Question of the Week
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...
Which painkiller should I use?
What's the difference between aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen? We turn to a Professor of Pain for the answer.
What is fire and how does it burn?
We light up our brains with this burning question, igniting the issue with a Professor of Chemistry and Fire Science, Richard Hull, from Lancaster University.
Why does my PC need more data storage than my DNA?
Why does my PC need more data storage than my DNA? Surely human processing power is greater than a computers? We crunch into the data to find out!
Is technology steering human evolution?
Is technology changing at too fast a pace for our genetic material? Has human evolution halted? We find out!
Is elevator style travel across Earth possible?
Could we banish planes and instead use the Earths natural spin to help long distance travel across it's surface?
Does lightening electrocute fish in the sea?
When lightning strikes the sea, why do we not see electrically shocked fish floating on the surface?
Can a brain scan tell if you are depressed?
We zoom into MRI scanning to find out why it is so low resolution and ask, if it was improved could that help diagnosing disorders of the brain?
Why are some people left handed?
We find out if other animals exhibit handed'ness. Plus what does it mean to be left handed and right footed?
Is green snot better than yellow?
Does the colour of your snot signify the severity or stage of your cold?
How can I get rid of deodorant stains?
What causes deodorant stains on clothing, and what's the best way to get rid of them?
Why do insects buzz around lights?
There's not that many bugs around this time of year, but those that are seem to collect by by kitchen light. Why is that?
Why don't electrons fall into the atomic nucleus?
Why don't electrons crash into the centres of atoms?
Is size important?
Does a fly evolve faster than a toad? A whale slower than a barnacle? And if so, how does our bodies immune system keep up with bugs?
Do other animals sweat?
So sweat. Do the birds and bees do it? And even educated fleas? Or is sweating just limited to human…
Why do I overlook the obvious?
We find out how our thoughts get overloaded so that we experience visual cortex blindness and overlo…
Why can I squirt a jet of saliva from my mouth?
We find out why some humans squirt saliva from their mouth as a fine jet of spit.
Is it a good thing to raise your baby to be bilingual?
We find out if raising your baby to be bilingual is a good or bad thing for brain development.
Can superfoods protect against cancer?
We often see headlines that foods like red wine and veggie curry might decrease your likelihood of c…
Why do I fart after cottage pie?
Why do I fart after cottage pie? And what exactly is a fart? Do certain foods and cooking techniques…
Can your dog pass on your flu?
Could you pass the flu onto your pouch? Could your dog then sneeze over your Great Aunt Mildred? We …