1

COVID-19 / How can we get information on obtaining booster shots?

« on: 17/10/2022 15:49:00 »

Justine is looking for advice in this situation.

"My mum had an allergic reaction to the shingles vaccine and was advised she could only have the Astra Zeneca covid vaccine because of this. We have tried to get advice from covid centres, GP, pharmacists and even the covid helpline on what do to about obtaining a booster but no one can answer us and we are concerned as to what to do next. Any information would be greatly appreciated."

What do you think would help?

2

Cells, Microbes & Viruses / Why are arm pit stains so difficult to remove?

« on: 17/10/2022 15:44:42 »

David has a peculiar question that he's wanting to find the answer to.

"Why do shirts become soiled under arms pit even if cleaned after every wear. I am not a particularly sweaty person and I don’t recall it happening years ago. I read it could be the deodorant. Can it be cleaned if so how? It’s a shame to have to throw away before their time."

Discuss your ideas in the comments below...

3

The Environment / Would nuclear energy make much of an impact on global warming?

« on: 17/10/2022 15:41:47 »

David has a few queries that he's hoping we can give him answers to.

"Is Nuclear Power the only alternative to reducing global fossil fuel pollution?

(as an aside : would using solar panels in the Sahara desert be an alternative to power Europe and possibly the world? How much land would be required, for the UK, to use wind or solar energy - and would this in itself create other problems with the environment and nature?)

Does economics dictate the future of human kind and this of human-made pollution?"

Discuss your findings in the comments below...

4

Physiology & Medicine / Would surgery help with my 'post nasal drip'?

« on: 17/10/2022 15:37:43 »

Simon is looking for advice to this question.

"I have seen a few ENT's during the past few years who told me I have post nasal drip. They all have given me the Saline irrigation solution which has hopelessly failed to assuage the situation and quite frankly I am now frustrated by having to deal with this mucous whose tap I can't close. Is there no way the gland that secrets this nagging stuff can be "closed"? I think you know how frustrating this thing can be! The antihistamine medications I have tried have also failed to help, please help in any way you believe my situation can be sorted out. Can surgery solve this problem?"

What do you think?

5

Technology / Does wi-fi harm the environment?

« on: 17/10/2022 15:32:48 »

Sue is curious to find the answer to the following question.

"How bad is wi-fi to the environment and should we not be putting mobile phones in our pockets?"

Can you help them?

6

Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / How does fracking make sure no methane gas escapes?

« on: 17/10/2022 15:30:01 »

This question has been emailed in by Joe.

"One question about the possible drawbacks of fracking I have not been able to find any information on is this. How likely is it that methane will escape to the atmosphere through fractured rock instead of being harvested through the well pipe as intended?"

Leave your thoughts in the comments below...

7

Chemistry / When measuring hyaluronic acid, what is 'kDa'?

« on: 17/10/2022 15:26:22 »

Staci is curious about finding the answer to this question,

"How do I order hyaluronic acid supplements by the correct weight in MILLIGRAMS, when the suggestion it’s in terms of 130 kDa? I found a conversion table but it doesn’t relate to the choices I’m given on the bottles, such as 20mg or 100mg."

Leave your answers in the comments below...

8

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / How do photons relay information across distances?

« on: 17/10/2022 15:19:42 »

Daniel is looking for answers to this question.

"It is my understanding that photons are massless and can act as either particles or waves. None of this information helps me understand how a photon relays information across various distances. How is the color red stored and transmitted from a stop sign, across a void, and into my eyeball?"

Discuss your scientific findings in the comments below...

9

Question of the Week / QotW - 22.09.19 - Do nuclear bombs cause global warming?

« on: 12/09/2022 15:11:46 »

Listener Julia has sent in this radiation rattler to the Naked Scientists for the next QotW.

"Did all the nuclear bomb tests in the 60s exacerbate global warming?"

What do you think? Leave your answers in the comments below...

10

Question of the Week / Re: QotW - 22.09.12 - Why are black holes at the centre of galaxies?

« on: 12/09/2022 14:57:43 »

This question has now been answered and you can listen to it through this link.
https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/question-week/why-are-black-holes-centre-galaxies

11

Cells, Microbes & Viruses / How can we change DNA?

« on: 06/09/2022 15:16:56 »

Listener 'D' has sent in this question to The Naked Scientists.

"Is it possible to biologically change DNA on command??? (for example change my DNA to live longer)"

Discuss your findings in the comments below...

12

The Environment / We all know of double rainbows, but what's a triple rainbow like?

« on: 06/09/2022 15:11:25 »

Thomas is curious to find answers to this question that he submitted.

"On a rainbow red is on the outside, violet on the inside. Why is it the other way on the second rainbow (second reflection in the waterdrop)? How would the third rainbow look like?

Discuss your findings in the comments below...

13

Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / Do animals get static shocks like we do on carpets?

« on: 06/09/2022 15:03:37 »

Donald has sent us another question that he wants tackled.

"If I walk in socks on carpet, often I experience static electrical discharges. Ouch. Cats, which have fur on their feet, rarely get shocks walking even though petting them will cause static charge to build, so it is possible. So why are not cats constantly discharging like cows attempting to drink from troughs under high voltage lines?"

What do you think?

14

Physiology & Medicine / What new medical technologies are being made to repair problematic eyes?

« on: 06/09/2022 14:55:54 »

Melody is looking for answers to this medical question and submitted it to The Naked Scientists.

"I have had 3 vitrectomy operations and my problematic eye still cannot see. It has been about 5 years now and every ophthalmologist I seek guidance from seems to have no answer as to how to solve this problem.

I also was put in an incubator after birth after having an operation and believe that since they did not cover my eyes from the blue light and oxygen in the incubator, this has resulted.

Would you think with the advancement of medical technology, one day surgeons could possibly conduct stem cell therapy for the retina, or the optic nerve, or possibly even clone a healthy pair and implant it for patients with retinal thinning, retinal detachment and optic nerve issues to one day resolve retinal detachment? Would you happen to know any specialists preferably in the US?"

Put your findings in the comments below...

15

Technology / Should we be using gyms to make electricity?

« on: 06/09/2022 14:50:31 »

Paul is looking for answers to this question from the Naked Scientists.

"With the ocean wind farms why don't they have floating coils of wire surrounding the uprights generating extra power or is there not enough variance in water level where these wind farms are sited to generate any extra power?

Why are not gymnasiums hooked up to the national grid so that folk using exercycles can be generating power? Waste not, want not."

What do you think? Discuss in the comments below...

16

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Are stars nearer to Earth moving slower than stars further away?

« on: 06/09/2022 14:43:00 »

Listener David wrote into the Naked Scientists to ask this question.

"According to red/blue shift theory stars nearer to us are moving away at a slower rate than those further away.  Is this correct?"

Discuss your thoughts in the comments below...

17

The Environment / What's the best way to get cool air inside when there's no wind?

« on: 22/08/2022 14:30:59 »

Listener Trent is looking for an explanation to this situation...

"It's been unseasonably warm this summer, but I haven't made the leap to air conditioning, instead relying on opening windows in the evenings when it's cooler, and closing windows and curtains during the heat of the day. But, assuming there is no wind, what gets the cool air in faster: opening more windows on the same level to allow the air to move about, or opening fewer windows, but with a greater difference in elevation? Would opening a window in the basement and one on the second floor draw the heat out faster than opening all the windows on the first floor?"

Can you help them? Leave your answers in the comments below...

18

Question of the Week / QotW - 22.09.12 - Why are black holes at the centre of galaxies?

« on: 22/08/2022 14:17:55 »

Listener David submitted this cosmic conundrum to The Naked Scientists in a hope to find the answer.

"How are black holes formed and why are they often at the centre of galaxies?"

Do you know the answer? Discuss your research in the comments below...

19

Question of the Week / Re: QotW - 22.08.22 - Why is it recommended to drink coca cola after swimming?

« on: 22/08/2022 14:14:14 »

This QotW has now been answered and is available to listen to through this link:

https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/question-week/should-i-drink-cola-after-swimming-river

20

Chemistry / What is the explanation for ion exchange?

« on: 22/08/2022 12:13:17 »

Listener Meng submitted this question to The Naked Scienitsts.

"How does lon exchange work?"

Leave your answers in the comments below...