Hannah Ashworth
Hannah Ashworth is a journalist who has written several articles for BBC Science Focus.
Recent articles by Hannah Ashworth
How long does it take for a body to decompose at sea?
If you're planning a burial at sea, the rate at which your body to break down largely depends on whether you pick a tropical or temperate ocean.
Why does scratching help itches?
Scratching an itch is just a distraction tactic for your nervous system.
Why is sugar bad for you?
Not only does sugar pack a lot of calories per gram, it also has effects on your hormone levels.
Can you get sunburnt underwater?
A lot of people don't apply sunscreen before swimming, but is this necessarily a good idea?
Why don't people have naturally blue or green hair?
Until we can get more exciting varieties of eumelanin and pheomelanin, you'll just have to stick with blue hair dye.
What happens when you're winded?
Being "winded" is technically a hard blow or blunt trauma to the solar plexus, which causes pain & difficulty breathing, but why do we have this reaction?
Why is eating liver good for you?
Were all those school matrons forcing kids to eat their liver, "for their own good", mistaken?
Why do we have lips?
Read my lips... these facial features are more than just for looks.
Why do you get hungry when you're drunk?
Drinking alcohol does make you hungrier - but what does alcohol do to the brain to make you feel this way?
Why do you see stars if you bump your head?
Ever wonder why you sometimes get starry eyed after a particularly bad bump on the head? It's all down to phosphenes.
What is paraesthesia?
Pins and needles, needles and pins, but what is that tingling from your hands come within?
Does sitting near a window make your skin age faster?
Everyone knows the dangers of staying in the sun for too long, but does sitting near a window have the same ageing affects on your skin?
Why do you shiver when you have a fever?
When you have a fever, your body tries to compensate for a higher target temperature on your internal thermostat.
How many extra calories do you burn when exercising?
Stick to your recommended calorie intake & you'll likely burn off most of this through normal living, but when it comes to exercise, it depends what you do!
Is talking to yourself a sign of madness?
If you're caught talking to yourself it can be embarrassing, but is it something to be worried about?
Why don't we have tails?
We have evolved to have no use for a tail, and a tail you don’t use is just another limb that needs energy to grow and another thing for predators to grab.
Why does laughing make you feel better?
Laughing may have evolved to make us feel better, as well as serving a social function.
Why do you twitch as you fall asleep?
When dreaming stops you sleeping... all sorts of odd brain activity and bodily responses can occur.
Why don't scars disappear as skin is shed?
Over time, scars from accidents and injuries can fade, but why doesn't the skin return to its original state?
Why can looking at a bright light make you sneeze?
The exact cause of the photic sneeze reflex isn't understood but there are some theories for this kind of reaction.
Where do phobias come from?
Listen up scaredy-cats! Your irrational fears may just have some basis in biology.
Why does cheese give you nightmares?
Eating cheese at night is said to give you nightmares, but the reason why isn't so spooky.
Why do baked beans give you wind?
Beans, beans, are good for your heart, the more you eat, the more oligosaccharides your gut bacteria have to digest.
How long does meat sit in your gut?
There are so many myths about meat, including whether it sits in your gut for ages after you eat it.