Ask the Naked Scientists

Do anti-ageing creams really work?

12 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

For CapeTalk this week, Dr Chris explains what causes stomach butterflies, whether honey is healthier than sugar, why fog lifts, how to keep your memo...

Why do we blush?

06 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKasier from Talk Radio 702. Would a brain transplant keep someone's memo...

Were early humans vegetarians?

23 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Smith answers YOUR questions with Pippa Hudson.... Why does temperature change food flavour? Does the full moon impact the human body? Why do ca...

Why do we cough?

16 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Smith answers the questions you've been sending in... Could we use charged liquid for electric cars? Why do beds feel cold and not room temperat...

Why do cats purr?

02 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Africa Melanie from CapeTalk. Why can only some animals be domesticated? Why do cat...

What causes cyclones?

25 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKaiser from Talk Radio. Is the Earth flat? Does cannabis have a healing ...

Will a comet crash into Earth?

11 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKaiser... Why do my nails hurt after I remove nail polish? What does GI ...

Can computers develop consciousness?

04 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKaiser from Talk Radio 702. Can we use energy from nuclear fusion yet? I...

Could we live on Mars?

29 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Smith takes on YOUR questions in a bumper edition of Ask! The Naked Scientists. How long do dreams last? How did Einstein measure the speed of l...

Why do men have nipples?

22 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKaiser from 702 Cape Talk. Why is the sun's halo hotter than its surface...

Are horseshoes unlucky in a thunderstorm?

08 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions. What would happen if a horse with metal shoes on was struck by lightning? How was DNA c...

How do I win the lottery?

01 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions with Eusebius McKaiser from Talk Radio 702. How are buildings demolished? How do you win...

Are we getting smarter?

22 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Smith from The Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions. Why are hail stones different sizes? Why do my palms get sweaty? Why do animals moult? ...

What's CERN all about?

15 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What's CERN all about? What is epigenetics, and how is it different to genetics? Why doesn't ice always freeze clear? How does carbon capture work? Wh...

Will Japan retrieve an asteroid sample?

08 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Japanese mission to bring back a sample of an asteroid, are changes in Earth's magnetic field linked to climate change, what causes tip-of-the-ton...

Can marijuana kill cancer?

01 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Does marijuana help with cancer? How can one sibling be smart and another be stupid? Are we alone in the Universe? Can vitamin D kill cancer? Plus...

Why do we get butterflies?

25 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why do we get butterflies in our stomach? Why is singing in tune difficult? What does vitamin K do? Is aluminium foil safe? How do you measure metres ...

Is the sky really blue?

18 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Is the sky actually blue? Does petrol go off? What causes myeloma? Why are chicken eggs different colours? If salt melts ice, why are icebergs frozen?...

Do animals get jet lag?

11 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Why does dog poo change colour? What happens to the brain when we're sleeping? Do animals also get jet lag? Is time travel possible? Like this podcast...

How do they get the stripes into toothpaste?

04 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

How do you measure time when traveling close to light speed? How do you predict the weather? Why don't zebras look dirty? How do they get the stripes ...

Why does chilli make my head itch?

21 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Why don't birds get electrocuted on an electric fence? Why do I want to sing along to tunes I know? Does a cut onion soak up toxins from the air? Is E...

Why do I appear upside down in a spoon?

14 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Why do I appear upside down in a spoon? Is the Universe getting bigger or smaller? What would Earth be like if we had two moons? What's the atomic wei...

Can I catch germs from a cockroach?

30 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Can I catch germs from cockroaches? How does the shape of the ear tell you where something is? If the Universe is expanding, is it being pushed or pul...

Can we create blood in the lab?

23 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How do we tell where a sound is coming from? Why does wine taste differently after many years? Why can't we manufacture blood? Why was Pluto downgrad...

What is spooky action at a distance?

16 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How do mosquitoes find you in the dark? How do muons reach the earth? Do long-term partners end up looking alike? What is spooky action at a distance?...

What causes double rainbows?

09 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What is deja vu? Why do certain magnets attract? Why do tea stains form in a ring? Can you scientifically work out someone's date of birth? How does m...

Can phantom limb pain be treated?

02 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Can overhead electrical cables interfere with radio signals? Are diesel and petrol made differently? What is a vasectomy? Can phantom limb pain be tre...

Why do we need sleep?

25 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Why do we need sleep? How do tides work? Could aliens already be here that we simply can't detect? Plus, how being bird-brained isn't such a bad thing...

Can humans slow down time?

11 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How do scientists calculate the mass and velocity of planets? Why does time slow down during accidents? Is table salt bad for us? Why do cockroaches e...

How did life begin on Earth?

04 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Is our galaxy moving around? How did life begin? Why do my feet only sometimes sweat? How do you explain the big bang? Why do people think the moon la...

Do paternity tests work on identical twin fathers?

27 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Do serious hurricanes only occur in the Northern hemisphere? Is the Y chromosome a mutated X chromosome? Does a blood transfusion change your DNA? Plu...

How can smoking marijuana affect your health?

20 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How do we know the earth is round? Why do some people make noises during sex? Why do crabs move sideways? Why are some parts of the sea violent with l...

How dangerous are shisha pipes?

13 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Does Mars have layers like Earth? Is shisha dangerous? Why does cold water make my toothache worse, but cold beer doesn't? Does cleaning vegetables wi...

What makes strange quarks strange?

07 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What is so strange about a strange quark? Why do I sweat when I'm eating? Why don't things weigh more on Everest? Why does my speedometer in my car an...

Can atoms die?

30 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Can atoms die? How does fasting influence diabetics? If you burn polystyrene is it dangerous? Is it possible to grow trees on Mars? How important is f...

Why do galaxies spin?

23 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Do galaxies turn clockwise or anticlockwise? What's the difference between dark matter and dark energy? Why do older people have quivering voices? Why...

Why do women live for longer than men?

16 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Why do women live longer than men? How do birds fly in a group? Why do loose stones hit my windshield? Why are some cremated ashes white and others gr...

Are Phobias Hereditary?

10 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Are phobias hereditary? Does hair grow after death? Do we really share 5% of DNA with Neanderthals? Why do some people have such good memories? Why is...

How are stars born?

03 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Why are some stars second generation? Why is yawning contagious? Why is the moon moving away from us? What causes lag on live broadcasts? Why can't y...

Why does marijuana cause the munchies?

26 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Can we harness the power of the ocean for electricity? Why are some people lucky? Can I stop my plant from fruiting? Why do my eyes go red when I smok...

Can we harness the power of lightning?

19 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How much water do we lose in a day? What's the best way to drink a scotch? Can we harness the power of lightning? Can things move faster than the spee...

Why Isn't Everyone Ambidextrous?

12 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What is a near-death experience? How do you stop mosquitoes getting into water tanks? Why isn't everyone ambidextrous? What is Schrodinger's Cat? Why ...

Are GMOs harming my health?

05 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How do seedless grapes reproduce? What causes serial womanisers? What's the fastest way to cool down a fire? Why does brewing tea for longer taste bet...

Why do we have body odour?

28 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Why do we have body odour? Can weeds be useful? Could marine animals learn not to eat plastic in the ocean? How does your body warm up when you're swi...

Why doesn't my snoring wake me up?

21 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Why is there always room for dessert? Why doesn't my own snoring wake me up? What actually happens when we die? Why does my helium balloon get more sq...

How does my brain store information?

07 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Why can I hold off a bathroom stop when I'm driving? How does my brain store information? Why don't birds sitting on power lines get electrocuted? Why...

Why is phosphorus important for life?

31 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Do white rainbows exist? Why does putting cold hands in hot water itch so much? Do food additives cause cancer? How can you safely store breastmilk? H...

Is Jurassic Park possible?

24 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Could Jurassic Park be a reality? How did dinosaur blood survive for 65 million years? Why is volcanic gas poisonous? Is astrology scientific? What is...

How does shark repellent work?

17 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Why don't I sneeze during the night? Why do flammable liquids feel cold? Can you speed up meteors to help destroy them? What causes me to cry all th...

Does The Earth Have A Birthday?

26 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How can you reduce pain after surgery? Why do thick fluids wobble when poured? Why is the Earth's core molten? Plus, celebrating the 65th anniversary ...

Why can't energy be created or destroyed?

19 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Can any organ get cancer? Why do mints make water feel cooler? Why do cockroaches face upwards when they die? What causes eye twitch? What's the best ...

What came before the singularity?

12 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Why did my oven explode? Do nerves regenerate? What came before the singularity? Can an HIV-negative person transmit HIV? Should I complete a course o...

What is the Universe expanding into?

23 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Can I donate an organ if it was already donated to me? Why do I sweat asymmetrically? What's the difference between a sea and an ocean? What is the Un...

Are other animals conscious?

16 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Can we treat eczema? Why can sour things taste before you eat them? Do testosterone levels spike during sex? Why didn't any other primates evolve high...

What wakes me up without my alarm?

09 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How do our bodies digest all the different things inside us. What is a phantom pregnancy? Why do men get middle-age spread? How do I wake up without a...

What's the limit of human thinking power?

02 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In a world of self drive cars would they have indicators? Why do you put sugar in before milk? Why are yawns contagious? How did butter come about? Wh...

How do planes stay in the air?

23 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How does a plane take off and fly without falling? Why are feathers more colourful than fur? Why don't teeth grow back? How do male seahorses carry ba...

How does GPS work?

09 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Can you change the pH of your blood? How does GPS work? What causes nosebleeds? Why do we find falling funny? Plus, the smallest geneome sequencer t...

How can I remove salt from seawater?

02 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How can I remove salt from my water? Why does bread go soft inside plastic bags? Will my ginger beer explode? Why does hose spray come out slower unde...

Why are puppies cute?

26 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What causes night cramps? Why is there a delay in audio and not video? How does a tortoise control its temperature? Does your heart stop when you snee...

Do blind people dream?

19 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

My wife and I eat the same food but our farts smell differently - why? Can people who are born blind dream? Why are bricks the shape of bricks? How do...

Do elephants get cancer?

12 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Is it true that elephants don't get cancer? Can science tell us how to be safe from tornadoes? Where does the rubber from tires end up? Why are tardig...

What would happen to someone born on Mars?

08 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Why does the sound a kettle makes change as it boils? Does a hot drink cool you down more than a cold drink? How does rice remove water from a mobile ...

Why is lightning jagged?

01 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Is the brain at birth empty? Why is farting funny? Does raw garlic cause stomach cancer? Why is lightning jagged? Can you fold the Universe? Is space ...

Is it Safe to Stand Near a Microwave?

24 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

How does aspirin help with a headache? Does microwaving your food affect its nutritional content? What happens to eye drop bottles during a flight? Ho...

Is bottled water safe to drink?

17 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Why do some athletes seem to be more injury prone than others? Will bottled water grow algae? If you toast bread will it keep its nutritional value? A...

How do energy drinks affect us?

10 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Why don't I have fingerprints? Why do the helium balloons in my car move the opposite way to people? Do other moons face their planet at the same time...

What is the speed of dark?

03 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

If the body repairs itself, why do we die? Why does water come out of your eyes? Can galaxies exceed the speed of light? What is the speed of dark? Wh...

Is the Earth flat?

26 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

What is the association of shingles and chicken pox? Is the earth flat? Why are berries red? Does drinking through a straw affect how drunk you are? D...

Why are rainbows curved?

19 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Why are rainbows curved? Why do you get double rainbows? Why are accents in Australia, England and America so different? Is a warp drive possible? Plu...

Can we control lightning?

12 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

How does my cat open doors? Why can't I pause the radio? What is lean muscle mass? Can lightning be manipulated? Can silver iodide control the weather...

Why is ice sticky?

05 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

When we doze off what causes that jolt? Do antidepressants cause swelling? Why is ice sticky? Can you carbon date a person? Can humans upload their co...

What is sleep paralysis?

24 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Is Earth about to be wiped out by Planet X? Do animals indulge in same-sex relationships? Are B vitamins linked to cancer? Is rainfall from a hurrican...

How do airplanes land safely?

07 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Why do people scream when falling from buildings? How do bombs affect the environment? How do airplanes land safely? Why do people commit suicide, and...

Can we 3D print rhino horn?

31 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Can we 3D print rhino horn? What is a static shock? How do cats eat and purr at the same time? Where is the Universe expanding into? How do you recove...

Why don't Animals Crossbreed?

24 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Can we eliminate flies and mosquitoes from our ecosystem and live in peace? When will the universe end? Do eggs with double yolks mean that two twins ...

Can people spontaneously combust?

10 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Can people spontaneously combust? How do flowers know when it's day time? What causes static electricity? Should your blood type affect diet? Is there...

Why did both males and females evolve?

07 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Why are there different sexes? Why did males and females evolve? When you have been driving for a long time and then park your vehicle, why does it fe...

Is all sweat the same?

27 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Why do people wake up at 3am after drinking? Why is hot water cloudy? What drives a gust of wind? How does a coil of wire produce electricity? Is swea...

Do plants hibernate?

20 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Can the moon affect people's behaviour? Do you weigh less after you take a bath? Do gas heaters have any side-effects on our health? Are microwaves da...

Why isn't Roger Federer's right arm twice the size of his left?

13 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Kicking off with a look at why coffee might make you live longer, Dr Chris and Eusebius explain why Roger Federer's right arm isn't twice the size of ...

Why are some people ticklish?

06 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

What can a person do about restless leg syndrome? Why does data expire? Why do our tummies rumble? Why are some people ticklish? Why do people grind...

Could Your Weight Affect Your Flu Vaccine?

29 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Could your weight affect how well your flu vaccine works? Is too much sparkling water bad for you? Why does head hair lose colour as you age, but othe...

Why do people have different accents?

15 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

How do horses have such strong muscles if they never eat any proteins? When dogs wag their tails is this voluntary or involuntary? Does it save electr...

Can White Parents Have a Black Baby?

01 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

What causes IBS and what can we do about it? Are there some foods you shouldn't eat if your gallbladder's been removed? Could a white couple give birt...

Can sperm survive in space?

25 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

How would you have sex in zero-gravity? Are eggs viable in space? What is nuclear fall-out? What is cold fusion? How long can astronauts be in space w...

How do you power a spacecraft to Saturn?

18 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

How do you power a spacecraft to Saturn? Can gravity affect the telomeres inside our cells? What can be done to help people with macular degeneration?...

Do our voices change as we age?

11 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Is there a cure for flu? Can your genetic engineering make you smart? How far are we from designer genes? Can we cure HIV? Do our voices change as w...

What can cure a hangover?

24 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

How do birds wake up at the same time each day? How does quantum computing work? Why do we feel hot even when the room is cooler than body temperature...

What causes deja vu?

10 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Why do we mishear lyrics? What causes deja vu? Where have all the bees gone? Do mermaids exist? Does God exist? What causes deja vu? Plus, synthetic g...

Why do I get a stitch when I run?

03 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Why do I get a stitch when I run? Is there such thing as baby brain? Is exercise good for you? Do the lines on your hand mean anything? How does altit...

What caused the Big Bang?

24 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Why are tooth aches more likely at night? Can chemo affect iron levels in your body? Why is there oil beneath the earth? What caused the big bang? Can...

Are cell towers bad for you?

17 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Why do chilies burn my fingers? How dangerous are cell towers to your health? Who names cyclones? Do white and black people have different body tem...

Why do wheels sometimes seem to spin backwards?

03 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Why is it that wheels look like they're going backwards? Why does my car give me static shocks? If you move an ant will it find its way home? Can yo...

Can cannabis cure MS?

27 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Is the earth round or flat? Can you have two snowflakes that are alike? Would medicinal marijuana help with MS and Alzheimer's? Why does your mouth he...

What should I eat before an exam?

20 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

What are the best foods to eat before and during exams? How do you get heavy metal poisoning? Why do you develop allergies? Why would soap help clean ...

Can people predict their own deaths?

13 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Why are dreams so realistic? When should you move your babies onto solids? Can people predict their own deaths? Am I allergic to exercise? Plus, the w...

How does pepper spray work?

02 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Why can't I eat fruit? How well do polar bears smell, and how do we know? How does marijuana affect your brain? How does pepper spray work? Like this...

How did speech evolve?

25 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

How did speech evolve, why do you need bacteria and fish food for aquaponic systems, do growth factors in anti-ageing creams really work, what treatme...

What are the consequences of nuclear war?

18 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Could the universe be more than a coincidence, what's causing a burning skin sensation, does milk cause breast cancer, are statins effective for high ...