CrowdScience

BBC World Service

We take your questions about life, Earth and the universe to researchers hunting for answers at the frontiers of knowledge.

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504 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes504

Newest first

Oct 7, 2022 · 35 min
Why am I gay?
CrowdScience looks at what science can - and can't - tell us about homosexuality.
Sep 30, 2022 · 32 min
Why are fish fish-shaped?
There are over 30, 000 species of fish – are they really all a similar shape?
Sep 23, 2022 · 28 min
Why don’t some things burn?
Why do some things burn, while others refuse to catch fire?
Sep 16, 2022 · 27 min
Is there a language of laughter?
Do we all laugh at the same things or is there a language to learn first?
Sep 10, 2022 · 31 min
Can animals count?
CrowdScience finds out whether there are some creatures that have a way with numbers.
Sep 2, 2022 · 40 min
What happens to insects in the winter?
Marnie explores the many canny ways insects have adapted to survive extreme temperatures
Aug 19, 2022 · 28 min
What is white?
CrowdScience explores what makes an object appear white.
Aug 15, 2022 · 33 min
Can smells fill you up?
CrowdScience explores how different smells affect your appetite.
Aug 5, 2022 · 28 min
Are humans naturally clean and tidy?
Answering your questions about life, Earth and the universe
Jul 22, 2022 · 32 min
Why is this song stuck in my head?
CrowdScience burrows into the niggling world of earworms
Jul 15, 2022 · 32 min
Are viruses the key to fighting infections?
Can bacteria-munching viruses help with the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance?
Jul 8, 2022 · 35 min
Are artistic brains different?
Myck the artist from Malawi wants to know if there’s something different about his brain.
Jul 1, 2022 · 33 min
What is healthy hair?
How can this nonliving structure be 'healthy' - and why is it concentrated on our heads?
Jun 24, 2022 · 34 min
Can we get better at accepting death?
How can we make the end of life a more positive experience for all involved?
Jun 17, 2022 · 31 min
What is a quantum computer?
What exactly are quantum computers? And when will they replace the computers we use now?
Jun 10, 2022 · 31 min
Human v machine
How efficient are humans?
Jun 3, 2022 · 37 min
Why do bright lights make me sneeze?
From sneezes and snot to saliva, we delve into the bodily fluids found in our faces.
May 27, 2022 · 42 min
Why can't I find gold in my back yard?
CrowdScience asks why precious metals and minerals are only found in certain places.
May 20, 2022 · 29 min
Why does ancient stuff get buried?
Archaeology means digging - but why does human history end up underground?
May 13, 2022 · 35 min
Does photographic memory exist?
Why do some people have better memories than others?