Ask the Naked Scientists

Dr Chris Smith

Ask! You send in the science questions, we supply the answer...

  • 20 minutes 27 seconds
    Does food taste different on an aeroplane?
    Why do we have different blood groups? What drives the libido? Do you get drunk faster on an aeroplane? How long does an artificial heart valve last? Does food taste different on an aeroplane? Should you take multivitamins? Is there an actual physical end to space? Are there any benefits to copper or brass bangles? Do older people sleep less than younger people? Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford have all the answers... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
    28 March 2025, 1:44 am
  • 21 minutes 59 seconds
    Can aspirin help prevent cancer?
    In this episode of Ask! Dr Chris answers questions including: what are the minerals in mineral water? Is it safe to drink water from plastic bottles? Is glass safe to drink from? How do people perform sword swallowing? What are biodegradable plastics made of? What is metformin, and is it effective? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
    21 March 2025, 9:59 am
  • 18 minutes 27 seconds
    Do edibles hit you harder than smoking a joint?
    On Ask! the Naked Scientist, Can you keep sparkling water fizzy for longer? Are magnesium tablets good for us? Why do we crave certain foods? How do breathalysers work? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
    14 March 2025, 3:23 am
  • 18 minutes 10 seconds
    Can one black hole swallow another?
    Is everywhere at the centre of the universe? How long do sweeteners stay in the digestive system, and what are the best alternatives? Can one black hole swallow another? Does Vitamin C help you fight flu? Why is science so hard to reproduce? Which animal only lives for one day? Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford have all the answers... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
    7 March 2025, 2:26 am
  • 15 minutes 10 seconds
    Why is a dog's nose always wet?
    Dr Chris answers science questions from listeners to TalkRadio 702, including; How does one improve short term memory, especially following a brain injury? Can retinal microchip implants cure blindess? What are the health impacts of artificial sweeteners? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
    3 March 2025, 4:19 am
  • 21 minutes 29 seconds
    Is AI polluting medical literature?
    Dr Chris answers the usual spectrum of science questions from listeners to CapeTalk, including; are sweeteners bad for our cardiovascular health? If a mother has hypoglycemia while pregnant, what happens to the baby? Why did I have cravings during my wife's pregnancy? How does science track dangerous asteroids headed for Earth? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
    21 February 2025, 9:53 am
  • 17 minutes 30 seconds
    Could a falling bullet injure you?
    Do atoms carry memory of information? What happens when dopamine circuits are interrupted? Why might you hiccup when you shave? Why do both kidneys fail when they're separate? Could a falling bullet injure you? Is it important to be de-wormed? Dr Chris Smith and Relebogile Mabotja have all the answers... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
    14 February 2025, 1:26 am
  • 22 minutes 18 seconds
    Why do dogs age faster than humans?
    In this episode of Ask! Dr Chris tells us what causes humiditiy in the air. Why are carbonated drinks bad for your teeth? Does the Naked Scientist know more than AI? Why does hair on our heads grow faster than on other parts of our bodies? Does Earth's magnetic field affect satellite transmissions? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
    7 February 2025, 10:19 am
  • 23 minutes 43 seconds
    Why are humans the only species with advanced intelligence?
    Dr Chris answers more listener questions, including: How do sunflowers follow the sun? How does the body determine when you're passing wind or something more solid? Why are mosquitos attracted to some people more than others? Why are some people more intelligent than others? Why are humans the only species with advanced intelligence? How intelligent is an octopus? Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
    31 January 2025, 10:22 am
  • 18 minutes 21 seconds
    How do plants know which way is up?
    How can you use sticks to calculate the circumference of the Earth? Can exfoliators remove your fingerprints? How do plants know which way is up? What dictates the pattern of a cat's stripes? What are hiccups? Can mosquitoes see you? Dr Chris Smith and Dan Corder have all the answers... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
    24 January 2025, 12:46 pm
  • 17 minutes 54 seconds
    What causes ulcers?
    Why do ants drown themselves? Could we power cars with electrolytes? What causes ulcers? Do metal wrist rings actually reduce pain? Should you take probiotics on an ongoing basis? What are duodenal ulcers? Can brain tumours cause diabetes? Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford have all the answers... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
    17 January 2025, 12:12 pm
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