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Cambridge Science Festival Q&A
18 Mar 2007
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14th Feb 2010

Do Animals use Toilet Paper?


Dave Ansell
(c) Helen Scales
Helen Scales

Chris Smith
Sun Bear in captivity at the Columbus Zoo, Powell Ohio

We investigate the toilet habits of the animal kingdom this week as well as taking a pot shot at which way a dirty golf ball swings in mid air, answering whether warmer waters attract more sharks and if there's a genetic basis to intelligence. We also get an update on what geologists studying the recent earthquake in Haiti are learning from information beamed back from space, and how a new tech-driven initiative called Crisis Camps is helping to streamline aid efforts after a catastrophe. Plus, laser-sensitive nanoparticles that can help to identify tumours, the genome of a 4000 year old man and whether elephants can run...

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News

(c) Cancer Research UK Electron Microscopy Unit

Nanoparticles and a sonic signature pick up blood-borne cancers

Scientists have developed a new way to detect cancer cells in blood using laser-sensitive magnetic nanoparticles. Cancer occurs when cells in the body mutate, causing them to lose their normal growth inhibitions and divide rapidly. This can cause a localised accumulation of cells called a tumour;...

(c) U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Genome sequence of 4000 year old human

Scientists have decoded the genome sequence of an ancient human who lived 4000 years ago using hair samples recovered from the permafrost at an archaeological site in Greenland. The DNA code reveals that the individual was male, had brown eyes, wiry black hair, dark skin, short stature, dry earwax...

(c) Rajesh Kakkanatt, courtesy Suresh Babu. Original uploader was Kjrajesh at wikipedia

Do elephants run, trot or just walk rapidly?

This sounds like an obvious question, but what do we actually mean by running? One definition is that all of an animal's legs leave the ground at once, which is obvious when humans are running, but the same happens when a dog or horse runs. In this case an elephant definitely doesn't run as it alway...

(c) Pat Corkery/United Launch Alliance

Solar Dynamics Observatory

The sun is the source of over 99.9% of the energy arriving at the surface of the Earth and it is a very active place with giant solar flares and complex weather.  This weather can hurl giant lumps of plasma called coronal mass ejections out into the solar system, knocking out power sy...

(c) Mila Zinkova

Secrets of a sea turtle's first steps

If you’ve ever tried running along a beach on soft, dry sand, you’ll how much hard work it can be; the grains of sand shifting beneath your feet slow you down and make it more likely you will slip and fall over. Sea turtles know only too well the perils of sandy beaches. After they hatch, baby turtl...


Kitchen Science

Dancing Raisins

Make raisins dance in front of your eyes using nothing more sophisticated than some fizz.


Interviews

(c) Tubbi

What can satellites reveal about earthquakes?

James Jackson explains how satellites can look for changes in landscapes following earthquakes. Spotting patterns in the activity could provide a means to predict future events...

Crisis Camps

Meera Senthilingam speaks to resident techie Chris Vallance to explore how new technology can be used to aid relief efforts during humanitarian crises...


Questions

Is intelligence genetically inherited?


Why is most oil localised to the middle east?


How do you make an elephant run?


Which way would a dirty golf ball turn?


Are humans the only animal that needs to wipe its’ bottom?


Are there materials that convert heat directly into electricity?


Why do darker skinned people live nearer to the equator?


How does light travel through glass?


What is the smallest thing that is possible to see with a microscope?


How many batteries can you place in series?


Do warmer waters attract more sharks?


Why do sweeteners taste different to sugar?



QotW

(c) NASA

Can you phone home from a black hole?

Is it possible to make a phone call from a black hole?





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