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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

4:41

Can jellyfish offer the key to immortality?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/07

Throughout history people have been keen to find the answer to immortality. It's now commonly accepted that eternal life is not possible. Yet, somewhere deep in the ocean, a tiny fingernail-sized creature nicknamed the “immortal jellyfish” might be able to cast new light on the human aging process. A new study published in August 2022 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows the results from a team of researchers who have mapped the jellyfish’s genetic code to find the secret to

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4:56

Could tourism quotas help preserve endangered local...

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/07

It’s worth bearing in mind that overtourism has become a real nuisance. As tourists, it’s not exactly fun being in a highly overcrowded area, but it’s even worse for the natural environment. Could tourism quotas be one way of addressing the problems? In mid-June 2022, the island of Corsica brought in quotas for three iconic sites: the Bavella needles, the Restonica valley and the Lavezzi islands. 180,000 tourists visit these sites each year, a figure which is expected to rise to 200,000 by 2026

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4:32

Why do we love hate-watching certain films and series?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/06

Frenchie shore, Love Island those are typical examples of shows that people love to hate-watch. The practice has become more and more widespread in recent years with the rise of streaming platforms. It seems mutual hatred makes for a strong bond!The term was actually invented back in 2012 by Emily Nussbaum, a well-known critic for the New Yorker. She talked about how she couldn’t stop watching musical drama series Smash, despite finding it terrible from start to finish. It’s along the same lines

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5:16

What is xylazine, the so-called zombie drug?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/06

In July 2023, the White House recognised that the United States was facing a “grave threat” in the form of a highly addictive drug called xylazine, introducing a six-point plan in response. Dealers mix xylazine into supplies of fentanyl, itself a dangerous drug which kills thousands of Americans each year. The street name for xylazine is “tranq” or “tranq dope”, but it has also been called the “zombie drug”. What is it made up of? Why did people name it the zombie drug? Has it been seen outside

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5:18

Why do we get the post-sex blues?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/06

If you’ve ever felt strangely sad after having sex, you may have wondered what on earth was wrong with you. After all, we’re supposed to lie around in a haze or cuddle up to our partner in a state of post-orgasmic bliss, every single time. At least that’s what popular culture would have us believe. But rest assured, if that’s not the case for you, you’re not alone. Indeed, a lot of people have experienced what’s called post-coital dysphoria, also known as the post-sex blues. It refers to the

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4:36

How can I get the most out of daytime napping?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/05

Studies have repeatedly shown that human sleep quality is deteriorating year after year, for a number of reasons, including workaholic lifestyles and rising global temperatures. Daytime napping shouldn't be seen as a replacement for insufficient nighttime sleep, but there are a number of health benefits nevertheless. It’s actually pretty natural for our bodies too, and has long been ingrained in a number of cultures. When’s the best time to have a nap then? How can I get off to sleep quickly? What

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5:03

Why has astrology come back into fashion?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/05

Have you noticed more of your friends talking about their star signs of late? Maybe they try to guess the sign of people they meet, or come out with unexpected references to “Mercury in retrograde” or “Saturn return” over dinner. Maybe you’re into it yourself; and you have an app which sends you horoscope notifications all day long. It wasn’t so long ago that most people would just read horoscopes in the paper for a laugh, but these days astrology seems to be all the rage. Dedicated webpages are

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5:08

What is vitamin D?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/05

This summer, relax and learn with Do You Really Know! It's time to learn all about the concepts, words and expressions that surround the summer season! What is vitamin D? Vitamin D was discovered in 1922 by American biochemist Elmer McCollum, who was nicknamed Dr Vitamin by Time Magazine. He found that cod liver oil could still prevent rickets in rats, despite its vitamin A having been removed. From this observation, he deduced that it contained a different substance which he called vitamin D. A

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5:19

How can heatwaves impact our mental health?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/04

We’re all aware of the physical risks associated with extreme heat, like dehydration and fainting for example. But a number of scientific studies have shown that heatwaves also have a major impact on people’s mental health. It’s important to highlight that the difference can be experienced by anyone, not just those with existing psychiatric conditions. But one thing is for sure: the vast majority of us are more anxious when temperatures are high. And it makes sense that we get more irritable when

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5:35

Why do our tastes change as we get older?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/04

Think back to when you were a kid and there was a type of vegetable you simply wouldn’t go near, let alone eat. It might have been broccoli, Brussels sprouts or spinach for example. Or perhaps another type of food like seafood, which now as an adult you actually quite like, or can tolerate at least. It’s not a coincidence; there are scientific explanations for why our taste preferences evolve with time. What tastes do children actually like most then? Does this hypersensitivity decrease with age

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4:51

What is the ‘adult only’ trend, in public places all...

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/04

At a time when Europe faces a "baby bust," the role of children in public spaces is sparking new debate. Increasingly, restaurants, hotels, and even tour operators are rolling out “adults only” policies. Gone are the sounds of crying babies or kids running around tables, but this shift raises questions about individualism in society. In recent years, child-free options have doubled globally, with hotels and restaurants seeing a surge in demand for adult-only spaces. In the UK, chains like Warner

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4:45

What is digital sobriety?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/03

Digital sobriety is all about reducing the ecological footprint of our daily digital lifestyles. That’s right, using your cell phone, PC or connected refrigerator all contributes to pollution. And it’s on the rise. The transition to digital technology is often presented as being a positive evolution, especially with regards to reducing household energy consumption. But current practices are contributing to global warming. How does online browsing contribute to pollution? So, what should we do

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4:40

What makes someone a cat person?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/03

People often refer to themselves as cat person or dog person, as well as meaning that they prefer this animal to the other, it implies that they identify with certain characteristics associated with their preferred pet, dogs are loyal, cats are smart, dogs can be trained to help people, cats cannot and so on. The social psychologist Samuel D Gosling of the University of Texas studied the personality traits of so-called “dog people” and “cat people”. He found that cat people tend to score higher on

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4:48

What is a power nap?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/03

A power nap is a short sleep which is long enough to give an energy boost, but not so long that you enter deep sleep. The term was coined by American social psychologist James Maas, a professor at Cornell University. Science shows that power naps could be of benefit to employees in the workplace, where efficiency is key. Sometimes, a power nap lasts just a few seconds, in which case it’s referred to as a microsleep. Dali would do it in a seated position, holding a spoon between his fingers. When he

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4:41

Why do we cry?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/02

Humans are the only creatures on Earth that shed tears. Whether it's tears of joy, laughter, anger, pain, sadness, or fatigue, the emotions that bring about crying are diverse. You might be familiar with these emotional triggers, but have you ever wondered about the physiological explanations behind them? Let's start by categorising tears into three types. There are "basal" tears that maintain a continuous lubrication of the cornea, "reflex" tears that emerge when you're chopping onions, have dust

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4:59

Why do some people confuse their left and right?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/02

Knowing the difference between right and left is crucial for various daily activities like driving and navigation. While most of us take this skill for granted, a significant portion of the population faces challenges with it. A study published in 2020 in the Journal of Experimental Psychology estimated that one in six adults struggles to distinguish their right from their left. Of course, if you turn the wrong way when out in the street, it can be a minor inconvenience. You might get lost, or turn

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4:54

Why do my eyelids twitch when I’m tired?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/02

Have you ever noticed how your eyelids tend to start twitching at the end of a long day, or when you haven’t got enough sleep the previous night? Well, first of all there’s no need to panic, it’s actually a benign phenomenon. It’s known as benign fasciculation syndrome, or myokymia. But still there are some things you can do about it. What can be done to avoid this? What if the problem persists over time? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click

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5:07

Can going through a breakup really make us fall sick?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/01

Restless sleep, a hollow feeling inside and the sting of heartbreak; most of us have been through that kind of ordeal at least once in our lives.Let’s be honest: when it comes to your career and work life, a breakup doesn’t exactly bring out the best in your productivity. And at work, you can’t always afford to be distracted. Earlier in 2024, a Filipino lawmaker proposed an unexpected solution: a proposal to introduce a period of so-called “heartbreak leave”. How would heartbreak leave work? Is

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4:31

What is London's No Trouser Day?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/01

You may have seen it on the news, on social media, or even on the tube: hundreds of people riding the underground with no trousers on, in the middle of winter. On Sunday the 7th of December London commuters braved the cold to strip off to their underwear for this unusual event. The No Trousers Tube Ride, as it is officially called, is an annual event that takes place on the first Sunday of January. It started in London in 2009, inspired by the No Pants Subway Ride, which was created by Improv

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5:03

Why do we lose our appetite when we fall in love?

Do you really know? ·

2025/08/01

A lot of things happen to our bodies when we fall in love. Some of the obvious physical reactions are getting butterflies in the stomach, dilated pupils and a racing heartbeat. Another one that many of us have experienced is losing our appetite. You know the feeling: you're so smitten with your new crush that you can barely eat a bite. You skip breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and instead spend hours daydreaming about them or talking to them on the phone. What's actually going on inside the body

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