Naked Scientists Ask The Naked Scientists SA

Why do birds swoop in front of cars?

Loading player...
Chris Smith from the Naked Scientists takes on YOUR questions. Why do men go bald on the tops of their heads first? Do we really share 50% of our DNA with bananas? Why do birds swoop down in front of cars? Is there such a thing as tuberculosis of the spine? How is it you can tell people are looking at you out of the corner of your eye? Plus, the seagulls that are carrying antibiotic-resistant bacteria... For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy
4 Aug 2019 English United Kingdom Science

Other recent episodes

How do cell phones see the Northern Lights when we can't?

Why does knocking your elbow unleash a distinctive "funny bone" jolt? Are we born with a sense of thirst? What are we seeing when we see things glow under ultraviolet? Why do our minds cling tightly to bad experiences? How do phones see the Northern Lights, even when we cannot?…
18 Jan 20 min

Do flames have a shadow?

Should we pull the plug on AI? Is talent inherited? Do other mammals have prostate glands? How closely have we studied the bones of fish? If nothing sticks to Teflon, then how does it stick to the pan? Do flames cast a shadow? Can some animals see colours better than…
9 Jan 23 min

How HPV vaccine and circumcision can stop cervical cancer

Does a USB stick, or a mobile phone, weigh more once it's filled with data? What's the placebo effect, and how does it work? How does the human papilloma virus (HPV) cause disease, and how can the HPV vaccine and male circumcision protect you from cervical cancer and HIV? Does…
19 Dec 2025 20 min

Fizzy drinks after a long run?

Today, Chris Smith tackles a whole host of health-related questions. We explore the impact of a meat-based diet, whether it's a good idea to drink fizzy pop after vigorous exercise, why we weigh less in the morning, if it's ever advisable to spend too much time talking to chatbots, and…
12 Dec 2025 15 min

Can our eyes pop out when we sneeze?

This week, Chris Smith and Clarence Ford tackle the big science questions of the week, including how to perform a circumcision safely; can our eyes pop out when we sneeze; how do general anaesthetics work and do we understand consciousness; is violence inherent to society; do antibiotics kill probiotics; and…
5 Dec 2025 21 min
All episodes