Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists

Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists

Each week we set out to solve one of the world's weirdest, wackiest, funniest and funkiest scientific puzzles. And along with the answer there's a brand new question to think about for next time...

Episodes

Is 10,000 steps a one-goal-fits-all?

October 31, 2025 • 5 mins

John writes in wondering whether the 10,000 steps rule applies eqully to everyone, given the range of body types and fitness among the population. James Tytko wondered where the 10,000 number came from in the first place, and sought an answer to John's question with the help of Dr Raj Amarnani, Consultant in Sport, Exercise and Muscoskeletel Medicine... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

Why can't I do that 11th press-up?

October 24, 2025 • 6 mins

This time on Question of the Week, James Tytko is being given a mental work-out thanks to this listener question on muscle fatigue. We learn about the biological reactions which govern intense exercise from Andy Jones, Professor of Applied Physiology at the University of Exeter... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

How does the UV filter in sun cream work?

October 17, 2025 • 4 mins

Listener Krzysztof has written in to ask how skin is protected from potentially harmful UV radiation by sun cream products. To help him with the answer, James Tytko put in a call to Antony Young, Emeritus Professor of Experimental Photobiology at King's College London... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

Will heat pumps make cities cooler?

October 10, 2025 • 7 mins

Ian from Stockport has had a thought. If heat pumps transfer thermal energy from outside into our homes, will they counteract the relative heat of urban areas compared to the countryside? To get to the bottom of this energy enquiry, James Tytko asked for the expertise of Professor Bob Critoph, from the University of Warwick's School of Engineering. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

What leads a guided missile to its target?

October 2, 2025 • 6 mins

Bhavesh wants to know how guided missiles find their target. James Tytko took on his question with help from Dr David Galvao Wall, Head of the Air Platforms and Weapons Group at Cranfield University... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

How do gravitational waves keep their energy?

September 26, 2025 • 5 mins

In response to our programme celebrating 10 years since the first detection of gravitational waves, listeners got in touch with fascinating questions. Here, James Tytko takes on a couple, with help from Ben Allanach, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

Why do leaves change colour at different rates?

September 19, 2025 • 5 mins

Trent wants to know why trees of the same species, in the same geography, seem to change the colour of their leaves at different rates. He's even noticed differences on branches of the same tree! James Tytko sought to provide an answer, with help from Charles Shi, botanical horticulturalist at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

Are snakes tamed by breast milk?

September 12, 2025 • 5 mins

Sva writes in, asking whether stories of snakes being tamed by human milk have any grounding in science. James Tytko took on the question with the help of herpetologist Fortunate Mafeta Phaka, and Angela Julian of the Amphibian and Reptiles Group of the UK. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

What happens to celebratory bullets?

September 5, 2025 • 5 mins

In some parts of the world, some groups will fire guns directly into the air in celebration. Mike wants to know what happens to these bullets, and if they have the potential to be dangerous. To help answer this question, James Tytko spoke with neurologists Yousef Hayder and Luis Rafael Moscote-Salazar... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

What would you find at the centre of Saturn or Jupiter?

August 29, 2025 • 5 mins

Maddie wants to know what a daring adventurer might find if they journeyed to the centre of one of our Solar System's gas giants: Juptier and Saturn. James Tytko took on her question, with the help of University of Cambridge astrophysicist, Xander Byrne. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

Do recent experiments prove a quantum interpretation?

August 22, 2025 • 5 mins

Iain wants to know whether recent experiments have gotten us any closer to deciding which interpretation of quantum mechanics is most likely. This branch of physics describes the as yet unexplained interactions of very small particles. Here to help Rowan Berkley explore Iain's question is Maria Violaris, quantum research scientist and science communicator... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

Can a dog and a fox produce viable offspring?

August 15, 2025 • 6 mins

Girts sends a question about which animals can mate to produce viable offspring. How is it that different breeds of dogs can come together to produce puppies, but add a different animal into the equation and you don't get the same result? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

How are our cells different at the genetic level?

July 31, 2025 • 4 mins

Jon wants to know, how do the cells in the human body, in all their variety, differ at the genetic level? James Tytko took his query on... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

Will AI help to reduce environmental harms?

July 24, 2025 • 7 mins

Geoff has written in asking whether AI will offset its vast energy appetite by facilitating environmentally conscious initiatives. James Tytko took on the challenge of finding out, with help from researchers at the University of Cambridge... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

Can nuclear reactors power Mars missions and our towns?

July 18, 2025 • 6 mins

Laurie writes in, wanting to know whether the nuclear reactions which power Mars rovers means small nuclear reactors could power our towns and cities. Diving into this atomic adventure, James Tytko sought help from research associate at the energy policy group at Cambridge University, Simon Taylor... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

How do you catch Lyme disease?

July 11, 2025 • 5 mins

Leonard is asking how one acquires Lyme disease, and how doctors diagnose it. James Tytko asked Jack Lambert, Professor and Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, for help to find an answer. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

Will green technology stop climate change?

July 3, 2025 • 3 mins

Simon wants to know, since we saw a dip in greenhouse gas emissions during the pandemic, why haven't we seen climate change slow down? Is green technology part of the problem? James Tytko took on his question with the help of Shaun Fitzgerald, Director of the Centre for Climate Repair at the University of Cambridge... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

How long does a lap of the water cycle take?

June 27, 2025 • 5 mins

Thanks to Jess Neumann for the answer! Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

Why do clouds move in a different direction to the wind?

June 20, 2025 • 4 mins

When Tony is cycling around, he notices that the clouds above him are not always moving in the same direction as he feels the wind blowing him down on the ground. Why might this be? James Tytko took on the question with help from Paul Williams, Professor of Atmospheric Science at the University of Reading... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

Do photons have a size?

June 12, 2025 • 4 mins

Donald wants to know, 'how big is a photon?' Marushka Soobben took on his query with help from Ben Allanach, professor of theoretical physics at the University of Cambridge... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club

The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

SmartLess

SmartLess

"SmartLess" with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, & Will Arnett is a podcast that connects and unites people from all walks of life to learn about shared experiences through thoughtful dialogue and organic hilarity. A nice surprise: in each episode of SmartLess, one of the hosts reveals his mystery guest to the other two. What ensues is a genuinely improvised and authentic conversation filled with laughter and newfound knowledge to feed the SmartLess mind. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of SmartLess ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

Advertise With Us