Ask the Naked Scientists

Dr Chris Smith
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Dec 6, 2024 • 18min

What colour should I paint my garage roof?

Chris Smith answers CapeTalk listeners' questions. Including, do wind turbines affect the temperature of the ground? What is the cause of protein build up in my eye? Can we predict how much we might shrink as we age? And does microwaving food affect its nutritional content? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Nov 29, 2024 • 21min

Why does toothpaste contain fluoride?

Dr Chris Smith takes on listener questions on South Africa's CapeTalk. Why is there a delay between live TV and radio? Do wind turbines warm the air at ground level? Do we need to decommission the ISS? What causes genital warts? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Nov 22, 2024 • 18min

Why is sunlight so important for the body?

Discover the incredible benefits of morning sunlight for health and mood, and learn how it helps produce vitamin D. Uncover the curious connection between bright light and sneezing. The discussion takes an intriguing turn as luck is examined—exploring its randomness and influence from our environments. Delve into the evolution of human skin color, linking it to agricultural practices and UV exposure. Finally, a cosmic journey reveals the formation of matter from the Big Bang, tying together energy and the origins of our universe.
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Nov 15, 2024 • 19min

Has it been a strange year for weather?

Dr Chris Smith answers questions from the listeners of CapeTalk. Including, why are pregnant women told to take folic acid? What causes ears to itch? Why is vomit yellow? Is there a relationship between organs of the body and areas of the skin? How effective is carbon dating? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Nov 8, 2024 • 23min

Why do athletes spit on the ground?

Dr Chris and Clarence take on another selection of topics from across the scientific spectrum: Who were the victims of the Mount Vesuvius eruption? How does one get rid of ringworm? What are the effects of a low heart rate? If our internal body temperature is 37 degrees, why do we feel warm when it's 35 degrees outside? What is an eating disorder? Can an element in the periodic table be changed into another? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Nov 1, 2024 • 22min

What should you do if a lift cable snaps?

Do animals lower their mating standards when drunk? Why do different farts make different noises? What should you do if your lift cable snaps? Were there two Earths at one point? Where do mosquitoes go during the day? Is tinnitus always a ringing sound? Is Teflon safe to use? Is there such thing as a universal frame of reference? Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford have all the answers... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Oct 25, 2024 • 19min

Do other animals see colour?

In this episode of Ask! The Naked Scientist, Dr Chris explains how our eyesight changes as we age, what the difference is between a brown and white egg shell, and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Oct 18, 2024 • 17min

Are ambidextrous people more intelligent?

Listener science questions from South Africa answered by Dr Chris this time include: Do you urinate more liquid than the alcohol you consume? Why do dark skinned people get pigmentation underneath their armpits and between their thighs? What are the latest developments in helping restore vision to blind people? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Oct 11, 2024 • 19min

Why do we have car headlights on during the day?

Dr Chris answers listener questions. Including, is air made up of the same proportion of stuff everywhere on Earth? What is earwax? Where is it produced and for what reason? How does time work at the North Pole? Why do strong perfumes cause sinus congestion? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
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Oct 4, 2024 • 20min

What is the best way to get rid of hiccups?

Can you bring someone back from the dead? Can a special diet help flexibility in older people? What is the best way to get rid of hiccups? Are hovercrafts safe? Why is yawning contagious? Does hot water sound different to cold water? Are there tardigrades on the ISS? Dr Chris Smith and Zain Johnson have all the answers... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

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