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
How do animals adapt to a changing magnetic field?
Alan writes in, acknowledging that many animals use the Earth's magnetic field for navigation purposes. Given the shifts in poles and field intensity we experience due to convection currents in the E…
00:05:14 |
Fri 11 Apr 2025
Do we know what the Wow! signal was?
In 1977, astronomer Jerry Ehman detected a narrowband radio signal, far stronger than any that have been recorded before or since, using Ohio State University's Big Ear telescope as it was pointing i…
00:04:52 |
Fri 04 Apr 2025
Should elderly people use trampolines?
Thanks to John Travers for the answer!Listener Francisco asked: I have been told that jumping on a trampoline is healthy for humans. It is considered as a good exercise; and also to better coordinate…
00:03:40 |
Fri 28 Mar 2025
Is it safe to burn plastic?
Silke is writing all the way from French Polynesia, asking what's best to do with all the plastic rubbish she picks up from the beach, and whether burning it is advisable. James Tytko asked Richard L…
00:05:33 |
Fri 21 Mar 2025
Does thalidomide alter DNA?
Listener to the show, Elaine, wants to know whether her mother, who was a thalidomide baby, might have passed on effect of the drug to her children. Thalidomide was a treatment for morning sickness w…
00:05:17 |
Fri 14 Mar 2025
How do skin creams penetrate the skin?
Garth wants to know, given the skin can block water from passing through it, how do certain skin creams allege to permeate into our body? James Tytko took on the question with help from Richard Guy, …
00:04:55 |
Fri 07 Mar 2025
Why does the distribution of lactose intolerance vary?
Garth writes in wanting to know why the prevalence of lactose intolerance is nearly 100% in countries like South Korea, but down in the low single digits in countries like the UK. James Tytko asked M…
00:05:19 |
Fri 28 Feb 2025
If I hadn't had any vaccinations, would I be here?
Dan wants to know what the likelihood is of him being here if neither him, his parents, nor his grandparents had had any vaccinations. James Tytko sought to provide an answer, with the help of Helen …
00:04:50 |
Fri 21 Feb 2025
How does the sun stay burning in space?
Thanks to Philippa Browning for the answer! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
00:04:38 |
Fri 14 Feb 2025
Can bone conduction headphones damage your hearing?
Bill sends his question in all the way from Australia. A regular listener, he enjoys our programme through bone conduction headphones. But what are these devices, and does listening to loud sounds th…
00:05:29 |
Fri 07 Feb 2025
What will happen to petrol when we all drive electric cars?
Kevin wants to know, assuming many of us will be driving electric cars in the future, what will happen to the vast quantities of petrol currently refined from crude oil? Will we scale back production…
00:04:34 |
Fri 31 Jan 2025
Did chewing gum cause my tinnitus?
George writes in to ask whether his gum-chewing habits are related to his tinnitus, or whether it's just a coincidence that it comes back when he gets back into the habit. James Tytko investigates, w…
00:04:26 |
Fri 24 Jan 2025
Why might dreams change at altitude?
In our Question of the Week, Andrew wants to know why many people may experience dreams differently when holidaying in the mountains. To find out what might be behind the 'high-definition' dreams ass…
00:05:23 |
Fri 17 Jan 2025
What was the global ocean like at the time of Pangea?
Damian wants to know, if at one stage all of the continents were joined together, what was on the other side? Was it all just water? James Tytko investigated whether this was the case, and what the c…
00:04:32 |
Fri 10 Jan 2025
Can we harness nuclear energy without steam?
Dave writes in wanting to know whether there is any way to get nuclear energy onto the grid without heating up water to turn a steam turbine. A great question that sees James Tytko dip his toe into t…
00:03:57 |
Fri 13 Dec 2024
How long does it take to create a galaxy?
David wants to know, after looking at distant galaxies in the night sky, how long it took to create them. James Tytko took on the question with the help of the University of Cambridge's Public Astron…
00:05:24 |
Fri 06 Dec 2024
How do parasites know they are in the right place?
Parasites have to come up with all sorts of tricks to evade the immune system of their hosts. But Kate wants to know, how do they know they've found the right place? James Tytko took her question on …
00:05:43 |
Fri 29 Nov 2024
Why are plane and boat propellers in different places?
Thanks to Cambridge University's Andy Wheeler for the answer! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
00:04:59 |
Fri 22 Nov 2024
Why do geese honk while flying in formation?
Rick wants to know why the Canada geese he's been observing, who are preparing to migrate for the winter, are honking so incessantly while flying in formation. Viola Ross-Smith from the British Trust…
00:04:36 |
Fri 15 Nov 2024
Are multi cancer screening tests worth the money?
Van writes in with, 'A friend is encouraging me to take a cancer screening test that screens for many different cancers. A review of one test says: "While overall it picks up 90% of stage 4 cancers, …
00:04:42 |
Fri 08 Nov 2024
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