Our Stupid Little Bodies | Radiolab

Intro

In this episode of Radiolab, titled “Our Stupid Little Bodies,” the show explores curious and quirky questions collected from listeners and staff. The stories featured in this episode take us on a journey inside the human body, uncovering fascinating insights about our design and functionality.

Main Takeaways

Choking and the Design of the Human Body

• The fear of choking prompts questions about why humans are designed with a single opening for breathing and eating.
• Evolutionary history suggests that the design flaw leading to choking originated from the adaptation of fish to land-dwelling creatures.
• The unique design of the larynx in humans contributes to their susceptibility to choking incidents.

Alternative Breathing Methods

• Researcher Taco explores the possibility of ingesting oxygen through the rectum as an alternative breathing method.
• Experiments with mice and pigs show that oxygen administered through the rectum can improve oxygen levels in low oxygen conditions.
• This concept taps into evolutionary history, hinting at our fish ancestry.

Where Does Lotion Go?

• Skincare products are formulated not to be absorbed into the bloodstream, but small molecules can enter the bloodstream.
• Chemical sunscreen, parabens, and phthalates can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream.
• Our bodies have a filtration system to detoxify and eliminate unwanted substances.

The Effectiveness of Mosquito Bite Remedies

• The Bug Bite Thing, a suction device, claims to reduce the redness and itchiness of mosquito bites by removing mosquito saliva.
• A study involving 40 participants showed that the Bug Bite Thing significantly reduced itchiness and swelling compared to untreated bites.
• The scientific validity of the study and the device’s effectiveness are questioned.

The Placebo Effect and Itchy Welts

• A study conducted by scientists at the University of Zurich explores the placebo effect on itchy welts.
• Participants’ belief in the cream’s effect influenced the size of the welts, but had no effect on itching.
• The conditioned response, based on prior experiences with real treatment, is introduced as a possible explanation for the placebo effect.

The Quest for Threes in the Human Body

• The podcast host embarks on a quest to find body parts or systems that exist in threes.
• Examples include three exits in female mammals’ reproductive and waste systems and the three bones inside each ear.
• Efficiency and symmetry in the human body make it difficult to find instances of three of the same body part.

Summary

Choking and the Design of the Human Body

The fear of choking has led to questions about why humans are designed with a single opening for breathing and eating. Evolutionary history suggests that this design flaw originated from the adaptation of fish to land-dwelling creatures. As lungs evolved from the digestive system, there was an overlap between the eating and breathing systems. Humans, with their unique design of the larynx, are more prone to choking incidents compared to other animals. The sinking down of the larynx into our neck created more space at the back of our mouths, allowing us to make more sophisticated sounds.

Alternative Breathing Methods

Researcher Taco explores the possibility of ingesting oxygen through the rectum as an alternative breathing method. Inspired by a fish that absorbs oxygen through its anus, Taco conducted experiments with mice and pigs in low oxygen conditions. The results showed that oxygen dissolved in a fluid and administered through the rectum improved their oxygen levels. This concept taps into evolutionary history, resembling a prior way of oxygen exchange, hinting at our fish ancestry.

Where Does Lotion Go?

When we apply lotion to our skin, it is formulated not to be absorbed into the bloodstream. However, small molecules can enter the bloodstream, especially those from chemical sunscreen, parabens, and phthalates. Our bodies have a filtration system to detoxify and eliminate unwanted substances. Additionally, skin cells shed and become part of the environment, extending beyond the individual. Lotion application can be seen as being in a molecular soup, with some of it absorbed and some remaining on the skin.

The Effectiveness of Mosquito Bite Remedies

The Bug Bite Thing, a suction device, claims to reduce the redness and itchiness of mosquito bites by removing mosquito saliva. While the host had a positive experience with the device, its effectiveness is questioned by friends and co-workers. A study commissioned by the company showed that the Bug Bite Thing significantly reduced itchiness and swelling compared to untreated bites. However, the study’s scientific validity is questionable as it was not peer-reviewed.

The Placebo Effect and Itchy Welts

A study conducted by scientists at the University of Zurich explored the placebo effect on itchy welts. Participants’ belief in the cream’s effect influenced the size of the welts, but had no effect on itching. The conditioned response, based on prior experiences with real treatment, was introduced as a possible explanation for the placebo effect. The speaker shares a personal experience related to the placebo effect, highlighting the unsettling nature of this phenomenon.

The Quest for Threes in the Human Body

The podcast host embarks on a quest to find body parts or systems that exist in threes. While accidental examples of threes, such as extra body parts or organs, are encountered, finding three of the same body part proves challenging. The human body is built with efficiency and symmetry in mind, making it easier to find other numbers besides three. However, examples such as the three cusps of the aortic valve and the three leaflets of the heart’s valves provide glimpses of threes in the human body.

Conclusion

This episode of Radiolab delves into the fascinating intricacies of the human body, exploring topics such as choking, alternative breathing methods, lotion absorption, mosquito bite remedies, the placebo effect, and the quest for threes. Through engaging storytelling and scientific insights, the show highlights the quirks and wonders of our stupid little bodies.