17th May 2012 - Find out answers to those questions you have always been wondering about.

What is an Alloy?

A lot of the metals we use every day, from car wheels to cutlery, are made from alloys. In this Naked Science Scrapbook we find out how alloys are made and how we change their properties to suit our needs. Plus we discover why alloys have a vital role to play when we fly off on holiday...

• What is Jetlag?
• What does a data centre do?
• More...

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) sufferers describe symptoms of severe exhaustion, weakness, muscle pain and fatigue. But why, and what is science revealing about the underlying causes of the condition? We talk to a researcher who is probing the genetic links to the syndrome, a clinician with evidence that the muscles of patients accumulate acid when they exercise and a pathologist with post-mortem evidence of inflammation in the nervous systems of CFS sufferers. Also, in the news this week, the ants that help a pitcher plant to catch its lunch, the missile-hurling zoo chimp who plans his attacks in advance, and does non-coding DNA hold the key to how chromosomes recognise their opposite number? Plus, the cause of cheesy feet goes under the microscope in our Question of the Week...

Want to know how to generate a cloud in a lemonade bottle? How about build a toaster-powered hot air balloon, or work out the speed of light using margarine and a microwave?

In this book, penned by the Naked Scientists, you’ll find these and over 40 more incredible experiments to try at home. You’ll never have a dull rainy day again!

Find out more or Order Now

This week in the Planet Earth Podcast researchers explain why, despite record rainfall, England is in drought. Later, how scientists are using indoor avalanches to figure out where to put buildings and roads. Finally, news of ice loss in Antarctic, and the benefits of bat dung.

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