Moment of Um - podcast cover

Moment of Um

American Public Media•momentofum.org
Kids & Family
Education for Kids
Moment of Um is your daily answer to those questions that pop up out of nowhere and make you go… ummmmmmm. Brought to you by your friends at Brains On at APM Studios.
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Episodes

Why do we itch?

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!...

Oct 29, 2024•4 min

What are antibiotics and probiotics?

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 pro biotics 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!...

Oct 28, 2024•5 min

How do music boxes work?

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.

Oct 25, 2024•6 min

Why do pugs have such scrunched faces?

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 at BrainsOn.org/contact , and we’ll find someone who NOSE the answer....

Oct 24, 2024•4 min

How do Magic 8-balls work?

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....

Oct 23, 2024•6 min

How and why do we produce saliva?

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.

Oct 22, 2024•4 min

How is flannel made?

Flannel is a soft, comfy fabric used to make shirts, cozy winter bed sheets and all kinds of other stuff. But how is it made? We asked fabric expert Susan Brown to help us find the answer. Got a question that’s got you woolgathering ? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact , and we’ll help you weave your way to the right answer!

Oct 21, 2024•6 min

Why do irons have to be hot to de-wrinkle things?

A volcano forms when the hot melted rock deep under the Earth’s crust bubbles to the surface and breaks through. Sometimes, a volcano will go from active to dormant, meaning it doesn’t erupt anymore. How does that happen? We asked geochemist Kelsey Woody to help us find the answer. Got a question of seismic proportions ? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact , and we’ll help find a MAGMAnificent answer!...

Oct 18, 2024•6 min

Why didn't sharks go extinct like dinosaurs?

If sharks were around in the time of dinosaurs, how are they still here today when dinosaurs have gone extinct? Were some just really, really good at hiding from the asteroid that hit Earth? For this episode, we talked to Karen Chin, a professor of Geological Sciences at the University of Colorado. Got a question you want to sink your teeth into? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact , and we’ll try our best to fin- ish what you started!...

Oct 17, 2024•7 min

Why do volcanoes go dormant?

A volcano forms when the hot melted rock deep under the Earth’s crust bubbles to the surface and breaks through. Sometimes, a volcano will go from active to dormant, meaning it doesn’t erupt anymore. How does that happen? We asked geochemist Kelsey Woody to help us find the answer. Got a question of seismic proportions ? Send it to us at BrainsOn.org/contact , and we’ll help find a MAGMAnificent answer!...

Oct 16, 2024•6 min