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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Do the electrons that generate an electric current come from the wire's atoms?

« on: 18/12/2019 11:56:21 »

Rakesh reached out with a couple of questions on electric current:
What is the speed of electric current? When elections flow - do they come out from the atoms and flow as electric current? Is it not true that when electrons come out from atoms, light and energy is released? So why don't electric wires change their color?
Can you help?

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Physiology & Medicine / Are people with different skin colour really at the same risk of skin cancer?

« on: 17/12/2019 11:21:00 »

Nqaba wrote to us with a query:
I have read that white skin and black skin is equally prone to skin cancer due to radiation. Now, sun screens limiting the UV penetration play the same role as melanin which is not in the same amounts on black skin and white skin. So, is it possible really that skin cancer due to radiation (UV) poses the same amount of threat to both types of skins?
Can you help?

3

Physiology & Medicine / What's the science behind the chair challenge?

« on: 16/12/2019 14:42:00 »

Maxime would like to know:
What's the science behind the chair challenge? The challenge of stepping back 3 steps from the wall, bending over so that the torso is perpendicular to the floor, raising a chair up to your chest and trying to stand upright. There are countless videos of men unable to do this, regardless of physical shape, while women seem to be able to effortlessly complete it. I’ve not found a legitimate scientific explanation.
Can you help?

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Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / Why are cats afraid of cucumbers?

« on: 16/12/2019 14:32:48 »

Mike has a very interesting question for us:
Why are cats afraid of cucumbers?
Do you know the answer?

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Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / Why do some bananas have 3 sections in their peels whilst others have 4 or 5?

« on: 13/12/2019 15:57:42 »

Rick sent us a really interesting question:
Why do some bananas have 3 sections in their peels whilst others have 4 or 5?
Do you know the answer?

6

Technology / How are we going to charge electric cars?

« on: 13/12/2019 15:40:52 »

John has an interesting question for us:
How are we going to charge electric vehicles in roads where there's no private parking spaces? Street lamps have been suggested, but there are a lot less of those than there will eventually be electric cars. And how much power can the street lamp cables supply? Do the cables in the street have sufficient capacity, or do we need to dig up all the pavements in out towns to put new cables in and install charging sockets?
What do you think?

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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Were any heavy elements created in the Big Bang?

« on: 13/12/2019 14:25:29 »

Scott got in touch with a question:
They say that heavier elements are created by high energy events (supernovae, merging neutron stars, etc.). Were any of these heavier elements created by the Big Bang?
Do you know the answer?

8

Physiology & Medicine / What is mucus?

« on: 12/12/2019 16:42:03 »

John asked us on Twitter:
With cold season upon us I was wondering what mucus is, dead white blood cells maybe?
Do you know the answer?

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Complementary Medicine / Can neuroplasticity and fish oils cure learning difficulties?

« on: 12/12/2019 13:48:50 »

Hayley asked the following question:
I have read on the internet that neuroplasticity and fish oils can cure or help you overcome or reverse learning difficulties. Is all of this true?
Can you help Hayley out?

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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Why do cosmologists say the universe should have more mass?

« on: 12/12/2019 12:00:36 »

Eddie asked us on Twitter:
Why do cosmologists say the universe should have more mass? If the Big Bang was an explosion, the majority of its matter is in the shell. As this shell expands in space, why couldn't 90% of its matter have ended up far beyond where we can see, 100 billion light years away?
Do you know the answer?

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Physiology & Medicine / How do brain workouts compare to physical workouts?

« on: 12/12/2019 09:51:48 »

Justin would like to know:
Our brain uses 20% of the energy in our bodies. In the light of losing weight or just day to day health, how do brain workouts, (e.g. sudoku, escape rooms, or puzzles) compare to physical workouts such as weight-lifting or running?
Can you help?

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Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / Do bonobos have consistent testosterone throughout their development?

« on: 12/12/2019 09:46:45 »

Michael has a question for us:
I've read a few articles/studies which state that bonobos, unlike male chimpanzees and male humans, don't experience a surge of testosterone in puberty/adolescence. Bonobos are relatively peaceful compared to chimpanzees and humans. Could the consistent testosterone throughout development possibly be partially responsible for their peaceful nature?
What do you think?

13

Chemistry / Does smoke dissolve in rain water?

« on: 11/12/2019 16:05:05 »

Molefi would like to know:
Does smoke from burnt plastic (or smoke in general) dissolve in rain water? That is, when there’s smoke and it's raining at the same time.
What do you think?

14

Physiology & Medicine / Can veins harden like arteries?

« on: 11/12/2019 16:00:44 »

Steve got in touch with an interesting question:
I hear about hardening of the arteries, and plaques in arteries, and blocked & bypass arteries. How come I never hear of the same ailments for veins?
Do you know the answer?

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Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology / Why do the Andes have a lot of volcanoes but the Himalayas don't?

« on: 11/12/2019 13:30:55 »

Derek got in touch with us to ask a question:
What is different between the Andes and the Himalayas that has caused the Andes to have lots of volcanoes and the Himalayas not to have any?
What do you think?

16

Technology / Can facial recognition show sililatiries between parents and their children?

« on: 11/12/2019 13:26:08 »

Paul wrote to us with a question:
Now that facial recognition is becoming so popular, if one compares the faces of ones parents can items be shown to carry over?
Can you help?

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Physiology & Medicine / Why do we share so much DNA with chimpanzees but not with Neanderthals?

« on: 11/12/2019 12:38:43 »

Tim contacted us with the following question:
If we share 99% of our DNA with chimpanzees then we must logically share say around 99.7% of our DNA with Neanderthals and perhaps 99.6% with Denisovans. So why do scientists say we only share 2% or 4% of our DNA with Neanderthals and Denisovans?
Do you know the answer?

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Physiology & Medicine / Can the causes of tinnitus be man-made?

« on: 27/11/2019 14:39:18 »

Tammy got in touch with the following concern:
I am having a problem with tinnitus. I've read tons on the subject and how to help treatment. Nothing has helped. My question is: Can tinnitus causes be man made? My tinnitus is completely gone in new places, remote areas and the level of the sound can easily go up and down. It is strongest in areas that I frequent most, especially at home. Can someone help me out on this one, I am stumped and aggravated...
Can you help?

19

Physiology & Medicine / What are all our different organs doing while we cycle?

« on: 26/11/2019 16:32:00 »

Justin sent us a really interesting question:
Being a cyclist, when I am cycling, what are all my different organs doing? What is my gallbladder doing while I am pushing up a hill at 90% power for example? Just sitting there wondering what to do next?
Do you know the answer?

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General Science / Can brushing your teeth too much erode your teeth?

« on: 26/11/2019 16:04:05 »

Tom got in touch with a question:
If you cleaned your teeth too frequently with an alkali toothpaste would it eventually erode your teeth because of an overload of alkali?
Can you help?