Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists

About Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists

Each week we set out to solve one of the world's weirdest, wackiest, funniest and funkiest scientific puzzles. And along with the answer there's a brand new question to think about for next time...

Publisher

Dr Chris Smith

Category

health & fitness · science · science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

13 Jan 2008

Latest episode

31 Oct 2025

Latest episodes

635 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   31 Oct 2025

   Is 10,000 steps a one-goal-fits-all?

   John writes in wondering whether the 10,000 steps rule applies eqully to everyone, given the range of body types and fitness among the population. James Tytko wondered where the 10,000 number came from in the first place, and sought an answer to John's question with the help of Dr Raj Amarnani, Consultant in Sport, Exercise and Muscoskeletel Medicine... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/donate)

2. 

   24 Oct 2025

   Why can't I do that 11th press-up?

   This time on Question of the Week, James Tytko is being given a mental work-out thanks to this listener question on muscle fatigue. We learn about the biological reactions which govern intense exercise from Andy Jones, Professor of Applied Physiology at the University of Exeter... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/donate)

3. 

   17 Oct 2025

   How does the UV filter in sun cream work?

   Listener Krzysztof has written in to ask how skin is protected from potentially harmful UV radiation by sun cream products. To help him with the answer, James Tytko put in a call to Antony Young, Emeritus Professor of Experimental Photobiology at King's College London... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/donate)

Who has been a guest on Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Jess Neumann
• Professor Paul Williams
• Professor Ben Allanach
• Holly Bridge
• Professor Malcom von Schantz

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

4,105,177

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.6 / 5

18 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 82 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

88

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

96

Contact Question of the Week, from the Naked Scientists

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.