1

Physiology & Medicine / Why do runners get ill after marathons?

« on: 13/02/2018 09:41:55 »

Maxine asks:

Why do marathon runners have flu-like symptoms after running a marathon?

2

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Why is air pressure higher underground?

« on: 12/02/2018 16:29:26 »

Thomas asks:

I once worked in South African gold mines, at over 3km below ground level.  The air pressure in the depths of the mine is deeper than on surface: I knew this from the popping of my ears, and the fact that the empty plastic water bottle would expand in my hand as the air pressure increased as we returned to surface. Back at home, there would be a pssst of releasing air when I took the cap off to fill up the bottle
for the next day.
Deep in the mine, I had more mass above me, and less below me, than I do when I'm on the surface of the earth. What puzzles me is that as gravity is related to mass and with the gravitational effect of the mass above me, I expect that the air pressure would be less underground, not more.  And similarly, I've been to the Tibetan plateau, at altitudes of over 4km above sea level.  In this instance, I have more earth mass (and therefore surely gravity) beneath me than anywhere else I've been, and yet the air pressure there was lower. 
What on earth is going on!?

3

Physiology & Medicine / What is fertilisation?

« on: 12/02/2018 11:33:15 »

Lauren wants to know:

What is fertilisation?

4

Cells, Microbes & Viruses / Why do clothes get mould on them?

« on: 12/02/2018 09:35:28 »

Sam asks:

I live in a hot and humid environment, and I often get little black mould spots on my clothes. I would like to know what mould grows on our clothes and why do they find our clothes a good home to live in? How can I remove them effectively? I've tried scrubbing them with laundry detergent, soaking them in vinegar, and putting them under the hot sun - all didn't work. What can I do to prevent them from growing on my clothes?  Why are some clothes more easily "infected" compared to others?

Any thoughts?

5

Radio Show & Podcast Feedback / Feedback on response to pseudoscience

« on: 06/02/2018 09:26:01 »

Peter says:

When asked about flat-earthers your comment was spot on.  What is a huge concern is the perverse discrediting of true knowledge.
Your approach as an orator is, I believe, an excellent tool to offset this retrograde behaviour.   Again my hat is off to you and your colleagues.
Your willingness to address simple questions with thoughtful answers is indicative of your dedication to society’s well being.

6

Physiology & Medicine / How does food affect DNA in your saliva?

« on: 05/02/2018 17:31:01 »

Paul asks:

I have just had a bowl of sour stewed plums (with yoghurt to try to sweeten it up a bit) for breakfast. If I send off a spit sample for DNA now, or if I have a curry meal for dinner this evening and then send off a spit sample, or if I go and brush my teeth and then send off a spit sample, what are the chances that the acid in the plums or the curry or something in the toothpaste may affect the DNA sample extracted from my spit?

What do you think?

7

Physiology & Medicine / Can vitamin K2 supplements take calcium from your arteries to your bones?

« on: 05/02/2018 12:41:40 »

Robyn asks:

Can taking vitamin K2 supplements reduce/remove calcium from your arteries and deposit into your bones?

What do you think?

8

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / What would happen if two positrons collided?

« on: 05/02/2018 12:18:10 »

Peter asks:

What would happen if two positrons collided?

What do you think?

9

The Environment / Could we dispose of nuclear waste in volcanoes?

« on: 02/02/2018 12:39:24 »

Stefan asks:

Why not drop nuclear waste (i.e. fuel rods) into an active volcano for immediate destruction/reduction to elements, rather than encasing in concrete and burying it for the next 40 000 years?

What do you think?

10

Physiology & Medicine / How does photographic memory work?

« on: 02/02/2018 09:41:23 »

Leo asks:

What is the science behind having a photographic memory, and is it possible to improve your ability to remember things?

What do you think?

11

Physiology & Medicine / Should you take fulvic acid?

« on: 02/02/2018 09:37:03 »

Jan wants to know:

I would like to know what you think of Fulvic Acid and the benefits of taking it?
I started using it about 2 months ago and must say I feel fantastic. The taste is terrible but I believe the benefits are incredible.

What do you think?

12

Radio Show & Podcast Feedback / Feedback on nutrition advice

« on: 30/01/2018 09:54:38 »

Jeff says:

Why oh why do you persist on getting on a diet nutritionist that bangs on about eating vegetables?
As you well know a human cannot solely live on vegetables, they are not the elixir of life.
Please can you get Professor Tim Noakes to talk about nutrition?

13

Physiology & Medicine / What are the treatments for keratosis pilaris?

« on: 30/01/2018 09:39:11 »

Misha asks:

My daughter has recently been diagnosed with keratosis pilaris. This is a build-up of keratin, the protein that protects skin from infections and other harmful agents. The aforementioned build-up forms a plug that blocks the opening of a hair follicle, and subsequently, bumps on the skin are formed. The cause of this condition seems to be unknown, save that it seems to be hereditary.

Questions:

1. Will she “grow out” of the symptomatic manifestation of the condition?
2. What can be done to counteract the build-up of keratin?
3. I have researched some of the aspects and increased intake of Vitamin A, D and K2 are recommended. Is there any other way of combating the build up? (mechanical options of scrubbing the affected area were not highly recommended)
4. In the event that my daughter were to have a child with a partner with the same condition, it would seem that if the infant were not immediately treated for the condition, this could result in the destruction of all hair follicles in the baby. Is this true?
5. If point 4 is in fact correct, how would one test for Keratosis Pilaris? If her potential future partner had a mild manifestation of the condition then the presence of the condition could thus be missed.

What do you think?

14

The Environment / Could we turn carbon dioxide into dry ice to reduce atmospheric CO2?

« on: 29/01/2018 11:38:20 »

Art asks:

If you put a windmill on a platform in the ocean to generate electricity, and then used that electricity used to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into dry ice, could you then compress the dry ice and sink it to the bottom of the ocean where the ocean pressure would keep it compressed? If so, could this be a solution to the problem of rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels?

What do you think?

15

Radio Show & Podcast Feedback / Feedback on mindfulness

« on: 25/01/2018 09:18:15 »

Maryan says:

I have been listening to your comments on mindfulness. I find them a little suspect.
My research was unable to find a result that was greater than the placebo effect.  I was also unable to find reliable research on physiological, psychological or behavioural effects.
Would you like to quote your sources, please?
Also, you interchanged mindfulness with meditation.  There are many different types of meditation (concentration, contemplative, mantra etc).
I also came across (in my search for a researched product) transcendental meditation for which there was masses of good research.
Your panel member, who is touting his new app, is not giving a very “scientific” response, in my humble opinion.  No numbers, no hard data. Mostly just “suck it and see”.
I do enjoy your show, but this element of it is really lightweight tonight.

16

Chemistry / Is homemade wine safe?

« on: 15/01/2018 12:55:13 »

Kalind asks:

I love making and drinking homemade wine from a variety of fruits like grapes, oranges, mango and so on. However, I am concerned about methanol contamination. Is it possible that the wine would get contaminated with methanol and prove to be fatal? If I want to check whether or not the methanol levels generated are within safe levels, what should I do? Is there a simple test available to detect the same?

What do you think?

17

Radio Show & Podcast Feedback / Feedback on the carbon footprint of space rockets

« on: 12/01/2018 16:54:56 »

Jeff says:

A recent guest on the show implied that rockets have a massive carbon footprint.  First, the dominant fuel for SpaceX rockets is liquid hydrogen and LOX.  Depending on the source of electricity used to liquefy the hydrogen and oxygen, these fuels when burned are carbon neutral. Second, SpaceX also uses 17,000 L of kerosene compared with 185,000 L for a single 747.
So the carbon footprint of a trip to orbit cannot be calculated as a linear equivalent of the number of Jumbo Jets of the rocket power output.

18

Physiology & Medicine / How does finger length affect fingernail growth?

« on: 11/01/2018 13:55:06 »

Darren asks:

On a recent Naked Scientists episode, you mentioned that nails grow faster on longer fingers and toes.  When I was younger, I had my second toe on both feet shortened as they too long were causing pain when wearing shoes. My supplementary questions to your previous episode are:
-    If a toe is shortened will the nail grow more slowly due to the toe being shortened? I haven’t been able to see any noticeable change but it’s not something I have recorded over any length of time (no pun intended  )
-    If a toe or finger is transplanted from a donor, does the nail's growth rate still remain in proportion to its length or does the growth rate reflect the rate of the toe/finger it has replaced?

Anyone know the answer?

19

Physiology & Medicine / Should we wear surgical masks when we're ill?

« on: 11/01/2018 10:54:37 »

Rahul asks:

I'm a big fan of the show and was hoping you guys would be able to clarify this for me, as the information seems to be unclear. I would like to know if surgical masks are actually effective at preventing the spread of the disease and if this practice should be adopted in western society the way it has in places such as Japan.

What do you think?

20

Radio Show & Podcast Feedback / Feedback on The Naked Scientists main show

« on: 10/01/2018 17:26:47 »

Rae says:

Just want to say how much I love your programme. You really are very good at communicating complex ideas to the general public. We homeschool our daughter and she loves all things science and says that when she grows up she wants to work as a 'scientist that helps nature'! Something to be optimistic about in terms of the many serious problems facing the planet. Your programme keeps me inspired. Thank you so much!