Question of the Week - From the Naked Scientists show

Question of the Week - From the Naked Scientists

Summary: 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...

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Podcasts:

 Question of the Week 09.01.12 - Meteoric Life Forms | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 02:58

Meteorites, dust and other space rubbish is falling to Earth all the time, but does any of it ever contain life? We find out if aliens hitch a lift on space rubble in this Question of the Week. Plus, we ask how does wood become petrified? Can it happen quickly enough for us to find petrified fence posts?

 Question of the Week 08.12.22 - Having your Cake and Eating it All | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 02:48

If you're given an excess of chocolate or sweets as a present, is it better for you to wolf them all down in a huge binge, or just eat a few each day to make them last? We find out what to do with your chocolate haul in this Question of the Week. Plus, we ask if amongst all the things that fall from space, have we ever found evidence for life?

 Question of the Week 08.12.15 - Tryptophan and Turkey | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 03:26

What is tryptophan, and does Turkey really make you sleepy? We find out in this seasonal Question of the Week. Plus, we ask if you should scoff down all of your Christmas chocolates in one go, or make them last all winter?

 Question of the Week 08.12.08 - What Makes Us Laugh? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 03:06

What is it that makes us laugh? We find out what makes us giggle and keeps stand up comedians in work! Plus, we ask if eating Turkey really makes you sleepy...

 Question of the Week 08.12.01 - Psychopaths and Lie Detectors | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 03:20

Could a psychopath pass a lie detector test, if they felt no remorse for their crimes? We find out if the technology is up to finding the truth in this Question of the Week. Plus, what is it that makes us laugh? Find out how to excersise your giggle muscle next week.

 Question of the Week 08.11.24 - Helium Balloons on the Moon | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 03:08

In this Question of the Week, we learn the correct etiquette for attending a birthday party on the Moon - Should you bring a helium balloon, or will it just be a let down? Plus, we ask if people who do not feel remorse can trick a lie detector test...

 Question of the Week 08.11.17 - The Beasts Who Barbeque | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 04:04

Are we the only animals who cook our food? Why do we need to cook, and if it's so good, why haven't other animals joined us at the barbeque? We find out in this Question of the Week. Plus, we ask if a helium balloon would float on the moon...

 Question of the Week 08.11.10 - Wiping Away the Human Race | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 03:57

If the human race were to become spontaneously extinct, how long would it take for all evidence of us to be wiped from the planet Earth? Will there be evidence of human activity forever, or will we disappear without a trace. Find out in this Question of the Week, where we also ask if we are the only species to cook our food...

 Question of the Week 08.11.03 - The Speed of Time | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 03:26

Why does time seem to go quicker as we age? It seems that the longer we live, the shorter the days seem to be. Paradoxically, sometimes the hours drag by while the weeks fly past! We find out why in this Question of the Week. Plus, we ask how long it would take to wipe all evidence of human life from the Earth...

 Question of the Week 08.10.27 - A Better Balanced Bicycle | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 03:30

Where should you put your bags to best balance your bike? Will groceries on the handlebars waste your pedal power, or will paniers on the back pull you backwards? We find out in this Question of the Week and also ask why time seems to go faster as you get older...

 Question of the Week 08.10.20 - Better Battery Life | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 03:31

How do you get the best out of your batteries? Should you discharge them completely, or keep them permanently topped up? We find out in this Question of the Week! Plus, we ask where is the best place to balance bags on your bike - will one position make better use of your cycling effort than another, or is it better to push or pull your paniers?

 Question of the Week 08.10.13 - Repeat Listening | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 03:07

Why do songs, even those you hate, sound better the more you hear them? We find out why familiarity can defeat contempt in this Question of the Week, and ask if you should let your batteries run down completely to get the best performance...

 Question of the Week 08.10.06 - Do Animals have Blood Groups? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 02:48

Why do we have different blood groups, such as A, B, O and rhesus positive or negative? Do animals have blood groups? If so, are they the same as humans, or do they have their own? We find out in this Question of the Week. Plus, we ask why songs sound better the more you hear them...

 Question of the Week 08.09.29 - Elderly Eyebrows | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 03:01

Why do eyebrows and other bodily hair grow out of control as we get older? We find out why we develop a post-retirement facial forest in this Question of the Week. Plus, we ask why humans have blood types, and if any animals share this blood system with us...

 Question of the Week 08.09.22 - How do Smells Travel Underwater? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 02:52

Sharks seem to smell blood underwater from miles away in mere seconds - but how fast do smells really travel underwater? We find out in this Question of the Week, and ask why eyebrow hair gets out of control as we age...

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