simple slice of science

A Simple Slice of Science – Why do we burp?

A Simple Slice of Science – Why do we burp?

nao

Dr. Simple is back answering some more great questions; this one came in from five-year-old Cathal, who can sometimes be found over at the lovely blog Bumbles of Rice.

Cathal wants to know…

Why do we burp?

And here is what Dr. Simple has to say on the matter…

Burp

 

 

Who knew the humble burp could be so interesting? Here are a few more burp facts that Dr. Simple didn’t mention…

  • Not all animals, can burp; chicken, rats and horse are among some that cannot.
  • The average person passes wind (through burps and farts) an average 20 times a day!
  • This can add up to three or more litres of gas a day!

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Thanks so much for your question, Cathal, and if anyone else has a question for Dr. Simple, just leave it in the comments below!

A Simple Slice of Science – Why do we have five fingers?

A Simple Slice of Science – Why do we have five fingers?

nao

This week’s questions comes from the youngest junior scientist in the Science Wows household and he wants to know…

Why do we have five fingers?

 

As it is National Maths Week Dr. Simple is happy to be talking numbers.

FiveFingers

 

References:

1. Why do most species have five digits on their hands and feet?

2. What if our hands had six fingers?

3. Why do we have ten fingers?

 

 

 

A Simple Slice of Science – How can I make two of me?

A Simple Slice of Science – How can I make two of me?

nao

This week’s question for Dr. Simple is a real gem and comes from six year old Abigail (you might find her mentioned here too)…

How can I make two of me?

I think if Abigail is asking these questions at the age of six then she will really go far, don’t you agree?

Here is what Dr. Simple has to say on the matter… and don’t adjust your screens if you think you are seeing double!

 

HowCanIMakeTwoOfMyself

 

Transmogrifier
Image source: http://calvinandhobbes.wikia.com/wiki/Transmogrifier

So there you have it! Hopefully a simple answer to a really wonderful question. It certainly opens up the discussion of whether we should be cloning or not. As a geneticist myself I wouldn’t be encouraging it, but I do have a much simpler answer… I reckon if Abigail could just build herself a Transmogrifier then she will really have nailed the whole cloning thing. She could turn herself into another Abigail and the job would be done!

If you do make one Abigail, can I borrow it?

A simple slice of science – Why do we yawn?

A simple slice of science – Why do we yawn?

nao

This week’s question comes from seven year old Emily, who, I hear is always asking her mum questions… sometimes her mum even writes about it here.

Emily wants to know….

Why do we yawn?

 

Dr. Simple will try to stop yawning long enough to answer the question…. because yawning is contagious! See how many times you yawn while reading this and leave us a note in the comments below!

 

yawn

So, go on, tell us how many times did you yawn?

 

Further reading/references:

The surprising science of yawning

Different yawn, different functions?

In group/out group bias in contagious yawning

Individual Variation in Contagious Yawning Susceptibility Is Highly Stable and Largely Unexplained by Empathy or Other Known Factors.