Ask the Naked Scientists

Who scooped Nobel Prizes at this year's ceremony in Stockholm? How concerned should we be about AI's impact on society? Why do men have larger Adam's apples? How can we make sure we eat a balanced diet? What causes floaters in your eyes? Is the expanding Universe contracting elsewhere? And is there a new fluoride-free toothpaste gel that rebuilds teeth? Dr Chris Smith and Saskia Falken have the an...

Dr Chris Smith and Relebogile Mabotja explore why it's hard to reach a human in customer service. How did humans migrate from Africa, and can we trace our ancient paths? Why do people and animals have different neck sizes? Can you really hear your heartbeat when your head's on the pillow? Why is swimming in cold water easier than taking a cold shower? Why do your ears block when you yawn or blow y...

Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford discuss the world's hottest creature, why antimatter matters, whether weight-loss pills can cause blindness, and why some birds die when they fly into power cables while others can perch on them with impunity. Then, what are the risks of AI, can curly hair straighten out as we age, and how does hair colour change as we grow up? Plus, whether insects are a good sour...

Can sensors help keep our roads in good shape? If the Earth is round, why aren't the people at the bottom standing upside down? How efficient is the human body? Why can't periods be controlled like going to the bathroom? Do animals have periods too? Where did water come from in the first place, and why doesn't it go off? Dr Chris Smith and Relebogile Mabotja have the answers. Like this podcast? Pl...

Should we take AI warnings seriously? Do fingernails and hair grow more quickly after they are cut? How does caffeine trick the brain into making us feel less tired? Are high levels of low-density lipoprotein a concern? What is mirror life, and should we be worried? What's the attraction of an electric vehicle? Why is it so excruciating when someone scratches their nails down a chalkboard? Dr Chri...

How might technology influence or manipulate the weather? Can aircraft affect the weather? Are we getting better at detecting cancer before it becomes problematic? How does perfect pitch work? And why does our hearing change with age? Does weight have any impact on tides? If medication can reduce HIV to an undetectable level, why is there still no cure? Dr Chris Smith and Saskia Falken have the an...

Why might the shingles vaccine help prevent heart attacks? Does an eclipse affect how we sleep? Why do farts seem to stick around longer in the shower? How does toothpaste fight acidity? Can you train your brain to notice different frequencies? How does the Moon affect the tides? And why is it so much harder to stand on one foot with your eyes closed? Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford have the answ...

Have you ever wondered why eyebrows grow so slowly, or when you should brush your teeth in the morning? Can you tell the difference in sound between hot and cold water being poured? What causes those cold shivers down your spine? Is a spirit presence real? What controls how fast we move? Why do people mix oil with butter when cooking? And what's the best way to get vitamin D? Dr Chris Smith and Cl...

What is the science behind love? What scares a honey badger? Are there mammals that feel no fear? How do car pistons move so smoothly even at high speeds? Should humans eat meat? Why do people with bone marrow cancer often show no symptoms? Chris Smith and Relebogile Mabotja answer the questions. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

How good are electric vehicle batteries? Why are EV fires so dangerous? What is acute flaccid myelitis? Why do people feel anxiety in different parts of their bodies? Why does our sight help with our balance? Are sons ever taller than their mums? Do flashing lights cause headaches? Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford have the answers. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientis...

Are there technologies to remove smoke taint in wine affected by recent wildfires? What's the science behind itching? Can a tortoise survive 10 years locked up in a building? Why might an elderly dog or cat's behaviour change? Does microwaving damage food or reduce vitamin content? Can my blood pressure be affected by a jellyfish sting? Can we harvest energy from space? And is there a cure for neu...

How can algae microbots deliver drugs for bladder cancer? Why does a helium balloon fly backwards when you hit the brakes in a car? Does the Sun make ash? Will removing your gallbladder affect your cholesterol? Is there a symbiotic relationship between spiders and antelopes? Can cloud seeding affect rainfall? What causes restless legs? Why are global sperm counts dropping? And what holds the unive...

Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford return to answer your questions. Why do wombats produce cube-shaped droppings? Does sleeping position affect dreams? Can we predict penalty shootout winners? What do penalty statistics show about power vs placement? What are the pros and cons of statins? Is a cloned tree's DNA young or old? Why do golf balls have dimples? Could you outdrive Rory McIlroy on Mars? Li...

What is the impact of being a child in a home where a sibling has a chronic medical condition? What happens before we have a thought? How bad are processed foods for us? And how can a woman give birth to twins that have different fathers? Dr Chris Smith and Relebogile Mabotja have the answers. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Do our digital lives leave us cognitively exhausted? Should we see a doctor when we are overly tired? How bad are processed foods for us? Is it safe to eat food you have dropped on the floor? Why do certain foods make us feel nauseous? And does laser hair removal work? Dr Chris Smith and Relebogile Mabotja have the answers. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Why is Europe experiencing a heatwave? What happens if a being from a different dimension enters our dimension? Why are wombats able to produce square-shaped faeces? Can we live without sodium? Is there a scientific explanation for xenophobia? Why did the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool turn into a green swamp? What causes early morning phlegm, even without a cold? Dr Chris Smith and Clarence For...

Why does our hair stand up when we are scared? Does the animal kingdom experience colour differently? How do cats purr without running out of breath? Can certain types of medication cause tinnitus? What benefits does vaccination afford us? And why do some people struggle to recognise faces? Chris Smith and Clarence Ford have the answers... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked...

What's the impact of sodium on our heart health? Are there sounds around us that we can't hear? Why do teeth have nerves and a blood supply? What controls our emotions? Can other primates and mammals have colourblindness? Why can't certain organs regenerate themselves, whilst others can? Dr Chris Smith and Saskia Falken have the answers... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked...

Do dolphins and whales yawn? Is yawning contagious in animals? What progress has been made on brain chip implants? What is the difference between kidney thrombosis and renal vein thrombosis? Why does a falling slice of toast land butter side down, and does fall height matter? Is it unsafe to receive the wrong blood type? Why are birds adapted to have birdsong? What keeps all the water up in a clou...

Does water boiled in a microwave oven taste different from kettle-heated water? How long does it take the body to absorb a drink of water? Does too much water cause a kidney problem? What are essential fatty acids? Why do farts linger longer in the shower? What's better for your body, hot water, cold water, or warm water? How does the body know to swallow a drink and breathe air? How does an aspir...

Why does running water make us want to go to the bathroom? What is IQ, and can you improve it? What is a Pica craving? Why isn't sperm damaged when it's frozen? Is there any evidence that links COVID vaccines to cancer rates? Is there a test to check whether honey is authentic or adulterated? What are hempcrete building materials? Why does it take so long to enrich uranium? What causes shingles? D...

Do the newly released UFO files matter? Why do people tend to live longer in the 21st century? Why do women live longer than men on average? What impact does excess rainfall have? Why might you lose phone signal when you turn on a microwave? Should we open our windows in high winds? Is climate change causing more CO2 to be released from the sea? Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford have the answers......

Is time a physical thing? How do trees know what season it is? What causes different-sized tides? Can cannibalism cause brain disease? Do all watches stop working at the same time? How do we identify different virus cases? How is hantavirus contracted? Can animals contract viruses by sniffing around contaminated material? And do meerkats carry hantavirus? Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford have the...

Why are humans so sensitive to the smell of rain? Do statins cause dementia? What is the storage capacity of the human brain? How can I remember all the information I study? Do scientists believe in God? How do vultures find their prey? How can I stop or reverse grey hair? What does a cataract operation involve? What is diastolic blood pressure? Are MRI scans harmful to toddlers? And is Dr Chris w...

How does polio cause disease? Why does ice added to a drink not make the glass overflow when the ice melts? What's the point of the appendix? Is old poison, past its expiry date, still toxic? What techniques built the pyramids? How do we treat hypotension? Why do our brains use a disproportionate amount of energy for their weight? Could a fan push a boat along if the wind dropped? And is a dry eye...