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[The Science of Breathing, Moth Tears, and Aquatic Wonders: A Wow in the World Deep Dive]-[Two Whats?! And A Wow! - Butt Bubble Breathing (encore)]

Wow in the World · B1 · 2020-08-04

Preschool Enlightenment
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📋 Summary

Unveiling Nature's Quirks: From Moth Tears to Butt-Breathing

In this episode of Wow in the World, hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz blend humor with scientific curiosity to explore the bizarre adaptations of the animal kingdom. The episode centers on their popular game show segment, "Two What’s and a Wow," which challenges listeners to distinguish scientific facts from creative fabrications.

The Mystery of Moth Nutrition

The show begins by revisiting a previous challenge regarding the tears of animals. The "Wow"—the true scientific fact—revealed that some tropical moth species exhibit highly unusual diets. As noted in the broadcast, these moths "drink the tears of sleeping birds and horses" to supplement their nutrition. Mindy explains that these tears are "packed with salt and even a little protein," making them a valuable resource for these insects.

In contrast, the hosts debunked common myths about other species:

  • Elephants: Contrary to popular belief, elephants do not cry emotional tears. While moisture may stream down their faces, they lack the "tear ducts to drain them," resulting in a physical appearance of crying without the emotional component.
  • Human Tears: The hosts clarify that human tears are not uniform. They distinguish between "basal tears" (which keep eyes wet), "reflex tears" (triggered by irritants like onions), and "emotional tears" (linked to sadness or joy).

Scientific Adaptations: Breathing and Survival

Transitioning to the theme of respiration, the hosts engage in a playful banter about aquatic beetles. Mindy highlights the efficiency of these insects, noting that they "trap oxygen bubbles and make them cling to their butts" to breathe while submerged. This leads to the episode's new "Two What’s and a Wow" challenge, where listeners must identify the true fact among three statements:

  1. A gorilla using an inhaler for asthma.
  2. Turtles breathing through their butts.
  3. A fish that does not require oxygen to live.

Practical Science: Operation Condensation

To encourage hands-on learning, the hosts introduce "Operation Condensation." This experiment illustrates the presence of water vapor in human breath. By breathing onto cold surfaces like mirrors or glasses, listeners can observe "thousands of tiny water droplets" forming—a phenomenon known as condensation. The hosts challenge their "Wowzers" to compare these results with warmer surfaces to see if the reaction changes, emphasizing the connection between biological processes and physical chemistry.

Looking Ahead: Celebrations and Community

Beyond the scientific exploration, the episode serves as a hub for the Wow in the World community. Mindy announces an upcoming 250th episode, described as a "musical," and invites members of the "World Organization of Wowzers" to an exclusive early-listening party. With appearances from partners like Circle Round and Terrestrials, and even a guest spot from Elmo, the show continues to foster a space where play and education converge. Through these initiatives, the team at Tinkercast encourages children to "keep on wowing," turning everyday observations into opportunities for scientific discovery.

🎯Key Sentences

1
I am late, Mindy.
2
love your outfit.
3
I'm just saying.
4
let's get on with the show.
5
you weren't that far off.
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📝Key Phrases

1
music to your ears
2
get on with the show
3
run out of
4
make it here on time
5
not that far off
Expand All

📖 Transcript

Grownups, Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Wow in the World early and ad-free right now.
Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids Plus on Apple Podcasts.
Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here.
And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November, with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids,
And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame Street stops by Wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th.
Oh, but that's not all, Reg.

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