Louise Ridley
Recent articles by Louise Ridley
Why are the nuts in a box of muesli often at the top?
Nut re-distribution is a key part of a muesli-eaters daily routine - but why?
Is it true that most ginger cats are male?
Ginger genes work differently in cats compared to people, which makes female ginger cats a little harder to come by.
Bryan Grieg Fry: the venom doctor
He milks cobras, calms Komodo dragons and extracts octopus venom. Dr Bryan Grieg Fry tells Louise Ridley about his life’s hazardous research
What percentage of the human brain is used?
Whoever said we use only 10% of your brain wasn't giving humans enough credit - we're way more effective than that!
Biocontrol: Nature's pest control
When it comes to pests, Nature’s own hitmen are the best weapons in our armoury. But are they safe when we send them into battle? Caroline Green investigates…
What size does a body of water have to be to be influenced by the Moon’s gravity?
Every single water molecule feels exactly the same gravitational pull from the Moon, but how many molecules are needed before this pull is noticeable?
The science of Pixar - 25 years
As Pixar celebrates its 25th anniversary, Jim Thacker investigates its achievements and explores what the future holds for computer animation.
Space property: who owns it?
Technological advances mean the vast resources in space will soon be within our grasp. But who will get the rights to the resources and, as Sean Blair asks, can you even own a piece of outer space?
Why does your iris have a colour?
Your favourite eye colour might be the result of an old mutation.
Do men need sex more than women?
Are there any biological factors behind this behavioural cliché?
Five gadgets to help you wake up
Do you sleep straight through a simple beeping alarm clock? Or wake in a filthy temper each morning? Luis Villazon tries five new ways to rise
Are snails born with their shells?
There's a reason why snails need to eat eggs for breakfast.
How big is Prince Charles’s carbon footprint?
Prince Charles has published the carbon footprint of his household every year since 2007, as part of his annual report.
There's no such thing as a brontosaurus
Barely a month goes by without a new fossil find that challenges our understanding of how dinosaurs lived. Dan Cossins discovers that everyone's favourite brontosaurus may have just been a cultural myth...
How long do two groups have to be separated before they become different species?
Speciation, the process of a biological population evolving to become separate species, is influenced by a variety of factors.
Why does the smell of burnt toast linger?
Burning any organic material sufficiently will produce chemicals that we are sensitive to, but why is toast so effective in broadcasting this smell?
What would happen if you were in space without a spacesuit?
Your body would cope better than expected in space without a spacesuit. Well, you'd still die, but at least you wouldn't explode!
Why can some people sleep through anything?
Some people just having more sleep spindles than others...
Why some people have a good sense of direction
Which way now? Louise Ridley explains why some people have a better sense of direction than others.
UFO sightings: the science
Peter Davenport, Director of the National UFO Reporting Center in the US, speaks to Louise Ridley about taking the scientific approach to finding alien life
The science of aging: Five vital numbers
Getting older is one of life’s inevitabilities. Or is it? Michael Mosley looks into aging. Here are the vital stats.
Pixar Animation's research scientist speaks to Focus
Tony Derose, head of Pixar Animation Studios’ Research Group, talks to Louise Ridley about how they brought Buzz, Woody and WALL-E to life
What's inside the brain of a genius?
There are intriguing differences between the brain of a genius and a normal noggin.
How to forge a masterpiece
Renowned art forger Tony Tetro explains how to forge a masterpiece.