BBC Radio Podcasts from CrowdScience
Are our coastlines being washed away?
What is coastal erosion and why is it a problem?
How do my ears sense direction?
How can we hear a sound and immediately know where it’s coming from?
How many people have ever existed?
Listener Alpha in Sierra Leone asks us to count all the humans who have ever lived
Could climate change lead to more volcanic eruptions?
We head to New Zealand to ask how a hotter planet will affect volcanoes.
Do animals have anxious habits like us?
Why do we bite our nails - and do animals share similar habits?
Is the BMI fatphobic?
How useful is the Body Mass Index?
Do we all see the same colour?
Caroline Steel investigates what affects the way we see the colours of the world
How bad is our data for the planet?
What's the environmental impact of all the data we use?
Why do we have wisdom teeth?
Answering your questions about life, Earth and the universe
What time was the first clock set to?
From sundials to atomic clocks via Big Ben, a quest into the history of timekeeping.
When will the next earthquake hit?
Will we ever be able to predict earthquakes?
Why do we daydream?
Meandering into your wandering mind, why can’t we stay present?
How should we measure cleverness?
The CrowdScience team are tested to the limit to see how brainy they are.
Were humans ever semi-aquatic?
Was there a semi-aquatic period for humans as we’ve evolved?
Can planting trees solve the climate crisis?
Can we plant enough trees to soak up all the extra carbon we put into the atmosphere?
Will electric cars help solve noise pollution?
Will electric cars solve noise pollution?
2023 Year End Extravaganza, Part 2
Welcome to Part 2 of our year-end extravaganza, full of bonus content and stories
2023 Year-End Extravaganza, Part 1
It’s Part 1 of CrowdScience’s year-end extravaganza! Say hello to some familiar faces.
Are seeds alive?
How come a seed can do nothing for months, or even years, before bursting into life?
Where does our fat go when we exercise?
What happens to the fat in our bodies when we exercise?
What is brainwashing?
Is it possible to control someone’s mind?
What’s the difference between reading and listening to books?
Why our brains respond differently if we listen to books instead of reading them
Why do we lie?
Almost all of us lie. But how did it become so engrained in human behaviour?
What will 1.5° of warming look like?
Listener Julian wants to know what to expect on the other side of this climate threshold.
How does food affect our mood?
What we eat impacts our microbiome. How does that impact our mental health?
Green Man Festival: Why are some animals so ugly?
Why are some animals cute – and some downright weird?
Which is healthier, farmed or wild salmon?
This week on CrowdScience: which is healthier, farmed salmon or wild?
Why are spices delicious?
CrowdScience listener Kristine wants to know why herbs and spices taste so good?
Can humans be part of healthy ecosystems?
We depend on ecosystems for our survival, so can we play a more sustainable role in them?
What is consciousness?
It's easy to observe that we ourselves are conscious but how do you study this phenomenon?
Can we grow a conscious brain?
With advances in stem cell research, could we grow a human brain? And would we want to?
Why am I scared of bridges?
What makes a fear become a phobia, and where do they come from?
Why do my children stress me out?
Caroline Steel investigates how we respond to stress.
What does a sustainable life look like?
What would it take for all eight billion of us to share the planet sustainably?
How do butterflies and moths fly?
Why do butterflies and moths fly so erratically, but land so precisely?
What is the weight of the internet?
How do we go about trying to weigh the internet – what even counts as part of it?
Are dogs good for us?
Investigating whether our canine companions are good for our health and wellbeing
Is the ‘sunshine cure’ a real thing?
Does living somewhere sunny make us happier and healthier?
Is the ‘sunshine cure’ a real thing?
Does living somewhere sunny make us happier and healthier?
Why does some music make us sad?
How music and emotion are intimately linked
Why do we get bored?
Why boredom affects some people more than others and why it can lead to innovation
Why aren't we all ambidextrous?
With a panel of experts, we unpack why some people (and animals) are left or right-handed
Why do we experience vertigo?
Anand Jagatia finds out why we lose our sense of balance
Why do I crave unhealthy foods?
What are food cravings and why do we crave unhealthy foods instead of healthy ones?
Human v machine
How efficient are humans?
Why can’t I see images in my head?
Anand Jagatia discovers what mental images are for and why some people don’t have them
Can Artificial Intelligence teach itself?
What happens if artificial intelligence starts learning from its own material?
Is there a connection between memory and speech?
Caroline Steel finds out how dementia affects our ability to speak
Why is the sun at the centre?
With astronomers and physicists, we unpack how we know the Earth revolves around the sun
Can sea-swimming improve my health?
Can sea swimming improve my health?
Why am I so lazy?
Is laziness biological, psychological … or even a real thing?
What are Ostriches for?
Flightless wings, flawless eggs, priceless feathers… meet the ostrich!
What's living inside my gut?
Trillions of microbes live inside our gut. What impact do they have on our body?
Do we have a sense of time?
Anand Jagatia finds out whether we have a sense of time, like our sense of taste or touch.
Is there anyone out there?
How many planets in the universe could be harbouring alien life?
What does flying do to my body?
We take to the skies to find out what effect working at 35,000 feet has on one's health.
How do my ears sense direction?
How do we hear a sound and immediately know where it’s coming from?
Why do some people have panic attacks?
Sweating, nausea, chest pain: panic attacks affect 1 in 14 people but what is going on?
Can robots be soft?
CrowdScience uncovers how nature is weaving its way into robotic design
Do climbing plants know where they’re going?
Marnie Chesterton finds out how clever climbing plants are.
Where does our fat go when we exercise?
Where does our fat go when we exercise?
Are yoga claims bogus claims?
Which of the many claims about yoga are backed up by science?
Who’s afraid of public speaking?
Why does the thought of public speaking fill so many of us with terror?
How bad is our noise problem?
How does noise pollution impact wildlife and humans, and why do we hate certain sounds?
Where does the sand in a desert come from?
Lonely desert dunes have a romantic image, but how did they get there in the first place?
Why do we get jealous?
Crowdscience grapples with the green-eyed monster in close relationships.
What happens to insects in the winter?
Marnie explores the many canny ways insects have adapted to survive extreme temperatures
How do you balance on a bicycle?
What’s going on when we ride a bicycle, how do we stay upright? CrowdScience investigates
Bullying Parrots and Glacial Cocktails
Work-place bullying between two parrots plus arctic cocktails with 5000 year old glacier
Why are my parents so annoying?
Blood is thicker than water but why are parents so annoying?
What is friction?
Everything that moves involves frictional losses, but what actually is it?
Could my house run out of air?
Blocking up gaps might reduce energy bills, but can you make your home too airtight?
What gives clouds their shapes?
Marnie turns to the skies to figure out how clouds form and how they get their shapes.
How do we behave in crowds?
Crowds gather in all sorts of places. But is there a science to how they move and behave?
Why don’t we fall out of bed when we’re asleep?
Answering the sleep questions that have been keeping CrowdScience listeners awake.
Where do we go when the seas rise?
We see Greenland’s ice is melting - so where should we go to live in the future?
How long before all the ice melts?
CrowdScience heads to Greenland to understand the story of melting in a warming world.
When does weather change become climate change?
Heatwaves, floods and drought. Is it climate change, or is it just weather?
Why can't I change my accent?
Why are accents so hard to change even when you speak a language perfectly?
How is mental health being supported in Africa?
CrowdScience visits Nairobi, Kenya, to discuss mental health with a live audience
Why am I gay?
CrowdScience looks at what science can - and can't - tell us about homosexuality.
Why are fish fish-shaped?
There are over 30, 000 species of fish – are they really all a similar shape?
Why don’t some things burn?
Why do some things burn, while others refuse to catch fire?
Is there a language of laughter?
Do we all laugh at the same things or is there a language to learn first?
Can animals count?
CrowdScience finds out whether there are some creatures that have a way with numbers.
What happens to insects in the winter?
Marnie explores the many canny ways insects have adapted to survive extreme temperatures
What is white?
CrowdScience explores what makes an object appear white.
Can smells fill you up?
CrowdScience explores how different smells affect your appetite.
Are humans naturally clean and tidy?
Answering your questions about life, Earth and the universe
Why is this song stuck in my head?
CrowdScience burrows into the niggling world of earworms
Are viruses the key to fighting infections?
Can bacteria-munching viruses help with the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance?
Are artistic brains different?
Myck the artist from Malawi wants to know if there’s something different about his brain.
What is healthy hair?
How can this nonliving structure be 'healthy' - and why is it concentrated on our heads?
Can we get better at accepting death?
How can we make the end of life a more positive experience for all involved?
What is a quantum computer?
What exactly are quantum computers? And when will they replace the computers we use now?
Human v machine
How efficient are humans?
Why do bright lights make me sneeze?
From sneezes and snot to saliva, we delve into the bodily fluids found in our faces.
Why can't I find gold in my back yard?
CrowdScience asks why precious metals and minerals are only found in certain places.
Why does ancient stuff get buried?
Archaeology means digging - but why does human history end up underground?
Does photographic memory exist?
Why do some people have better memories than others?
How far could gene editing go?
With leaps in gene editing technology how might humans alter their genome?
How do you balance on a bicycle?
It’s like riding a bike – you never forget. But why not?
Why did the ancient Maya abandon their cities?
What caused the prosperous Maya civilisation to collapse 1000 years ago?
How should we measure cleverness?
Are current tests of intelligence capturing all the different kinds of human smartness?
How many fossils are there?
Have we already found the last T. rex? Or are there many more to be discovered?
Why do animals migrate? Part 2
How do animals accurately orientate themselves whilst journeying thousands of miles?
Why do animals migrate? Part 1
How are migrating animals able to reliably navigate sometimes over thousands of miles?
Is maths real?
Is maths a human construct to help us make sense of reality Or is maths reality itself?
Does massage work?
There are many claims about the benefits of massage. But which – if any – are true?
How high can insects fly?
Insect superhighways, bees up mountains & flies in space – just how high can insects go?
How did we discover fire?
How did we discover fire, and how did that knowledge spread around the world?
How do you navigate in space?
when spacecraft leave Earth, how do they navigate?
Are we too selfish to save the planet?
How can humans overcome self-interest and work together for the common good?
How does my radio work?
Explore the science of sound, journeying from the microphone to a radio receiver near you
Does dark matter still matter?
CrowdScience finds out if we're any closer to unravelling the mysteries of dark matter.
Are big-heads smarter?
Is a bigger head a sign of a higher intelligence? Marnie Chesterton unpicks the science
Why do we get bored?
CrowdScience reveals why boredom is anything but boring.
How do you like your eggs in the morning?
Investigating questions about the science behind eggs cooking and eggs hatching
CrowdScience Christmas bonanza
What better way to see out 2021 than to look back at our favourite things from the year?
How can I keep fruit & veg fresh for longer?
The ancient preservation techniques that help prevent food waste
What's the best way to make a decision?
Life is full of choices – but how can we make the best ones?
What makes stuff sticky?
Our world would fall apart without adhesives - but how do they hold things together?
Which is better: Optimism or pessimism?
Is being optimistic really the best way to live your life?
Would my cat survive in the wild?
Do our pampered house cats lose their survival instincts?
Can we recycle concrete?
Concrete has a big CO2 footprint – so can we turn waste into new structures?
Can COP26 deliver on climate change?
We head to the COP26 climate conference to hear about plans to slow down global warming
Could we completely switch to renewable energy?
The island that’s run almost entirely on renewable energy
Should I have kids?
Is it responsible to bring a new person into existence?
Can we grow a conscious brain?
With advances in stem cell research, could we grow a human brain? And would we want to?
Does the planet need snails?
Gardeners might see snails as their enemy, but they are vital to life on earth
Do plants have immune systems?
Can plants remember diseases or stressful events they have previously experienced?
How do flowers know when to bloom?
Find out what influences when flowers open and the various factors that slow the process
How did eyes evolve?
How did evolution produce the clever organs with which you’re reading this?
Can we transfer electricity wirelessly?
Could power be beamed into hard to reach communities?
Can we save our night skies?
How to combat the light pollution that blots out starry skies and disrupts wildlife
How did our ancestors sleep?
How have our sleep patterns changed over history and pre-history?
Why is human skin so rubbish?
We’re dissecting our skin’s structure and roles and asking if science can give it a boost
How can smart tech tackle climate change?
How can clever computing help us reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Can video games help me or harm me?
What’s the scientific evidence for how gaming affects us?
Do I really have to clean my recycling?
We tackle questions about the best ways to recycle.
Am I a psychopath?
A CrowdScience listener wants to know if she is a psychopath.
Why do my cables keep getting tangled?
Can science explain why cables and headphones become tangled up and knotted?
Why is standing more tiring than walking?
We tackle questions about walking, standing, sitting and running
Why do I feel hungry?
A buffet of food & flavour questions from listeners reaching from stomachs to outer space
What happened to my sense of smell?
What happens when our sense of smell is disrupted or disappears all together?
Does my equator look big in this?
Is the Earth getting heavier or lighter?
Why do I have such a sweet tooth?
How our genes help determine how much sugar we should eat
What is the point of menstruation?
Why did humans evolve to have periods and do we have to have them each month?
Is my neighbour’s noise harming my health?
Noise can be a source of annoyance – but could it even be damaging to our health?
How old are the elements?
Can you pick a random atom on earth & tell how old it is, or what its cosmic history is?
Could we turn poisonous plants into edible crops?
Detoxifying plants may reveal untapped food ready for the picking
Why is learning stuff harder as you get older?
Why as children we effortlessly absorb new skills but as adults we don’t
Why are seeds such different sizes?
Why are seeds the size they are? Does their size affect how big the plant grows?
What can we learn from wastewater?
Sewage testing could help stop the spread of disease
Why does grief leave me feeling this way?
Grief can be crippling. Why have we evolved to be so affected by loss?
Why do we gossip?
Are we hardwired to seek out salacious stories and can we harness gossip for good?
If a tree falls in a forest does it make a sound?
If a tree falls in a forest, and there’s no-one there to hear it, does it make a sound?
Do animals use medicine?
Find out how animals cure their illnesses
Can space exploration be environmentally friendly?
Are the space junk and carbon footprint issues of extra-terrestrial endeavours solvable?
How does my mind talk to my body?
The nerve connecting mind and body
Why does it feel so good to swear?
How swearing relieves pain and helps us bond with others
Why do men rule the world?
Listener Paula from Kenya wants to know why men rule the world
Can we build houses from living trees?
Treehouses are magical but are they viable dwellings for modern living?
Can I improve my sense of direction?
Why do some people navigate with ease whilst others struggle to find their way?
Can being happy help me fight infection?
Can happiness boost immunity?
Will giving up alcohol improve my sperm count?
Investigating how lifestyle can affect male fertility
Are there downsides to deep cleaning?
Could overzealous hygiene routines damage our immune system or promote superbugs?
What are the limits of human endurance?
Meet the athletes pushing against the limits of human endurance
Do green spaces make us healthier?
Is there more to living alongside greenery?
Is a fungus intelligent?
Fungal networks are entangled with life on Earth and even show signs of intelligence.
Do animals exercise?
Some of the CrowdScience team answer listeners' questions from all over the world
Was I born clumsy?
Simon is sick of knocking stuff over, so CrowdScience looks at the science of clumsiness
Will our spacecraft ever reach the stars?
How spaceship engineering could power us through interstellar space
Are humans naturally clean and tidy?
What hygiene instincts do we have, and are they fit for purpose?
Can we prevent wildfires?
How can we reduce the spread of forest fires?
How does a breeze become a gale?
Why are some winds friendly and others fierce?
How can I beat pain?
Listener Bebeto wants to know how to get rid of a pain in his wrist
Why are elephants so big?
An episode dedicated to the curious minds of our younger listeners
Can I learn to sing in tune?
Why are some of us tone deaf, and can you improve your singing with practice?
Am I related to a virus?
Although they’re not technically ‘alive’ might viruses hold a place in our family tree?
Why do I blush?
Does blushing have some sort of evolutionary purpose? And why do we yawn?
Why do planets spin?
Crowdscience answers listeners’ celestial questions
Why am I embarrassed to be naked?
We all have naked bodies – so why are we so embarrassed to show them?
Why do we like spicy food?
Join the CrowdScience dinner party as we tackle listeners’ food questions
Why does running water make me need the toilet?
What does science say about controlling urination, and other bodily functions?
What’s the yeast doing inside my bread?
Yeast: the tiny organism with massive potential
What is the point of slime?
Squelching into the science of slime.
Does air traffic affect our weather?
Has reduced air travel due to pandemic lockdown affected our weather and climate?
Why do conspiracy theories exist?
Why do conspiracy theories exist and why are we seeing so many in this pandemic?
Are some soaps better than others?
How was soap discovered, and what else is used for washing around the world?
How is human sound affecting sealife?
Are peaceful seas an illusion? We find out how human sound affects life under the waves.
Could earthworms help transform the future of farming?
As they work the soil worms can hugely increase its fertility but there’s a downside.
Is barefoot running better?
How does a bare foot change our running pain and performance
What’s the point of blood types?
We, like most animals, have a variety of different blood types. But what are they for?
Do animals have consciousness?
What does it feel like to be a cat or a cuttlefish?
Were my atoms once your atoms?
What is the likelihood that an atom in your body has been used in someone else’s body?
Would you risk your life to save another?
Why do some people put themselves in danger to help others?
Why can’t you tickle yourself?
In this kids special, we explore a raft of questions from our younger listeners
How does a language begin?
How does one language become two, or even 7000?
Does my toilet make sense?
Is it time to reinvent the flush toilet?
What is the smallest particle?
We tackle particle physics questions from around the world
How do I learn maths when school’s shut?
We tackle maths questions sent in by high school students in lockdown
Why do you sweat more than me?
What affects how much and where we sweat?
What makes a spider spin a web?
How instincts let spiders build complex structures
How can I reduce stress?
Listener Keith from Lincolnshire wants to know how to reduce stress - he's a firefighter.
Will a placebo boost my sports performance?
Can we trick ourselves into running faster or playing better?
Can science explain why I love shopping?
Crowdscience investigates the brain science behind our buying behaviour
Can I trust DNA ancestry tests?
How much do DNA tests really tell you about your ancestors?
What are scientists doing about coronavirus?
CrowdScience goes into labs to meet researchers urgently searching for COVID-19 solutions
Introducing 13 Minutes to the Moon Season 2
Jump on-board a doomed mission to the Moon. Apollo 13: the extraordinary story
Why are we obsessed with crime?
Kay from Hamburg wants to know where our obsession with crime comes from
What’s the weirdest weather?
Our expert panel tackle multiple meteorological queries in the CrowdScience inbox.
Why do insects prefer to bite certain people?
Why are some people magnets for mosquitos and others not? CrowdScience investigates
What is cancer?
We take a look at cancer treatment’s dark past, its current state and future
How did humans discover medicine?
Diseases have always been with us, but when did we first find ways to cure them?
Can digital technology transform West Africa?
A panel of experts discuss how digital technology and AI are transforming West Africa.
Could we survive an extinction event?
Are humans capable of outwitting asteroids, volcanoes or other causes of mass extinction?
What is infinity?
We tackle impossible-sounding questions on topics from infinity to quantum mechanics
How low-carbon can CrowdScience go?
We try to find out the best ways to reduce our carbon footprint
How does the sun affect my body and mind?
We explore the power of light to impact our health and wellbeing.
What is empathy?
What drives our feelings of compassion for others – what is happening in our brains?
Did Crowdscience change your life?
We delve into the Crowdscience archive to hear how our shows changed listeners’ lives
Can I save the insects?
The world’s insects are in trouble. What can each of us do to help them?
Would humans exist if dinosaurs were still alive?
We explore an alternative reality where dinosaurs still roam the earth
Could humans hibernate during interstellar travel?
Hibernation could allow people to travel long distances in space. How realistic is it?
Should I stop eating palm oil?
Is palm oil environmental foe or poverty-fighting crop? Graihagh Jackson investigates
Can a machine read my mind?
How machine learning is enabling minds to start melding with machines
Why do I get sleepy?
We ask what happens in our body and brain when tiredness takes over
Can my stutter be cured?
Most of us take speaking for granted, but for Breeda it has been a lifelong struggle
Will my salmon swim home?
Could we repopulate salmon rivers?
Is maths real?
Is maths a tool created by humans? Or is it reality itself?
How can I live a longer life?
What is the secret to living healthily into very old age?
Is a vegan diet better for your health?
Many people follow a plant based diet, but is a vegan diet really better for your health?
Could I learn to think like Sherlock Holmes?
What does science have to say about the famous fictional detective?
Can my migraines be cured?
What’s happening in my brain when I get a migraine? CrowdScience investigates
Are extroverts really happier?
We probe the links between happiness, personality and culture
Do we need more space stations?
Would more satellites and space stations help us get further into the solar system?
How can I motivate myself?
We put science to the test to try and find out how can we best motivate ourselves.
Global infertility: Could The Handmaid’s Tale become reality?
What could cause mass infertility? Marnie Chesterton investigates
Can I predict the future?
There are ordinary people among us who are exceptionally good at predicting the future
How many fossils are there?
Have we already found the last T. rex? Or are there many more to be discovered?
Why do we pull faces when we concentrate?
We tackle the science of scowling, gesturing, and counting
Where’s my time machine?
When will sci fi’s favourite technologies become reality?
Who were the first farmers?
The story of how our ancestors tamed plants and animals
Why do some people eat soil?
What drives the body to crave something that isn’t real food?
Can we prevent traffic jams?
Should our cities cater less for cars and what are the alternatives?
What’s the best way to breathe?
Can certain breathing techniques improve your exercise performance?
Are there new ways to beat depression?
We investigate how science is uncovering new ways to help beat long-term depression
Can singing improve our health?
Could this much-loved musical pastime improve our mental and physical strength?
How are we evolving?
How are we changing genetically to adapt to modern lifestyles and our environment
Could our household microbes help or harm us?
We revisit our episode on dust to decide what we should do with our invisible housemates
Could dark matter harbour dark life?
Marnie Chesterton answers Indian listener Gautam’s question about dark life
How does a single cell become me?
How do trillions of individual cells work together to build bodies?
Did cooking make us human?
When did we switch from eating our food raw, to heating it?
Could viruses help fight super-bugs?
CrowdScience travels to Georgia in search of solutions to antibiotic resistance
Will we ever know what the universe is made of?
CrowdScience finds out if there’s a limit to what physicists at CERN can discover
Why do we find things beautiful?
Humans seem programmed to appreciate beauty – but why?
What are dreams for?
Do we actually need to dream? Is there an evolutionary reason for it?
Which milk is best for me and the planet?
Is switching from dairy milk to plant-based milks a healthier choice?
Why do we like some animals and hate others?
What makes us fawn over a puppy, but run away from rats?
When will an African visit Mars?
We head to South Africa’s biggest science festival for a debate before a live audience
Why am I shy?
Is shyness written in our genes, or more to do with our upbringing?
What do clouds feel like?
We turn our gaze skywards to tackle three questions about what’s going on above us
Does brain size matter?
Why have a big brain if a small one would do?
Where was the last place humans made home?
Our species started in Africa, but what was the last habitable landmass we reached?
Could a ‘zombie’ virus kill us all?
Might ancient ice from the Antarctic depths contain deadly viruses?
Is Recycling All Our Waste at Home Possible?
Could we recycle all of our unwanted household materials ourselves?
Why Do We Bury Our Dead?
The practice of burial stretches back deep into prehistory, but how did it evolve?
Why can’t I remember my accident?
CrowdScience goes hunting for lost memories
Can Volcanoes Power the World?
Eruptions cause chaos and destruction, but could they also be an energy source?
How Bird-Like Were Dinosaurs?
Birds are dinosaurs, but did their extinct relatives move, look, or sing like they do?
What is the future of space travel?
CrowdScience goes interstellar to examine the future of space travel
How Much Energy Can I Burn by Thinking?
Could we lose weight just by exercising our brain?
Is There a Logic to Romantic Love?
Can science explain why romantic rejection hurts?
Why do Women Live Longer than Men?
Marnie Chesterton examines how men and women age differently
Is Soil The Secret to Slowing Climate Change?
CrowdScience goes digging to find out how soil could help keep CO2 out of the air
Do You Smell What I Smell?
Anand Jagatia sets out to discover why we can’t all agree when we follow our noses
Which Language is Most Efficient?
Marnie Chesterton attempts to apply science and evidence to the art of speech
Can We Make an Artificial Womb?
Exploring what we would need to make a baby outside the body
How Do We Deal with Nuclear Waste?
CrowdScience travels deep underground to visit one final resting place for nuclear waste.
Could Bionic Eyes Help Me See Again?
CrowdScience takes a look at life with artificial vision
What are the limits of human endurance?
CrowdScience joins a 246km running race in search of the secrets of human endurance
What Makes Us Superstitious?
How rational people can hold irrational beliefs and why ‘luck’ may be a state of mind
Can We Prevent Hurricanes?
Hurricanes – could science hold any solutions to these devastating events?
Does Asking Questions Improve Your Memory?
Crowd Science reaches its 100th episode
What’s The Point of Laughter?
All of us laugh, and it may seem obvious why we do, but what does the science say?
Is Vaping Bad for your Health?
E-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular but just how safe are they?
Why Do Drivers Zone Out?
How can your brain handle driving at 70mph while your mind is busy wandering?
Why Do Some Animals Change Sex?
In the animal kingdom, switching sex is more common than you might think
Is there life on Mars?
Could Mars be a planet where life existed? Marnie Chesterton explains
Could humans live in underwater cities?
Could oceanic cities become a reality, and how might they be built?
Can we trap light in a box?
What is light and can we trap it in a box? Marnie Chesterton investigates.
How Do You Stop a Hedgehog Invasion?
Getting rid of an invader that people think is cute poses all sorts of prickly problems…
Why Does History Repeat Itself?
Why do we often ignore our parents’ advice?
How Do Magnets Work?
What’s going on in a magnetic field?
Why do Humans have Different Coloured Skin?
Anand Jagatia looks at the science behind why we have different skin colours
Where Do All Our Vegetables Come From?
Have you ever seen a Brussels sprout growing in the wild? Neither has listener Pogo.
Do Plants Talk about Sex?
Plants do communicate, but what are they talking about? Sex seems a likely answer
Will We Run Out of Groundwater?
Will we run out of groundwater and what will happen if we do?
What Shapes Our Musical Taste?
Why does one person’s heavenly music sound like boring noise to another?
Is Hypnosis a Real Thing?
Can science explain what’s going on when someone is hypnotised?
How Green Are Electric Vehicles?
The future is electric but are zero emission vehicles as clean as the manufacturers claim?
Is Fasting Healthy?
Marnie Chesterton investigates the science behind low-calorie and time-restricted eating
How is Your Brain Better Than a Computer?
How computers can be faster, but brains are still better
Why Do Humans Dance?
What role does dance play in human life and evolution? We head to Cuba to find out
Why Don’t We All Like The Same Food?
How does biology and culture shape what’s delicious and disgusting?
Can Sucking CO2 Out of the Air Solve Climate Change?
What are our options for removing carbon dioxide from the air?
Are Screens Bad For My Child’s Eyes?
Are screens bad for my child’s eyes? Marnie Chesterton presents
Why Do Insects Fly Towards Lights?
What does the Higgs boson do for the Universe? Why do insects fly into lights?
Can We Find a Cure for Dementia?
We speak to scientists searching for a cure for dementia
Is The Future of Food a Pill?
Can we produce artificial food sources providing all nutrients for healthy human life?
Does Anything Stand Still?
Our hunt for perfect stillness takes us back to the early days of science and into space
Why Do We Follow the Crowd?
Discover the secrets of your inner sheep and whether the crowd is as wise as they say
Is Nuclear Fusion Coming Anytime Soon?
After all the money spent, are we really anywhere close to limitless clean energy?
Could Bees Take Over From Sniffer Dogs?
How can we humans use other animals’ senses for our benefit?
Do Animals Have Accents?
Can animals of the same species from different places communicate with each other?
How does the Moon affect life on Earth?
We investigate the moon's effects on life on Earth from early births to interrupted sleep
Why Does Dark Matter, Matter?
Scientists have been hunting for it for decades, but will finding it change our lives?
Must Life be Carbon-Based?
Must Carbon be the building block of life in the universe?
How Far Can I See?
Is it possible to see 15 quintillion miles away?
Are Crunchy Caterpillars the Food of the Future?
Meet the entrepreneurs turning bugs into food and get top tips on how to cook them
When Does Speech Become Music?
How do our brains tell the difference between music and speech?
Why Does My Dog Love Me?
Dogs are our best friends. But why do they fit so seamlessly into human life?
Could our faces replace passports as ID?
Facial recognition could transform personal security but how easily can it be fooled?
Rudolph castrated: what you didn’t hear this year
Reindeer castration, plants get chatty and more quirky science revealed.
What is dust?
Most people think it’s just dead skin. But what’s really hiding in your dust?
From Oldest to Strongest Living Thing
We revisit the oldest organism on Earth and meet the strongest
Can We Revive Extinct Species Like the Dodo?
Dodos are an icon of extinction, but could we bring them back?
Does Technology Change How we Fall in Love?
Are computer algorithms the best way to help people make permanent romantic connections?
Why are There Morning People and Night People?
What makes some of us early birds and others night owls?
How Can I Remember More?
Does your memory sometimes fail you?
How Did Life Get onto Land?
It was one of the most unlikely events in history. But how did fish become land animals?
How Can We Fight Unwanted Noise?
Can science and engineering tackle annoying, ear-damaging sounds?
Is There Proof of Life After Death?
Many people believe in an afterlife. Does science have any proof it exists?
Can We Worm Our Way Into Better Health?
Could parasites help give our immune systems a boost and help us fight disease?
Is Carbon Dioxide Higher Than Ever?
Where did our climate last have this much carbon dioxide?
Can We Make Artificial Organs?
Human organs are in short supply. But what if you could grow news ones in the lab?
Should We Kill One Species to Save Another?
Is it fair to kill invasive species which humans have introduced?
Could All Cars Be Electric?
Just one per cent of vehicles are powered by electricity
How Could Humanity Become Extinct?
Nuclear weapons and mega asteroids: what would the aftermath look like?
Spider Silk and Super Fly Senses
Your questions about the super abilities of insects
Trees v Air Pollution - the Rematch
Could trees be even better at tackling air pollution than previously thought?
Sydney Science Festival, Australia
Your questions about life, Earth & the universe tackled by a panel of experts.
Lightning Strikes Again
Can we collect electricity from lightning?
Can Animals Commit Murder?
Are humans the only species that murder each other? We head to the rainforest to find out
What Do Our Accents Say About Us?
Why do we sound so different from each other – even when we speak the same language?
Could a Computer Judge My Crime?
How much of the justice system could be replaced by technology?
Why is it so Hard to Quit Smoking?
We look at how nicotine tricks the brain into thinking tobacco’s good for us.
Does Time really Exist?
Does Time really exist or is it all in our heads?
Do We Think in Words?
Do we think in words, images, or abstract concepts?
Can Plants Talk?
This week we hack the secret plant communication network “The Wood Wide Web”.
Can Your Lifestyle Be Passed on to Future Generations?
Can your lifestyle be passed on to future generations?
Why Does It Always Rain on Me?
How do microclimates affect our weather and our lives?
What’s the Oldest Living Thing?
What is the oldest tree or other living organism on Earth?
Why do Human Faces Look so Different?
Unlike most animals, human facial features evolved to have more variety. But why?
Why is Childbirth Painful?
Why is it more painful for some women than others?
Where’s my Ejector Seat?
Why can’t commercial planes have ejector seats, like fighter jets do?
Why Do We Have Males and Females?
We plunge into the weird world of sex determination.
Are Fingerprints the Best Form of ID?
CrowdScience explores the biometric systems capturing our identities
How Many People Can Earth Support?
When will we reach ‘peak human’ and how will we cope?
Space Mining
Could we mine on asteroids?
Should we eat Insects?
Should we eat more insects? CrowdScience meets the people turning caterpillars into food
Why Do We Have So Many Accents?
What makes us sound so different from each other – even when speaking the same language?
Does Weather Affect our Health?
Can a rain shower really cause aches and pains?
Science at the Movies
Science meets film in a special edition recorded live at South by Southwest Festival, USA.
Is Being Fat a Choice?
Can we blame our weight on factors like genes or our environment?
Can Trees Help us Fight Air Pollution?
Trees take in carbon dioxide but they also convert some of the toxic gases in our air.
Could a Robot be your Doctor?
We see a robot at work in the operating theatre and meet the robots Molly and Pepper.
Why are Cats Loners?
Being social has lots of benefits – so why do cats live alone?
Is There Life After Death?
Examining the evidence that humans could somehow come back into existence after dying.
Should we Use Ships to Transport Fresh Water?
Earth’s surface may be 70 percent water but many places are struggling to access it.
What is the Real Time?
The history of time-keeping and the science behind the most accurate clocks today
Why are Dogs so Different?
There are over 500 breeds of dog – but are they really as different as they seem?
Is there micro-life on Mars?
The hunt for Martians on the Red Planet continues – but has life already been taken there?
Can we be too clean?
Cleanliness and health go hand in hand, but have we gone too far?
Could Humanity be Wiped out Like the Dinosaurs?
Is there a killer asteroid with Earth’s name on it?
Wave Power
Could we generate all our electricity using energy from the sea?
Does it Pay to be Nice?
Is being a team player and putting yourself second really the best strategy?
The Fourth Dimension
How would a fourth dimensional being appear to humans?
How Bad is Flying for the Planet?
What effect does air travel have on the climate?
The Origin of Viruses
Did life on earth evolve from the first viruses?
Home Power Storage
Can batteries power our entire homes – or even help take us off-grid?
The Edge of Space
What do scientists think is outside our universe?
Electricity from Lightning
Can we tap electricity from lightning? John in Uganda wants to know.