logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2020
30m 20s

Why does running water make me need the ...

Bbc World Service
About this episode
What does science say about controlling urination, and other bodily functions? We tackle three queries about peeing triggers, pooing positions and missing sweat. This episode CrowdScience presenter Marnie Chesterton poses some of the best listener follow-up questions that have landed in our inbox to a panel of experts. Listener Samuel in Ghana is wondering ... Show More
Up next
Jul 4
Can we harness solar energy from other stars?
Listener Dickson Mukisa from Uganda has been gazing up at the stars. But he’s not making wishes. He wants to know whether we can harness their energy, in the same way we do with our OWN star – the sun. After all, they may seem small and twinkly to us, but each one is a gigantic f ... Show More
26m 28s
Jun 27
Why are twins special?
No one really cares that CrowdScience listener Sam has a younger brother, but they do care about his sister. In fact, they’re fascinated by her. That’s because Sam and his sister are fraternal twins. He’s been wondering all his life why he’s treated differently. Could it be cultu ... Show More
26m 28s
Jun 20
How can we persuade more people to cycle?
Cycling is good for our health, good for the planet, and it can be an efficient way of moving around busy cities. But despite all the rational arguments for it, in most cities the number of people who get on their bikes is low.CrowdScience listener Hans wants to know whether it’s ... Show More
26m 28s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 28
Water vs. Tech: How Moisture Ruins Your Devices & Why We Need Stress
Kibosh, chicanery, affluent and Seuss (as in Dr. Seuss) are words a lot of people mispronounce. This episode begins with the correct pronunciation of these and other mispronounced words you may not be aware you are saying incorrectly. http://mentalfloss.com/article/32273/11-commo ... Show More
55m 28s
Jan 2025
155: Urine Beer, Insulin Comas, and Ozempic: the DH of Diabetes
Hi friends, happy Wednesday! Diabetes is a disease that’s been around for thousands and thousands of years. Literally, since the neanderthals were walking around, painting in caves.  Recently, I went to the doctor. And something happened. I had to pee in a cup, you know, pretty r ... Show More
41m 11s
Jan 2025
Donny Talks About Toilets
We've had maybe a dozen submissions from people who reached out to us with questions about public restrooms. Specifically: why are they designed so poorly? And how gross are they actually? Alex and Hyperfixed Producer Amor Yates investigate. Help us continue making hyperfixed! Be ... Show More
34m 40s
Feb 2024
Understanding Flood Forecasting
When Lois Pryce arrived at her boat in Berkshire, the area was already completely flooded. The only way to get to it was via a small pontoon. She is one of many across the UK that have been affected by the current floods, and is very familiar with the flood warning system accessi ... Show More
28m 21s
Apr 2023
‘Possibility Of Life’ Book, PFAS Sewage, ‘Smart’ Play. April 14, 2023, Part 2
Is Anybody Out There? The Quest For Life In Space It’s one of humanity’s biggest fundamental questions: “Is there life elsewhere in the universe?” But despite years of searching, it’s a query that still has no answer.  That conundrum also opens up a whole string of other inquirie ... Show More
47m 44s
Oct 2024
How does embarrassment affect your health?
There are so many campaigns now to stop stigma and embarrassment - from Davina McCall talking about the menopause to Idris Elba campaigning for black men to get their prostate checked. And when we asked for your stories of how embarrassment impacts your health, our inbox was floo ... Show More
28m 28s
Jan 2025
Ask a Chemist: Why do carrots cause hiccups? (and other questions)
Ask a Chemist #64 In this bonus edition of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam tackle intriguing questions from listeners. They delve into why some people hiccup when eating carrots, the fascinating uses of poinsettias in food packaging, the role of benzene as a carc ... Show More
29m 44s
Aug 2018
The Final Frontier Part 2: How Astronauts Go to the Bathroom in Space and How Women Can Safely Pee Standing Up
In this episode of The Brain Food Show, we begin by following up on a previous discussion on what the first good movie based on a computer game was.  We then jump right into the various ways in which astronauts have managed their necessary expulsions over the years and some hilar ... Show More
1h 17m
Apr 2024
How pure is the water from your tap?
A recent study on how to get rid of microplastics in water sparked presenter Marnie Chesterton’s curiosity. When she turns on the tap in her kitchen each day, what comes out is drinkable, clean water. But where did it come from, and what’s in it? Dr Stewart Husband from Sheffield ... Show More
28m 12s
Apr 2022
Two Whats?! And A Wow! - How To Train Your Potty (Encore - 4/8/22)
Why in the world would Mindy invite Guy Raz to Potty Training?! And why are Mindy’s toilets doing “The Wave?” We’ve got questions AND answers for you in this flushing round of Two Whats?! And A Wow! We’re challenging you to find the fact from fiction about BATHROOMS! (Originally ... Show More
10m 30s