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
Can dogs watch TV?
Many a dog has been observed barking at the television - but can they see what's going on in 'One man and his Dog'? Can they see images better on LCD TVs rather than CRT? Plus, we ask why one side o…
00:04:27 |
Sun 20 Jun 2010
What happens to light travelling at light speed?
We work out what would happen if you shone a light whilst travelling at light speed. Would you see anything? Would an observer see anything? Plus, we ask if dogs really can watch TV. Like this podcas…
00:03:57 |
Sun 13 Jun 2010
Can genes carry our memories?
In our quest for answers we discover how memories might be encoded in genes, though probably not the sort of memories you were expecting. Plus, we ask what would happen if you shine a light whilst tr…
00:04:12 |
Sun 06 Jun 2010
Why do some foods make our urine smell?
What is it that sometimes makes micturating nasally irritating? Why does asparagus make your urine smell and why might some cereals do the same thing? Plus, we ask whether memories can be handed down…
00:03:14 |
Mon 31 May 2010
Sounds of the Stables - Why don't donkeys sound like horses?
Why do horses go "neigh!" when donkeys "he-haw!"? And what noize do zebras make? Just because they look similar, should they sound the same? Plus, we ask how food alters the smell of your urine...…
00:05:15 |
Sun 23 May 2010
Why do we have different blood groups?
We discover some likely explanations for the different blood groups seen in humans. Is there any reason for having one blood type over another? Do other animals have them too? Plus, we ask: why do h…
00:03:37 |
Sun 16 May 2010
Why haven't crocodiles changed?
Crocodiles have been the same for millennia upon millennia. What's going on? Why are they so uneventful in terms of evolution? Plus, we ask why we have different blood types. Like this podcast? Pleas…
00:03:37 |
Sun 09 May 2010
Does the Doppler shift affect radio?
Do radio signals change as we move to and from the transmitter? Do our movements affect how a radio boradcast sounds? We find the answer in this question of the week. Plus, we ask why crocodiles have…
00:05:21 |
Sun 02 May 2010
Can you carbon date your granny?
We find out if it's possible to put an age on someone without a birth certificate. Given that cells regularly regenerate in the body, can you carbon date your grandmother? Plus, we ask if radio shows…
00:05:09 |
Sun 25 Apr 2010
Do Worms Drown?
This week's question endeavours to find the answer to the footpath conundrum - how do worms survive in the rain? What happens if the soil dries out? Plus, we ask if it's possible to carbon-date one's…
00:03:41 |
Mon 12 Apr 2010
Who has the cleaner mouth, dog or human?
We explore why a dog's mouth might be cleaner then a human's from the perspective of getting a bite from either. Who's got the worst oral bacteria? Plus, we ask how worms survive flooding of their so…
00:04:41 |
Mon 29 Mar 2010
Are all the calories in food absorbed?
This week's question is all about energy! Do our bodies manage to harvest all the energy from food or do we miss a few calories here and there? Plus, we ask whose bite is worse, dog or human? Like th…
00:03:38 |
Mon 22 Mar 2010
Do subliminal learning CDs work?
We find out if it's possible to revise for exams, become a mechanic or pick up a new language in your sleep! Do those CDs really work? Plus, we ask how many calories our bodies actually absorb from t…
00:03:53 |
Mon 15 Mar 2010
How is money made?
In this lucrative Question of the Week we find out how paper notes and metal coins are minted and printed in the money making factories of the UK. Plus, we ask if and how subliminal CDs work... Like …
00:05:11 |
Mon 08 Mar 2010
Why does white clothing become see-through when wet?
We find out about the physics behind wet T-shirt competitions! Why is it that pale clothing becomes transparent with the addition of water? Plus, in a totally unrelated question, we ask how money is …
00:03:42 |
Mon 01 Mar 2010
Does ploughing snow cause global warming?
In this seasonal Question of the Week we explore how removing the lovely white reflective stuff might cause the whole world to warm up. Plus, we ask how wet T-shirt competitions work (the science beh…
00:04:00 |
Mon 22 Feb 2010
Can you make a phone call from a black hole?
Got an urgent call that needs to overcome virtually infinite gravity? This Question of the Week explores if mobile calls from black holes are possible. Plus, we ask if ploughing up the snow can worse…
00:03:19 |
Mon 15 Feb 2010
Did the dinosaurs have the same seasons as we do?
We discover whether life in the Cretaceous period was as seasonal as it is today. Did dinosaurs put up with leaves on the line too? Plus, we ask whether it's possible to make a call from a black hole…
00:03:38 |
Mon 08 Feb 2010
Will the washing dry outside in the winter?
We find out if evaporation works in cold weather too! Is it worth using the tumble dryer, after all? Plus, we ask if the seasons have always sat in the same part of the solar year... Like this podcas…
00:03:27 |
Mon 01 Feb 2010
Can a tanker pull birds off-course?
We find out whether a giant hulk of steel can disrupt a bird's navigation system. Would a 350,000 ton tanker do the trick? Plus, we ask how cold it can be before hanging out the washing becomes point…
00:03:30 |
Mon 25 Jan 2010
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