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
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... Like this podcast? Please help u…
00:04:45 |
Sun 27 May 2012
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 mic…
00:03:49 |
Sun 20 May 2012
Why do feet smell cheesy?
This week we hone our noses and sniff out the answer to this stinker of a question...."Why do toenails, and even feet in general, smell cheesy? Plus we ask can we make a magnet so strong that is squa…
00:04:03 |
Sun 13 May 2012
Why don't women have beards?
We find out why, if the gene that codes for men having hairy chests and backs provides an evolutionary advantage in response to an environmental pressure, don't women have beards and hairy chests too…
00:03:45 |
Mon 30 Apr 2012
Would reading from a screen keep me awake?
We find out if monitors, screens and e.books are more than your standard page turner leaving you tossing and turning and up all night. Plus we ask, why have women lost their hairy beard and chests...…
00:03:47 |
Sun 22 Apr 2012
Will my skin soak up the calories in skin cream?
This week we find out if a liberal slathering of oil based moisturiser makes up part of our daily calorie quota. Plus we ask, are monitor screens and e.books more than your standard page turner, leav…
00:03:41 |
Sun 15 Apr 2012
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…
00:04:10 |
Sun 01 Apr 2012
Is there an absolute maximum temperature?
This week we find out about the inequality of the temperature scale as a listener asks: "If we can have a lower limit on temperature - absolute zero - so cold that nothing happens, why do we not have…
00:03:55 |
Sun 25 Mar 2012
Can you Catch Cancer?
Could you get cancer from someone else? Tasmanian devils can catch cancer transmitted through biting. Are there instances of cancers being transmitted this way in humans? Can you catch cancer throug…
00:05:16 |
Mon 19 Mar 2012
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…
00:04:27 |
Tue 13 Mar 2012
When will indestructible plastics finally degrade?
We know that nothing persists for ever so surely plastics in the sea have to break down at some point. How long does it take? And where does the plastic end up? Like this podcast? Please help us by s…
00:04:03 |
Mon 05 Mar 2012
Can you cross a kangeroo with a sheep to get a wooly jumper?
As the joke goes.....if you cross a kangaroo with a sheep you get a wooly jumper. Is it now possible with modern techniques to cross different animals to make one completely new species? Plus we ask …
00:04:24 |
Mon 27 Feb 2012
Goldfinger versus Goldmember?
Which film dominates with their most realistic use of lasers? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
00:04:38 |
Mon 20 Feb 2012
Can you brew beer in zero gravity?
We find out if fermentation yeast survive in Space, we ponder if it is possible to brew up a beer at zero gravity, plus we ask which is the most realistic fictional laser weapon?..... Like this podca…
00:03:43 |
Mon 13 Feb 2012
How much of me is the original me?
A 57 year old male wonders - do I have any original parts? How much of the baby that was born in 1954 is still part of me? Plus we ask can you brew beer in space..... Like this podcast? Please help u…
00:04:04 |
Mon 06 Feb 2012
Would turning off standby devices increase my heating bills?
We're told to save electricity by switching off devices on standby. But if a home is heated solely by electricity, would there still be any savings by turning off all those devices? And a 57 male ask…
00:04:20 |
Mon 30 Jan 2012
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?... …
00:03:57 |
Mon 23 Jan 2012
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..... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
00:05:07 |
Mon 16 Jan 2012
Do Sunglasses Cause Sunburn?
Can wearing sunglasses fool your senses into thinking there is less sun and increase your risk of getting sunburn? We take on this quandry and also wonder why cooking caramel causes temperature to in…
00:04:13 |
Mon 09 Jan 2012
Why do My Feet Look Further Away?
Why would your feet seem further away when lying down? We put our visual depth perception to the test to find out how being horizontal could change the way you see the world. Plus, we ask if wearin…
00:03:29 |
Mon 19 Dec 2011
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