logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2010
1 h

Why do Men's Bits Shrink in the Cold?

THE NAKED SCIENTISTS
About this episode
How heavy is the Earth? How do snakes digest huge meals? Should I fear falling bullets? We take on these questions and more in this Naked Scientists Question and Answer show! We'll discuss the ideal hair for head lice, the mechanics of using a straw and why men's bits shrink in the cold! In the news we explore the link between jetlag and forgetfulness, discover a moon with an oxygen atmosphere, and a new technique to tell someones age by their blood. Plus, in Kitchen Science we find out why a full carton is much harder to shake. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Up next
Yesterday
Motor neurone disease: what does the science say?
Today, we take a closer look at motor neurone disease (MND), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting the motor neurones that control voluntary muscle movement. This programme explores the clinical features of MND, what it is like to live with the condition, how it is d ... Show More
29m 33s
Jan 30
Cracking cancer's code, and the cow that scratches its back
Coming up, a world-first gene cancer database is launched. How might it help us gain a better understanding of how disease develops? Plus, the link between vitamin D deficiency and respiratory infections, Austria's back-scratching cow, and SpaceX carries out its latest launch of ... Show More
34m 28s
Jan 27
Titans of Science: John Zarnecki
Titans of Science is back with John Zarnecki, a towering figure in the UK's space community. He has played a crucial role in designing instruments for groundbreaking space missions, and has also helped shape Europe's planetary science programme. In this episode, John shares compe ... Show More
31m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2025
Ep 186 Hypothermia Part 1: How it hurts
For all our wondrous adaptations as a species - our big brains, our capacity for language, our opposable thumbs - we humans are not well-equipped to deal with the cold. Take us out of our insulated dwellings, take away our winter clothes, and things can get dicey fast. From frost ... Show More
57m 35s
May 2025
Saunas, cold exposure, and your health: what the science says | Dr. Susanna Søberg & Prof. Tim Spector
Unwrap the truth about your food 👉 ⁠Get ZOE’s new app Most of us avoid the cold. We crank up the heating, bundle up in layers, and curse every icy gust of wind. But what if freezing — or even sweating — could be the key to better health? In this episode, Jonathan is joined by tw ... Show More
1h 2m
Jul 2021
Black holes, blue tongues and gagging
How realistic are alternate realities? Why does sleeping with a quilt on make us have bad dreams? Could we survive on a desert island with only corn to eat? Dr Karl answers these questions and more, on triple j mornings with host Lucy Smith. 
38m 22s
Feb 2019
Thermophysiology (BODY HEAT) with Shane Campbell-Staton
<p>This episode, and Dr. Shane Campbell-Staton, are a true joy. The UCLA professor, host of the Biology of Superheroes Podcast and Thermophysiologist talks about big animals vs. little ones, lizard storms, dinosaur blood, hibernating bears, why you sweat in your sleep, antifreeze ... Show More
1h 23m
Oct 2024
Weekly: The gruesome story of the Viking skeleton found in a well
Episode 273 The mystery of “Well Man”, an ancient cold case, has just been solved. A Norse saga tells that in 1197, in the midst of a Viking raid, warriors dumped a body in a well inside a castle. Over 800 years later, archeologists recovered a body from that very well – but didn ... Show More
22m 17s
Jun 2025
How Lying In Bed For 60 Days Helps Astronauts
In space, microgravity changes the body. Body fluids shift from the legs toward the head, the back of our eyes flatten, we lose muscle strength, our bones lose some of their density, and even the amount of blood pumped by the heart with each beat drops. To learn more about how mi ... Show More
27m 17s
Apr 2025
Q&A #7 | Pitting oedema, intracranial pressure, Alport disease, and more!
What could cause the pressure in our skull to rise? Why do we get oedema? And how does Alport disease effect our kidneys? Plus listener mail!Want to send us a question or topic? Email: admin@drmattdrmike.com.auYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrMattDrMike/Instagram: @drmiketodor ... Show More
1h 9m
Jun 2025
Colossal Creatures
How big can animals really get before they collapse under their own weight or run out of snacks? Could a 12-foot comedian survive their first punchline without snapping in half? Listener Andrew sends Hannah and Dara on a deep dive into the science of supersized species.With evolu ... Show More
28m 57s
Feb 2025
Recap: Why we avoid exercise and how to overcome it | Daniel Lieberman
Today we’re exploring what evolution can teach us about exercise. When it comes to doing exercise, there’s often a tug-of-war between our body and brain. Our body craves movement - it wants to be leaner, fitter, stronger. But our brain? Well, that’s a different story. It often dr ... Show More
11m 24s