Vandana Gupta
Recent articles by Vandana Gupta
Why don’t we use desalination technology to provide drinking water?
Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink - well, maybe a few here and there...
Are there any ways of escaping from a stricken submarine?
Don't open the hatch, however much you might sent to get out.
Why are lame horses shot rather than treated?
Though the practise seems cruel, but 'destroying' a racehorse is usually more humane than forcing the horse to endure the recovery.
Why do cats and snakes have slits for pupils?
You can’t miss cat’s eyes sometimes, and they come in a wide range of shapes and sizes.
Would it be possible to live healthily on only a few types of food?
Yes, as long as the foods you choose provide the right balance of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, trace elements, vitamins, and minerals.
How do you generate electricity from waves?
Wave power uses electricity generators on the ocean surface to tap into the huge store of kinetic energy.
What happens to fish when they go over waterfalls?
Freefall into water is generally not a problem for a light, streamlined fish, but it all depends on the type and scale of the waterfall.
How much do we understand consciousness?
Understanding consciousness is one of the biggest scientific mysteries. So, what do we know about it and, more importantly, will we ever figure it out?
Are we the only species to have a menopause?
Don't worry, we're not the only living creature to have a finite lifespan on our ability to bear children.
Why does the Moon appear white and the Sun yellow?
The difference in the colour in these celestial bodies comes down to how brightly they shine.
Does washing your hands get rid of bacteria?
Washing your hands can land you in hot water when it comes to bathroom hygiene etiquette.
What number is infinity plus one?
According to mathematicians, there are may types of infinity, but what happens when you add one?
Why do we remember some dreams and not others?
The sheer power of our imagination means we can't remember all of our dreams & our recall can depend on when we wake up and what we were dreaming of.
Why are names harder to remember than faces?
Long-term memory is handled by evolutionary ancient parts of the brain - if only evolution gave us nametags...
How might the human body evolve in the future?
Evolution is influenced and imprinted over millions of years, but is modern technology and medicine helping or hindering our evolution as a race?
How many animals can sleep standing up?
Humans love a bit of a lie down to snooze. Why would any animal choose to sleep standing up?
Could there be planets out in space that are irregular shapes?
Asteroids and comets show wide variation in shape and size.
What’s the best way of getting out of a maze?
The age old solution is to keep a hand in constant contact with the wall, but what about mazes that are actively designed to defeat this?
Do magnets wear out?
Demagnetisation is a slow process but magnets can lose their strength over time. This generally happens in two ways.
What’s the oldest species alive on Earth?
It's claimed that 'living fossils' have remained completely unchanged for millions of years, but how true is this?
What makes hardwood hard and softwood soft?
Here we get to the roots of what the difference between hardwood and softwood trees is.