1

Radio Show & Podcast Feedback / Two heads are better than one

« on: 29/06/2007 20:39:11 »

I think Chris should be sacked. In fact, the crowd are calling for Chris's head...on a plate...

...oops, perhaps that was an insensitive reply under the circumstances...

2

Physiology & Medicine / What is colourblindness, and what's it like to be colourblind?

« on: 18/02/2007 13:25:55 »

What causes colourblindness, and what does a colourblind individual actually "see"?

G

3

Chemistry / Why are metals shiny?

« on: 12/02/2007 09:08:26 »

What is the chemical reason why metallic substances are shiny whereas non-metal solids tend not to be?

George

4

Physiology & Medicine / What is hypnosis and how does it work?

« on: 04/01/2007 04:20:43 »

Can people really be pursuaded to do something they don't want to, like give up smoking (!), or "remember" lost memories from childhood, as is alleged to happen sometimes?

5

The Environment / How fast is the Amazon rainforest disappearing? How long before it's all gone?

« on: 04/01/2007 04:19:31 »

How quickly are the Earth's rainforests being swallowed up, and how long before there is nothing left? What will be the impact on the planet's climate and the composition of the atmosphere?

6

The Environment / Will wind generators affect air circulation on Earth?

« on: 04/01/2007 04:17:44 »

If we build enough wind turbines, will this have a detrimental effect on winds around the Earth?

7

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / What is a "neutron bomb", and how does it differ from an "atom bomb"?

« on: 04/01/2007 04:16:45 »

People talk about nuclear weapons including atom bombs and neutron bombs, but what are they? What's a hydrogen bomb, for instance?

8

Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / How much water does a tree use per hour?

« on: 04/01/2007 04:15:12 »

Plants draw water from the soil and release it through their leaves, but how much do they consume, per hour?

9

General Science / How do we know how much the Earth weighs?

« on: 01/01/2007 16:19:06 »

Scientists seem to have a pretty good idea as to the mass of the Earth, but how did they arrive at this figure?

10

Chemistry / How does washing up liquid work?

« on: 28/12/2006 17:18:42 »

How do washing up liquids and other detergents work to "cut through grease"?

Incidentally, this question occurred to me after I read this wonderful "top tip" in Viz:

"Makers of Fairy Liquid. Why not dilute your washing up liquid a bit. Then you wouldn't have to spend a fortune on television advertising telling everyone how concentrated it is."

11

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / How much solar energy could the Sahara desert produce if covered in solar cells?

« on: 28/12/2006 17:14:39 »

Since the Sahara is a very sunny place, is currently unused by anybody and probably doesn't have too many planning regulations, assuming we could exploit it, how much solar energy could it yield, and what would be the best way to collect this energy i.e. solar cells, Stirling engines, Venturi effect generators etc?

George

12

Physiology & Medicine / Re: Maternal immunoglobulin (antibody) and the foetus

« on: 01/11/2006 16:18:49 »

Thanks Iko.

I knew about Rhesus disease, and should have mentioned it, but I was more thinking of all of the other IgGs naturally present in maternal circulation. Surely some of them must recognise foetal epitopes?

George

13

Physiology & Medicine / Maternal immunoglobulin (antibody) and the foetus

« on: 31/10/2006 23:13:17 »

I was reading about foetal development the other day and came across something that I couldn't understand; I hope someone here can explain.

From 30 weeks gestation, the placenta begins to transfer immunoglobulins (antibodies) of the IgG class from the mother's bloodstream to the baby. The aim is to provide the baby with "passive" protection against infection until its own immune system begins to work properly.

I know that the B cells that produce antibodies are "checked" to make sure that they aren't auto-reactive (don't lock on to our own tissues) before they are allowed to mature. But the antibodies are not checked against the developing baby's tissues, only the mother's.

So why don't the maternal IgG's start to bind onto foetal tissue and damage it?

14

Physiology & Medicine / How does a Hair Perm Work?

« on: 13/10/2006 22:59:03 »

How does a perm work? What does it do to the hair to make it curly, and why do some people have an "auto-perm" i.e. naturally curly hair?

George

15

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Re: Lightning?

« on: 13/10/2006 23:03:41 »

Here's an interesting take on the lightning story from elsewhere on the site.

It's an article by Chris on lightning and whether lightning can power a town...

George

16

General Science / How does Quick Sand Work?

« on: 07/10/2006 23:18:23 »

A film I saw recently contained the usual cliched quicksand situation where someone runs into a watery grave.

But what is quicksand, do you really drown or sink in it, and what's the best way to get out?

George

17

NAKED SCIENCE - THE OFFICIAL BOOK / Re: NAKED SCIENCE

« on: 20/09/2006 10:53:44 »

I've read it, well most of it, and it's FANTASTIC.

It's the perfect pick up put down book. In fact I ahven't enjoyed a science book this much since A Level physics. Only joking!

My copy is actually going in my son's Christmas stocking, but don't tell him I read it first!

Nice work.

George.

18

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Glass and light

« on: 22/06/2006 04:03:54 »

Can someone please explain to me :

Why is glass transparent?

Thanks,

George

19

Just Chat! / Re: London Blast

« on: 07/07/2005 12:52:55 »

G8 in Edinburgh, and G'Had in London.

These islamic warriors must be so proud. I mean how brave they are to detonate multiple explosions in public places, at no risk to themselves of course, in a busy capital city that generates the wealth, comfortable life, and social security handouts of which they probably all too gladly avail themselves.

What model citizens. What role models. Gosh, wouldn't the world be a better place if we could all be as brave, successful and clear-headed as them.

In reality, the fact that many of them live in this country, and take advantage of the very lifestyle that they claim to decry, shows precisely what hypocrits these islamic extremists are.

They are jerks. They are stupid and selfish cowards. No one here cares two hoots for their silly ideas or their daft religious fervour. And every time they do something like this, their hot-headed ill-conceived reactionary behaviour proves us right. Who's going to take seriously someone who is prepared to blow up people in train stations, at no risk to themselves.

They are disrupting the G8 conference which is intended to help poverty-stricken nations. By buggering it up they are indirectly insulting also the people in Africa and elsewhere whom it is designed to help. This ain't going to win them much sympathy for islam or any other cause. In fact, it creates a huge backlash and destroys bridges, trust and understanding that are slowly being forged between east and west.

These people are sad and friendless.

20

General Science / Re: Superultramodern Quotes and Dialogues

« on: 22/11/2004 10:15:59 »

This is no so much a discussion post as a megalomaniacal soliloquy.

G