Ask the Naked Scientists

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 and app show different things? How does a heat shield work? How does alcohol affect people of different sizes? Chris Smith takes on your questions and more in this week's episode of Ask! The Naked Scientists... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

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 fat for baby brains? How long before the planet is overpopulated? Do butterflies taste with their feet? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Do galaxies turn clockwise or anticlockwise? What's the difference between dark matter and dark energy? Why do older people have quivering voices? Why is our planet called Earth? How do bionic eyes work? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

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 grey? What's the point of a sneeze? Plus, engineering better batteries. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

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 the sea salty? Could we lock away all the carbon dioxide? And also, how to stop the body absorbing dietary fat.... Africa - Dr Chris Smith joining us on the line. It's always a pleasure to talk to you when I can. Chris good morning,Chris - Hey Africa, it's good to catch up again.Africa - It is indeed. Let's start off with this interesting story out this week about a blocking of the uptake of fat in the intestine which could be a game changer, I... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

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 you put metal in a microwave? How do stars form? Plus, organ transplant discovery. Chris Smith joins Eusebius McKaiser to find out... Eusebius - Our science story is a fascinating one. Bioengineers - how close are they to lab-grown lungs?Chris - Yeah amazing this isn't it? We know that millions of people around the world need organ transplants. We know that thousands, if not tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people die waiting on... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

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 smoke a joint? Are cigarettes or joints worse for you? Plus, water on Mars. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

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 speed of light? Are things that burn totally destroyed? Could a cable run from earth to space to generate energy? Would exercise just before bed help weight loss? Can we have solar panels instead of windows? Plus, how does circumcising affect populations? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

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 does elephant urine take so long to dry out on roads? How do we measure the distance to far away stars? Plus, finding a far flung source of neutrinos... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

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 better? Why do gazelles all look the same? Can GMOs be harming my health? Plus, saving the Northern White Rhino. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists