When Your Eyes See Lies | Science vs

Intro

In this episode of Science vs, titled “When Your Eyes See Lies,” the hosts delve into cases of visual deception and illusion. From exploring the mysterious case of a man whose dog ate part of his penis to discussing the fascinating phenomenon of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, this episode uncovers the science behind these intriguing mysteries.

Main Takeaways

Visual Deception and Illusion

• A case report of an 88-year-old man who died with a wound on his penis and part of it missing.
• Speculation that the man’s dog may have bitten his penis after he died.
• Review paper on animal mutilations found that dogs mostly go for the face, not the genital area, when nibbling on corpses.
• Forensic scientists giving a dog an emetic to make it vomit and finding a piece of connective tissue that looked like the missing piece of penis.
• Genetic testing showing that the tissue found in the dog came from two different people.
• The different opinions on how to solve mysteries involving dogs, but the importance of science in uncovering the truth.

Chimerism and Genetic Variation

• Discussion of the man who had two sets of DNA, making him a chimera.
• Explanation of chimerism, where a person’s body is made of cells that are genetically different.
• Discovery that the DNA samples from different parts of the man’s body were different.
• Explanation of how chimerism can occur during a person’s growth in their mother’s womb, such as when two fertilized eggs merge into one embryo.
• Understanding that chimerism can also happen when a mother carries a baby, with the baby’s DNA potentially getting into the mother’s body, and vice versa.
• Implication that chimerism may be more common than previously thought, with many chimeras going unnoticed.

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome

• Case of a little boy in Sydney experiencing episodes where he saw his hand and feet as miniature.
• Explanation of Alice in Wonderland syndrome, a condition where people see things either bigger or smaller than they are.
• Association of the syndrome with illnesses associated with a fever, such as influenza or Epstein-Barr.
• Discussion of the bizarre symptoms experienced by kids with Alice in Wonderland syndrome, including seeing wrinkled surfaces as smooth and experiencing chloropsia (green vision).
• Insight into the research conducted by pediatric neurologist Osman Farouk, who had the syndrome as a child.
• Understanding that the syndrome is mostly harmless, and kids usually grow out of it, but it can also occur in adults and be linked to migraines.

The Lemming Myth

• Debunking the myth that lemmings commit mass suicide by jumping off cliffs.
• Explanation of the lemming population booms that occur every few years in Norway, leading to a rapid increase in numbers.
• Understanding that during boom periods, lemmings become prey for Arctic predators and face challenges due to overpopulation and territorial behavior.
• Revelation that the idea of mass suicide among lemmings was perpetuated by a staged scene in a Disney documentary.
• Insight into the ongoing enigma of lemming population swings and the threats they face due to climate change.
• Highlighting the importance of dispelling misconceptions and understanding the true nature of lemmings.

Summary

Visual Deception and Illusion

In the live show “When Your Eyes See Lies,” the hosts of Science vs explore intriguing cases of visual deception and illusion. They discuss the mysterious case of an 88-year-old man who died with a wound on his penis and part of it missing. Speculation arises that his pet dog may have bitten his penis after he died. However, a review paper on animal mutilations suggests that dogs mostly go for the face, not the genital area, when nibbling on corpses. To investigate further, forensic scientists give a dog an emetic to make it vomit and find a piece of connective tissue that resembles the missing piece of penis. Genetic testing reveals that the tissue found in the dog came from two different people. The hosts emphasize the importance of science in solving mysteries involving dogs and uncovering the truth.

Chimerism and Genetic Variation

Another fascinating topic discussed in the show is chimerism, where a person’s body is composed of cells that are genetically different. The hosts present the case of a man who had two sets of DNA, making him a chimera. They explain that chimerism likely occurred during the man’s growth in his mother’s womb, possibly when two fertilized eggs merged into one embryo. The discovery that the DNA samples from different parts of the man’s body were different highlights the complexity of chimerism. The hosts suggest that chimerism may be more common than previously thought, with many chimeras going unnoticed. This phenomenon sheds light on the intricate genetic variation within individuals.

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome

The hosts also delve into the intriguing phenomenon known as Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. They share the case of a little boy in Sydney who experienced episodes where he saw his hand and feet as miniature, causing concern for his family. This syndrome, named after Lewis Carroll’s character Alice, involves distorted perceptions of body size and time. The hosts explain that it is often associated with illnesses accompanied by a fever, such as influenza or Epstein-Barr. Pediatric neurologist Osman Farouk, who had the syndrome as a child, conducted extensive research on the topic. While the syndrome is mostly harmless and children usually outgrow it, it can also occur in adults and be linked to migraines.

The Lemming Myth

The hosts debunk the myth that lemmings commit mass suicide by jumping off cliffs. They explain that lemming population booms occur every few years in Norway, resulting in a rapid increase in numbers. During these boom periods, lemmings become prey for Arctic predators and face challenges due to overpopulation and territorial behavior. The hosts reveal that the idea of mass suicide among lemmings was perpetuated by a staged scene in a Disney documentary. They emphasize the ongoing enigma surrounding lemming population swings and the threats they face due to climate change. The hosts stress the importance of dispelling misconceptions and understanding the true nature of lemmings.

Conclusion

The “When Your Eyes See Lies” episode of Science vs highlights the captivating world of visual deception and illusion. From exploring the mysterious case of a man whose dog ate part of his penis to discussing the fascinating phenomenon of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome and debunking the lemming myth, the hosts shed light on intriguing scientific discoveries. This episode reminds us of the importance of scientific investigation in unraveling mysteries and understanding the complexities of the natural world.