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PODCAST

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists

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

science life sciences

All Episodes

00:04:28

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

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/08/02

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

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00:04:27

What is the smell when it's raining?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/07/26

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

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00:05:05

Can we extract DNA from fossils?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/07/19

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

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00:03:36

What makes up the space when subatomic particles move?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/07/12

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

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00:03:53

Do plants get cancer from UV light?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/07/05

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

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00:04:47

Are there stars outside of galaxies?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/06/28

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

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00:05:15

Why are wind turbine blades shaped the way they are?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/06/21

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

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00:04:53

Is maths the easiest school subject to remember?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/06/14

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

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00:04:18

Why do we need to keep replacing our cells?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/06/07

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

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00:03:22

What kills an unused car battery?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/05/31

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

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00:03:31

What is responsible for a coffee's foam?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/05/24

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

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00:05:26

Are the laws of physics consistent around the universe?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/05/17

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

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00:05:55

Why does some plastic lose its flexibility over time?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/05/10

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

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00:04:10

Could we make ourselves disgusting to mosquitoes?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/05/03

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

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00:04:32

Can a "random" action ever be exactly replicated?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/04/26

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

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00:03:59

What language do the profoundly deaf think in?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/04/19

Thanks to Bencie Woll and Victoria Mousley for the answer! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

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00:03:50

How far can electrons get away from their atom?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/04/12

Thanks to University of Cambridge's Ben Allanach for the answer! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

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00:04:25

Will eating sugary foods last avert glucose spikes?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/04/05

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

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00:04:07

Why do babies have such a strong grip?

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/04/02

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

en

00:03:57

How did the ancient Romans multiply their numerals...

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists ·

2024/03/22

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

en

636 results

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