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...
Can you make a mini Mars at home?
We find out if you can emulate a Martian environment in the kitchen, and if so, can you grow plants there? Plus we ask, are humans meant for monogamy? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Can you get a Tabby Human?
Cats can have patterned fur, but can you get a tabby human? Plus we ask can we make a miniature Mars at home?
Why aren't blood donations rejected?
We find out why blood donations aren't rejected more readily. Plus we ask, is sleepiness related to cheerfulness?
ON MARS NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU SCREAM. Is that really true? And if so, why?
ON MARS NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU SCREAM. Is that really true? And if so, why? Plus we ask, can we mix spider and human DNA to make Spiderman?
Willl we ever be able to have a conversation with animals?
This week we find out if we there will ever be a real life Dr Doolittle.......Sticking with expressing ourselves, we pose our next question, was prehistoric art restricted to caves?
Would self bone marrow transplants reverse aging?
We find out if banking our bone marrow early in life, and transplanting down the line, may help halt the aging process. Plus we ask, why are we so good at forgetting names?…
Can mirrors make an infinitely powerful laser?
By simply bouncing a laser beam between two mirrors, could you produce an infinitely powerful laser? And if not, why not?
How does one telephone wire transfer all of that data?
We find out how it is possible for a single telephone wire to carry information for a telephone conversation, file downloads to a computer, WiFi access, and allow us to watch a film and listen to the news. Plus we ask can we make an infinitely powerful laser simply by…
Will your choice in cutlery alter how your food tastes??
Can the type of cutlery used to prepare and serve food really alter its flavour? And does it really change, or is it just our perception?
Does ice really reduce swelling and speed up healing?
We find out if applying ice to an injury actually helps to speed up healing. Plus we ask, would dining with a silver spoon make your food taste better?
Can a magnet be so powerful it crushes what it attracts?
We apply some Naked Science force to this week's question and find out if we make a magnet so strong that is squashes, rather thanks sticks to, your white goods. Plus we ask do motorways create a microclimate?
Do motorways create a microclimate?
This week we find out how a species has so successfully infiltrated the verges of the UK road systems. Plus we ask can we create life by heating up basic chemicals…
Why don't you make best use of your energy reserves?
This week we find out why our bodies can't get their priorities right. We find out why we seek out food when we already have enough energy stored around our waists in the form of love handles and pot bellies. Plus we ask - will our skin soak up the…
Would you receive any warning before being squished by a meteoite?
If there were a large object, say a meteorite falling straight down where you are standing, what kind of warning would you notice? Would there be an accompanying sound? Or would you not know until it's too late? Plus we ask, can you catch cancer?…
How does a Headache Hurt?
This week I'll be getting inside your head.....with a question from Jarraryd Dunn. Plus we'll be asking is there any point in switching off your lights, TVs, and phone chargers during the winter?…
The Case of the Caramels
With New Year's Resolutions in full swing here's a sweet thermal caramel quandary for us to sink our teeth into…
Why don't umbilical cords become tangled?
Given that a foetus is essentially a swimming thing on the end of a piece of string, how is it that the two don't become tangled more often? Find out in this jelly-like QotW. Plus, we ask what would happen if two black holes met.
How can we avoid the effects of zero g?
Astronauts have to put up with living in zero gravity, so how might they go about avoiding its ill effects? Find out in this body-bending QotW. Plus, we ask if humans have whiskers.
Can we make power from poo?
Human excrement burns quite well, so why not use it to power a house? But how could this be done? Find out in this fragrant QotW. Plus, we ask why black holes don't explode.
Do pregnant women breathe more?
Does being pregnant mean you have to breathe for two? Find the answer in this Question of the Week. Plus, we ask if poo power really is possible.