Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids Episode Summary: Is it true? Vikings, dogs, and twins edition Release Date: December 24, 2024
Host: Molly Bloom
Co-Host: Meyer from Chico, California
Guest Expert: Jess Miller, Twin Specialist
Additional Expert: Dr. Heidi Norgaard, Archaeologist

Introduction to "Is It True?" Questions

In this engaging episode of Brains On!, host Molly Bloom and co-host Meyer tackle intriguing "Is it true?" questions submitted by listeners. The episode delves into whether twins can feel each other's pain, if Vikings actually wore horned helmets, and the color vision capabilities of dogs. The episode is structured to foster curiosity and critical thinking, encouraging young listeners to question and explore the world around them.

Can Twins Feel Each Other's Pain?

Timestamp: [05:04] – [10:08]

Discussion Overview: The episode begins with the question, "Is it true that twins can feel when the other is sad or in pain?" To explore this, host Molly introduces Jess Miller, a twin himself, who provides insights into twin dynamics.

Key Points:

• Types of Twins: Jess explains the difference between identical and fraternal twins, highlighting that identical twins share almost identical DNA, while fraternal twins share about half, similar to regular siblings.

  Jess Miller [05:27]: "Identical means exactly alike. And one reason why identical twins can look so similar is that their DNA is almost exactly the same."

• Personal Experience: Jess shares that, despite being twins, he and his brother Thomas do not feel each other's physical pain or emotions, especially since they live apart.

  Jess Miller [05:35]: "I'm never walking around and thinking like, Jess feels sad today, or, Jess just stubbed his toe."

• Scientific Evidence: Jess references scientific experiments where twins were tested to see if they could sense each other's emotions or physical states. Results consistently showed no evidence that twins can feel each other's pain.

  Jess Miller [09:41]: "But scientists have tested this over and over again, and they've found that twins don't seem to be able to feel each other's emotions."

Conclusion: The episode concludes that, based on current scientific understanding, twins do not have the ability to sense each other's pain or emotions intrinsically.

Did Vikings Really Have Horned Helmets?

Timestamp: [14:48] – [17:55]

Discussion Overview: The next question addressed is, "Is it true that Viking helmets didn't have horns?" Molly and Meyer explore the origins of this popular myth with the help of Dr. Heidi Norgaard, an archaeologist specializing in Viking history.

Key Points:

• Origin of the Myth: Dr. Norgaard explains that the image of Vikings with horned helmets originated in the 1800s, particularly through operas like Wagner's "Ring Cycle," which depicted Vikings with exaggerated features to enhance their formidable presence.

  Dr. Heidi Norgaard [15:21]: "Not have horns on their helmets."

• Archaeological Evidence: Actual Viking helmets, when discovered and examined, reveal that they were simple, functional designs without horns. The supposed horned helmets found in Denmark are from the Bronze Age, predating the Vikings by over 2,000 years.

  Molly Bloom [16:59]: "...Vikings did not have horns on their helmets."

• Practicality in Battle: Horns would have been impractical in combat, making helmets cumbersome and posing safety risks by catching swords.

  Dr. Heidi Norgaard [17:18]: "A helmet should help the sword away from your head. It kind of glides off the helmet. When you put horns on your helmet, the sword will get caught in the horns."

Conclusion: The episode clarifies that the iconic horned Viking helmets are a myth perpetuated by 19th-century artistic interpretations, and real Viking helmets were horn-free, designed for functionality in battle.

Can Dogs See as Many Colors as Humans?

Timestamp: [19:55] – [23:22]

Discussion Overview: The final question explored is, "Is it true that dogs can't see as many colors as humans?" The episode details the scientific exploration conducted by Jay Knights in the late 1980s to determine the extent of color vision in dogs.

Key Points:

• Research Beginnings: Jay Knights questioned the commonly held belief that dogs are completely colorblind, exploring whether they can perceive colors beyond black and white.

  Molly Bloom [21:09]: "This is how science works. First a question, then a hypothesis."

• Scientific Method: Using experiments similar to those conducted on monkeys, Jay tested dogs' color vision, starting with his own dog, Retina.

• Findings: Dogs possess two types of cone cells in their eyes, sensitive to blue and yellow wavelengths. This dichromatic vision means dogs see the world in shades of blue and yellow but cannot perceive the full spectrum of colors that humans can.

  Molly Bloom [22:24]: "Retina's doggy eyes had two types of cone cells... shades of blue and yellow."

• Ongoing Research: While current studies support the hypothesis that dogs have limited color vision, scientists acknowledge that future research could uncover more nuances.

  Jess Miller [10:04]: "But for now, it seems like this idea is fiction, not fact."

Conclusion: Dogs do not see colors in the same way humans do. Their vision is limited to shades of blue and yellow, lacking the ability to perceive the full range of colors that humans experience.

Final Thoughts

In this episode of Brains On!, Molly Bloom and Meyer effectively debunk common myths and clarify misconceptions through scientific inquiry and expert insights:

• Twins do not share the ability to feel each other's pain or emotions.
• Viking helmets were horn-free; the horned image is a product of 19th-century artistic embellishments.
• Dogs have a limited color vision, perceiving only shades of blue and yellow.

These discussions underscore the importance of skepticism and evidence-based understanding in uncovering the truths behind widely held beliefs.

Notable Quotes

• Jess Miller [05:27]: "Identical means exactly alike. And one reason why identical twins can look so similar is that their DNA is almost exactly the same."
• Jess Miller [09:41]: "But scientists have tested this over and over again, and they've found that twins don't seem to be able to feel each other's emotions."
• Dr. Heidi Norgaard [15:21]: "Not have horns on their helmets."
• Molly Bloom [22:24]: "Retina's doggy eyes had two types of cone cells... shades of blue and yellow."

By exploring these fascinating questions, Brains On! encourages young minds to remain curious and critical, emphasizing that understanding the world often requires looking beyond myths to the evidence provided by science.