Moment Of Um

Latest Episodes:

Why do we jump when we get scared? Mar 14, 2024

Show notes

If you’ve ever jumped right out of your seat when watching a scary movie, you know that sometimes your body has a reaction to being surprised or frightened. One of our listeners wanted to know why that happens, and we asked neurologist Sarah Benish to help us understand.

Got a startlingly good Moment of Um question for us? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll try to be brave enough to find the answer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do microphones work? Mar 13, 2024

Show notes

Imagine this: you’re at a karaoke competition. You grab the microphone, belt out your favorite song, and the crowd goes wild! Everyone can hear your voice, thanks to your handy dandy microphone. But how exactly do these snazzy little machines work? We asked mechanical engineer and science educator Tiffani Teachey to help us find the answer.

Got a question that’s pitch perfect? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll find an answer that really ampsyou up!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do our lips get chapped? Mar 12, 2024

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We’ve all suffered with chapped lips in the winter: itchy, flaking, sometimes even bleeding. Yikes! One of our listeners wanted to know how this happens, so we asked dermatologist Roxana Daneshjou to explain.

Got a Moment of Um question for us? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll ask around for the answer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do eyeballs grow? Mar 11, 2024

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Eyeballs! They’re squishy orbs in our skulls, made of lots of different parts that work together to send visual information to our brain. But do they get bigger as we grow from babies to adults? We asked eye doctor Stacey Pineles to help us find the answer.

Are you a pupil with a burning question? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help en-vision the answer!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do mushrooms grow if they don’t have seeds? Mar 08, 2024

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Have you ever gone outside after a rainy day and seen mushrooms growing in the grass or on tree trunks? How do they get there? We asked urban agriculture specialist Yolanda Gonzalez to help us find the answer.

Got a question that’s really growing on you? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll mold an answer for you.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do fish have allergies? Mar 07, 2024

Show notes

Most of us have some experience with allergies: maybe it’s pollen or a pet that makes us sneeze, or maybe there are certain foods we can’t eat. But do other creatures have allergies too? Are fish sniffling and sneezing underwater? We asked biologist Laura Zimmerman to help us understand.

Got a Moment of Um question for us? Go to BrainsOn.org/contact to send it to us, and we’ll go fishing for the answer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do skunks spray their stink? Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

Skunks are part of a family of animals called mustelids, along with weasels, badgers, and otters. All of these animals produce a unique, musky smell, but where stink is concerned, the skunk reigns supreme. They can spray a super-smelly liquid from their butts at anything that scares them. But how does that spray work? We asked biologist Caitlin Amspacher to help us find the answer.

Got a question stinkin’ up your brain? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll see what the answer en-TAILS!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If the earth had rings, could we see them? Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

We’ve all seen pictures of the planet Saturn, with its beautiful rings. But what if the Earth had rings? Could you look out your window and see them? We asked planetary scientist Linda Spilker to help us imagine what that might look like.

Got a Moment of Um question taking up space in your brain? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact and you could hear the answer on a future episode!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do prescription glasses work? Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

Lots of people wear prescription glasses to help them see. An eye doctor helps to find the right prescription so that our eyeballs focus better on things that would otherwise look like a blurry mess. But how do glasses actually work? We asked eye doctor Stacey Pineles to help us find the answer.

Got a question in your sights? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll focus on finding the answer!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does earwax do for your ear? Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever noticed the thin layer of sticky, oily stuff inside your ears? It’s called earwax! It’s definitely not the kind of wax you use to make candles or crayons, so what do our ears need it for? We asked pediatrician Dr. Anjuli Gans to help us find the answer.

Got a question that you want us to hear? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll wax poetic about the answer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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