1

COVID-19 / Would taking blood thinners before the Covid vaccine reduce chances of a clot?

« on: 01/04/2021 11:02:20 »

Paul asks:

If I take something for blood thinning before taking the covid vaccine, will that reduce my chances of getting a blood clot?

2

Technology / Can you block an electric field?

« on: 30/03/2021 10:27:18 »

David asks:

Can an electrical field be directed or targeted at an object? If so lets say about 100 yards. if so can it be blocked?

What do you think?

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Question of the Week / Re: QotW - 21.03.02 - Difference between rechargeable and normal batteries?

« on: 17/03/2021 14:03:49 »

This question has now been answered on the show. You can listen here - https://www.thenakedscientists.com/podcasts/question-week/why-arent-all-batteries-rechargeable

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Question of the Week / QotW - 21.03.15 - Do animals get bored with their food?

« on: 16/03/2021 10:15:12 »

Douglas asks:

Do animals get bored eating the same thing all the time? Like sheep, do they get bored eating one type of grass?

What do you think?

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COVID-19 / Are anti-inflammatories for osteoarthritis helpful for Covid-19?

« on: 09/03/2021 11:23:23 »

Zo asks:

If the illness aspect of Covid virus is instigation of massive inflammation, is there an advantage or not when one is already taking 15mg Meloxicam daily for osteo-arthritus inflammation? 

6

Chemistry / Is there hydrogen in space?

« on: 01/03/2021 14:11:25 »

Ron asks:

Is there any hydrogen to be found in space?

Can you help?

7

Technology / Could a special window maximise sunlight and vitamin D production?

« on: 22/02/2021 14:35:48 »

Dave says:

As we know, UVB rays from the sun are not able to penetrate glass. Is there any research on finding an alternative to glass that would allow UVB rays to reach a person's skin whilst indoors?

Vitamin D is best produced via sunlight and since lots of people do not have access to a garden, then an alternative window pane material might effect a general improvement in health worldwide, both in relation to Covid and lots of other health issues.

What do you think?

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COVID-19 / Re: I have several allergies, should I worry about taking the Covid-19 vaccine?

« on: 16/02/2021 11:58:25 »

Erica says:

I have hypothyroidism, hypertension, bradycardia and gastric problems.

I'm allergic to all penicillin and tetracyclines as well as vibramycin, diclofenac & ibuprofen.
I've also had reactions to a tetanus booster and local anaesthetics such as lidocaine & citanest.

Because of this I'm now very anxious about any new drug or injection I'm given.

I believe the MHRA have advised people with a history of pre-existing allergies or reactions not to have the Pfizer injection. Valneva are developing one for vulnerable groups and children however l don't know when this will be ready or indeed if it will be safe.

I'm aware of the Oxford/AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccinations but hear and read things which seem to contradict each other.

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Chemistry / Can cornstarch become hard like a brick?

« on: 12/02/2021 09:41:41 »

Andrena asks:

How can I turn cornstarch powder to form a hard texture like a brick?

Can you help?

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COVID-19 / How are Covid-19 infection figures calculated?

« on: 11/02/2021 11:02:03 »

Paul says:

Please can you explain to me how the Covid-19 statistics are done? In East Lindsey I think we have about 148k people. Therefore to generate a figure per 100k people it must be very extrapolated. How can you ever be sure a test group is representing a major group?

I see Lincoln has dropped massively whilst we went up then down a small %. I am no scientist but as an ex-engineer I can’t help thinking the stats are just a best effort guess. Lots I know have never had a test. Extrapolation cannot be accurate.

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Question of the Week / QotW: 21.02.08 - Would a foetus develop differently in zero gravity?

« on: 10/02/2021 17:10:23 »

David asks:

Would a foetus develop differently in zero gravity conditions?

What do you think?

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Question of the Week / Re: QotW - 21.02.01 - When are we going to run out of music?

« on: 10/02/2021 17:06:59 »

This question has now been answered on The Naked Scientists show - https://www.thenakedscientists.com/articles/questions/qotw-when-will-we-run-out-music

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COVID-19 / Did the Covid vaccines remove all the virus from animals during tests?

« on: 10/02/2021 15:30:21 »

Nick says:

Do you know if any of the vaccines, when they went through animal trials, resulted in all the virus being removed from the subject after continuous testing and enough time passing?

14

COVID-19 / I have Miller Fisher Syndrome. Should I have the Covid-19 vaccine?

« on: 09/02/2021 10:55:14 »

John says:

I suffered from Miller Fisher Syndrome some 6 years ago and it was suggested that I should not have the flu vaccine as this may trigger another bout of MFS. What are your thoughts about me having the COVID Vaccine?

15

COVID-19 / Why was I asked about blood thinners during my Covid-19 vaccine?

« on: 09/02/2021 10:36:42 »

Ian says:

When I turned up for my Covid-19 vaccination the only medical questions I was asked were any allergies and am I taking blood thinners? I take rivaroxaban. Why was the blood thinner information needed?

16

COVID-19 / Does the Covid-19 vaccine have the flu vaccine in it?

« on: 08/02/2021 16:55:00 »

Robert asks:

Do the vaccines for Covid-19 contain the flu vaccine?

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COVID-19 / Re: I have several allergies, should I worry about taking the Covid-19 vaccine?

« on: 08/02/2021 13:09:08 »

Daniel says:

I have looked at the COVID 19 Vaccination advice on my health authority’s website.
From the FAQs:
QUESTION: I have a number of allergies, should I have the vaccine?

ANSWER:
“Tell staff before you are vaccinated if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). You should not have the vaccine if you’ve ever had a serious allergic reaction to medicines, vaccines or food. If you do have a reaction to the vaccine, it usually happens in minutes. Staff giving the vaccine are trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.”

Some years ago, I had a severe allergic reaction to eating amber raspberries. I had some allergy tests which showed that I was mildly allergic to normal raspberries, tomatoes and mixed grasses. I was advised to carry an adrenalin pen just in case I suffered another allergic reaction. I have not had allergic reaction since then.

Considering my previous allergic reaction, should I have the Covid-19 vaccination? Personally, I think I am at greater risk from Covid because of my other health conditions (asthma (very mild), arthritis (very mild), ulcerative colitis (mild - moderate), eosinophilic oesophagitis (mild), lycans sclerosis (mild)) than I am from an allergic reaction to the vaccine, but I have no way of quantifying this. I should mention that I am isolating, but I don't think that this something I can continue to do for the rest of my life, if I am not vaccinated.

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COVID-19 / I use steroid inhalers. Can I have the Covid-19 vaccine?

« on: 08/02/2021 13:02:56 »

Daniel says:

I suffer from a number of conditions that are auto immune related i.e. asthma (very mild), arthritis (very mild), ulcerative colitis (mild - moderate), eosinophilic oesophagitis (mild), lycans sclerosis (mild).

For my asthma, I take a preventer inhaler – Flutiform 250/10 (1 puff twice daily). For eosinophilic oesophagitis I take another steroid inhaler Flixotide [AKA Fluticasone] (250 mcg four puffs twice daily).

I know that steroid sprays are immuno-suppressants. Considering my health problems and my use of steroid inhalers, are there any problems with me having the Covid-19 vaccine?

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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / What impact could a massive solar flare have?

« on: 05/02/2021 13:47:26 »

Charlie wants to know:

What would happen to the world if a massive solar flare impacted the earth today, on the scale of the "Carrington Event"?

What do you think?

20

COVID-19 / What happens after 28 days of Covid infection?

« on: 04/02/2021 16:50:28 »

Bill says:

In the UK only the deaths of people who are diagnosed with Covid-19 within 28 days are reported. Does this mean no one dies of it after that?