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...
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 4 minutes
- Episodes
- 629
- Years Active
- 2008 - 2025
Why do mosquitoes prefer some people over others?
Felicity Bedford enlisted the help of Glasgow University's Heather Ferguson for this biting question... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
00:03:51 |
Tue 01 Mar 2016
Why is space so cold?
The number of stars in space is huge, so why is it so chilly? Felicity Bedford spoke to Ryan MacDonald from the Cambridge University Institute of Astronomy to find out more... Like this podcast? Plea…
00:02:43 |
Mon 08 Feb 2016
Why do our voices sound different in our heads?
Why is it that our voice sounds so different to us than when we hear it back on a recording? Connie Orbach persuaded Dr Nick Gibbons, voice surgery specialist from Lewisham Hospital to take her throu…
00:04:09 |
Mon 01 Feb 2016
Why do people have such a variety of appearances?
Unless you are an identical twin it's unlikely you've found anyone else who looks just like you. But, why do we all look so different? Felicity Bedford spoke to population geneticist Sir Walter Bodme…
00:03:42 |
Mon 25 Jan 2016
Why do people get bags under their eyes?
We've all had days when we're tired and wish we didn't have dark circles under our eyes. But why do we get these puffy eyes and do they serve a purpose? Felicity Bedford spoke to Dr Sean Lanigan, Pre…
00:03:50 |
Mon 18 Jan 2016
What causes sleepwalking?
Listener Sterling wanted to know what causes sleepwalking and how to prevent it. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
00:03:47 |
Mon 14 Dec 2015
If polar bears were transported to Antarctica, would they thrive?
Reduced sea ice is threatening polar bears in the Arctic. Listener Kevin wanted to know if they would thrive at the south pole instead? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scien…
00:03:54 |
Mon 07 Dec 2015
What would happen if I plucked a guitar in space?
Jess wanted to know what would happen if she plucked a guitar in space. Would her music be out of this world? Felicity Bedford spoke to Professor Jim Woodhouse from the University of Cambridge to fin…
00:03:32 |
Mon 30 Nov 2015
How can I stop a runny nose?
Winter is coming and with it comes a runny nose but how can we stop a snotty hooter? Listener Amanda was keen to nose the answer, so Felicity Bedford spoke to GP Adam Forman to find out... Like this …
00:03:10 |
Tue 24 Nov 2015
Why do we go bald on our heads?
It would appear that people on go bald on their heards, but why? And why not elsewhere? Rosalind Davis has been pulling her hair our over this one with Professor Robert Foley from the University of C…
00:03:10 |
Mon 16 Nov 2015
Why do we like looking at views?
Eleanor wanted to know why people enjoy looking at views. Do we learn this socially or is it innate? Rosalind Davies spoke to Michael Forster from the University of Vienna to find out. Like this podc…
00:03:47 |
Sun 01 Nov 2015
Are zombies feasible?
With Halloween just around the corner, Stephen asks the spooky question, Are zombies feasible?. Charis Lestrange investigates with the help of pathologist Suzie English from the University of Cambrid…
00:04:25 |
Sun 18 Oct 2015
What wind speed does it take to tip a lorry?
Marco got in touch after his truck tipped over on the motorway. He wanted to know what speed the wind would need to be blowing at to cause this, so he knew when to stop driving in the future. Rosalin…
00:04:22 |
Sat 10 Oct 2015
Why do power lines make so much noise?
Anders asked the electrifying question, "Why do power lines make so much noise?";. This seemed rather complicated so Charis Lestrange asked Dr Andrew Griffiths, a semiconductor engineer from the comp…
00:03:42 |
Sun 04 Oct 2015
Why is gooseberry jam red when gooseberries are green?
Katie asked the very seasonal question of Why is gooseberry jam red, when gooseberries are green?. This really baffled the Naked Scientists, so Joanna Kerr put this thorny question to Dr Sarka Tumova…
00:04:29 |
Sun 20 Sep 2015
Why do we make mistakes during repetitive tasks?
Is it brain fatigue? Or do we go into autopilot? Sam Mahaffey asked Dr Steve Fleming from the Wellcome Trust centre for Neuroimaging at UCL why this happens. And if there is anything we can do to sto…
00:04:15 |
Sun 13 Sep 2015
Why do we have toenails?
Fingernails seem to have obvious uses but what are our toenails for? Was their some evolutionary benefit? And does that mean we'll evolve toenail-less feet? Sam Mahaffey and Dr Isabelle Winder from t…
00:04:30 |
Sun 06 Sep 2015
Why does music sound happy or sad?
This week Dave asked why does a minor key sound mournful and a major key sound happy? Amy Goodfellow asks music psychologist Dr Andrea Schiavio from the University of Sheffield if this is really true…
00:04:50 |
Sun 23 Aug 2015
Where are we within the universe?
This week Brian Lucas wanted to know: where are we within the universe? Joanna Kerr decided to try and find out with help from Dr Sean McGee, an astrophysicist from the University of Birmingham. Like…
00:03:59 |
Mon 17 Aug 2015
How many people do you need to avoid inbreeding in a population
This week Louise asked, how many people are needed to avoid inbreeding in a population? To answer her question Connie Orbach looks into setting up her own desert island with the help of Professor Mik…
00:04:07 |
Sun 09 Aug 2015
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