

Ask the Naked Scientists
Dr Chris Smith
How many organs could you donate and remain alive? How many planet Earths could fit inside the Sun? How high is a giraffe's blood pressure? Why is the sea blue? To find out, Ask The Naked Scientists!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 1, 2017 • 22min
Why is lightning jagged?
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 dark? What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Nov 24, 2017 • 20min
Is it Safe to Stand Near a Microwave?
How does aspirin help with a headache? Does microwaving your food affect its nutritional content? What happens to eye drop bottles during a flight? How can we stop waste medicines leaking into the environment? Is it safe to stand near a microwave when it is in operation? Can we tell when someone is looking at us? Plus, in the news, cancer cells' bacterial passengers that could be a new target for treatment. Chris Smith answers your questions with Eusebius McKaiser on South Africa's Talk Radio 702... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Nov 17, 2017 • 17min
Is bottled water safe to drink?
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? Are palm trees good at cleaning the air? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Nov 10, 2017 • 23min
How do energy drinks affect us?
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? How do energy drinks affect your body? What makes a person left handed? Why do I sneeze when I look at the sun? Could a fly travel at lightspeed? Do you have to gender match a heart transplant? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Nov 3, 2017 • 23min
What is the speed of dark?
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? What's the link between substance abuse and insomnia? How do I drive without paying attention? Do we understand stuttering? Plus, how gut bugs affect your cancer treatment. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Oct 26, 2017 • 20min
Is the Earth flat?
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? Does hot water sound different from cold water? How do cats jump so well? How skin prevents damage. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Oct 19, 2017 • 15min
Why are rainbows curved?
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? Plus, the difference between good and bad cholesterol. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Oct 12, 2017 • 17min
Can we control lightning?
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? Plus three blind mice, now able to see! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Oct 5, 2017 • 19min
Why is ice sticky?
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 consciousness to computers? What causes static shocks? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Sep 24, 2017 • 19min
What is sleep paralysis?
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 hurricane fresh or salty water? Why do smokers light up over a coffee? Why do people with hypothermia sometimes undress? What's sleep paralysis? Join Dr Chris and Eusebius for all the answers as well as news of a new therapy for multiple sclerosis... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists