Moment Of Um

Latest Episodes:

How does anesthesia work? Nov 04, 2024

Show notes

Sometimes, doctors use something called anesthesia to help them treat patients. Anesthesia can be different substances, but they all prevent our bodies from feeling pain during a medical treatment or surgery. So how does anesthesia stop us from feeling pain?
We asked Dr. Kaveh Hoda to help us find the answer.

Got a question that’s topical? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll find a painless answer!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do we need belly buttons? Nov 01, 2024

Show notes

We all have a belly button. Right there, in the middle of our belly, there’s a nub. Some go in, some stick out, but what exactly are they for? We asked pediatrician Emma Gerstenzang to help us find the answer.

Got a question that’s hard to stomach? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help digest the answer for you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What produces eye gunk when we sleep? Oct 31, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever woken up in the morning with the corners of your eyes filled with crud? Sleepy sand? Eye goblins? Dozy dust? Bed boogers? Why do our eyes make this stuff, anyway? And why does it build up when we’re asleep? We asked Yale eye doctor Soshian Sarrafpour to help us get to the bottom of this issue.

Got a question that you can’t keep a lid on? Send it to us atBrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll find someone who can answer it in the blink of an eye.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does bug spray work? Oct 30, 2024

Show notes

Bug spray helps us keep mosquitoes and other insects away. But how does it work? We asked insect expert Meredith Cenzer to help us find the answer.

Got a question buzzing around your brain? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll bug some experts until we get an answer!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do we itch? Oct 29, 2024

Show notes

A mosquito bites you. Your grandma knits you a scratchy blanket. Your friend tickles you with a feathery cat toy. What do all of these things have in common? They make you itch! Listener Samantha was wondering just why that is, and neuroscientist Sonali Mali says she’s always wondered the same thing, so that’s why she studies it!

Got a question tickling at your brain? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, because we’re just itching to help you find the answer!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are antibiotics and probiotics? Oct 28, 2024

Show notes

Antibiotics are a kind of medicine that a doctor might give you to help you fight off an infection. But there are also things called probiotics in food and vitamins. So what’s the difference between probiotics and antibiotics? We asked Dr. Kaveh Hoda to help us find the answer.

Got a question that your gut tells you is a great one? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll send you a small-batch, artisanally fermented answer!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do music boxes work? Oct 25, 2024

Show notes

Music boxes are hand-cranked toys that play a tinkly little tune. How do they make their music? We asked music box maker Richard Upchurch to help us find the answer.

Got a question that’s making you cranky? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll find a harmonious answer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do pugs have such scrunched faces? Oct 24, 2024

Show notes

Pugs! They’re adorable! The internet loves them for their sassy personalities and squishy faces. But how did the pug’s face get so smushed? Why are pug noses different from terrier sniffers or German shepherd snoots? We asked animal geneticist Jeffrey Schoenebeck to help us sniff out the answer.

Got a question that’s right in front of your schnozz? Send it to us atBrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll find someone who NOSE the answer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do Magic 8-balls work? Oct 23, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever played with a Magic 8-Ball? They’re black and white toy balls – but with a twist! People ask the Magic 8-Ball a question, shake it, and it gives you an answer! How do these toys work? And when were they invented? We asked Chris Bensch, head curator of the Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, NY to help us out.

Got a question that you’re toying with? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll shake up an answer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How and why do we produce saliva? Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

Our mouths have a lot going on. They have teeth and a tongue and they help us talk and eat. But what about saliva? It seems important, right? How do our bodies know to make it? We asked otolaryngologist Dr. Laura Orvidas to help us learn all about saliva.

Got a question that you just can’t lick? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help find an answer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.