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PODCAST

Do you really know?

You’ve heard about it, but do you really know it? In 3 minutes, we help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. After listening, you will really know for sure.

education

All Episodes

5:14

Are blue eyes really more sensitive to light?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/17

The idea that light-colored eyes are generally more fragile is pretty widespread. They’re less resistant to sunlight and require more protection. According to Medical News Today, it’s estimated that around 8-10% of people in the world have blue eyes. When our eyes are open, rays of light pass through the pupil, the black opening in the center of the iris. As you may know, the pupil dilates when it’s dark and contracts in bright light. When light rays strike the retina, they’re captured by

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5:15

Can I prevent hair loss?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/16

According to UK charity The Men’s Health Forum, two thirds of all men are affected by male pattern baldness in their lifetime. That won’t be a surprise to anyone, but would you have guessed that an estimated 50% of women also experience noticeable hair loss according to the Cleveland Clinic. We actually have around 100,000 hair follicles on our head, of which we lose between 50 and 100 every day, completely naturally. Hair loss isn’t usually any cause for real concern on its own, but of course it

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4:47

How can you save money on your food bill?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/16

The cost of living crisis has seen food prices increase by as much as 65% according to the Office for National Statistics meaning that the average British household spends an extra £600 pounds a year on food. But considering that there is also about 4.5 million tonnes of food waste annually the possibility of reducing wasted food as well as bills has never been more needed. Reducing your bill at the checkout comes down largely to planning. Getting organised about how, when and where you buy your

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4:30

Why does the cold make us need to pee?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/16

We've all experienced it: the sudden urge to pee when it's cold is a common thing. This connection was supposedly discovered by Austrian physician Alfred Adler back in 1918. His experiment involved injecting cold water into a bladder to see how the body reacts. You might think it caused the kidneys to contract, but that's not the case... What did Adler discover then? Are there other factors explaining the link between the bladder and cold? What can you do if you struggle to hold it in? To listen

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5:16

Which foods will help you get a good night's sleep?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/15

Here at Do You Really Know, we’ve talked over and over again about the importance of getting good quality sleep. So of course, you don’t want your evening meal to disrupt it, and that’s a cause of uncertainty for many people.Bear in mind that to drift off to sleep, your body temperature needs to gradually drop. Given that digestion tends to raise our body temperature, that poses quite the conundrum. Now, the richer the meal or the heavier the food you eat, the longer it takes to be digested, which

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5:00

What is a caffè sospeso?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/15

Caffè sospeso literally translates to English as a ‘suspended coffee’. It’s an Italian tradition whereby cafe customers pay for an extra coffee that will be put aside, for a poor person to claim at a later time. The caffè sospeso idea can be extended to other types of food, and it’s seen a revival in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s believed the caffè sospeso tradition was born in Naples’ historic Gambrinus café, around the start of the 20th century. Is it only the Italians who are

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4:48

Why do we get goosebumps?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/15

The term goose bumps appeared way back in the 17th century, and describes the well-known phenomenon which shows up when we’re cold, scared or simply feeling strong emotions. For example, going out underdressed in winter, hearing the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard, or watching a horror film. Yes, indeed it can seem rather odd, but just like everything our bodies do, there’s a very logical explanation as to why they exist. Goosebumps are caused by the contraction of small muscles which are

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4:33

Should vapes have the same restrictions as cigarettes?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/14

In the UK you can only buy vapes or e-cigarettes if you are over 18, but the bright packaging, fruit flavors and affordable prices attracts teenagers who often use disposable single-use products like Elf and Geek bars. Now campaigners are calling for tighter restrictions on vapes to bring them more into line with cigarettes. The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England, is asking for vapes to adhere to the same rules as cigarettes. This would mean they would have to

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4:43

Gaza: how do we recognize genocide?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/14

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has waged an unprecedented offensive on Gaza. What began as retaliation against Hamas attacks has escalated into relentless violence. According to Statista, by July 30, 2025, more than 60,000 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli bombardments, including over 18,000 children. As early as November 2023, UN rapporteurs, NGOs, and lawyers warned that Israel’s actions amounted to genocide, an accusation Israel and its allies reject. What does the term genocide mean? How

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4:48

Can you get food poisoning from raw fish?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/14

Eating raw fish like sushi and sashimi has never been more popular, whether that’s in restaurants or on supermarket shelves. The good news is that such dishes are rich in fatty acids and vitamins from the A, D, and E groups, which brings a host of health benefits. But on the flipside, they can also be sources of contamination. It’s mostly down to improper handling and storage at seafood markets, or cross-contamination. Some fish caught from polluted waters may contain toxins. It’s important to

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5:28

Why do we need to get bored more often?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/13

In this day and age, we barely have time to be bored, what with the endless stream of notifications coming from our smartphones, music, TV shows, games, work and social media all demanding our attention around the clock. Our brains have become addicted to constant stimulation. And as a result, doing nothing has become almost unbearable. But there are actually benefits to getting bored, which is what we’re going to talk about today. Why do we so hate being bored? If it’s so unpleasant then, why

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4:36

Is sleeping naked good for you?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/13

According to a YouGov study from 2022, 20% of Brits sleep naked. Men are actually more likely to do so than women, with a rate of 25% compared to 15%. And those who do so tend to talk up the health benefits. For example, science suggests that sleeping naked might help regulate your body temperature more effectively. Our bodies naturally fluctuate throughout the night, and wearing heavy pajamas can interfere with this process. What are the other advantages? Won't I get cold if I sleep naked? In

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5:17

What does my urine colour say about my health?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/13

Over the course of our lifetime, we around 34,000 litres of urine, according to Business Insider. Urine evacuates the nitrogen-containing waste produced by the organs and expelled into the blood, like urea and uric acid for example. It's also made up of water and mineral salts. It tends to be a clear shade of yellow, ranging from pale to dark at different times of the day. Nevertheless, our pee can come in as many as ten different shades, which can on occasion lead to unpleasant surprises when

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4:43

How can I reduce damp and mould in your home?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/13

According to Dr Yasemin Didem Aktas, deputy academic director of the UK Centre for Moisture in Buildings (UKCMB), “Mould is everywhere, all the time,” this is because the UK is a pretty wet country and so some level of mould, particularly in damp places like bathrooms or windows is to be expected. However it is how we manage the mould and prevent it building up into dangerous levels that is important. If you notice patches of mould on walls or ceilings then it's time to do something to stop spores

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5:34

What happens to our bodies when we die?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/12

In 2016, researchers in Vancouver, Canada observed an unprecedented phenomenon: an 87-year-old patient died while undergoing an MRI scan. It was the first ever recording of the brain activity of a human being at the moment of death. After all, death is a topic that remains shrouded in mystery. What are the physical stages of death then? Does the body really shut down all at once then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Do I really need to

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5:24

Is nostalgia good or bad for us?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/12

Have you ever noticed how revisiting films from your childhood, listening to old tunes, or flipping through cherished books can bring on a certain sense of solace. Your past is intricately woven into your present; it shapes who you are and influences the person you go on to become. With its comforting embrace of fond memories, nostalgia seems to breathe new life into past moments, giving us a boost. What actually happens in our brains when we get nostalgic then? Is nostalgia always good for us

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4:55

What is sad nipple syndrome?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/12

The nipples are an erogenous zone for many people. But as it turns out, having them touched can bring on a whole other kind of feeling for others. The so-called sad nipple syndrome has been discussed more openly on Reddit and Tiktok in the last few years, raising awareness. But it still remains somewhat of a mystery. It refers to a wave of negative emotions on a person when their nipples are touched, or come into contact with clothing that’s too tight. It seems to be more common in women, but there

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5:16

What is coffee badging in the workplace?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/11

It doesn’t take a genius to realise that the COVID-19 pandemic changed the relationship many white-collar employees have with work. And that’s particularly true when it comes to remote work; which some of them now see as a non-negotiable. And a lot of other employees have made it clear they don’t want to return to full-time office life. Nevertheless, many CEOs were keen to get their staff back into the office once the pandemic started to ease. Some companies ended up coming to hybrid arrangements

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5:28

What is intuitive eating?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/11

An IPSOS study from late 2020 found that 45% of people across the world were trying to lose weight at the time. In many cases, losing weight is beneficial for health, but a lot of the time, people want to achieve unrealistic body images which are projected by the media as being ideal. Of course, a popular way of doing so is by dieting, but the subject of today’s episode is pretty much the opposite of a traditional diet. Advocates of intuitive eating say that not only are diets not necessarily

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4:35

What is house hushing?

Do you really know? ·

2025/11/11

House hushing is a decluttering method that aims to create peaceful spaces in your home by reducing visual noise. Visual noise refers to anything excessive, jarring, or inharmonious in your environment, such as clutter, mismatched colors, or loud patterns. According to interiors blogger Myquillin Smith of The Nester, "Everything in your room has a voice… taking up visual, physical and even emotional space. Quieting your space removes all those voices in a room at once." Why is house hushing

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3,282 results

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