dementia? Are aluminium cooking utensils a risk factor for Alzheimer's? Can magic mus...
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Why does squinting sharpen vision? from 2021-07-17T10:07:30
In this week's show, recorded before the Euro 2021 final, Dr Chris explains why Inuits survive on polar fare with impunity but Shackleton's crew developed nutritional deficiency when they were stuc...
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Electric eels to power the national grid? from 2021-06-28T08:03:21
Can electric eels power the national grid? What does 5% alcohol in a beer really mean? Does alcoholic hand cleanser ruin your fingerprints? Why does warm water on cold feet feel scalding hot? Is be...
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What happened to the Wankel Rotary Engine? from 2021-06-18T11:14:56
This week, what happened to the Wankel Rotary Engine; why does air become thinner at altitude and thicker at depths; and why do I need to blow my nose vigorously when I first wake up but not at oth...
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Why don't tennis players get one massive arm? from 2021-06-16T09:38:49
Which is better, male or female? Why does one nostril sometimes seem to work better than the other? Why do some birds hop but others waddle? What's monosodium glutamate and what does it do to food?...
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How do bees make honey? from 2021-06-07T02:37:48
Why might it feel colder at daybreak compared with during the night? What's the best gap between doses for Covid-19 vaccines? What causes albinism and can albinos do anything to make their skin dar...
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Can dogs detect Covid-19? from 2021-05-28T12:23:11
This week how medical detection dogs are sniffing out Covid-19 with 94% success rates, the force powering the expansion of the Universe, how a master key works, whether parallel universes are more ...
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Why sugared cucumber might taste like melon from 2021-05-21T09:40
This week, expiry dates on vaccines, what is a smell and how does the body's olfactory (smelling) system work? Why does the smell of fruits change during the ripening process? Why might sugar on cu...
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Why won't water burn? from 2021-05-08T09:56:47
This week, the Covid-19 crisis in India and why it's happening, we discuss why water, despite being replete with hydrogen and oxygen which burn readily, is incombustible, we talk through the safety...
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Why don't animals have green fur? from 2021-04-30T04:51:09
This week, why it's more comfortable to look at the Sun on the horizon compared with when it's directly overhead, why dogs pee on upright objects, where mosquitoes go in winter, is it normal to hav...
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Low platelets, but blood clots. Why? from 2021-04-19T03:05:33
If the AZ vaccine causes blood clots, why do affected individuals have low platelets, which should make clotting less likely? Also, when the Earth wobbles on its axis, does the Moon's orbit also ch...
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Why halt the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine? from 2021-04-16T10:05:06
Chris Smith and Kieno Kammies discuss the latest on blood clots and Covid-19 vaccines, including the US and South Africa decisions to halt use of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Also, are the vacc...
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Flu and Covid-19 vaccines together? from 2021-04-14T05:51:50
Should I get vaccinated despite previous Covid-19 infection? Can I get a combined flu and Covid-19 shot? Why can't my pharmacist give me a Covid jab in South Africa? Is a Covid-19 vaccine safe for ...
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Why do masks stop Covid-19 but not smells? from 2021-03-26T05:50:36
The people that don't believe Covid-19 is real, how ants smell out sources of food, how soda water makes you burp, a way to banish ants, what would you change about the human body, why masks stop C...
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If I've had Covid-19, do I need a vaccine? from 2021-03-22T02:48:03
Why are the EU posturing around AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine, and what will be the consequences? And if you've already caught coronavirus, should you still get vaccinated if you are already immun...
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Do catwalk models have more neck bones? from 2021-03-12T11:27:50
Why is the Moon moving away from the Earth, and what would have been the consequence of it being closer to us millions of years ago? Also, why does Covid-19 anosmia stop me smelling Vick's Vapour r...
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Will not having sex harm my health? from 2021-03-08T02:37:47
Why do we fall asleep when we don't want to? Will going without sex harm your health? Why do aircraft resort to black boxes when they could send data to satellites? Why don't brakes overheat and lo...
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Why haven't we evolved not to age? from 2021-02-27T11:05:13
Good news on the Covid-19 vaccine front from the UK, why South Africa isn't using AstraZeneca's vaccine, is the Universe under threat from "strangelets", why has evolution not solved the ageing pro...
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Why does Covid come in waves? from 2021-02-15T02:06:49
Will loud music deafen my dog? Why are some dog breeds more docile than others? Why do Covid-19 outbreaks follow cycles of boom and bust? What gives a person their "second wind"? Why do ants invade...
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Can teeth fillings tune in to radio waves? from 2021-02-05T10:04:21
This week we talk vaccines for Covid-19, especially the Novavax trial results, and hear why it might be possible to tune into radio waves with your teeth. We also discuss Covid and cytokine storms,...
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Are the Covid-19 vaccines safe? from 2021-01-26T03:44:43
This week, Dr Chris and Kieno Kammies talk Covid-19 vaccinations, explore whether ivermectin might be a helpful coronavirus drug, explain how maggots get into wounds, unpick what's in the Covid-19 ...
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Am I a snake: my yawns spray saliva! from 2021-01-22T08:48:28
This week, journey times to Mars, how stars come by the matter inside them, why some people feel compelled to eat paper, how coronavirus antibody levels correlate with Covid-19 severity, whether wa...
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Can you swallow upside down? from 2021-01-18T01:23:14
This week, Aza catches coronavirus, Covid-19 vaccines, viral variants and where are the mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome, can you still swallow when you're upside down, how was Einstein proved ri...
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Why do you float on the Dead Sea? from 2021-01-11T10:12:58
How do energy drinks give you a buzz? Why do planets orbit on a plane? Should we test for Covid-19 infection before we vaccinate? Do energy drinks cause diabetes? Why do you float on the Dead Sea? ...
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Why car indicators flash at different rates from 2020-12-18T07:55:52
How do point of care tests for Covid-19 work? Are they any good? How infectious are people asymptomatically infected with Covid-19? Why do different car indicators flash at different rates? How do ...
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Why is it dark in space? from 2020-12-08T09:49:01
An update on the Pfizer vaccine for Covid-19, the lotto likelihood of sequential winning numbers, why swallows congregate around motorway bridges, the logistics of keeping the Covid-19 vaccine cold...
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Why shave sheep in winter? from 2020-12-04T08:58:32
Why shear a sheep in winter when it's cold? And can animals count? Why do geese and turkeys chase people? Also, how does coronavirus infection alter our sense of smell and taste? How do artificial ...
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Can we taste through our fingers? from 2020-11-27T05:30:37
Why did touching something make me taste metal? Also, what's the best liver detox, why does listening to loud music stop a stammer, does music help attention deficit disorder and is sunrise to the ...
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Why does my Coke froth up when I add ice? from 2020-11-17T09:11:59
Why does my Coke froth up when I add ice? How is an oesophageal stricture treated? Does immunity to other coronaviruses confer immunity to Covid-19? Can cats smell things that are poisonous? Why do...
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Why fidgeters are less fat from 2020-11-06T09:17:05
This week, why teenagers can feel moody, what causes restless leg syndrome, fidgeting and obesity, Covid-19 genetic risk factors, whether potatoes can prevent night cramps and arthritis, and the ef...
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Do named painkiller brands work better? from 2020-11-04T12:59:41
What's the best way to avoid mosquito bites, and a suggestion that tomatoes ward the insects off. Also, why cookers heat some parts of pans better than others, the mind-over-bladder effect when you...
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Why only use big dogs as sniffer dogs? from 2020-10-30T06:52:03
Vitamin D for coronavirus? Narcissism and the brain. Why use big dogs as sniffer dogs? Understanding conversations in noisy places, and why that gets harder as we age. Why does my hand itch before ...
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Would a fat person last longer in a famine? from 2020-10-26T02:47:55
Can omnivores switch their diets to survive on whatever is available? Would a fat person last longer in a famine? How does serology help in the management of Covid-19? Could we use GM technology to...
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What would a brain transplant feel like? from 2020-10-19T07:58:27
The virtual reality system for visualising molecules, where Covid-19 came from, what would a brain transplanted individual experience, where did all the dust go when Beirut blew up recently, and wh...
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How does all that web fit inside a spider? from 2020-10-17T05:22:23
How a tiny spider can spin so much silk, how the moon's cycle affects human behaviour, the effect of body weight on bone mass, the reason people have consciences, and the way to become a scientist ...
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How does body weight affect the skeleton? from 2020-10-12T02:46:37
Hyenas everywhere in the Kruger, but why so many? How does the human skeleton respond to changing body weight? Why remove and dump a whale carcass when it would rot down naturally? How long does th...
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Donald Trump diagnosed with Covid from 2020-10-02T12:50:14
Donald Trump diagnosed with Covid-19, SNP MP Margaret Ferrier takes two trains despite coronavirus infection, and the answers to why toddlers have potbellies? Can free-divers get the bends? How doe...
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Toilet bleach: what's best, thick or thin? from 2020-09-25T03:43:40
Would a baby exposed to 5 languages from birth learn all of them? Toilet bleach: what's best, thick or thin? Are new varieties of fruits equally good for you? What's the proof for absolute zero? Ho...
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How does alcohol in hand sanitiser work? from 2020-09-20T08:27:22
How do different tasks recruit different parts of the brain? What's the story of potential life on Venus? How long to boil the perfect egg? What's homocysteine and how much is a safe level in the b...
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Covid-19: Has the world over-reacted? from 2020-09-13T10:35:13
What causes new infections, like Covid-19, to emerge in the first place? Why does the same temperature seem to feel colder in the day than it does at night? Why have we locked down the world for Co...
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Would sea level rise if we all went swimming? from 2020-09-07T08:42:02
Why does sugar get onion smells off my skin? Are aluminium cooking pots harmful to health? Why don't hail stones make holes in leaves? What causes heart palpitations? If we all went swimming at the...
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Asymptomatic Covid-19, and where space starts from 2020-09-04T05:55:50
At what temperature does the new coronavirus survive the best? Is there a tension between science and religion? Are food additives harmful? Why is covid aysymptomatic in some people, and when are w...
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How animals eat venomous snakes and not die from 2020-08-31T08:48:50
Join Dr Chris and 567 CapeTalk's Kieno Kammies to hear why certain sounds make us shudder, whether you should sunbathe in winter, why Donald Trump is orange, what makes a crescent moon, why animals...
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Why do I look upside down in a spoon? from 2020-08-24T08:23:49
This week climate records and snow in Australia. We also explain why reflections in a spoon are upside down? Would an astronaut adrift in space be fried, frozen, or both? How did the guy who invent...
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Will living next to a 5G mast harm my health? from 2020-08-21T02:50:39
How do induction loops in the road control traffic lights? Are there any health threats from 5G masts? Why do we yawn and why are yawns infectious? What guided ancient civilisations when they built...
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What causes a dead leg? from 2020-08-17T03:20:51
What's happening when your arm or leg goes to sleep? What is the odds that ET exists elsewhere in the Universe? Is there a "right" way to sleep? What makes eyelids twitch? What is the D614G strain ...
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How bacteria and viruses turn drug resistant from 2020-08-14T10:51:30
Why we love music, the reason that standing on one leg becomes a challenge with age, how bacteria and viruses become drug resistant, how plants swap chemicals underground, how old is ancient starli...
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Why does my barbecue smoke follow me around? from 2020-08-07T09:30
The science of explosions, including what happens when brake fluid and hypochlorite mix, and what blew up in Beirut, why lemons make you grimace, the reason that the smoke from the barbecue mysteri...
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Can birds carry Covid-19? from 2020-08-02T11:23:47
How supermarkets ripen fruits and vegetables, how people knew space existed before they went there, whether Covid-19 can infect birds, the advent of space tourism, why flight paths are sometimes cu...
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Can I catch Covid19 from a library book? from 2020-07-27T07:45:17
Evidence for Russian Covid-19 vaccine espionage, whether minicabs spread coronavirus infection, whether Covid-19 can cling to a library book, how to spot a male ant, can birds carry Covid-19, why v...
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Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis from 2020-07-19T10:51:22
This week what is special about the word pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, and, more importantly, what does it mean? Also, how do viruses and bacteria differ, does growing an Afro make...
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Is time travel possible? from 2020-07-12T09:25:01
This week, how blood transfusions from individuals who exercise could take decades off the brain ages of recipients, the toenails that refuse to grow, what causes giddiness, do we need to Earth our...
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Why is it easier to park a car in reverse? from 2020-07-08T09:41:56
This week, the intriguing question of how visible light, but not microwaves, can escape through the grille of a microwave oven, how far Earth and Mars are apart, the speed of a falling meteor, why ...
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How fast does a decapitated head stop seeing? from 2020-07-03T06:07:10
What causes phantom limb pain? How does the bladder control when it fills and empties? What the F are food E numbers? Where does medical oxygen come from and will we run out? How fast does the brai...
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How long am I infectious with COVID19? from 2020-07-01T08:05:35
This week, if something could move faster than light, how would we detect its speed? Also, why do we cry, and why do the experiences of others make my feet tingle? How far from Earth is Mars, why h...
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Does a mirror multiply light? from 2020-06-24T11:32:22
The UK eases the lockdown... a little bit, what makes our eyes move together, what makes Earth so special when it comes to supporting life, how long does a journey to Mars take, why can't I take my...
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Why don't birds get cold feet? from 2020-06-12T05:13:15
This week how birds keep warm in winter, how long to recover from ventilation for Covid-19, when do doctors need to ventilate a patient, seeing your own brain by MRI, why sunlight is warmer in summ...
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101 ways to sterilise a facemask from 2020-06-06T10:06:27
How to sterilise a facemask: will zapping it in a microwave oven, or steaming it over a kettle work? What's the deal with UVC to kill coronaviruses? Are books returned to libraries an infection ris...
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Where does methanol come from in home brew? from 2020-06-01T08:14:02
This week where methanol comes from in home brewing, 5G and the coronavirus conspiracies, why cut flowers still need water, rice behaving bizarrely in the microwave, whether wind blows away infecti...
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Are my muscles more efficient than a car? from 2020-05-25T02:34:39
Engine efficiency, what happens when the Earth's magnetic field flips, what is a solar minimum, why are some people shorter than others and what causes dwarfism, and how can I tell planets from sta...
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What are the thin bones in chicken wings for? from 2020-05-15T10:02:21
Antibody tests for Covid-19, do mild Covid cases produce as many antibodies as more severe infections, what is covid viral load, where did the water on Earth come from, how do diuretics work, why d...
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Can blood group affect Covid-19 risk? from 2020-05-08T11:33:46
This week, Rasmussen's encephalitis and brain surgery, are packages safe from coronavirus contamination, do blood groups affect Covid-19 risk, why does the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus appear to spread b...
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Can a common cold confuse a coronavirus test? from 2020-05-01T03:48:27
Sending children back to school, the role of different facemasks in controlling coronavirus spread, whether common colds are confusing coronavirus tests, is everyone dreaming more at the moment or ...
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UV light therapy for coronavirus? No Mr Trump from 2020-04-24T02:57:47
When it comes to coronavirus and the lockdown, are we at risk of a treatment worse than the disease? Also is UV the new therapy for Covid-19, as Mr. Trump proposes, or is he mistaken? Why could SAR...
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Will lockdown lead to a fitter coronavirus? from 2020-04-19T11:41:48
This week, are we breeding a fitter coronavirus? Lockdown measures suppress spread, but do they select for a virus with superior spreading power? Also, what are the half-moon shapes in finger and t...
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Can coronavirus be carried in semen? from 2020-04-10T09:15:54
This week, coronavirus infection in big cats, how new diseases emerge in the first place, whether face masks work against coronavirus, can Covid-19 spread through the air, can you catch Covid from ...
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What does Earth look like inside? from 2020-04-04T10:41:35
This week, how did birds dodge the dinosaur apocalypse? Why does my rug climb the wall? How can we make a country richer? What does Earth look like inside? Is Covid-19 a conspiracy? Where did virus...
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Is Covid-19 a problem in pregnancy? from 2020-03-31T01:13:54
What is Covid-19? Are masks worth wearing to protect against coronavirus infection? How does flu compare with coronavirus infection? Do gloves help prevent Covid infection? Are viruses alive? Will ...
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If I've had COVID-19, am I immune? from 2020-03-20T08:57:11
Why are people stockpiling? Why does no one remind people not to smoke? Why are some songs music to my ears but a cacophony for others? What determines the rate of radioactive decay? Is COVID-19 an...
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Cancel matches to combat coronavirus? from 2020-03-13T02:57:37
Coronavirus conundrum: how best to block to the spread of the virus. Also, we discuss insect and spider bites, why plastic is such a problem for the oceans, the Mpemba effect - why hot water might ...
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What else do mosquitoes eat? from 2020-02-21T08:31:44
Do blood groups affect mosquito preference for who they bite? What else do mosquitoes eat when they are not drinking blood? What is anger? How do blood groups work? Why do things like smoke and dir...
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What's gut instinct? from 2020-02-14T10:21:19
This week, we answer Paul's question about the size of a diamond you could make with the carbon in a piece of coal, we discuss where butterflies in your stomach come from, discuss the basis of gut ...
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Did the new coronavirus come from pangolins? from 2020-02-10T03:11:42
Data on the Chinese emerging coronavirus and did it come from pangolins? Why does glassware look more shiny when wet? How does the body fight off viral infections? And what happens when you freeze ...
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How long do viruses linger in the air? from 2020-02-07T08:10:30
What's the latest on the coronavirus situation? Do facemasks protect against viruses? Can we use nuclear bombs to combat climate change? Are artificial diamonds valuable? How long do viruses persis...
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How many megapixels is my eye? from 2020-01-24T10:27:44
This week, what's the resolution of the human eye? Would nanobots be attacked by our immune systems? How small would a squash ball lump of coal be if you squished it into a diamond? Why do propelle...
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Only one of my bottles of water froze from 2020-01-17T09:07:03
This week, why only one bottle of water froze while others remained liquid; do hot drinks cool you down? What's phlegm and is it safe to swallow? Is human body temperature changing? How did the NAS...
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Can bacteria eat plastic? from 2020-01-10T11:56:06
This week, will a walk benefit my waistline; can bacteria eat plastic? Is it just humans that get prostate cancer? What limits the length of body hair? What's the physics of making a cricket ball s...
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What causes floaters in your eyes? from 2020-01-03T09:30:26
Welcome to 2020! And in our first show out of the gate this decade, we explore the science of excessive sweating; how you can get an egg within an egg; why dirty and clean water don't instantly mix...
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Where do road corrugations come from? from 2019-12-20T05:07:35
How might a sore throat be linked to a hear problem? Are elevated toilet cisterns better at flushing the toilet? What's your take on aliens and the paranormal? What are diabetes and coeliac disease...
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Virus vs bacterium: what's worse? from 2019-12-13T10:12:23
What's an exponential dilemma? Why do copper bangles make your wrist go green? What causes hot flushes associated with menopause? Which is worse, viruses or bacteria? Why put power points at floor ...
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Is mercury in vaccines safe? from 2019-12-09T10:08:26
Why are preservatives, including mercury compounds like thiomersal, added to vaccines? What is "invert sugar" and is it better for my teeth? How does is "aquamation" - the alkaline hydrolysis equiv...
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How do hard water and soft water differ? from 2019-11-29T10:50:24
How does water-based water-repellent paint work? Did a burger on top of my normally vegetarian diet cause my belly ache? Why has no one invented a silent vacuum cleaner? And if an egg yolk ruptures...
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Does Prince Andrew not sweat in nightclubs? from 2019-11-22T08:27:24
Do flu jabs really work? What's a TB gland? Can Prince Andrew really not sweat? Why does pinching your nose halt a sneeze? How old is the Earth and how do we know? If dogs have such a keen sense of...
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Does swimming after lunch really cause cramp? from 2019-11-15T10:59:49
This week we're exploring why swimming on a full stomach might cause a cramp, whether it's really true that joints ache more when the weather's cold, and why does tapping the top of a beer bottle m...
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Are bananas sterile inside? from 2019-11-08T09:06:46
What are the medical risks and benefits of silver? Is what I call a smell the same experience for you? And why do some things smell appealing, but not others? Does engine oil have a best-before dat...
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Where would a bullet fired in space end up? from 2019-11-01T08:49:57
Does holding a car remote to your head really improve its range? What would happen to a bullet fired off the International Space Station? How did a marble make a hole smaller than itself in my wind...
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Will salt make my pasta cook quicker? from 2019-10-25T09:48:01
Why is salt needed in an old-fashioned ice-cream maker? Are gravity and electromagnetism the same, and could we build a big enough electromagnet to repel the Moon? Are some stars no longer where we...
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What actually is a shooting star? from 2019-10-22T01:56:32
Is it ethical to grow a brain organoid in a dish? What's a shooting star? Do food preservatives build up in the body? What is cancer and why is it so tricky to treat? Why doe staring at a mobile ph...
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Can you suffocate under a duvet? from 2019-10-18T01:52:41
Why does alcohol affect different people differently? What's the difference between white and brown sugar, and is the brown form healthier? Can you suffocate under a blanket? Why have only 28 days ...
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How does the brain work? from 2019-10-10T05:38:53
What will phenomics do for medicine? Is the limbic system in conflict with the brain's pre-frontal cortex? How does the brain actually work? And what is consciousness? Join Dr Chris and Talk Radio ...
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What does 2 degrees warming mean? from 2019-09-27T10:29:17
What makes a brain creative? How do viruses, and the flu, evolve? When did ancient civilisations realise there were 365 days in a year? Has the LHC discovered new dimensions yet? Why does 2 degrees...
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Why won't vaseline melt in the microwave? from 2019-09-20T12:51:17
This week: plummeting bird populations; the global climate strike; whether blood-letting benefits high blood pressure; why vaseline won't melt in the microwave; how pilots land planes even though t...
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Why am I addicted to eating toilet paper? from 2019-09-11T03:42:08
Is flying a threat to glaucoma? Do blood groups affect diet? Is 5G harmful to my health? Why do cats have vertical pupils? What is candida infection and how can I treat it? Does speaking quickly ac...
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Do wild animals snore? from 2019-09-06T02:53:36
Chris Smith from the Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions. What's the link between humidity and temperature? Is cooked meat or food healthier than the raw version? Why does the moon always have...
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How long does a body take to decompose? from 2019-08-30T12:16:36
How long does a body take to decompose? Why is spinach difficult to digest? How can you find natural water sources? Can stem cells repair retinitis pigmentosa? Does tolerance of temperatures change...
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What is the Earth's murmur? from 2019-08-23T01:52:37
Chris Smith from the Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions. Why do you sometimes see a half moon at sunrise? Why do some body hairs never go grey? Could a coin falling from the top of the Empire...
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Are magnets a good source of electricity? from 2019-08-16T12:00
Chris Smith from the Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions. Can you use magnets as a source of electricity? Does chemotherapy make you lose hair from other parts of your body alongside your head...
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Why do birds swoop in front of cars? from 2019-08-05T00:00
Chris Smith from the Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions. Why do men go bald on the tops of their heads first? Do we really share 50% of our DNA with bananas? Why do birds swoop down in front ...
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Do dogs recognise their reflections? from 2019-07-26T12:00
Chris Smith from the Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions. Do dogs recognise themselves in the mirror? Why is the sky blue? Why doesn't mitochondrial DNA recombine like other DNA, and does it r...
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Is the Moon a piece of planet Earth? from 2019-07-19T12:00
This week, on its 50th Anniversary, Dr Chris reflects on the Apollo 11 Moon landings, explores the basis of Bell's Palsy, explains the origins of an itch, and asks if wheat is bad for you. We also ...
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Are we really related to Neanderthals? from 2019-07-12T12:00
Chris Smith from the Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions. Why might someone with diabetes lose a limb? How can you predict a dangerous solar flare? Are humans really related to Neanderthals? D...
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Can local honey cure hay fever? from 2019-07-05T12:00
Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions on Cape Talk. Do we need an appendix? How does the Sun burn when there's no oxygen in space? How much water is lost in tinned goods? Ho...
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Why do humans have cannabis receptors? from 2019-07-03T12:00
Why do flies exist? Could sound propel a spaceship? Why do humans have receptors for tetrahydrocannabinol in their brains? How do cars calculate their fuel consumption? And is all life descended fr...
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Do microwaves damage food? from 2019-06-28T00:00
Why do achilles tendons snap, and can they be strengthened? Are gingers disappearing? Why does crying make your voice shake? Why can't we accurately predict the weather? Do microwaves damage food? ...
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Why does alcohol make me dizzy? from 2019-06-26T12:00
This week we discuss the Naked Scientists experiment to test a scream in space, explain why some people sneeze so loudly, ask where standard weights and measures came from, hear why singing makes i...
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Why do we hum? from 2019-06-21T00:00
Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions. Can contact eyes make your eyes better than perfect vision? How intense can deja-vu be? Why do we hum? Why are there more jetstreams i...
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Why does water bubble when it boils? from 2019-06-19T12:00
Join Africa Melane and Dr Chris for this week's round-up of science questions from the South African Cape, including why we can open the doors of a helicopter but not a passenger plane when it's fl...
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Why do bright lights trigger sneezes? from 2019-06-14T00:00
Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKasier from talk radio 702. Could gravity from my first-floor apartment impact my sleep patterm? Why do hearts beat fas...
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Do anti-ageing creams really work? from 2019-06-12T12:00
For CapeTalk this week, Dr Chris explains what causes stomach butterflies, whether honey is healthier than sugar, why fog lifts, how to keep your memory in tip top condition, how much the Earth wei...
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Why do we blush? from 2019-06-07T00:00
Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKasier from Talk Radio 702. Would a brain transplant keep someone's memories? Why do we blush? Is it bad to exercise wh...
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Were early humans vegetarians? from 2019-05-24T00:00
Chris Smith answers YOUR questions with Pippa Hudson.... Why does temperature change food flavour? Does the full moon impact the human body? Why do car wheels move in reverse in films? Were early h...
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Why do we cough? from 2019-05-17T00:00
Chris Smith answers the questions you've been sending in... Could we use charged liquid for electric cars? Why do beds feel cold and not room temperature? What causes climate change? How efficient ...
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Why do cats purr? from 2019-05-03T00:00
Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Africa Melanie from CapeTalk. Why can only some animals be domesticated? Why do cats purr? Can senses change after surgery? Why do...
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What causes cyclones? from 2019-04-26T00:00
Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKaiser from Talk Radio. Is the Earth flat? Does cannabis have a healing effect? Can stem cells repair skin overgrowths?...
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Will a comet crash into Earth? from 2019-04-12T00:00
Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKaiser... Why do my nails hurt after I remove nail polish? What does GI mean? Do black holes stop the universe expandin...
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Can computers develop consciousness? from 2019-04-05T00:00
Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKaiser from Talk Radio 702. Can we use energy from nuclear fusion yet? Is the water in our atmosphere the same as in a ...
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Could we live on Mars? from 2019-03-29T00:00
Chris Smith takes on YOUR questions in a bumper edition of Ask! The Naked Scientists. How long do dreams last? How did Einstein measure the speed of light? Could we live on Mars? What is sleep para...
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Why do men have nipples? from 2019-03-22T00:00
Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKaiser from 702 Cape Talk. Why is the sun's halo hotter than its surface? Why do ice cubes crack when you add water? Wh...
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Are horseshoes unlucky in a thunderstorm? from 2019-03-08T00:00
Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions. What would happen if a horse with metal shoes on was struck by lightning? How was DNA code devised? Could electricity go wireless? How...
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How do I win the lottery? from 2019-03-01T00:00
Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKaiser from Talk Radio 702. How are buildings demolished? How do you win the lottery? Do aliens exist? Is breast milk b...
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Are we getting smarter? from 2019-02-22T00:00
Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions. Why are hail stones different sizes? Why do my palms get sweaty? Why do animals moult? What happens if you stop eating sugar? and more...
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What's CERN all about? from 2019-02-15T00:00
What's CERN all about? What is epigenetics, and how is it different to genetics? Why doesn't ice always freeze clear? How does carbon capture work? Why do my eyes go red when I'm drunk? Plus in the...
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Will Japan retrieve an asteroid sample? from 2019-02-08T00:00
The Japanese mission to bring back a sample of an asteroid, are changes in Earth's magnetic field linked to climate change, what causes tip-of-the-tongue experiences when you cannot remember a word...
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Can marijuana kill cancer? from 2019-02-01T00:00
Does marijuana help with cancer? How can one sibling be smart and another be stupid? Are we alone in the Universe? Can vitamin D kill cancer? Plus, male contraception. Like this podcast? Pleas...
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Why do we get butterflies? from 2019-01-25T00:00
Why do we get butterflies in our stomach? Why is singing in tune difficult? What does vitamin K do? Is aluminium foil safe? How do you measure metres above sea level? Can cold water make you wee mo...
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Is the sky really blue? from 2019-01-18T00:00
Is the sky actually blue? Does petrol go off? What causes myeloma? Why are chicken eggs different colours? If salt melts ice, why are icebergs frozen? Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen
Do animals get jet lag? from 2019-01-11T00:00
Why does dog poo change colour? What happens to the brain when we're sleeping? Do animals also get jet lag? Is time travel possible? Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen
How do they get the stripes into toothpaste? from 2019-01-04T00:00
How do you measure time when traveling close to light speed? How do you predict the weather? Why don't zebras look dirty? How do they get the stripes into toothpaste? Why do wheels look like they s...
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Why does chilli make my head itch? from 2018-12-21T00:00
Why don't birds get electrocuted on an electric fence? Why do I want to sing along to tunes I know? Does a cut onion soak up toxins from the air? Is Everest really the tallest mountain? Why does ch...
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Why do I appear upside down in a spoon? from 2018-12-14T00:00
Why do I appear upside down in a spoon? Is the Universe getting bigger or smaller? What would Earth be like if we had two moons? What's the atomic weight of silver? Why does my bum tingle when I ge...
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Can I catch germs from a cockroach? from 2018-11-30T00:00
Can I catch germs from cockroaches? How does the shape of the ear tell you where something is? If the Universe is expanding, is it being pushed or pulled? Is rain water better for crops than irriga...
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Can we create blood in the lab? from 2018-11-23T00:00
How do we tell where a sound is coming from? Why does wine taste differently after many years? Why can't we manufacture blood? Why was Pluto downgraded? Plus, a new blood test for cancer. Like thi...
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What is spooky action at a distance? from 2018-11-16T00:00
How do mosquitoes find you in the dark? How do muons reach the earth? Do long-term partners end up looking alike? What is spooky action at a distance? Why do things go black when they're burnt? Why...
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What causes double rainbows? from 2018-11-09T00:00
What is deja vu? Why do certain magnets attract? Why do tea stains form in a ring? Can you scientifically work out someone's date of birth? How does mercury and lead stay in your body? Do mermaids ...
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Can phantom limb pain be treated? from 2018-11-02T00:00
Can overhead electrical cables interfere with radio signals? Are diesel and petrol made differently? What is a vasectomy? Can phantom limb pain be treated? Are memories passed on through your genes...
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Why do we need sleep? from 2018-10-26T00:00
Why do we need sleep? How do tides work? Could aliens already be here that we simply can't detect? Plus, how being bird-brained isn't such a bad thing. Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen
Can humans slow down time? from 2018-10-12T00:00
How do scientists calculate the mass and velocity of planets? Why does time slow down during accidents? Is table salt bad for us? Why do cockroaches end up on their backs when they die? Will other...
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How did life begin on Earth? from 2018-10-05T00:00
Is our galaxy moving around? How did life begin? Why do my feet only sometimes sweat? How do you explain the big bang? Why do people think the moon landing was faked? Where does foam on the sea com...
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Do paternity tests work on identical twin fathers? from 2018-09-28T00:00
Do serious hurricanes only occur in the Northern hemisphere? Is the Y chromosome a mutated X chromosome? Does a blood transfusion change your DNA? Plus, the gene drive on the most dangerous animal ...
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How can smoking marijuana affect your health? from 2018-09-21T00:00
How do we know the earth is round? Why do some people make noises during sex? Why do crabs move sideways? Why are some parts of the sea violent with lots of waves, whereas others aren't? How can sm...
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How dangerous are shisha pipes? from 2018-09-14T00:00
Does Mars have layers like Earth? Is shisha dangerous? Why does cold water make my toothache worse, but cold beer doesn't? Does cleaning vegetables with baking powder work? Do any two humans have t...
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What makes strange quarks strange? from 2018-09-07T12:00
What is so strange about a strange quark? Why do I sweat when I'm eating? Why don't things weigh more on Everest? Why does my speedometer in my car and app show different things? How does a heat sh...
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Can atoms die? from 2018-08-31T00:00
Can atoms die? How does fasting influence diabetics? If you burn polystyrene is it dangerous? Is it possible to grow trees on Mars? How important is fat for baby brains? How long before the planet ...
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Why do galaxies spin? from 2018-08-24T00:00
Do galaxies turn clockwise or anticlockwise? What's the difference between dark matter and dark energy? Why do older people have quivering voices? Why is our planet called Earth? How do bionic eyes...
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Why do women live for longer than men? from 2018-08-17T00:00
Why do women live longer than men? How do birds fly in a group? Why do loose stones hit my windshield? Why are some cremated ashes white and others grey? What's the point of a sneeze? Plus, enginee...
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Are Phobias Hereditary? from 2018-08-10T12:00
Are phobias hereditary? Does hair grow after death? Do we really share 5% of DNA with Neanderthals? Why do some people have such good memories? Why is the sea salty? Could we lock away all the carb...
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How are stars born? from 2018-08-03T12:00
Why are some stars second generation? Why is yawning contagious? Why is the moon moving away from us? What causes lag on live broadcasts? Why can't you put metal in a microwave? How do stars form?...
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Why does marijuana cause the munchies? from 2018-07-27T00:00
Can we harness the power of the ocean for electricity? Why are some people lucky? Can I stop my plant from fruiting? Why do my eyes go red when I smoke a joint? Are cigarettes or joints worse for y...
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Can we harness the power of lightning? from 2018-07-20T00:00
How much water do we lose in a day? What's the best way to drink a scotch? Can we harness the power of lightning? Can things move faster than the speed of light? Are things that burn totally destro...
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Why Isn't Everyone Ambidextrous? from 2018-07-13T00:00
What is a near-death experience? How do you stop mosquitoes getting into water tanks? Why isn't everyone ambidextrous? What is Schrodinger's Cat? Why does elephant urine take so long to dry out on ...
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Are GMOs harming my health? from 2018-07-06T00:00
How do seedless grapes reproduce? What causes serial womanisers? What's the fastest way to cool down a fire? Why does brewing tea for longer taste better? Why do gazelles all look the same? Can GMO...
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Why do we have body odour? from 2018-06-29T00:00
Why do we have body odour? Can weeds be useful? Could marine animals learn not to eat plastic in the ocean? How does your body warm up when you're swimming in cold water? Why does my dog twitch to ...
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Why doesn't my snoring wake me up? from 2018-06-22T00:00
Why is there always room for dessert? Why doesn't my own snoring wake me up? What actually happens when we die? Why does my helium balloon get more squishy? Can humans really live for 200 years? Wh...
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How does my brain store information? from 2018-06-08T00:00
Why can I hold off a bathroom stop when I'm driving? How does my brain store information? Why don't birds sitting on power lines get electrocuted? Why do bubbles in a bath disappear when the water ...
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Why is phosphorus important for life? from 2018-06-01T00:00
Do white rainbows exist? Why does putting cold hands in hot water itch so much? Do food additives cause cancer? How can you safely store breastmilk? How does race affect eye and hair colours? Plus,...
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Is Jurassic Park possible? from 2018-05-25T00:00
Could Jurassic Park be a reality? How did dinosaur blood survive for 65 million years? Why is volcanic gas poisonous? Is astrology scientific? What is the Universe expanding into? Like this podcast...
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How does shark repellent work? from 2018-05-18T00:00
Why don't I sneeze during the night? Why do flammable liquids feel cold? Can you speed up meteors to help destroy them? What causes me to cry all the time? How do shark repellents work? Plus, a c...
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Does The Earth Have A Birthday? from 2018-04-27T00:00
How can you reduce pain after surgery? Why do thick fluids wobble when poured? Why is the Earth's core molten? Plus, celebrating the 65th anniversary of discovering DNA. Like this podcast? Please h...
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Why can't energy be created or destroyed? from 2018-04-20T00:00
Can any organ get cancer? Why do mints make water feel cooler? Why do cockroaches face upwards when they die? What causes eye twitch? What's the best exercise after a hip replacement? How would hig...
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What came before the singularity? from 2018-04-13T00:00
Why did my oven explode? Do nerves regenerate? What came before the singularity? Can an HIV-negative person transmit HIV? Should I complete a course of antibiotics? How do wine flies find my wine? ...
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What is the Universe expanding into? from 2018-03-23T00:00
Can I donate an organ if it was already donated to me? Why do I sweat asymmetrically? What's the difference between a sea and an ocean? What is the Universe expanding into? Plus, a new trial spells...
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Are other animals conscious? from 2018-03-16T00:00
Can we treat eczema? Why can sour things taste before you eat them? Do testosterone levels spike during sex? Why didn't any other primates evolve high-intelligence? What is the difference between c...
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What wakes me up without my alarm? from 2018-03-09T00:00
How do our bodies digest all the different things inside us. What is a phantom pregnancy? Why do men get middle-age spread? How do I wake up without an alarm clock? When did white skin first evolve...
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What's the limit of human thinking power? from 2018-03-02T00:00
In a world of self drive cars would they have indicators? Why do you put sugar in before milk? Why are yawns contagious? How did butter come about? What's the limit of our brain capacity? Like thi...
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How do planes stay in the air? from 2018-02-23T00:00
How does a plane take off and fly without falling? Why are feathers more colourful than fur? Why don't teeth grow back? How do male seahorses carry babies? Plus, using mini organs to test cancer th...
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How does GPS work? from 2018-02-09T00:00
Can you change the pH of your blood? How does GPS work? What causes nosebleeds? Why do we find falling funny? Plus, the smallest geneome sequencer to date. Like this podcast? Please help us by
How can I remove salt from seawater? from 2018-02-02T00:00
How can I remove salt from my water? Why does bread go soft inside plastic bags? Will my ginger beer explode? Why does hose spray come out slower under water? Why do I jolt awake sometimes when I s...
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Why are puppies cute? from 2018-01-26T00:00
What causes night cramps? Why is there a delay in audio and not video? How does a tortoise control its temperature? Does your heart stop when you sneeze? How deep is the ocean? Why do we go thirsty...
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Do blind people dream? from 2018-01-19T00:00
My wife and I eat the same food but our farts smell differently - why? Can people who are born blind dream? Why are bricks the shape of bricks? How do I explain infinity? Why do astronauts grow in ...
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Do elephants get cancer? from 2018-01-12T00:00
Is it true that elephants don't get cancer? Can science tell us how to be safe from tornadoes? Where does the rubber from tires end up? Why are tardigrades so amazing? How are sausage dogs so long?...
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What would happen to someone born on Mars? from 2017-12-08T00:00
Why does the sound a kettle makes change as it boils? Does a hot drink cool you down more than a cold drink? How does rice remove water from a mobile phone? What would happen to someone born on Mar...
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Why is lightning jagged? from 2017-12-01T00:00
Is the brain at birth empty? Why is farting funny? Does raw garlic cause stomach cancer? Why is lightning jagged? Can you fold the Universe? Is space dark? What is the difference between dementia a...
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Is it Safe to Stand Near a Microwave? from 2017-11-24T00:00
How does aspirin help with a headache? Does microwaving your food affect its nutritional content? What happens to eye drop bottles during a flight? How can we stop waste medicines leaking into the ...
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Is bottled water safe to drink? from 2017-11-17T00:00
Why do some athletes seem to be more injury prone than others? Will bottled water grow algae? If you toast bread will it keep its nutritional value? Are palm trees good at cleaning the air? Like th...
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How do energy drinks affect us? from 2017-11-10T00:00
Why don't I have fingerprints? Why do the helium balloons in my car move the opposite way to people? Do other moons face their planet at the same time? How do energy drinks affect your body? What m...
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What is the speed of dark? from 2017-11-03T00:00
If the body repairs itself, why do we die? Why does water come out of your eyes? Can galaxies exceed the speed of light? What is the speed of dark? What's the link between substance abuse and insom...
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Is the Earth flat? from 2017-10-27T00:00
What is the association of shingles and chicken pox? Is the earth flat? Why are berries red? Does drinking through a straw affect how drunk you are? Does hot water sound different from cold water? ...
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Why are rainbows curved? from 2017-10-20T00:00
Why are rainbows curved? Why do you get double rainbows? Why are accents in Australia, England and America so different? Is a warp drive possible? Plus, the difference between good and bad choleste...
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Can we control lightning? from 2017-10-13T00:00
How does my cat open doors? Why can't I pause the radio? What is lean muscle mass? Can lightning be manipulated? Can silver iodide control the weather? Plus three blind mice, now able to see! Like ...
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Why is ice sticky? from 2017-10-06T00:00
When we doze off what causes that jolt? Do antidepressants cause swelling? Why is ice sticky? Can you carbon date a person? Can humans upload their consciousness to computers? What causes static sh...
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What is sleep paralysis? from 2017-09-25T00:00
Is Earth about to be wiped out by Planet X? Do animals indulge in same-sex relationships? Are B vitamins linked to cancer? Is rainfall from a hurricane fresh or salty water? Why do smokers light up...
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How do airplanes land safely? from 2017-09-08T00:00
Why do people scream when falling from buildings? How do bombs affect the environment? How do airplanes land safely? Why do people commit suicide, and can we prevent it? Plus, how frogs avoid poiso...
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Can we 3D print rhino horn? from 2017-09-01T00:00
Can we 3D print rhino horn? What is a static shock? How do cats eat and purr at the same time? Where is the Universe expanding into? How do you recover from polio? Plus, a new treatment for leukemi...
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Why don't Animals Crossbreed? from 2017-08-25T00:00
Can we eliminate flies and mosquitoes from our ecosystem and live in peace? When will the universe end? Do eggs with double yolks mean that two twins would have been born? Why don't animals such as...
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Can people spontaneously combust? from 2017-08-11T00:00
Can people spontaneously combust? How do flowers know when it's day time? What causes static electricity? Should your blood type affect diet? Is there such thing as digital addiction? Can we get to...
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Why did both males and females evolve? from 2017-08-08T00:00
Why are there different sexes? Why did males and females evolve? When you have been driving for a long time and then park your vehicle, why does it feel as though you are still moving? How did we e...
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Is all sweat the same? from 2017-07-28T00:00
Why do people wake up at 3am after drinking? Why is hot water cloudy? What drives a gust of wind? How does a coil of wire produce electricity? Is sweat from your face different to sweat from elsewh...
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Do plants hibernate? from 2017-07-21T00:00
Can the moon affect people's behaviour? Do you weigh less after you take a bath? Do gas heaters have any side-effects on our health? Are microwaves dangerous? Plus, new electronic batteries based o...
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Why isn't Roger Federer's right arm twice the size of his left? from 2017-07-14T00:00
Kicking off with a look at why coffee might make you live longer, Dr Chris and Eusebius explain why Roger Federer's right arm isn't twice the size of his left? How aeroplane wings form vapour trail...
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Why are some people ticklish? from 2017-07-07T00:00
What can a person do about restless leg syndrome? Why does data expire? Why do our tummies rumble? Why are some people ticklish? Why do people grind their teeth? How do pills know where to go? Li...
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Could Your Weight Affect Your Flu Vaccine? from 2017-06-30T00:00
Could your weight affect how well your flu vaccine works? Is too much sparkling water bad for you? Why does head hair lose colour as you age, but other body hair doesn't? Why do spaceships have to ...
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Why do people have different accents? from 2017-06-16T00:00
How do horses have such strong muscles if they never eat any proteins? When dogs wag their tails is this voluntary or involuntary? Does it save electricity to heat your water all day, or turn it of...
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Can White Parents Have a Black Baby? from 2017-06-02T00:00
What causes IBS and what can we do about it? Are there some foods you shouldn't eat if your gallbladder's been removed? Could a white couple give birth to a black child? In what simple ways can we ...
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Can sperm survive in space? from 2017-05-26T00:00
How would you have sex in zero-gravity? Are eggs viable in space? What is nuclear fall-out? What is cold fusion? How long can astronauts be in space without side-effects? Like this podcast? Please ...
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How do you power a spacecraft to Saturn? from 2017-05-19T00:00
How do you power a spacecraft to Saturn? Can gravity affect the telomeres inside our cells? What can be done to help people with macular degeneration? How did simple, unicellular life get more comp...
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Do our voices change as we age? from 2017-05-12T00:00
Is there a cure for flu? Can your genetic engineering make you smart? How far are we from designer genes? Can we cure HIV? Do our voices change as we get older? Plus, bioengineered bones! Like th...
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What can cure a hangover? from 2017-03-24T00:00
How do birds wake up at the same time each day? How does quantum computing work? Why do we feel hot even when the room is cooler than body temperature? Who will be the first on Mars? What's the be...
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Why do I get a stitch when I run? from 2017-03-03T00:00
Why do I get a stitch when I run? Is there such thing as baby brain? Is exercise good for you? Do the lines on your hand mean anything? How does altitude affect athletes? Like this podcast? Please ...
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What caused the Big Bang? from 2017-02-24T00:00
Why are tooth aches more likely at night? Can chemo affect iron levels in your body? Why is there oil beneath the earth? What caused the big bang? Can we create rain artificially? Plus, seven new e...
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Are cell towers bad for you? from 2017-02-17T00:00
Why do chilies burn my fingers? How dangerous are cell towers to your health? Who names cyclones? Do white and black people have different body temperatures? Why do hairs reach different lengths...
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Why do wheels sometimes seem to spin backwards? from 2017-02-03T00:00
Why is it that wheels look like they're going backwards? Why does my car give me static shocks? If you move an ant will it find its way home? Can you cool something below absolute zero? Do pigeon...
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Can cannabis cure MS? from 2017-01-27T00:00
Is the earth round or flat? Can you have two snowflakes that are alike? Would medicinal marijuana help with MS and Alzheimer's? Why does your mouth heal faster than your finger? Like this podcast? ...
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What should I eat before an exam? from 2017-01-20T00:00
What are the best foods to eat before and during exams? How do you get heavy metal poisoning? Why do you develop allergies? Why would soap help clean greasy pans? Plus, a robotic heart. Like this p...
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Can people predict their own deaths? from 2017-01-13T00:00
Why are dreams so realistic? When should you move your babies onto solids? Can people predict their own deaths? Am I allergic to exercise? Plus, the world's smallest knot. Like this podcast? Please...
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How does pepper spray work? from 2016-12-02T00:00
Why can't I eat fruit? How well do polar bears smell, and how do we know? How does marijuana affect your brain? How does pepper spray work? Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen
How did speech evolve? from 2016-11-25T00:00
How did speech evolve, why do you need bacteria and fish food for aquaponic systems, do growth factors in anti-ageing creams really work, what treatments are there for allergies and how do UV light...
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What are the consequences of nuclear war? from 2016-11-18T00:00
Could the universe be more than a coincidence, what's causing a burning skin sensation, does milk cause breast cancer, are statins effective for high cholesterol, what impact would a nuclear war ha...
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Do microwaves remove nutrients from food? from 2016-11-11T00:00
Is the Earth flat, do microwaves kill nutrients, why do eggs have whites and yolks, what advancements are there in the treatment of tinnitus and what happens if you fire a gun on the Moon's surface...
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How do you stop HIV spreading? from 2016-11-04T00:00
Why do other people's fart smell worse than your own, why do storms turn swimming pools green, how do we stop HIV spreading, what's the difference between antibiotics and probiotics, why does it fe...
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What would happen if the Earth stopped spinning? from 2016-10-28T00:00
How can I find out about my biological age, how can you stop a panic attack, how can you treat Polymyalgia Rheumatica, are detoxing products just a marketing gag, can learned behaviours be passed o...
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Where do children get their intelligence? from 2016-10-21T00:00
Are there increases in miscarriage rates, why are rats used in experiments, could we use developments in cartilage growth to treat scaphoid wrist fractures, is it safe to do strenuous exercise as y...
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Do we use all of our brain? from 2016-10-14T00:00
Why does the BCG vaccine cause swelling, where does moisturiser go when you put it on your face, what are the side effects of sickle-cell anaemia medication and is it true that we only use a small ...
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How do we see distant stars? from 2016-10-07T00:00
Is autophagy linked to autoimmune diseases, what could cause unilateral spinal dysfunction, what is adrenal fatigue and how do we see distant stars? Plus, the low down on the Nobel prizes in medici...
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How does radiation escape black holes? from 2016-09-30T00:00
How do we get bright images of planets, why do distant lights appear to blink, how does radiation escape black holes, what could cause a loss of smell and why does our stomach grumble when it's hun...
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Could the Earth be a living creature? from 2016-09-23T00:00
Could planet Earth be a living creature, how do they name medicines, what's the difference between a heart attack and a cardiomyopathy, how do HIV protective drugs work and how were the Egyptian py...
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Why are men hairier than women? from 2016-09-16T00:00
Why are men hairier than women, how can a cockroach survive a microwave, why is our poo brown when we eat colourful food, why is the reflection on a spoon upside down, why do we close our eyes when...
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How do birds sit on electric wires? from 2016-09-02T00:00
How do birds sit on electric wires without getting hurt, why does hot weather cause nose bleeds, how do probiotics treat vaginal thrush, is there a cure for retinitis pigmentosa, are the any solut...
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Why doesn't vodka freeze? from 2016-08-26T00:00
If the ice caps are made of freshwater, how did they form from a salt water ocean? How do baby lobsters eat jellyfish without getting stung? Why doesn't vodka freeze? Does putting a spoon into the ...
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What's it like on Mars? from 2016-08-19T00:00
Why do we catch colds on holiday? If a fly takes off inside a car, why doesn't it get flung to the back? What are the latest treatments for macular degeneration? Is kidney infection linked to depre...
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Why did the Olympic swimming pool turn green? from 2016-08-12T00:00
Why did the Olympic swimming pool turn green? Is it normal to get hiccoughs after eating spicy food? How accurate is carbon dating, and are there different types? Why do flying ants appear after th...
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How do tornadoes form? from 2016-07-29T00:00
Why do I feel an electric current if I touch the wall when I'm lying on my electric blanket, is it possible to absorb vitamin D through glass, what happens to microbeads from cosmetics, how does a ...
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Why do dogs have wet noses? from 2016-07-22T00:00
Why do dogs have wet noses, when a fly hits a train does the train slow down, why do our ears keep growing as we age, why don't animals die when they eat other animals which are poisonous, can Metf...
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What's the science in palm reading? from 2016-07-15T00:00
How does wireless charging work, why do people have different coloured eyes, is drinking water from plastic bottles bad for your health, is there any truth in palm reading, what's the reason for di...
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Zika vaccine effective in mice from 2016-07-01T00:00
Can the vaccines that protect mice against the Zika raise the hope of a human vaccine? What are the symptoms for a disease known as lichen planus? What are genetically modified (GM) crops? Are GM c...
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Why are mosquito bites so itchy? from 2016-06-24T00:00
Can we come up with a new way of managing mosquito infections? Can a cure for Zika virus lie in an inflammatory cream? How does the bonding process between the parents and a newborn form? Does a ba...
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Why does standing up make you see stars? from 2016-06-17T00:00
Why is water's molecular composition one oxygen and two hydrogens, could strong magnets on cars stop crashes, what is the VY Canis Majoris, can salt be used to cool drinks, what is sciatica and why...
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What causes light to move? from 2016-06-10T00:00
How does light move without force, is there a connection between migraines and an electrical storm, what causes Parkinson's Disease, how do you treat Job syndrome, why would falling asleep cause le...
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How do we vomit? from 2016-06-03T00:00
Do the chemicals in our food cause cancer, how do we vomit, how does the moon affect the tides, do tonsils extend vocal range, is cancer more common in certain races, how fast does electricity trav...
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A new way of keeping time? from 2016-05-27T00:00
Why do you get dark circles under your eyes, could animal blood be used for human transplants, could we dry out silica packets in the microwave, does ozone treatment work, what's the difference bet...
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Is rewarming food dangerous? from 2016-05-20T00:00
Is rewarming food dangerous, what does uranium look like and how do you find it, does olive oil become toxic when it's heated, how can you treat allergies, why don't aeroplane black boxes float, ca...
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Can we 3D print teeth? from 2016-05-06T00:00
Can we 3D print teeth, how does air conditioning remove condensation from a car, how do helicopter blades carry a helicopter without breaking, why don't people wake themselves up from snoring, why ...
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Do planes change the weather? from 2016-04-22T00:00
How do flu jabs really work? Should you refrain from sex before a sports competition? Why don't we sneeze when we're sleeping? Could we use stem cell therapy to cure autism? Is it better to drink b...
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Why do you shudder when you wee? from 2016-04-08T00:00
Are waves slowed by kelp, is there a neural basis for societal differences, why is there more rain after a thunder storm, why do electric stoves keep cooking after they've been turned off, why does...
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How do we get vitamin D from sunlight? from 2016-03-18T00:00
If I was on another planet would we see stars the same way? Why do we measure rain in ml? How do we get vitamin D from sunlight? How accurate are DNA tests? What is a lipoma? How long does it take ...
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Do antioxidants prevent cancer? from 2016-03-11T00:00
Do antioxidants prevent cancer, how does hypnosis work, how does exercise impact cancer, do girls whistle worse than boys, how does exercise affect weight from a recovery drink and are plastic cars...
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How do they film fast moving golf balls? from 2016-03-04T00:00
Why do mosquitoes prefer me over my husband? How do they film fast moving golf balls? And if I received a kidney transplant, could I then donate my kidney to someone else when I die? Like this podc...
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Why do we get butterflies in our stomach? from 2016-02-26T00:00
Why are there warm patches in the sea, why do we get butterflies in our stomachs, does skin absorb face cream and is a magnetic field energy? Plus in the news, immunotherapy for cancer treatment. L...
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How big is a drop? from 2016-02-19T00:00
How big is a drop, how do you measure gravitational waves, how do we get accents, why is there thunder after a heatwave and how do trees know when to produce tannin? Plus in the news - a breakthrou...
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What are Gravitational Waves? from 2016-02-12T00:00
What are gravitational waves and how were they found? What is UHT milk, why do stars look like pinpricks of light, what are shin splints, and is moving an injured body part bad for you? Like this p...
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What Keeps the Sun Burning? from 2015-12-11T17:09
Could humans evolve to one sex, what is the difference between a hydrogen and an atomic bomb, can eczema be caused by a virus, what keeps the sun burning, are some people more prone to addiction th...
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How safe is an old microwave? from 2015-11-27T14:05:09
How does loneliness affect your health, why is it less windy in the morning, is giving blood good for you, are sugar calories different to other calories, what happens to a baby's waste in the womb...
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Why does Jacob Zuma giggle in parliament? from 2015-11-20T09:31:59
Why does Jacob Zuma giggle in parliament? Antimatter and Dark Matter; why snails like to eat cigarette filters; rusty water cisterns; why tupperware stays wet after dishwashing; cyanobacteria in wa...
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Do Animals Have Blood Groups? from 2015-11-13T13:20:07
Where does water come from, what would have happened if the dinosaurs hadn't been wiped out, does rheumatoid arthritis ever go away, do animals have blood groups, how to stop water from getting con...
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What is the universe made of? from 2015-10-30T15:09:16
What is the universe made of? Can neutrinos really travel faster than the speed of light? Will robots ever take over the world? How does wind form? What would happen if you expose yourself to outer...
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What causes stuttering? from 2015-10-16T13:02:48
What happens to the rubber that comes off tyres, what causes stuttering, how do living things produce oil, why do you develop allergies in adulthood, how can one blood clot in the brain cause so mu...
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Do people have free will? from 2015-10-09T12:39:37
What was before the big bang? Does turning off your heating intermittently actually save energy? Can you prove or disprove free will? Why are flies attracted to bad smells? What is the point of goi...
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Where do deleted texts go? from 2015-10-02T14:47:27
How does sugar addiction happen? Where do deleted emails go? Plus, flowing water on Mars. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Nak...
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Why do wires tangle? from 2015-09-25T12:54:54
Why do wires tangle? Is borehole water drinkable? Does sea water evaporate? Why are there no more intelligent hominids except humans? How are mountains formed? What makes up non-stick linings on fr...
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Should we drink wee? from 2015-09-18T13:00:15
What causes sleep paralysis? Is urine beneficial to drink? Can we clone from fossils? How can galactic collisions occur? What is the difference between Bipolar and PTSD? Can carnivores eat other ca...
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Where did Homo naledi come from? from 2015-09-11T12:43:04
How old are the Homo naledi remains? How do nails end up in tyres to cause punctures? How did the H. naledi people see in the dark cave where the remains were found? Can vitiligo be reversed? Why w...
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How can a headless chicken run? from 2015-08-28T12:39:01
Does the intensity of the sun influence water evaporation, what reasons could there be for a sudden drop in heart rate, how do fixed drug erruptions work, if you stop water from expanding will it s...
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What determines your blood type? from 2015-08-21T12:13:11
Is DNA set to replace the harddrive? Chris told us about a story where DNA could be used to store digital information and preserve essential knowledge for thousands of years. We then opened the lin...
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Can you microwave a cockroach? from 2015-08-14T13:26:19
The Naked Scientist told us about a possible universal flu vaccine that is being researched. We then opened the lines to listeners to call in with their science related questions. What happens to a...
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How does rice fix a waterlogged phone? from 2015-08-07T16:21
How do humans generate body heat, how does rice fix a waterlogged phone, how does a thermos flask store hot water without expanding from the steam, why don't airplanes gain height when flying strai...
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Can you use a sonic boom as a weapon? from 2015-07-31T17:20:51
Why do we get nosebleeds? Can you use a sonic boom as a weapon? Is it healthy to sleep under a blanket? What will happen when the sun dies? Why does staring at light help you sneeze? Can a loss of ...
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Are intelligent people more prone to depression? from 2015-07-24T08:19
Are intelligent people more prone to depression? Will we ever exceed the speed of light? What can survive inside a human stomach? Can rhymes help you to learn new things? How is the brightness of a...
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Why does the placebo effect work? from 2015-07-17T12:52:29
Why does the placebo effect work? Why do we get goosebumps? Why does scratching relieve itches? How can you fix bad breath? Why is it hard to wee if someone else is there? How long does food stay i...
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Does food affect your mood? from 2015-07-10T12:37:10
Do tall people swim faster? Why is Cholera so difficult to kill and get rid of? If there's so much cell regeneration in our bodies, why do we get old and die? Does food affect your mood? Plus, new ...
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How high can a fly fly? from 2015-07-03T12:21:35
Are polarised or non-polarised sunglasses better for your eyes? How high can a fly fly? Can botox make my face more symmetrical? Why aren't we equally hairy across our whole body? Are you more like...
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Why does the Earth hum? from 2015-06-19T03:49
What is the Earth made from? Has the Voyager 1 spacecraft reached the edge of our solar sytem? Why do you lose your appetite when you feel unwell? How does lemon juice affect urine? Does the day on...
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What does Botox do to your face? from 2015-06-12T13:26:20
Does Botox harm your face? Why is the speed of aircraft limted? Does the cause of death determine the rate of decomposition of the body? Do only green plants produce chlorophyll? Can we create fals...
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What happens when you swallow gum? from 2015-06-05T12:30:12
What happens when you swallow gum? Can we use animal blood for donation? Is there intelligent life out there? Can you eat glass safely? Would you decompose in space? Is there a link between blood g...
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Does truth serum work? from 2015-05-29T13:06:45
If it's only female mosquitoes that drink our blood, what do male mosquitoes feed on? How do we know how old human remains are? What is truth serum and how does it affect the brain? Should we keep ...
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Why don't babies laugh when they are born? from 2015-05-22T13:42:40
What would happen if I ate glass? Can you stop epileptic fits by removing a section of the brain? When we lose weight, where does the fat go? If we remove our thonsils, will this stop us snoring? W...
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Can you stop a yawn with a finger? from 2015-05-08T12:56:15
The Naked Scientist answered listeners' weird and wonderful questions including: why babies tummies look swollen; why we vomit if others vomit; and how effective are sleeping tablets. Like this pod...
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Why can't my cat catch my cold? from 2015-05-01T12:15:52
Why do we develop allergies? Which tectonic plates caused the Nepalese earthquake? Could we use a car to generate electricity? Why can't my cat catch my cold? Plus, the effects of radiation in spac...
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Why can't I whistle as I get older? from 2015-04-24T12:13:41
Where are mosquitoes during the winter? Does light therapy work? Can you get 20:20 vision back? Why can't I whistle as I get older? Why do I cough every time I eat popcorn? Plus, a new treatment fo...
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How does seedless fruit reproduce? from 2015-04-17T13:06:48
Will we ever be able to record dreams? Why did our brains grow over time? How much water do you need to boil an egg? How does seedless fruit reproduce? Can a damaged chromosome be repaired? Can we...
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Can you use sound to control dreams? from 2015-04-10T12:50:52
Do photons have mass? Can you control someones dreams? Can you get your kidney back after donating it to someone? What determines the colour of the sea? Plus, how the moon was formed... Like this p...
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Live and Naked at 702 from 2015-04-02T00:00
Chris Smith and Victoria Gill appear at 702 in the flesh to answer questions from the audience and to conduct some illuminating experiments... Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen
Why do we get goosebumps? from 2015-03-27T13:41:34
What causes goosebumps? How close does lightning need to be to hurt you? Where is Voyager? What causes yawning? How do we perform automatic behaviour? Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen
What causes thunder and lightning? from 2015-03-20T13:09:01
What causes thunder and lightning? Are some people resistant to HIV? Are vitamin supplements good for children? What does crystal meth do to your brain? Why do phones only give you nine minutes to...
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What is the sun made of? from 2015-03-13T13:15:55
How do satellites stay in orbit? Why do my fingernails grow at different speeds on each hand? What is the sun made of? Where did the liquid in my cans go? Why do some children turn mute after traum...
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Can candles give you cancer? from 2015-03-06T12:38:40
Is it safe to feed livestock to meat? What happens to the rubber that wears off from car tyres? Does water go down the drain in different directions? Can you rewind the radio? Why is the ocean salt...
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Why do I get a stitch when I exercise? from 2015-02-27T12:03
Why do I get a stitch when I exercise? What determines our body temperature? How quickly do fruit and vegetables lose nutrients after they are picked? Why do ropes get tangled up in knots? Can you ...
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Why does stress give me knots in my stomach? from 2015-02-20T12:44:17
Why does stress give me knots in my stomach? Why don't I gain weight when I eat? How does sun cream work? Why does wheat give me gas? If we were to compress air to the pressure of water could we th...
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Can animals predict the weather? from 2015-02-06T12:51:13
Can we manufacture water? Should women eat uncastrated meat? Can animals predict the weather? Is there a loss of vitamin content in tinned food? If you're in an aeroplane traveling at the speed of ...
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Why do we get brain freeze? from 2015-01-30T12:38:19
Why do we get brain freeze? What happens to your arm when it goes to sleep? Why do clouds form? Do we really only use 10% of our brain? If we evolved from apes how come there are still monkeys? Plu...
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How do phantom limbs work? from 2015-01-23T13:11:41
How do phantom limbs work? Can power stations affect local weather? Plus, how to avoid jet lag and the snails that have weaponised insulin. Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen
Is there such a thing as a 'baby brain'? from 2015-01-16T13:59:07
Should I let my child run up and down stairs? Is crocodile bile deadly? Why don't animals in the wild bleed to death during child birth? Will there come a time where we stop breaking any new sport ...
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Is there a cure for vertigo? from 2015-01-09T12:57:36
Can we make longer lasting phone batteries? Is there a cure for vertigo? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Why do pigeons bob their heads? from 2015-01-02T12:26:44
How do chameleons change colour? Why do pigeons bob their heads when they walk? How do railguns work? Can you freeze dry a body? What causes localised hair-loss? What's the best way to cool down be...
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How do you get an old pen to work? from 2014-12-19T13:31:08
Why does scribbling on paper get a pen to work? Why can't mules reproduce? How soon will they be able to lessen the effects of Multiple Sclerosis? When you burn wood, where does the weight go? How ...
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How do birds make eggs? from 2014-12-12T16:08:48
How do birds make eggs? Why do we cry for both happiness and sadness? Can neutrinos go faster than the speed of light? Why is it so hard to lose stomach fat? Why do some babies smile in their slee...
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Why do banana peels go brown? from 2014-11-28T13:47:23
Can you feel two pains at the same time? How can bottled water freeze instantly? Can a migrant dog understand his new neighbours? What is the pith inside an orange? Does eating the in-flight meal a...
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Can comets reveal the future? from 2014-11-21T15:28:21
What is the latest on Ebola? Which human sense was the strongest in more primitive times? Can comets tell us about the future? How did our ancestors discover that the Earth is round? Why are electr...
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Why aren't there any flying spiders? from 2014-11-14T14:31:09
Is it possible to regrow brain cells? Why can't spiders fly? Can you survive with three kidneys? What causes a migraine? Plus, why lightning is striking twice... Like this podcast? Please help us b...
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What causes cataracts? from 2014-11-07T14:12:03
Why do my fingernails grow quicker than my toenails? Why are yawns contagious? Do people with longer legs use less energy to run? What causes cataracts? How important is your sense of smell? Like ...
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Are Ebola survivors immune for life? from 2014-10-31T14:25:49
Can a new stomach be grown in a dish? Are Ebola survivors immune from future infection? Why do injuries seem to hurt more later? Are there homosexual dolphins? How do muscles make energy? How do an...
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Why do people talk to themselves? from 2014-10-24T15:34:43
Why do people talk to themselves? Can cats cut your risk of a heart attack? Does salt help water boil quicker? Do women have an Adam's Apple? Plus, an update on Ebola and a rapid paper-based test f...
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Can the radio control my dreams? from 2014-10-10T14:05:12
Why do I sneeze in bright light? Can the radio control my dreams? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Do flies have blood? from 2014-10-03T13:45:49
Why did dinosaurs grow so large? Do flies have blood? Can chemotherapy get into the brain? Why do scorpions glow in UV light? Did we interbreed with Neanderthals? Plus, news of how your sense of sm...
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Why do some people sleepwalk? from 2014-09-26T16:40:33
How is sea-level defined? What makes some people sleepwalk? How are barometers calibrated? What is an acquired taste? How much of the body is water? Do we really use only 10% of our brain? Why does...
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Can you be born circumcised? from 2014-09-19T21:49
How do people catch ebola? Why do brothers and sisters look different if they have the same parents? Can we mine the moon for fuel? Why should you not re-freeze meat? What causes birth marks? What ...
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Why does spaghetti break into 3 pieces? from 2014-09-05T14:37:46
Can we rear people in a germ-free environment? Can you be born with only one kidney? Why does spaghetti always break into 3 pieces? What exactly is temperature? When you add more water to the bath ...
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Why does running water make you need the loo? from 2014-08-29T14:05:02
Why does running water make you need the loo? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Can you get sunburn through a glass window? from 2014-08-15T14:31:57
Can you get sunburnt through a glass window? What are white holes? If everything is made from atoms, and atoms are largely empty space why can't we phase through walls? Can chlorophyll help body od...
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How accurate are dinosaur reconstructions? from 2014-08-08T15:31:07
If you fall asleep with the radio playing what effect would this have on the brain? How do marine mammals stay hydrated? If you fall off a certain height do you die before you hit the ground? How c...
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Are maps always right? from 2014-08-01T13:18:29
What's causing the ebola outbreak in northwest Africa? Is our sun unique? Why did we make clocks tick the way they do? Does altitude affect my blood pressure? Would the passengers remain conscious ...
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Why do some wines give you a worse hangover? from 2014-07-25T15:36:09
Should my air-conditioning be fresh or recycled air? Is the International Space Station in geostationary orbit? What causes plane vapour trails? Is it alright to drink water on an empty stomach? Wh...
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Why do we get nightmares? from 2014-07-18T17:49:51
Are there extra types of water? Do plants give off carbon dioxide at night? Why does huddling together keep you warm? What is the origin of belly-button fluff? What causes nightmares? And how does ...
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Is the sea getting saltier? from 2014-07-11T18:38:49
How does a gastric bypass work? How do spaceships land safely back on earth? What makes humans so successful? Are new species still appearing? Is the sea getting saltier? Plus, news of biomarkers f...
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Can blind chameleons change colour? from 2014-07-04T14:38:14
How do e-cigarettes work? Could a blind chameleon still change colour? Do sightless people pick up on things most of us miss? Can the hydrogen be extracted from water? How are hurricanes named? How...
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What is Spontaneous Human Combustion from 2014-06-27T12:23
Can people with autism catch yawns? Why isn't the Sun cooling down? What is the theory of spontaneous human combustion? Why did Luis Suarez bite someone? Should I close the fridge door while adding...
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A cure for procrastination? from 2014-06-20T13:22:58
Does learning a musical instrument boost brain power? Are there limits to what the human body can repair? How does my brain know how to whistle in tune? Can newborns recognise their grandmothers' v...
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Why do we yawn? from 2014-06-13T16:47:38
Are mouth bugs nastier than bowel bugs? How would wiping out mosquitoes affect the food-web? What is an itch? Are anaesthetics a risk factor for blood clots? What are trans-fats and invert sugars? ...
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Why do people open their mouths when they apply mascara? from 2014-06-06T14:30:45
Are mothballs poisonous? How do chameleons change colour? Where do seedless varieties of fruit come from? What is ash? How can we use DNA to trace ancestry? Why do people open their mouths when the...
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What does coffee do to my heart rate? from 2014-05-30T15:38:56
What does coffee do to my heart rate? Has the earth changed size since its formation? Why are hailstones round? How do you avoid getting seasick? Are energy drinks bad for you? How do antidepressan...
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What gives water its colour? from 2014-05-23T14:43:01
What sort of star is the Sun? Can damage done by Multiple Sclerosis be repaired? Why does an acetylene torch need oxygen? How are calories in food calculated? What gives water its colour? Is drinki...
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Are flies getting harder to swat? from 2014-05-16T19:53:03
Are flies getting harder to swat these days? Why does more food in the microwave take longer to cook? Should penicillin-allergic people avoid blue cheese? Why are clouds white? What causes baldness...
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Will whales get the bends? from 2014-05-02T14:15
The building blocks of life, what is a virus? Why don't whales get the bends? How does a 3D printer work? How do 93 and 95 octane fuels differ? Why is ricin deadly by castor oil is safe? Would HIV ...
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Is petrol better value when it's cold? from 2014-04-25T15:01:51
How can cochlear implants deliver gene therapy? Are you better off circumcised? What is the biggest discovery of the last 20 years? Can planets exist without a parent star to orbit? Does lighting a...
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Naked at 702 from 2014-04-17T11:32:21
The Naked Scientists appear in the flesh at Primedia Place, home of 702, to answer questions from the live audience... Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen
The first in-vitro vagina? from 2014-04-11T14:55:53
How have doctors grown new vaginas in vitro? Are fires feasible in space? Why does the moon always show to same face to us? Why don't we see disabled animals? Why would a watch spontaneously restar...
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How Sunny is it on Saturn? from 2014-04-04T10:22
What's inside Enceladus? How do we make water safe for drinking? How Sunny is it on Saturn's moons? What causes motion sickness? Could we collect sunlight in space and beam the power down to Earth?...
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Where does Earth get its oxygen? from 2014-03-28T14:14:30
How did scientists make a synthetic chromosome? How does heat radiate? What wakes us up in the morning? Where does oxygen come from? Are black boxes bouyant? Where did the Big Bang come from? Are a...
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What are gravity waves? from 2014-03-21T18:54:37
Is gravity waves from the Big Bang a big deal? Is evolution still occurring? Why does water boil at lower temperature at altitude? Can the brain be hitched up to control a computer? Are power lines...
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Why do Guinness bubbles go downwards? from 2014-03-14T21:09:25
How do the processing power of a brain compare with a computer? How can we shield astronauts en-route to Mars? Do ants prefer protein? What causes left handedness? Why do bubbles go downwards in a ...
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Does wet coal produce less power? from 2014-03-08T22:54:49
Can weather be manipulated? Will wet coal produce less electricity in a power station? Why does curry make my nose run? Is aluminium linked to Alzheimer's? Is it better to drink warm water? Who liv...
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Can a phone affect my fertility? from 2014-02-28T18:31:25
Can a mobile phone between the legs affect fertility? Why does wet cornflour stiffen when squeezed? Does light at night affect reproductive success of local animals? Can animals smell fear? And wha...
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What causes a blood red moon? from 2014-02-21T17:39:54
The cause of a blood red moon, is there an upper limits for temperature, where does the Sun's hydrogen come from, what does a blind person see in their mind's eye, and are e-cigarettes safer? Join ...
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Where does dust come from? from 2014-02-07T16:45:27
How does acid produce stem cells? Why do carpets creep across the floor? Where does dust come from? Why can't flying insects escape from the surfaces of swimming pools? Do women multitask better th...
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What accelerates light? from 2014-01-31T22:15:47
How does light accelerate in a less-dense medium? How do climbing plants twist around a stake? Did people share technology 5000 years ago? Why would stainless steel rust? And why does mango chutney...
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Would a swimmer hit by lightning be fried? from 2014-01-24T20:51:53
What's the difference between GM technology and cloning? If lightning hits a swimming pool, would a swimmer be fried? What happens when we get used to smells? Why does beetroot make urine red? Why ...
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How do you size-up a CME? from 2014-01-10T15:31:58
How is the scale of a coronal mass ejection (CME) measured? How does evolution work? Why is sole and palm skin a lighter colour? What causes magnetic field flips? What are blood groups and do anima...
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Ask the Naked Scientists is BACK! from 2014-01-06T15:48:58
How trees tell the time, the germ potential of hot air driers in toilets, where fruit flies come from, does menstruation synchronise, why do mad people tend to run along roads, why is smoking addic...
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Do plants have sex? from 2013-12-20T16:13:12
Plant and tree gender, omega-3 fatty acids and cancer and the science of sous vide cooking... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the...
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Why pulling nose hairs makes you cry? from 2013-10-11T21:02:11
Why tugging on nasal hairs causes crying? What triggers static shocks? Why are computers based around binary? What are blood groups? How can babies have 3 parents? Why is yawning contagious? What h...
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What Do Rockets Push Against in Space? from 2013-09-27T17:53:14
What colour were human ancestors? What does a rocket push against in space to propel itself forward? Why does yawning make me cry? How do bats navigate? Can fuel cells run on alcohol? Why are 90% o...
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Why does the Universe Spin? from 2013-09-20T18:38:24
Why scratch your head if you don't know the answer? What about the Earth made the dinosaurs so big? Why does the Universe spin? Is the Sun seem brighter in the morning than the evening? Are autisti...
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What Makes My Eyelid Twitch? from 2013-09-13T18:05:52
How is an electron microscope tip made to measure 1 atom thick? Why do I sound different on a recording? Why does light slow down in some media? Why is soft water slimy? How do ants home in on my h...
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Do Diamonds Melt? from 2013-09-06T15:28:13
How do robotic surgeons work? Do diamonds melt? What is heartburn? Can fish see colours, and what should anglers wear? What is brain plasticity? What would happen if an egg were dropped into boilin...
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How does Digital Storage Work? from 2013-07-26T17:50:28
Is global warming a given? Can olive leaf extracts combat parasites? Is there a fake tanning pill? Why keep gas cylinders upright? How does digital storage work? Does reducing body temperture aid i...
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Why is space dark? from 2013-07-19T17:49:07
Why is space dark; do bags of coins deter flies; why don't cats go grey; is GPS or an odometer more accurate; what was the effect of the Med drying up in the past; what does an ice-pack versus a ho...
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Why are mechanical hearts hard to make? from 2013-07-12T17:04:10
Why are we ticklish? What happens to blood when we die? Why are mechanical hearts hard to make? What's a burb? Can a mushroom crack tarmac? Why do helium balloons fly forwards in the car when I bra...
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Do Plants do Maths? from 2013-07-05T17:29:38
Do plants do maths? Has the Internet made us all more intelligent? Why did my milk freeze? Why do my hands get cold, but not my face? How did people realise Earth is round? What's red shifting? Why...
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How do solar sails work? from 2013-06-28T18:46:47
How much ice are glaciers losing annually? What makes eyes itch? Is yoga beneficial to health? How do solar sails work? Do we have dominant feet? Why is a rainbow the shape it is? Plus, news of why...
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Meths for Mosquito Bites? from 2013-06-21T17:29:48
Why does yawning produce tears? Why do noses tend to run on a cold day? Is methylated spirit good for mosquito bites? Why do computer screens sometimes produce after-images on your eyes? Can blocki...
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Is the weather worse at weekends? from 2013-06-07T15:29:49
How do continental plates move? Is the weather worse at weekends? What does your brain choose to ignore? Why do wet fingers wrinkle? Are bullets fired into the air dangerous? Are premonitions real?...
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Can we Reproduce in Space? from 2013-05-31T16:34:41
How much radiation would an astronaut encounter on the way to Mars? What causes loss of appetite during a fever? Why does camera red eye happen? Can we reproduce in space? Is mercury in dental fill...
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What is Colourblindness? from 2013-05-24T15:16:27
What is genetic diversity? What causes colourblindness? Why does a microwave turntable sometimes rotate in the opposite direction? How are genes linked to behaviour? How accurate are different dati...
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Why are bubbles white? from 2013-05-17T14:46:34
What attracts malaria-infected mosquitoes to people? How happens to the brain during adolescence? Why are bubbles always white? Would a sealed box containing an exercising person get lighter? What ...
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What is Sleep Walking? from 2013-05-10T14:22:05
Does cold exposure cause colds? What consitutes safe drinking water? Why do distant lights and stars flicker? What is sleep walking? What causes bipolar disorder? How does sound travel in air? Plus...
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Does food affect body odour? from 2013-05-03T15:51:57
Does what we eat alter how we smell? Why does the severed tail of a lizard still wriggle? How does the nervous system re-wire itself? What's in snake and spider venom? Do fuel-saving devices for ca...
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How do Touch Screens Work? from 2013-04-26T14:44:34
Why do adults smell more than children? How are bionic implants contributing to longevity? What is progeria? How do touch screens work? Why do anti-HIV drugs cause fat redistribution? Why does powe...
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Weaning and HIV from 2013-04-19T15:14:34
Does holding a car remote to your head make it work better? Why does a boat float? Are triple rainbows real? What's a near-death experience? This week we also look at a new scientific study into wh...
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Are babies born to swim? from 2013-04-05T17:12:23
Are babies born to swim? Can you escape from a black hole? Can an egg with a double yolk yield two chicks? What causes nightmares? Why do we gesticulate when we speak? Why is the Moon visible by da...
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Live from 702 HQ from 2013-03-28T17:54:04
Naked Scientists team, Ben Valsler, Chris Smith and Ginny Smith joined the 702 crew and a studio audience live in Johannesburg to talk science, build vacuum bazookas and challenge listeners' mathem...
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Do Satellites Collide? from 2013-03-27T00:00
Do satellites collide? Can albinism be diagnosed on a scan? What causes the timing of the equinox to vary? Do bullets fired in the air still kill people? Can we make a human from just a genetic cod...
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Why does Washing Shrink? from 2013-03-15T14:26:47
Who was John Snow? Why do things shrink in the wash? How does carbon dating work? Is intelligence down to mitochondria? Why does the banner also bank behind a banking aircraft? And how does the hum...
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How does a gastric bypass work? from 2013-03-08T13:38:31
Does a cloudy day aggravate arthritis? Was the biblical flood real? How does a gastric bypass work? Will a knife in water go blunt? Where do the skeletons on sunken ships go? Why do cats have an ex...
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Are urine and sweat the same? from 2013-03-01T15:29:48
How did horse meat end up in the food chain? Is baking foil bad for you? How big are viruses? How are urine and sweat produced? How do hydrogen vehicles work? And how do we measure the height of th...
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How do pills know where pain is? from 2013-02-22T13:35:47
Why do ovaries run out of eggs and what affects egg quality? Why does diesel smell nice but burning engine oil is unpleasant? Do genes from genetically modified organisms get into eggs and sperm?...
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Are you taking the Higgs? from 2013-02-08T19:41:05
How does alcohol cause liver cirrhosis? Can we make matter massless by removing Higgs particles? How did spiders evolve web-making skills? What is insulin resistance? What does fluoride do? And do ...
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Why Tired Toddlers Rub Their Eyes from 2013-02-01T19:35:23
Are helium-filled balloons less likely to pop? How does a cordless toothbrush charge? Is there much mercury in compact fluorescent bulbs? Why do tired toddlers rub their eyes? Is lactose intoleranc...
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How does blood doping work? from 2013-01-25T06:00
What is involved in blood doping in sports? Can beetroot make urine red? Can mosquitoes transmit HIV? How do dung beetles use the Milky Way to navigate? Do sneezes stop your heart? Can you hear a s...
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Making more twins from 2012-12-21T13:42:57
How box jellyfish venom exerts its lethal effect, will the World end, how were the pyramids aligned, why does humid air feel hotter, why does a hot water stream slow after the tap is opened, what c...
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Can genes re-write their own code? from 2012-12-07T09:00
Carp with compasses, why we have earwax, what causes CIDP, can genes re-write their own code, do bananas in brown bags stay fresher longer, does hot water sound different, why veins look blue and w...
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Do tyres on the roof repel lightning? from 2012-11-30T13:45:23
Why do we age? Why do frogs end up in the swimming pool when it rains? Are mosquitoes attracted to some people more than others? What is epigenetics? What causes Bell's Palsy? How do frogs find wat...
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Do Blood Donors Live Longer? from 2012-11-09T13:18:08
Do blood donors live longer, is water safe in plastic bottles, is Earth gaining weight and are space probes sterile? Plus, how fireflies have helped engineers make even brighter LEDs. Like this pod...
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What causes hurricanes? from 2012-11-02T15:09:13
What causes hurricanes? How does plastination work? Why do we go grey? Does grunting make muscles work harder? Do parallel universes exist? What causes hot flushes? Are there any IQ tests for babie...
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Why don't eyebrows go grey? from 2012-10-26T13:26:52
Why aren't bubbles coloured like the soap they came from? Does holding a remote control to you head make it work better? Why has exercise reduced my alcohol tolerance? Is it by design that the name...
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Why do some people have only boy babies? from 2012-10-19T14:43
How do atoms change inside stars? How did Felix Baumgartner accelerate to over 800 miles per hour? What is inside a black hole? What decides the sex of a baby? What causes jetlag? Could we use the ...
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Why are aeroplane doors always on the left? from 2012-10-12T15:53:08
Why is skin the mouths of animals pink? Why doesn't water immediately fall out of clouds? How do we use light to send information into space? Why did a stomach explode after a liquid nitrogen cockt...
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Why does boiled water taste different? from 2012-09-28T15:23:50
Is the Earth about to gain a new tectonic plate? What is pompholyx and what are the treatment options? Why does sunburned skin blister? Why does boiled water taste different? Is there anyone who ca...
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How do hair transplants work? from 2012-09-21T19:48:41
How is the effectiveness of environmental interventions measured? What's the scientific definition of nothing? Why do farts smell worse in the shower? What happens when an aircraft breaks the sound...
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Can we turn an asteroid into a space-station? from 2012-09-14T14:34:40
Why does a local anaesthetic make my face feel fat? How do worms get into food? Would a taxi driver find a map of a new city easier to learn? From where did the asteroid belt form? Why is the lower...
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Where does amniotic fluid come from? from 2012-09-07T00:00
How did NASA get their cameras to work in the cold on the moon? How does a cordless electric toothbrush charge itself? What is adult respiratory distress syndrome? Where does the amniotic fluid aro...
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Why don't aeroplane tyres explode? from 2012-08-31T15:51:55
Is a heater more efficient than a lightbulb? Why does your tongue stick to ice? Do planes alter the weather around airports? What's a headache? Do dreams alter your metabolism? Is medicine making t...
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What is a Black Hole? from 2012-08-24T15:33:02
Why does my GPS think my car has moved in the garage at night? Can humans survive a space-ride to Mars? Why are epsom salts worth their salt? What is a black hole and what is inside it? How do the ...
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Why are there 360 degrees in a circle? from 2012-08-10T14:17:55
How do nerves conduct electrical impulses? How long does it take a bee colony to make a beehive? Why are there 360 degrees in a circle? How does special relativity work? What happens to a live inse...
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Why should salt have a sell-by date? from 2012-07-27T20:21:49
What's the point of making medicines fizzy? Why should salt have a sell-by date? Is boiled water as good as distilled for my iron? Do we actually only see half a movie? Where do foreign bodies disl...
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What causes anencephaly? from 2012-07-20T14:11:51
This week, what causes anencephaly and exencephaly? Can electric cars recharge themselves from their wheels? How do astronomers determine the composition of exoplanets? Why do things move when I sw...
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Why doesn't the sea sink into the seafloor? from 2012-07-13T15:27:50
This week, the cause of vitiligo, whether pork is linked to a sore throat, what happens to a flame in microgravity, what causes albinism, what is dark matter and why can't we see it, why doesn't th...
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Why do wounds itch? from 2012-07-06T14:26:49
What does the discovery of the Higgs particle mean? How do flies land upside down on the ceiling? What happens when we divide by zero? Why do healing wounds itch? Does my washing dry by osmosis? Ho...
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Could we Plug In an Electric Eel? from 2012-06-22T13:46:26
Is the moon brighter overhead? Why do babies have higher heart rates? Do men snore more than women? What is peripheral neuropathy? Why are our organs wet inside? How do electric eels work? Why do w...
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Could Lightning Power a Town? from 2012-06-15T14:22
What gives a flame its colour, and what is the hottest part? What limits the height of a skyscraper? How does post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV work? How do they put the lines on a clay tennis cour...
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Are Muscle Transplants Possible from 2012-06-12T22:18:37
Who was Phillip Tobias, how do self-focusing binoculars work, are muscle transplants possible, what is the bone structure of a snake, what happens when several sounds interact, will we still be evo...
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Can viruses catch colds? from 2012-06-01T00:00
Do birds have a sense of smell? Are penicillin allergies permanent? How do vultures identify dinner? Does light travel forever? Is alcohol added to cooked food safe for an alcoholic? Do viruses hav...
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Will my wife look like my mother-in-law? from 2012-05-25T16:24:11
What makes dog poo turn white? Is water really wet, or does it just wet things? What was the nuclear impact of Fukushima? Where did my big ants go? Do microwaves alter water? Is the world changing ...
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Can Aeroplanes run on Diesel? from 2012-05-18T16:46:28
Are premium-priced fuels really worth the extra cost? Why are males born with nipples? Is a male contraceptive pill in the offing? Do all animals get the same number of heartbeats? Does any one org...
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Why do I want to eat chalk? from 2012-05-04T13:15:57
Why do I bruise more easily now I'm older? Why do some wind turbines spin in reverse? Are UV sunbeds worse for young skin? Ozone therapy, or quackery? Why do I want to eat chalk? Is blood the same ...
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How does snake venom work? from 2012-03-30T00:00
What substances are in snake venom? Where is sea-level measured? Are any of my cells the original ones I was born with? Are we seeing the effects of global warming? How does planetary precession wo...
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How long can a human heart remain stopped? from 2012-03-23T19:51:35
What causes jaundice in newborn babies? What is vitiligo? How do liquids behave in space? What causes cardiac arrests? What would happen if Earth span in reverse? What is Bell's Palsy? What are qua...
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Why do Whales have Horizontal Tails? from 2012-03-09T13:31
Does alcohol affect men and women the same way? Do other animals menstruate? Does intensive training affect a woman's fertility? Is it bad for birds to drink from my swimming pool? Should I shower ...
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Why do Bubbles go Down in Guinness? from 2012-03-02T14:49:49
What does the genetic fingerprint of Ozti, the 5300-year-old Alpine iceman, reveal? Why do the bubbles in a glass of Guinness appear to be defying the laws of physics? Could we replace food with pi...
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In-Vitro Meat? from 2012-02-24T02:40
Can we grow a hamburger in a dish? What's the one meat that vegetarians can ethically eat? Do ants regard rival colonies as friends, or foes? What causes a cerebrospinal fluid leak and can it be...
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Are insecticides painful for insects? from 2012-02-17T11:40:20
Why is amputation necessary in cases of gangrene? What is aspartame and can it cause Alzheimer's? What's the basis of the Atkins Diet? How is melanin made and is neuromelanin the same stuff? Why do...
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What causes Deja vu? from 2012-02-10T14:03:05
What is freezing rain, do cats control their owners, how do accents arise, why does hair go grey, what is the origin of deja vu, why did my glass table spontaneously explode and is the world popula...
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What is a hydatidiform mole? from 2012-01-27T15:05
This week we debate whether wounds should be left open or covered up, why toenails - but not thumbnails - ingrow, what is hydatid disease, whether we can tag people to track them for life, what cau...
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Why do veins look blue? from 2012-01-20T17:45:57
How much water should you drink in a day? Can miscarriages be prevented? What's more efficient - leaving the hot water on constantly, or heating it only when needed? Why are some eggs double yolker...
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How do they get the stripes in the toothpaste? from 2012-01-13T14:31:58
Are cellphones safe? Why should cornflour make irradiated skin more comfortable? Why do dogs turn in circles before they lie down or defaecate? Are there any materials transparent to the eye but op...
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Do My Koi Know My Voice? from 2011-11-25T17:30:16
What is the best way to manage autism? Do we swap molecules when we touch each other? Can my koi recognise my voice? Can methane be used for firing my pots? Are out of body experiences real? Are vi...
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Why would Humans Explode? from 2011-11-18T12:42:35
Is there any evidence for acupuncture? Compared with coffee left to stand, why does freshly-brewed make a different sound when stirred? Does disprin deal with cold sores? Why would blood pressure a...
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Weight loss injection from 2011-11-11T09:21:28
On Ask! The Naked Scientists this week, an injection to combat obesity, and we debate whether pigeons can tell one another apart... Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen
Why Are Planets Round? from 2011-11-04T13:07
Why do more eggs means less water in an egg boiler? Does a hip replacement shorten a leg? Where do beetles go in winter? And why are planets round? Plus, how killing off aged cells improves vitalit...
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Are We All Equally Sweaty? from 2011-10-28T15:53
Why do electric clocks lose time, what's smaller than an atom, what is sickle cell disease, does ice stop a nose-bleed, can cartilage be replaced and where does sweat come from and are we all equal...
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Why can't you tickle yourself? from 2011-10-21T15:09:34
This week, why does a bout of flu leave you with blocked ears? Can grapefruits be engineered to taste like meat? Why is genetic diversity highest in Africa? Why can't we tickle ourselves? And why d...
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What is an itch? from 2011-10-14T16:37:42
Where do allergies come from? What "actually" is an itch? What is meant by matching a donated organ? Why do veins distend on a hot day? What causes floaters in the eye? Join Dr Chris for the answer...
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Can you sneeze in your sleep? from 2011-10-07T16:40:49
Why do some things dissolve but others don't, what are the stains on the towels at the gym and how do astronauts keep their balance in the absence of gravity? Also, what causes meteor showers, can ...
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Can frozen onions make you cry? from 2011-09-30T17:44:43
Why do onions make you cry and will a frozen onion have the same tear-jerking effect? What medicinal qualities does aloe vera possess? Is ice-crunching harmful? What's the best way to prop up metab...
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What causes Humans to Combust? from 2011-09-16T16:29:19
Does cooking with gas taste better, why are yawns infectious, how does carbon dating work, what is spontaneous human combustion, why won't a nine year old blow his nose and how can contraceptives h...
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How do electrons orbit in atoms? from 2011-09-02T12:00
Where does the energy come from that keeps electrons in orbit within an atom? Can cars and truck weigh themselves like lifts to prevent overloading? How long do some atoms or molecules last in the ...
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How much mucus is made in a day? from 2011-08-19T15:01
Where and in what volume is mucus made in the body? Why do bums look darker that skin elsewhere on the body? How does laughter or low mood affect health and immunity and what causes urticaria? Join...
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Is a Dragster Faster Going East? from 2011-08-12T18:57
What makes the eye's pupils change size? Does scratching a coin make a machine more likely to accept it? Why does a copper bangle change colour periodically? Does the spinning of the Earth affect t...
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Do microwaves cook from the inside out? from 2011-08-05T17:54:10
NASA announce signs of running water on Mars and scientists turn skin cells into brain cells. Plus the answers to why certain drugs work well for some people but not others, why my muffin burns in ...
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Should I Let the Dog Lick My Wounds? from 2011-07-15T20:13
This week - Will wounds heal quicker if licked by a dog? Why does flying cause earaches? How do gas masks work? Why don't continuous rails buckle in the heat? Why do egg shells come in differen...
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Plummeting Lifts and Replacement Windpipes from 2011-07-08T14:00:37
Does jumping inside a plummeting lift prior to impact prevent a fatal fall? What causes echoes on phones? Are trees actually net oxygen consumers? Why do my ice cubes grow stalagmites? Why do farts...
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Why is the Sky Blue? from 2011-07-01T14:00
This Week, Chris Smith and Ben Valsler join Redi in the studio for an extended Ask the Naked Scientists! We find out why the sky appears blue and if electric blankets are bad for your health. Plu...
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Is the ice in the freezer edible? from 2011-06-10T14:20:21
How do doctors name phobias? Is the ice on the freezer sides safe to eat? What is the low-frequency hum I can hear? Is pipe tobacco tar good for cuts and sores? Why do birthmarks persist? What keep...
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How do painkillers know where it hurts? from 2011-06-03T14:08:52
Can haemorrhoid cream treat under-eye bags, how much radiation was released from Fukushima, why is the moon larger on the horizon, what constitutes stamina, are mobile masts making me ill, why does...
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Why Stones Chip Windows on the Inside from 2011-05-27T10:42
Can a tropical storm be steered? Why should a stone hitting the outside of a window produce a chip on the inside surface? Why do aircraft sound louder going away than when they approach? Dr Chris g...
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What causes sensitive teeth? from 2011-05-20T03:10
Why can't a person see clearly underwater, what causes sensitive teeth, why do I wake up paralysed and can snail shells treat scars? Join Dr Chris for the answers to this week's crop of science que...
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Can Males Donate Organs to Females? from 2011-05-06T03:14
Why is sea level rising, are organ transplants between males and females feasible, what keeps a moving bike upright and what causes epilepsy? Join Dr Chris for the answers to this week's crop of to...
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Why do bats dangle upside down? from 2011-04-15T23:37:59
This week, modelling schizophrenia in a dish, why bats roost inverted, what remains in the ground after oil has been removed, why planets form on a horizontal plane, why we get goosepimples, near-d...
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What is Yuppie Flu? from 2011-04-08T00:59
Are there any impacts of ground fracturing to recover oil and gas, how do colour-changing creatures coordinate with their surroundings, why do ants invade peoples' houses, what is "yuppie flu" and ...
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Where do soundwaves go? from 2011-03-25T00:00
The fate of soundwaves, can salamanders use silicon, why did the moon come closer to Earth, do you need to inhale to smell something, how do drugs know where it hurts and what preceded the Big Ba...
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Why not put reactors underwater? from 2011-03-18T17:35:43
Should you keep your banana in the fridge? Why are ice-cubes easier to eject from top-shelf freezer trays? Why not site nuclear reactors underwater in the ocean to help keep them cool? Why was the ...
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Why Don't Mosquitoes Burst? from 2011-03-15T00:00
What causes the rainbow of colours around an aircraft's shadow, why are moths and mosquitoes attracted to lights, plasma vs LCD TV - what's the difference, how does a mosquito know when it's full o...
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Where do Melons Get their Water? from 2011-02-25T17:05:10
How do melons concentrate water in their flesh? Why do some hairs grow longer than others? What's the advantage of African curly hair? Does the DNA of a donated organ displace that of the recipient...
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Asthma, Pool Cleaners and MRSA from 2011-02-11T13:58
This week, the causes of asthma, a new way to "K.O." MRSA, what is lupus and can it be controlled, how do metal-salt pool cleaners work and are henna tattoos safe? Like this podcast? Please help us...
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Can corks cure cramps? from 2011-02-04T17:21:06
This week, how stimulating the brain can help you to think outside the box, why corks in the bed can cure cramps, the inside information on itching, the brain basis of meditation and what happens w...
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Two Suns in the Sky? from 2011-01-28T00:00
Straight from the horse's mouth, or cow's stomach, this week how scientists have found the genetic clue to better biofuels; also, the brain basis of addiction, the cause of false-positive HIV tests...
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What causes kidney stones? from 2011-01-21T15:30:36
Where do renal calculi come from, can weight loss halt diabetes, how might neuro-feedback help ADHD and autism, what causes panic attacks and are artificial sweeteners safe? Join Dr Chris for the a...
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To Pee, or not to Pee? from 2011-01-14T14:50:54
Could personal nuclear reactors power towns, why can't eyes be transplanted like livers, is it dangerous not to pee and poo when you need to, do drugs damage sperms and eggs, and how do rain and di...
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How do cats navigate? from 2011-01-07T15:41:54
How cats find their way back to their former homes, the science of self-winding watches, why sunlight triggers sneezes, the basis of lightning and does an open window deter a strike, how fast gravi...
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Can a Mobile Phone Unlock a Car? from 2010-12-24T03:38
What's a light-year, why is the earliest dawn not on the solstice, is the Sun hotter in South Africa, what causes neuropathy, can batteries short out in my pocket, is there a non-surgical solution ...
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Do Oxygen Levels Go Down in Winter? from 2010-12-17T19:10:08
How did a lightning storm spark a glowing ball above a roof, do atmospheric oxygen levels dip in winter, does anyone naturally not have fingerprints, are humans still evolving, and what's the story...
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Is the moon upside down? from 2010-12-10T15:47:22
What can hydrogen reveal about the structure of the early Universe and what causes Alzheimer's Disease; is the moon upside down when seen from south of the equator, what causes Autism and can it be...
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Why do some songs get stuck in your head? from 2010-12-03T19:08:41
Kangaroo mothercare, why we all look different, what's the capacity of the human brain and why do some songs get stuck in your head are all up for analysis this week, and Dr Chris also has news of ...
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Why Do We Sleepwalk? from 2010-11-26T17:35:38
What's more accurate, vehicle speed according to a GPS unit, or the speedometer? Also, what causes the Earth's magnetic field to flip, why do people sleepwalk and can the shrunken state of an accid...
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How does an astronaut swallow in space? from 2010-11-19T13:03:26
How do space travellers navigate, can you swallow in microgravity, does apple cider vinegar help with weight loss, is there a "gay" gene, why did a game of football come to a frosty conclusion and ...
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Does Diesel Pollute More Than Petrol? from 2010-11-12T02:17
This week, how Tetris could hold the key to blocking the bad memories and flashbacks behind post traumatic stress disorder and how an old drug could provide a new answer to neuroprotection from Par...
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Can humans get stuck together during sex? from 2010-11-05T17:46:41
Where do accents come from, can glass be magnetised, what's the point of males and females and can people get locked together during sex? Join Dr Chris to find out and to hear about a new way to co...
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How Does Deodorant Work? from 2010-10-29T16:43:53
The Naked Scientist, Chris Smith strips science down to its bare essentials.How does grass break concrete?is one of the questions answered in this fascinating show. Like this podcast? Please help u...
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Can I Crush my capsules? from 2010-10-22T14:15:19
What stops water moving through a tiny hole, are ground up tablets safe to swallow, what are freckles, how fast can a human heart beat, what happens when a cataract is removed, where do fat flies c...
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Am I ambidextrous? from 2010-10-15T15:00:28
This week Dr Chris discusses how volcanoes can cut global warming, the evidence for genes linked to race, whether ambidexterity is real, the cause of crop circles, news of a new vaccine for tubercu...
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Where Does Belly Button Fluff Come From? from 2010-10-08T16:49:57
Are fat cells all made equal, why women glow while men perspire, the science of electromagnetic induction, what is emphysema, how are drug doses determined, is the Earth gaining weight and where do...
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Artificial Noses, Aeroplane Toilets and Big Brains from 2010-10-01T00:00
Where does the waste from an aeroplane toilet go? And could you ever really get stuck to one when pressing the flush? Do we have bigger brains than 500 years ago? And why are planets spherical? We ...
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How do Dolphins Drink? from 2010-09-24T00:00
How do dolphins and other marine animals hydrate themselves? Can we use nanotechnology to fight disease? How does a radio-controlled clock work? We take on this variety of questions as well as find...
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Tractor Beams, Phone Masts and Living in Space! from 2010-09-17T00:00
How does a mobile phone mast work? What affect does living in space have on the human body? Could tractor beams become a reality? We take on these space age questions in this week's show as well as...
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Is it Safer to Kiss a Stranger or Touch the Door Handle in a Public Toilet? from 2010-09-10T00:00
Are we at risk when we use public toilets? What can we catch from kissing strangers? Why is it safer to eat cooked rather than rare meat? We take on these risk averse questions as well as find out ...
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Why do Pigeons nod their Heads? from 2010-09-03T00:00
Why do Pigeons nod their heads? How does food become body fat? What can you do with a ramjet? We take on these questions as well as discover how megapixels are formed, whether bees go into their hi...
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Why are Cacti so Spiky? from 2010-08-27T00:00
On Ask the Naked Scientists this week, we find out how cacti can survive with very little water, and why they are so well endowed with spines! We answer your questions on asteroids, the size of th...
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GPS, Floating Bridges and Explosions in Space! from 2010-08-20T00:00
How did we measure geographic distances before GPS? And how do GPS satellites do it now? Would floating bridges help in Pakistan? We'll tackle all of these questions this week, as well as finding o...
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Protons, Photons and Colour-changing Toys from 2010-08-13T00:00
How small is a proton? What is a photon? And how do colour-changing toys work? We'll find out the answers to all these questions this week, plus find out how new stars are born, how painkillers wor...
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Lasers, Atoms and our Universe! from 2010-08-06T00:00
How do lasers work? Could lasers be used to treat cataracts and blindness as well as our eyesight? Why is a hydrogen atom bigger than a helium one? Why is there no oxygen on other planets? We take ...
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Why does time speed up as we age? from 2010-07-30T00:00
Why does time seem to go by faster as we get older? What do IQ tests really measure? How do probiotic yoghurts work? We get the answers to all these on this week's show, as well as finding out why ...
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Caramel, Carbon Dioxide and the way to the Centre of the Universe from 2010-07-23T00:00
Why does sugar look so different when you heat it up? How much CO2 is there in all the world's bottles of Cola? And which way is it to the Centre of the Universe? We'll tackle all these questions t...
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Do we really need 8 glasses of water a day? from 2010-07-16T00:00
Do we really need 8 glasses of water a day? How does a jet engine work? Where does earwax come from? Why are some apes vegetarian when we're not? We find out the answers to all these questions, as ...
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Why do Moths Fly Towards Light? from 2010-07-09T00:00
Why are moths attracted to light? How do red-leaved plants photosynthesise? Why don't hayfever sufferers become tolerant to pollen? We take on these questions in this week's show as well as disco...
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Should I Drink from the Hot Tap? from 2010-07-02T00:00
How does vinegar 'cook' an egg? How does Google work? Are the colours we see really real? We'll get the answers to all of these, plus explore how giant tortoises made it to the Galapogos, and ho...
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Flavours, Flies, and Facial Hair! from 2010-06-25T00:00
How are crisp flavours created? What makes flies so resilient? Why do some women get facial hair with age? We take on this variety of questions in this week's show as well as find out how our unive...
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Microwaves and Mirages from 2010-06-18T00:00
Is microwaved water safe? Why does a mirage form? What causes that shimmer on a hot road? We tackle all of these questions this week, as well as look at how anti-dandruff shampoo works, how ships s...
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How Did HIV Begin? from 2010-06-11T00:00
How did HIV originate? Why does anaemia occur more often in Africa? Do growing pains exist? We take on these infectious questions as well as find out how limescale remover works, how rainbows form ...
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Tornadoes, Bombs and Electric Shocks! from 2010-06-04T00:00
How do Tornadoes form? What's a daisy cutter bomb? Why do we get electric shocks when leaving our cars? We take on these questions as well as find out why Jelly freezes in the fridge, why humans ca...
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Ageing and our Senses from 2010-05-28T00:00
Does our sense of taste change with age? How are horrid and pleasant smells decided by our brains? Is it harder to urinate when you're older? We tackle these time-sensitive questions in this week's...
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Why can't we Tickle Ourselves? from 2010-05-21T00:00
Why can't we tickle ourselves? Is deafness down to our genes? Can diabetes cause Eczema? How does deodorant prevent body odour? We take on these questions in this week's show as well as reveal if b...
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Man-boobs, Hair Cells&Relativity in Rugby from 2010-05-19T16:13:57
Ask the Naked Scientists, South Africa! This week we're adding a new member to the Ask! family with a new show on South Africa's flagship station TalkRadio 702. We look at man-boobs, hair cells, re...
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Bombs and Bacteria from 2010-05-14T00:00
What effects can underground nuclear explosions have on our land? How do antibacterial cleaners work? Could bacteria be used to clean up our environment from pollutants? We take on these question i...
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Earthquakes and Volcanoes! from 2010-05-07T00:00
Do earthquakes shift the earths axis? If the population of China jumped at once would it cause an earthquake? How much lava is inside the earth? Would more eruptions lead to an ice age? We tackle t...
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Comets, Planets and Space! from 2010-04-30T00:00
Could a comet shield the earth from the sun? How do planets form around stars? Why are planets spherical? What's the temperature in space? We tackle these astronomical questions in this weeks show ...
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Volcanoes, Aeroplanes and our Environment! from 2010-04-23T00:00
Why are some Volcanic Eruptions stronger than others? Why can't aeroplanes fly around the ash in the sky? Is our ozone layer still a concern? Why will sea levels rise if the ice caps melt? We take ...
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Sun, Clouds and Rain from 2010-04-16T00:00
Why does it feel hotter when the sun is out? Why can we see clouds at night? Is the sky always grey when it rains? We tackle these question on this week's show as well as find out if a magnet could...
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Animals, Hair and Hot Flushes! from 2010-04-09T00:00
Do cats have a sixth sense? How do dogs moult? Why are some hairs longer than others? Why do women get hot flushes? We tackle these questions on this weeks show as well as find out why we form tear...
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Boomerangs, Painkillers and Nipples! from 2010-04-02T00:00
Why do boomerangs return? How do painkillers know where to go? Are some painkillers faster than others? Why do men have nipples? We take on these questions in this week's show as well as find out w...
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Lightning, Radiation and the Northern Lights! from 2010-03-25T00:00
How does lightning strike? Should we worry about radiation from mobile phone masts? Do our TV sets give off any radiation? Why do we see the Northern Lights? We tackle these questions in this weeks...
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What if the Moon went AWOL? from 2010-03-19T00:00
Could the Earth cope without the Moon, how do safety matches work, what causes hiccups, why don't frosts form undercover, should NASA put people on an asteroid, why do nails grow faster on holiday,...
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Spaceships, Sun Rays and Glowing Skies! from 2010-03-12T00:00
How does fuel burn in spaceships without oxygen? Why do we see sun rays from behind clouds? Why is there often a red glow in the night sky? We take on your cosmic questions in this week's show as w...
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Why do we find Bottoms Attractive? from 2010-03-05T00:00
Why is Jupiter round and how does it hold onto its gas, how does skin thickness vary around the body, why does milk soothe the effects of chilli, how do brain sizes vary amongst animals, what makes...
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What Do the Dimples Do on a Golf Ball? from 2010-02-26T00:00
How do meat-tenderisers make meat more succulent, how do they get the corks into Champagne bottles, do explosions travel in space, why have golf balls got dimples, how do holograms work and what do...
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Love and Our Universe from 2010-02-19T00:00
How do we fall in love? What is our universe Expanding into? Will our universe ever be sucked back inwards? We take on these cosmic questions in this week's show as well as find out how dogs tell t...
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Earth, Space and Winning the Lottery! from 2010-02-12T00:00
Why does the earth spin? Is the moon moving farther away from earth? What are the odds of winning the lottery twice in a row and of getting the same numbers twice? We take on these questions in thi...
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Spontaneous Combustion and Smellovision from 2010-02-05T00:00
Does being hot under the collar ever lead to spontaneous combustion? Will we ever get smellovision? Does being ill make you smarter? We take on these questions in this week's show as well as reveal...
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Do Strip Lights Flash Beneath Power Lines? from 2010-01-29T00:00
Why do buses get steamy, how do ships withstand super-waves, what's really invovled in balancing on a bike, how come Hawaii's on a hot-spot and do fluorescent tubes flash beneath power lines? Join ...
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Broken Bones and Glowing Worms from 2010-01-22T00:00
How long to bones take to heal? Are healed bones stronger than they were before? How do glow worms glow? We tackle these bright questions on this week's show as well as reveal what a headache is,...
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Water, Snow and Icy Roads. from 2010-01-15T00:00
At what temperature does sea water freeze? Why do aeroplanes not freeze when up in the cold air? Why can't we use sand on icy roads? We tackle these chilling questions on this week's show as well a...
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Food, Fats and Healthy Eating! from 2010-01-08T00:00
Is goose fat bad for us? What food ingredients are healthy? Is soy healthier than meat? What is cellulitis? We tackle these questions to kick off our healthy eating regimes for 2010. We also explor...
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The Wrong Sort of Snow? from 2009-12-18T00:00
How the moon might make you behave badly, why snowstorms beget thunderstorms, the wrong sort of snow for trains, and whether tomato soup would be a warmer filling for radiators. Dr Dave tackles a f...
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Soap, Water and Tidal Power from 2009-12-11T00:00
How do facial scrubs work to remove spots and oil from our skin? does hot water freeze faster than cold water? Why do we not make more use of tidal power? We take on these questions in this week's ...
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Gold, Hydrogen and Atomic Bombs from 2009-12-04T00:00
How is Gold formed? Could hydrogen be used in power plants? How small can an atomic bomb be? Could we reverse electrolysis to make water? We tackle these questions in this week's show as well as fi...
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Jetlag and Body clocks from 2009-11-27T00:00
Can we re-set our body clocks? How can we ease the effects of jetlag? Do body clocks change with age? We look into these questions in this week's show as well as investigate whether lightning can o...
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Dark Skies, Meteors and 3D Vision from 2009-11-20T00:00
How can you measure how dark a place is? When do meteor showers occur and how can we see them? How do 'magic eye' paintings work? We reveal the answers to these mysteries in this week's show. We al...
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Snot, Spit and Criminal Minds from 2009-11-13T00:00
What is snot? Why do we make saliva? How do babies have such sweet smelling breath? These, and other less bodily questions, get tackled in this Ask the Naked Scientists. We find out how a radio ...
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Tough Tomatoes and Custard Conflagrations from 2009-11-06T00:00
Why are tomato skins so tough? Can you make fireworks from custard powder? What is the speed of dark? Join us as Dave Ansell takes on your science questions, explaining if satellites get dusty, ho...
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Venom and Stings from 2009-10-30T00:00
Can venoms be used to treat disease? How deadly is the sting of an Irukandje jellyfish? Do all bees die when they sting? We tackle these buzzing questions on this week's show, as well as find out h...
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Climate Change and Future Technologies from 2009-10-16T00:00
Is global warming natural as well as man-made? What effect will arctic melting have on our sea levels? Why have cars not evolved past piston engines and fossil fuels? Can sugars be used to fuel car...
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Exploring our Universe from 2009-10-09T00:00
This week, Dr Dominic Ford joins Dave Ansell to take on your questions about our universe. They reveal whether it's possible to live in outer space for years on end, if we can see the flames of th...
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Eyes, Aliens and Goosebumps! from 2009-10-02T00:00
Why is our peripheral vision so good in the dark? Why do we have goosebumps? Do UFOs exist and is there life on other planets? We explore the answers to these questions as well as investigate how b...
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Batteries, Lightning and Stainless Steel from 2009-09-18T00:00
Why do cameras use batteries so quickly? Why does warmth help a battery last longer? How do humans survive lightning strikes? We tackle these questions as well as reveal how steel ships protect the...
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Aliens, The Moon and The Bermuda Triangle from 2009-09-11T00:00
Do Aliens Exist? Did Neil Armstrong really walk on the moon? What happens over the Bermuda Triangle? We take on these mysteries in this week's show as well as reveal if the earth is growing, why pl...
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Elements, Planets and Satellites from 2009-09-04T00:00
How do new elements enter the periodic table? How much does the earth weigh? Could Jupiter blow up? We tackle these explosive questions on this weeks show as well as reveal the workings of the inte...
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Spiders, Wasps and Evolution from 2009-08-28T00:00
How do wasps reproduce? Do all spiders bite you? Why have some animals lasted many years without evolving? We take on these questions on this week's show as well as find out how helicopters fly, ex...
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Mobiles, Glowsticks and 3D Films from 2009-08-21T15:42:47
How do glowsticks glow? Do mobile phones have limited frequencies? How do 3D films work? We tackle these questions on this weeks show, as well as discuss the causes of heart attacks, why it's less ...
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Parallel Universes, Making Moons and Artifical Brains from 2009-08-13T23:00
You ask Dave Ansell whether parallel universes are possible, how moons are formed around Saturn, what's new for car batteries, the existence of wormholesand how one might go about building an artif...
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Brainy Birds and Winding Watches from 2009-08-07T15:22:31
Why do astronauts feel weightless in space? What makes teenagers throw tantrums? Do mobile phones damage our health? We tackle these questions on this weeks show as well as reveal how jay birds fin...
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Exploding Stars, Shoe Polish and Lost in Space from 2009-07-31T00:00
When do stars explode? How does shoe polish work? What happens if you float away from your spacecraft? Why can't we feel the Earth spinning? Dr Dave answers your questions in this week's ASK. Like ...
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Yeast, Gyroscopes and Nuclear Waste from 2009-07-24T00:00
We take a turn around gyroscopes, find out if it's better to run through the rain, identify the origins of yeast, chomp our way through the make-up of white chocolate and ponder the future of telec...
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Flashes, Orbits and Dogs from 2009-07-17T00:00
We find out why field mice aren't green, why the Earth isn't put off its orbit by the Sun's activity and how dogs have evolved alongside humans. We combat these conundrums in addition to: why does ...
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Trees, Tyres and Teleportation from 2009-07-10T00:00
How big can aeroplanes get? Will we ever teleport? And When we lose weight, where does it go? We take on all these brainteasers and more in this Ask the Naked Scientists Podcast. Plus, Did dogs...
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Hiccups and Helium from 2009-06-19T00:00
Why does helium make our voices higher? What are hiccups and how can we get rid of them? How contagious is swine flu? We take on these questions on this weeks podcast as well as find out how beta b...
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Stars, Wormholes and our Expanding Universe from 2009-06-12T00:00
Are Orion's stars shrinking? What are wormholes and do they really exist? What is our universe expanding into? We tackle these cosmic conundrums on this weeks show, as well as find out why light tr...
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Laughter, Smell and Sounds from 2009-06-05T00:00
How has laughter evolved? Why can'we tickle ourselves? Why do hot and cold water sound different? What is smell and why do things have a smell? We tackle these chalenges on this weeks show, as well...
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Glass, Galaxies and the Gulf Stream from 2009-05-29T00:00
Can we break glass using sound? Is glass a liquid? Can we use GPS to navigate galaxies? Will climate change make the UK colder by affecting the Gulf stream? We tackle these questions on this weeks ...
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Solar Wind, Moondust and Mouldy Cheese from 2009-05-21T00:00
How would astronauts cope in a solar wind? Why did dry moon dust hold a footprint? Why does wine age well but beer go off? And should you eat mould? We find out in this week's Ask the Naked Scienti...
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Cameras, probes and mobile messaging from 2009-05-15T00:00
How do cameras work? What are the Herschel and Plank probes hoping to find out? How are messages sent to computers and mobile phones? We tackle these questions on this weeks show. We also find out ...
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Spiders, Space and Skyscrapers from 2009-05-08T00:00
How strong is spider silk? Why are some people scared of spiders? How vast is space and does it have an end? How are skyscrapers built? We answer these question in this week's show. We also discuss...
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Spotty Bottoms and Jogger's Nipple from 2009-05-01T00:00
Why do we get spots on our bottoms? What is Jogger's Nipple? What is Gangrene? Why do we have different languages? We tackle these questions on this week's show, as well as find out how our hearts ...
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Sticky Water, Static Shocks and Solar Storms from 2009-04-24T00:00
This week, we ask how water can be both sticky and slippery, what causes static shocks and if Solar storms can take down aeroplanes. Plus, we find out why 240 volts may be better than 110, and how ...
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Painkillers, Plastics and Platelets from 2009-04-17T00:00
How do painkillers work and which ones are available to us? Why doesn't the plastic on ready-meals melt in the oven? How can we donate platelets instead of blood? How can we ease the pain of arthri...
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Sparks, Lightning and Electricity from 2009-04-10T00:00
Can horses feel electric shocks through their fur? Can we create lightning artificially? How do we send electric signals via cables to America? Can frozen nitrogen conduct electricity? We tackle th...
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Genes and Clones from 2009-03-20T00:00
Are identical twins clones of each other? Can parents with brown eyes have children with blue ones? Is it possible to have blonde hair and brown eyes? How do conjoined twins form? We answer these q...
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Electric cars and Exploding Champagne from 2009-03-13T00:00
How much does it cost to run an electric car? Why does shaken champagne not explode if you wait a while before opening it? Would a car filled inside with helium run for longer? Is man the only mamm...
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Atomic Bombs, The Amazon and our Climate from 2009-03-06T00:00
Can atomic bombs cause changes in our climate? Can understanding the Amazon help control the greenhouse effect? Are we likely to find life in outer space? We take on these question in this week's s...
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Planes, Spaceships and Automobiles from 2009-02-27T00:00
How do mobile phones work on planes? Is flying more environmentally friendly than driving? What is rocket fuel? Can we see the International Space Station with the naked eye? These are just some of...
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The Earth and Its Elements from 2009-02-20T00:00
How does the Earth rotate? Why do we not fall off the Earth as it spins? Why is there a periodic table? Why is Oxygen written as O2? We tackle these questions in this week's show. We also find ou...
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Ice, Snow and Space from 2009-02-13T00:00
What experiments can be done with snow? why is snow white yet ice is clear? How can ice be made without refrigeration? And how do Jet engines work out in space? We tackle these questions in this we...
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Phantom Limbs and Electric Shocks from 2009-02-06T00:00
What is phantom Limb Syndrome? Why don't birds get electrocuted when they land on power lines? Why can a tooth filling give us electric shocks? We tackle these questions on this week's show. We al...
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The Science of Lightbulbs and Compact Discs from 2009-01-30T15:20:45
Do energy saving lightbulbs give you headaches? How do LED lights work? How do CD's show us the spectrum of light? Can we see magenta in the spectrum? We tackle these question on this week's show. ...
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Stars, Stings and Tickles from 2009-01-23T00:00
Why do we see stars in the sky? Why do stars twinkle? Why can't we tickle ourselves? And how do stinging nettles sting? We tackle these question in this weeks show. We also find out whether eyesigh...
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Space, Sciatica and Solar Power from 2009-01-16T00:00
How does Solar heating work? What is Sciatica? What's the point of space exploration? We tackle these challenges in this week's show. We'll also be finding out why we get headaches, whether we can ...
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The Science of Sparks, Candles and Lightbulbs. from 2009-01-09T00:00
Would a matchbox spark in space? How do re-igniting candles work? How does an energy-saving lightbulb work? Does the sun rotate like the earth? We answer these questions this week, as well as revea...
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Evolution and Adam's Apples from 2008-12-19T00:00
Why do we have Adam's Apples? Do other primates have them? When we find new species are they due to evolution? Why do we get sleep in our eyes? We tackle these questions on this week's show. We als...
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Moons, Planets and Black Holes. from 2008-12-12T00:00
Will gravity ever pull our moon into a collision with earth? Why are planets round? How big is the black hole at the centre of our galaxy? We solve these mysteries this week on Ask the Naked Scient...
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Spies and Satellites from 2008-12-05T00:00
How do spy satellites work? Is it true the US Military can control our GPS? How do we know the centre of the earth is so hot? How can we identify counterfeit money? We answer these questions on thi...
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Moons, Tides and Teabags! from 2008-11-28T00:00
What would happen if we didn't have tides? If our moon continues moving away from us, will it affect our tides? Why doesn't tea flow out of the bag if the bag is lifted out quickly? We tackle these...
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The Science of Time and Space from 2008-11-21T00:00
Can time ever stand still? could we look back in time with a telescope? Could we see and stop a meteor in space? We tackle these questions on this week's Ask the Naked Scientists. We'll also be fin...
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Water, Sea Levels and Tides from 2008-11-14T00:00
Why do sea levels vary around the world? Why are there 2 tides? What is Autism? How were the colleges of Cambridge built along the river? We answer these questions on this week's Ask the Naked Scie...
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Stars, Space and Flying Saucers! from 2008-11-07T00:00
Why are stars and planets round? Could a helium balloon ever continue into space? Is the moon bombarded with asteroids? Is it possible to create a flying saucer? We answer these questions on this w...
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Forming Gems and Fighting the Freeze from 2008-10-31T00:00
How are gemstones formed? Why do we get brain freeze when eating Ice Cream? What is Renault's disease? We find out in this week's Ask the Naked Scientists, as well as discover how helicopters hover...
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Fast Cars and Mysteries of our Galaxy from 2008-10-24T00:00
Is it possible to make a car go 1000mph? Should we believe our cars or our Sat-Navs when calculating our speed? Why can we sometimes see both the Sun and the Moon in the sky? We solve these mysteri...
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Dark Clouds and Sunlight on Your Skin from 2008-10-17T01:00
Why are some clouds dark? Why don't bees stick to their own honey? Why is UV light good for skin conditions, when we know it damages the skin? All these questions and more can be found in this we...
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Gluey Geckos and Snow in Space from 2008-10-10T00:00
Why are Geckos feet so sticky? Can it snow on mars? Is it possible for someone to spontaneously combust? We answer these questions this week on Ask the Naked Scientists. We also find out why lemons...
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The Science of Fusion and Nuclear Power from 2008-10-03T00:00
What is fusion? Can we achieve cold fusion? How useful is nuclear power and is it safe? We look into these questions on this week's Ask the Naked Scientists. We'll also be finding out how sailing s...
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The Science of Flight and the Colours of the Universe from 2008-09-26T00:00
What colour will the end of the universe be? How can the moon look orange? Why can't we fly individually with jetpacks? We answer these questions on this weeks Ask the Naked Scientists. We also fi...
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Red Tongues, Intestinal Bacteria and Gut-busting Stress from 2008-09-19T00:00
Red tongues, intestinal bacteria, appliances on standby and gut-busting stress levels all go under the microscope for Dr Chris's examination in this weeks Ask the Naked Scientists, when we'll also ...
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The Large Hadron Collider and Future Energy Sources from 2008-09-11T00:00
What is the Large Hadron Collider? How can a particle accelerator simulate the big bang? What are our options for energy in the future? Dr Dave tackles these questions on this weeks Ask the Naked S...
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Freezing Time and The Expanding Universe from 2008-09-05T00:00
Could you stop yourself ageing by travelling at the speed of light? Why aren't we full of someone else's DNA after a blood transfusion? How do trees drink? All these questions and more will be answ...
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Flames, Fireworks and Flies! from 2008-08-29T00:00
What is a flame? How do fireworks control their explosions? Why is it impossible to swat flies? Dr Chris tackles these question in this week's Ask the Naked Scientists as well as discovering how mu...
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Losing your Senses and Shadows in the Sky from 2008-08-22T00:00
How do planes make shadows on the clouds? Can mosquitoes transmit HIV? Which sense do we lose last under anaesthetic? Drs Chris and Dave have the answers in this week's Ask the Naked Scientists whe...
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Weighing the Earth and Discussing Diabetes from 2008-08-15T23:43:04
How do we weigh the Earth, what's the basis of diabetes, does dandruff really trigger rain and clone alone - who would you make a copy of given the chance? Dr Chris pits his wits against these and ...
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Lightning, Poisonous Plants and White Holes from 2008-08-08T00:00
When is wood not safe to burn? What makes poisonous plants dangerous? Could you get a satellite to orbit the moon? This week on Ask The Naked Scientists, we'll give you the answers to all these que...
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Nut Allergy Myths and Dogs with Hayfever from 2008-08-01T00:00
Is it dangerous to feed nuts to babies? Can dogs get hayfever? Where does the static on your radio come from? All these and more are answered this week on Ask the Naked Scientists! We'll also be fi...
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The Science of Brain Freeze and Magic of Mobiles! from 2008-07-25T00:00
Why does our head hurt when we eat too much ice cream? How is it possible to communicate with people on the other side of the world without any wires? What is cellular architecture? Why do only som...
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Forgetting Memories and Burning Rubber! from 2008-07-18T00:00
Do the cells controlling our memory renew themselves? Where does the rubber go when tyres wear down? What would happen if we grew plants in space? Why do we have earwax? We answer these questions t...
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The Power of Piezo and Sounds in Space from 2008-07-11T00:00
Could piezo electricity be used to supply power to the world's population? In space, can anyone hear you scream, or actually hear anything? How do dolphins direct themselves underwater? We tackle...
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Starting the Sun and Rotting Remains from 2008-07-04T00:00
How was the Sun created? How are dead bodies decomposed? Does hot water freeze faster than cold water? We answer these questions and more on this week's Ask the Naked Scientists! We also find out ...
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Bouncing Bombs&Deadly Volcanoes! from 2008-06-27T00:00
How can bombs bounce without going off? Could a volcanic eruption be deadly worldwide? What is St Elmo's Fire? Are computers worse for the environment than planes? We tackle these question this wee...
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Flying Loops and Fungal Tongues from 2008-06-20T00:00
How do planes fly upside down? How can tongues get fungal infections? Was there another civilisation before humans? Will we be able to predict the future? We tackle these questions on this week's A...
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Splitting Atoms and Fires in Space from 2008-06-13T00:00
Can we cut through atoms with scissors? Is it possible to light a fire on the moon? How do gyroscopes work? We answer these questions this week on Ask the Naked Scientists.We also lfind out how com...
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Toning Up and Greenhouses on the Moon from 2008-06-06T00:00
Why can blood vessels burst when pumping iron? Is it possible to grow plants on the moon? Can our joints predict bad weather? And do batteries work in outer space? We tackle these questions and mor...
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Future Power and Outer Space from 2008-05-30T00:00
Can we make our own fuel? Or provide our own power? Could there be smarter life than us in outer space? Could other planets have their own Northern Lights? We find out the answer to these questions...
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Talking Monkeys and Forming Fossils from 2008-05-23T00:00
Can we engineer monkeys to talk? Why do parrots have the ability to say words? What happens underground to form a fossil? We tackle these questions this week on Ask the Naked Scientists.We also fin...
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Floating Clouds and Shining Stars from 2008-05-16T00:00
Why do clouds float in the sky? If Stars are so bright why is our sky dark at night? Does a ducks quack echo? We tackle these questions this week on Ask the Naked Scientists, as well as find out wh...
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Sinking Sand and Sucking Wounds from 2008-05-09T00:00
Can we make a quick escape from quicksand? Is it really good for us to lick our wounds? Why do we have different accents? We tackle these questions on this Week's Ask the Naked Scientists, as well ...
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Drinking Rain and Evolving Apes from 2008-05-02T00:00
Can we drink rain water? Why do dogs prefer drinking out of the toilet? Why haven't all apes become humans? We tackle these questions this week on Ask the Naked Scientists, as well find out how big...
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The science of cancer and Teleportation. from 2008-04-25T00:00
What is cancer and how is it cured? Will humans ever be able to teleport? How are clouds made? We answer these questions this week on Ask the Naked Scientists. We also find out how it is possible f...
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Digital Eyes and the Power of Chemicals. from 2008-04-18T00:00
Can a digital camera see as well as the human eye? Why do some chemicals stain more than others? Does our taste fade with age? We tackle these questions this week on Ask the Naked Scientists, as we...
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Custard Bombs and the Future of the Human Race from 2008-04-11T00:00
Can custard cause catastrophic explosions? How will the human race evolve? Can we use water as a fuel? We tackle all these on this week's Ask the Naked Scientists, as well as discovering why the ha...
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Mysteries of our Universe and Overcoming our Fears! from 2008-04-04T00:00
This week on Ask the Naked Scientists we look into the mystery of dark energy, reveal the cause of digital delay in radios and find out how to overcome our fear of change! We also discuss the align...
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Perfect Bubbles, Sniffing Danger and Super Animals. from 2008-03-28T00:00
This week on Ask the Naked Scientists we find out the method for a perfect bubble bath, analyse across all species to find the ultimate fighting champion and find out if humans can sniff out danger...
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Sharing Hearts and the Science of Speed from 2008-03-21T00:00
This week on Ask the Naked Scientists we find out the effects of high speed collisions, find out if our bodies are older than the universe itself and reveal if hearts can be swapped between sexes. ...
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The Science of Sat-Navs and Magic of microwaves! from 2008-03-14T00:00
On this weeks Ask the Naked Scientists we investigate the science of sat-navs - how do they work? And how do they know where our speed cameras are? We find out why it's so hard to get a signal on o...
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Bursting Bubbles, Counting Calories and Falling to Earth! from 2008-03-07T00:00
On this weeks Ask the Naked Scientists we find out how to live a healthy lifestyle. We count calories to see just how many we burn during exercise, we work out how to lose weight the healthy way an...
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Frosty Roofs, Rocks from Space and UK Quakes from 2008-02-29T00:00
In this week's Ask the Naked Scientists Dave sates your thirst for knowledge with a look at whether frozen water is safe to drink, divides fog from mist, shakes up the world of seismology with a lo...
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Breaking bones, Aching joints and the Placebo effect from 2008-02-22T00:00
This week on Ask the Naked Scientists we find out how to break your bones for your own good, the truth behind the placebo effect and how your body knows when to be sensitive. Also, why some people ...
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DNA, Radio Waves and Watches from 2008-02-15T00:00
This week on Ask the Naked Scientists we find out why a slipped disc can't slip out, why you forget your dreams and why digital radio is behind the times - by about 4 seconds! Also, why present day...
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Crashing satellites, Squeaking hearts and Glowing stars. from 2008-02-08T00:00
This week on Ask the Naked Scientists we find out our years of sending things out into space will come back to haunt us, how some hearts produce a squeaking sound, and why when you look into the ni...
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Tearful eyes, Musical minds and Glowing seas! from 2008-02-01T00:00
This week on Ask the Naked Scientists we find out if it's possible to cry underwater, why ferocious winds can bring us to tears, how its possible to make the sea light up and why it's so difficult ...
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Coloured Bruises, Colliding Bullets and Collapsing Bridges from 2008-01-25T15:17:35
This week on Ask the Naked Scientists we find out why a beating turns us blue, what would happen in a fight between bullets and how hanging from the air is considered safe in the form of a suspensi...
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Stings, Ripening and Asbestosis. from 2008-01-18T16:57:37
On this weeks Ask the Naked Scientists we discuss why stinging nettles cause so much pain, why you should keep your bananas apart, and tell you about the effects and symptoms of asbestosis. We also...
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Population, Fuel and Sonic Booms! from 2008-01-11T15:28:03
This week on Ask the Naked Scientists we answer your questions on population, sonic booms and fuel. We'll be looking into the genes behind your eye colour, why planes are so noise when they go supe...
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Diet, The Brain and Meteors from 2008-01-04T21:36:36
This week on Ask the Naked Scientists we answer your questions on diet, the brain and meteors. We'll be looking into what foods can help reduce your cholesterol, if it's possible for our brains to ...
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Speed, Crashes and Oil Spills from 2008-01-02T00:00
Chris, Dave and Sue Marchant tackle your questions on the speed of light, head on collisions, heartburn and much more... Like this podcast? Please help us by Listen