

Ask the Naked Scientists
Dr Chris Smith
How many organs could you donate and remain alive? How many planet Earths could fit inside the Sun? How high is a giraffe's blood pressure? Why is the sea blue? To find out, Ask The Naked Scientists!
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 24, 2013 • 21min
What is Colourblindness?
What is genetic diversity? What causes colourblindness? Why does a microwave turntable sometimes rotate in the opposite direction? How are genes linked to behaviour? How accurate are different dating methods? Where does sleep in your eyes come from? And how does an aeroplane wing work? Join Dr Chris for another top clutch of questions from South Africa... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

May 17, 2013 • 23min
Why are bubbles white?
What attracts malaria-infected mosquitoes to people? How happens to the brain during adolescence? Why are bubbles always white? Would a sealed box containing an exercising person get lighter? What does a launching rocket push against? Why is water from the hot tap initially cold? What actually is a random number? And is there a formula to calculate the size of a parachute? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

May 10, 2013 • 22min
What is Sleep Walking?
Does cold exposure cause colds? What consitutes safe drinking water? Why do distant lights and stars flicker? What is sleep walking? What causes bipolar disorder? How does sound travel in air? Plus, news of a vaccine to help crack heroin addiction. Join Dr Chris for more top science questions from South Africa... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

May 3, 2013 • 23min
Does food affect body odour?
Does what we eat alter how we smell? Why does the severed tail of a lizard still wriggle? How does the nervous system re-wire itself? What's in snake and spider venom? Do fuel-saving devices for cars really work? Plus news of how honey helps bees to fight off infections, and pesticides... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Apr 26, 2013 • 23min
How do Touch Screens Work?
Why do adults smell more than children? How are bionic implants contributing to longevity? What is progeria? How do touch screens work? Why do anti-HIV drugs cause fat redistribution? Why does power = volts x amps? What actually are dark matter and dark energy? Join Dr Chris for the answers to more cool questions from South Africa... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Apr 19, 2013 • 18min
Weaning and HIV
Does holding a car remote to your head make it work better? Why does a boat float? Are triple rainbows real? What's a near-death experience? This week we also look at a new scientific study into why - and when - breast milk transmits HIV to a baby... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Apr 5, 2013 • 21min
Are babies born to swim?
Are babies born to swim? Can you escape from a black hole? Can an egg with a double yolk yield two chicks? What causes nightmares? Why do we gesticulate when we speak? Why is the Moon visible by day? Dr Chris takes on more top questions from South Africa. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mar 28, 2013 • 35min
Live from 702 HQ
Naked Scientists team, Ben Valsler, Chris Smith and Ginny Smith joined the 702 crew and a studio audience live in Johannesburg to talk science, build vacuum bazookas and challenge listeners' mathematical minds... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mar 27, 2013 • 20min
Do Satellites Collide?
Do satellites collide? Can albinism be diagnosed on a scan? What causes the timing of the equinox to vary? Do bullets fired in the air still kill people? Can we make a human from just a genetic code? Why doesn't glue stick to the container? What's left underground once oil has been removed? And why can't we tickle ourselves? Join Dr Chris for another round up of the best science questions from South Africa. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists

Mar 15, 2013 • 23min
Why does Washing Shrink?
Who was John Snow? Why do things shrink in the wash? How does carbon dating work? Is intelligence down to mitochondria? Why does the banner also bank behind a banking aircraft? And how does the human body develop in utero? Dr Chris answers more top science questions from South Africa... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists


