Question of the Week
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...
Do emotional and pain-induced tears differ?
Humans are the only animals that cry tears of emotion as well as pain. But does each type of tear differ in its chemical composition, and can you tell why someone was crying from looking at this?
Can humans spontaneously combust?
This week, we tackle the burning issue of spontaneous human combustion. Reported cases of people bursting into flames nowhere near a fire. Is there any scientific explanation for this?
How much of my body can I live without?
Which organs are vital and which are luxuries of life? We asked Elena Teh, Medical student at Cambridge University, for the gory details…
Is warp speed possible?
Star Trek fantasy or scientifically feasible? We find out with NASA!
What does your sneeze say about your personality?
We sniff out the science asking does sneeze volume and sound indicate personality type?
Can eating sweets stop brain fatigue?
Can you combat brain fogginess and help with french homework by munching sweets? We find out if there is any scientific rationale for this sweet toothed strategy to deal with brain fatigue.
Are cremeted ashes good for plant growth?
Would a scattering of your beloved's ashes be good for plant growth? Or could it be toxic? We take this question to Cambridge University's Botanic's Head Gardener.
Is there an antimatter planet out there?
Are there antimatter planets out there? What would they look like? And how would we tell they exist? We find out!
Which painkiller should I use?
What's the difference between aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen? We turn to a Professor of Pain for the answer.
What is fire and how does it burn?
We light up our brains with this burning question, igniting the issue with a Professor of Chemistry and Fire Science, Richard Hull, from Lancaster University.
Why does my PC need more data storage than my DNA?
Why does my PC need more data storage than my DNA? Surely human processing power is greater than a computers? We crunch into the data to find out!
Is technology steering human evolution?
Is technology changing at too fast a pace for our genetic material? Has human evolution halted? We find out!
Is elevator style travel across Earth possible?
Could we banish planes and instead use the Earths natural spin to help long distance travel across it's surface?
Does lightening electrocute fish in the sea?
When lightning strikes the sea, why do we not see electrically shocked fish floating on the surface?
Can a brain scan tell if you are depressed?
We zoom into MRI scanning to find out why it is so low resolution and ask, if it was improved could that help diagnosing disorders of the brain?
Why are some people left handed?
We find out if other animals exhibit handed'ness. Plus what does it mean to be left handed and right footed?
Is green snot better than yellow?
Does the colour of your snot signify the severity or stage of your cold?
How can I get rid of deodorant stains?
What causes deodorant stains on clothing, and what's the best way to get rid of them?
Why do insects buzz around lights?
There's not that many bugs around this time of year, but those that are seem to collect by by kitchen light. Why is that?
Why don't electrons fall into the atomic nucleus?
Why don't electrons crash into the centres of atoms?