Ask the Naked Scientists

Dr Chris takes on more listener questions. Including: is Chinese medicine separate from Western medicine? Why do we sometimes cry in response to feelings of sadness and joy? Why do I have a blotch in my vision after looking directly at a light source? Why do kids cry when they get injured, but adults less so? What happens if I scratch a mosquito bite? What is the relationship between science and religion. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

The questions keep coming for Dr Chris. This week they include: have scientists got their hands on the oldest ice ever studied? Does putting the air conditioning on too high or low make you ill? What factors contribute to chronic mental illness? How do you reduce puffiness under the eyes? Can cold weather make healed operation sites sore again? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

In this episode of Ask! Dr Chris is asked: what is ivermectin? Are sodium ion batteries a rival to lithium? Is the Earth spinning slightly faster? Why do we warn against using phones around petrol stations? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Do we have another comet visiting from outside the solar system? What is Oumuamua? Is the Ring of Fire amping up in activity? Is leukaemia genetic? Does exposure to certain chemicals increase your risk of cancer? Why are early health screenings so important? How do you measure the risk of certain health treatments? Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford have all the answers... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Why does cold water take your breath away? And why is it cold when you leave the cold water? What smells does an ant produce? Is there a psychological aspect to cramp? Are there any new asthma treatments in the pipeline? Are people getting vaccinated against cancer? Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford have all the answers... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Dr Chris answers listener questions including: what is the Higgs boson? How should I change my lifestyle to prevent diabetes? Why can you pass on yawns? Why does nerve pain/sciatica get worse when we're tired? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Cambridge University have informed us that, for cost cutting reasons, they intend to make Dr Chris Smith redundant. Naturally, this jeopardises the Naked Scientists programme, which is produced under his role. He will also lose his medical job. We regard this as a terrible decision and we intend to protest. Please listen to this short podcast to hear how you can help. Together we hope we can turn around this terrible decision... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Chris Smith answers listener science questions. They include, is it worth getting the flu vaccine? Is COVID still around? Is it possible to manufacture a car that runs on air? Why does the hair on our head keep growing, but not on our arms and legs? Is it good to finish a shower with a cold burst? Why are marathon runners thin? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Dr Chris with more answers to listener science questions: why was the discovery of the Higgs boson worthy of a Nobel Prize? Are birth rates falling around the world? How do we prevent HPV? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Dr Chris answers listener questions including, how effective is the flu shot? Is there anything doctors don't want their patients to know? Do our eyes stay the same size through our lives? Could working in a dusty cement environment lead to health problems? When someone has dementia, how long will they live? Will doctors prescribe remedies purely to induce a placebo effect? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists