Why do flightless birds have wings?

Fish swim. Frogs hop. Birds fly. Well, not all birds. Penguins and ostriches, for instance, can’t spread their wings and soar. So then, why do they have wings?  We asked paleontologist Jingmai O’Connor to help us find the answer.
Is there a question that’s got your tail feathers all in a twist? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact and we’ll find a reliable answer – we promise not to wing it!


Why do flightless birds have wings? 

How are cheetahs so fast?

Have you ever raced a cheetah? Hopefully not, that sounds dangerous. But if you have, that cheetah probably left you in her dust. We asked Rick Schwartz from the San Diego Zoo to help us figure out why cheetahs are so fast.
Got a question that’s testing you? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help you find an answer so you don’t have to be a cheetah!

Why does cutting onions make you cry?

Onions add zesty flavor to lots of different foods, like soups, salads, omelets, and much more! But sometimes, chopping them up can make your eyes water – ugh! Why does that happen, anyway? We asked chef and cookbook author Kenji Lopez-Alt to help us find the answer.
Got a question ON-ion your mind? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact and we’ll find such a great answer, you’ll weep for joy!  

How do lizards detach their tails?

Lizards are awesome creatures. Some have long forked tongues, others can move their eyeballs in opposite directions. And get this: some lizards can even drop their tails and grow new ones. But how and why do they do this? We asked lizard researcher Laura Kojima to help us find the answer.
Got a question that you iguana know the answer to? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help you find the de-tails.

Why is chocolate poisonous for dogs?

Whether you have a dog, want a dog, don’t like dogs, or are a dog…one thing's for sure. Dogs can’t eat chocolate! Why is it so bad for them? We asked Cassie Panning, a certified veterinary technician from the University of Minnesota, to help us find the answer.
Got a question that’s pawing at you? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help pup-date you on the topic! 

Why do we faint?

You might have seen someone faint in a movie. It usually happens after they see something shocking. They close their eyes and suddenly fall to the ground. In real life, people faint for many different reasons, not just shock. We asked pediatrician Dr. Wendy Hunter to tell us more about fainting.
Got a question that’s shockingly hard to answer? Send it to BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll find a swoon worthy explanation!


Why do we feel dizzy when we twirl around?

Spinning around in circles is really fun right? And then a weird thing happens. When you stop, it’s like the world is turned upside down and you don’t know which way you’re facing and you feel dizzy and sometimes even fall down! We asked infectious disease physician Dr. Frank Rhame to help understand why that is.
Got a question that’s spinning you around in circles? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help set you straight! 

How do caves form?

There are caves all over Earth. And people discover more every day!  They’re found in rock, lava, ice, and even sand. But how do caves form? We asked geologist Hazel Barton to help us find the answer.

Got a deep question? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help explore the answer? 

There are caves all over Earth. And people discover more every day!  They’re found in rock, lava, ice, and even sand. But how do caves form?  We asked geologist Hazel Barton to help us find the answer.
Got a deep question? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help explore the answer?  

Bedtime on Dragon Mountain

This episode is a little bit different from a regular Moment of Um. It’s a story that is specially designed to help you relax. Research shows that using your imagination to picture scenes in a story helps the brain to shake off all the thoughts from the day and cruise into a nice rest. As you listen, take some deep breaths and give your brain a little imagination vacation. 

This episode is a little bit different from a regular Moment of Um. It’s a story that is specially designed to help you relax.  Research shows that using your imagination to picture scenes in a story helps the brain to shake off all the thoughts from the day and cruise into a nice rest. As you listen, take some deep breaths and give your brain a little imagination vacation. 

Why do we talk in our sleep?

Lots of people talk in their sleep, especially kids!  Have you ever heard anyone babbling away in the middle of the night?  Or maybe someone has told you that you do it?  Sleep talking is totally normal, but why do we do it?  We asked sleep specialist Chris Winter to help us find the answer.
Got a question that you’ve been dreaming about? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll search through the night for the answer.

How long would it take a whale to swim from California to Japan?

Whales are some of the biggest animals on the planet, and they often migrate incredible distances. But how fast can they go? Like, let’s say a whale swam from California to Japan – how long would that take? We asked science writer and whale expert Vicky Stein to help us find the answer.
Got a question that’s whaley hard to figure out? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll ba-LEAN into finding the answer! 

How do we know dreams aren’t real?

Have you ever had a dream that felt so real you thought it actually happened? Our brain can cook up some really vivid images while we sleep, complete with sounds and even emotions. So how do we tell the difference between dreams and real life? We asked dream researcher Tore Nielsen to help us find the answer.
Got a question that you’re dreaming about? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact – we won’t snooze on finding the answer! 


Why do people cuddle?

Lots of people love a good cuddle. Whether it’s snuggling with a teddy bear, or cozying up with family – cuddles can make folks feel safe and comfortable. But why is that? Why do people cuddle? We asked brain expert India Morrison to help us find the answer.
Got a question snuggled up in your noggin? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll wrap you up in a satisfying answer! 

Why do people cuddle? 

How do polaroids develop pictures so quickly?

Have you ever used a Polaroid camera? It’s a special kind of camera that takes physical photos almost instantly. As soon as you snap the button, a little piece of paper pops out of the bottom of the camera – and in just a couple minutes, a photo appears on the paper! So how does it work? We asked chemistry expert Josie Nardo to help us find the answer.
Got a question, but can’t picture the answer? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help find the answer in a jiffy! 

How do ballerinas stand on their toes?

Ballet dancers inspire us with their grace, twirls, and leaps. But how do they stand on their tip-toes? We asked contemporary ballet dancer and choreographer Penelope Freeh to help us find the answer.
Got a question that’s keeping you on your toes? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll pointe you to some answers!

How do scientists know how old fossils are?

Have you ever seen a dinosaur fossil from millions of years ago and wondered how scientists figured out the age of those big ol’ bones? Us too! So we asked paleontologist Jingmai O’Connor to help us find the answer.
Got a question that’s absolutely petrifying? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help excavate the answer! 

Does water have a taste?

Have you ever been really thirsty on a hot day? Nothing beats that thirst better than a cold glass of good old H2O. We can’t live without it! Water quenches our thirst, but does it tickle our taste buds? Does water from different places taste different? We asked Martin Riese to help us find the answer.
Are you thirsting for knowledge? Send your questions to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll pour you a nice tall glass of facts.

What is silica gel and why shouldn’t you eat it?

Have you ever gotten a new toy or pair of sneakers and noticed there’s a little white paper packet inside the box filled with tiny clear balls? It’s called silica gel. But what is this stuff? And why are the little packets labeled “Do not eat?” We asked science professor Mark Lorch to help us find the answer.
Got a question that’s left you high and dry? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll offer up a fresh answer!


What is silica gel and why shouldn't you eat it?

How can mold be used for medicine?

Scientists develop medicines to help fight disease and keep people healthy. Some medicines are made in a lab, some come from plants, and some…even come from mold! So how does that work? We asked microbiologist Christine Salomon to help us find the answer.
Got a question that totally breaks the mold? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll send you our most cultured answer. 

Why do our ears pop on airplanes?

Have you ever been on an airplane and noticed that pressure in your ears? And then, as you’re taking off…they pop! Just like a balloon or a bubble or a freshly opened can of dough! Why does that happen? We asked infectious disease physician Dr. Frank Rhame to help us find the answer.
Got a question that popped in your head? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll fly in to help answer it for you.

Why does the bowl get hotter than the food in the microwave?

If you’ve ever grabbed a flaming hot bowl of soup out of the microwave and then slurped a spoonful of icy liquid from the middle of it, you’re not alone. In fact, it feels like one of life’s great mysteries! Why does this happen to food in the microwave? We asked ceramic artist Matthew Katz to help us find the answer.
Got a scalding hot question? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll bowl you over with the answer.  

How do frogs' tongues stretch so far?

Ever wish you had a frog's tongue? You wouldn’t even have to pick up a cookie with your hand…your tongue would grab it for you! How amazing is that? But really, how DO frog tongues stretch so far? We asked Kiisa Nishikawa, a professor at Northern Arizona University, to help us find the answer.
Got a sticky question? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll slurp up an answer for you!

When did people start using makeup?

Colored eyeshadow, glossy lipstick, rosy blush – people use all sorts of makeup to change how they look. But when did we start using makeup? And how has it changed over time? We asked archaeologist and Brains On producer Anna Goldfield to help us find the answer.
Got a question that’s making you blush? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help you face the answer! 

When did people start wearing makeup?

How do minerals form in caves?

Caves are full of amazing stuff: bats, hidden passageways and of course – spectacular rock formations! So where do these rock structures come from? We asked geologist Hazel Barton to help us find the answer.
Got a rock-solid question? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact, and we’ll help find the answer under the surface.

All Episodes

Why do flightless birds have wings?

How are cheetahs so fast?

Why does cutting onions make you cry?

How do lizards detach their tails?

Why is chocolate poisonous for dogs?

Why do we faint?

Why do we feel dizzy when we twirl around?

How do caves form?

Bedtime on Dragon Mountain

Why do we talk in our sleep?

How long would it take a whale to swim from California to Japan?

How do we know dreams aren’t real?

Why do people cuddle?

How do polaroids develop pictures so quickly?

How do ballerinas stand on their toes?

How do scientists know how old fossils are?

Does water have a taste?

What is silica gel and why shouldn’t you eat it?

How can mold be used for medicine?

Why do our ears pop on airplanes?

Why does the bowl get hotter than the food in the microwave?

How do frogs' tongues stretch so far?

When did people start wearing makeup?

How do minerals form in caves?