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...
How do you propagate seedless fruit? - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.12.07
We find out how one makes more seedless grapes, bananas, oranges and watermelons when they don't have any seeds! Plus, we ask what would happen if you had the audacity to Taser(tm) an elephant…
How much radiation does an x-ray expose you to? - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.11.30
This week's question is all about the cell-zapping power of radiation. Just how much does a standard medical scan expose you to? How does that compare to the levels radiation workers are limited to receiving? Plus, we ask how seedless fruits manage to reproduce.
Why serve white wine chilled? - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.11.23
Why is it that we serve white wines and red wines at different temperatures? Does this really affect the bouquet? Plus, we ask how many x-rays are too many.
Do red skies at night mean shepherd's delight? - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.11.16
We find out why it is we see red skies at all and the meteorology behind, Red sky at night, shepherd's delight; red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning. Is it true? Plus, we ask why different wines are served at different temperatures.
How many offspring does a sperm donor create? - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.11.09
We find out how many children a sperm donor will father. Is there a limit to the number? Plus, we ask whether red skies at night really do delight shepherds.
Why does holding the TV aerial improve the picture? - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.11.02
Why is it that, when your mum asks you to move the TV aerial to a better position, the signal improves while you move it about and then degrades as soon as you let go? We find out what it is that makes the signal improve when you're holding a…
What are floaters? - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.10.26
We find out what vitreous floaters are and how they can be removed. Will a coil of wire do the trick? Plus, we ask why holding a TV aerial can improve the picture.
Are Spiders Expert Architects? - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.10.19
How do spiders make such perfect webs? Are they expert architects, mathematical geniuses or natural engineers? Plus, we ask what the floaters in our eyes are, and if we can pull them out of the way…
Is it dangerous to sit too close to the TV? - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.10.12
We find out why we were told as kids not to sit too close to the television. Is there any scientific basis to the warning? Plus, we ask how it is that spiders manage to build such intricate and regular webs without geometry equipment.
How do sharks make blood? - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.10.05
We find out how sharks, proud owners of cartilaginous skeletons, make red blood cells without the aid of bone marrow. Plus, we ask whether it's safe to get up close and personal with your television set.
Why do we have fingerprints? - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.09.21
Just what is the point to all those ridges and furrows set into our fingers, toes, palms and soles? We do some detective work on the answer. Plus, we ask how sharks make blood when they have bones made from cartilage.
What dictates the frequency of the waves? - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.09.14
We discover what it is that makes fewer or more waves crash against the shore each minute. Is it the tides, the sun or the number of surfers? Plus, we ask, why do we have finger prints?
Do Plants have Immunity? - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.09.07
We find out if and how plants might combat little nasties like bacteria and viruses. Plus, we ask what defines the frequency of ocean waves.
Tattoos Forever - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.08.03
We find out why tattoos can hang around for a lifetime. Plus, we ask if plants have an immune system.
Setting the Pace - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.07.27
We find out how pacemakers keep your heart in check, even if you go running after a bus. Plus, we ask how tattoos manage to stay under your skin for so long.
Snap, Crackle and Pop! - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.07.20
We find out what it is that makes rice-based cereals so noisy. Plus, we ask how does a pacemaker know to keep step with a human heart?
Egg Ventilation - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.07.13
We find out how developing bird embryos get their oxygen whilst trapped inside an egg. Plus, we ask what makes breakfast cereals go, "snap, crackle and pop?"
Night Sneezing - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.07.06
In this Question of the Week, we ask if we sneeze in our sleep? What stops us from 'atchoo'ing while we're snoozing? Plus, we ask how oxygen gets into a developing egg.
Scrapping a Banger - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.06.29
On this Question of the Week, we askif it makes environmental sense to trade in an old car for a new one, asthere's so much embodied carbon in a car. Find out how efficient your new car would need to be to render the old one ungreen! Plus, we ask…
Dirty Laundry - Naked Scientists Question of the Week 09.06.22
We clean up the science of washing powders, how they work and why stains rather than dyes are removed by them. Plus, we ask whether it is better for the environment to continue driving an old car or have a new one made.