Short Wave Episode Summary: "Your Breathing Pattern Is Like A Fingerprint"

Release Date: June 13, 2025
Hosted by: Regina Barber and Rachel Carlson
Guest Expert: Mary Louise Kelly, Host of NPR's All Things Considered

Overview

In this episode of Short Wave, hosts Regina Barber and Rachel Carlson explore three intriguing scientific stories: the uniqueness of human breathing patterns akin to fingerprints, the surprising contents of a sauropod dinosaur's stomach, and the escalating severity of droughts driven by atmospheric changes. Guest Mary Louise Kelly joins the conversation to provide expert insights into each topic.

1. Unique Nasal Fingerprints: Breathing Patterns as Individual Identifiers

Timestamp: 02:04 - 04:30

Mary Louise Kelly introduces the groundbreaking idea that each person's breathing pattern is as unique as a fingerprint. She explains, "We view the world through the nose. When you inhale, namely sniff, then you have information" (02:24). This perspective highlights the critical role of the olfactory system in how our brains interpret and interact with the environment.

Neurobiologist Noam Sobel, a co-author of the study published in Current Biology, emphasized that nasal breathing is integral to brain function. The study involved monitoring the airflow of 100 individuals over 24 hours using devices resembling small oxygen tubes. The findings revealed that breathing patterns could predict levels of depression and anxiety. For instance, "people who scored higher on anxiety questionnaires also had shorter inhales" (03:31).

Rachel Carlson raises a thought-provoking question: "If we can change the way we breathe, could that change our health?" (04:17). While the current study doesn't establish causation, Sobel suggests that future research may explore therapeutic applications of altering breathing patterns to address mental health issues.

2. Sauropod Dinosaur's Last Meal: Insights into Ancient Diets

Timestamp: 04:41 - 06:31

The conversation shifts to paleontology with the revelation of a sauropod dinosaur's preserved gut contents. Mary Louise Kelly explains that sauropods, like Judy from Queensland, Australia, were long-necked herbivores traditionally understood based on their physical traits. However, paleontologist Stephen Porapat and his team made a remarkable discovery: preserved stomach contents containing a variety of plants, including flowering plants from the Cretaceous period.

Stephen Porapat comments, "We know from other fossils what kind of plants were available, but we wouldn't necessarily expect all of them to be on the menu" (05:58). This finding suggests a possible co-evolution between flowering plants and sauropods, indicating a more diverse diet than previously thought. Despite being based on a single specimen, this discovery provides valuable insights into sauropod ecology and their interactions with the evolving plant life of their time.

3. Worsening Droughts: The Thirsty Atmosphere and Climate Change

Timestamp: 06:42 - 09:07

The final story addresses the intensifying global drought conditions. Mary Louise Kelly references recent research published in Nature, explaining that the atmosphere is becoming "thirstier" due to rising temperatures, which allows it to hold more moisture. Regina Barber elaborates, "As nitrogen and oxygen molecules heat up, they bounce around more and that leaves more space in between them for water vapor" (07:00).

Using comprehensive computer models, the study analyzed rainfall and evaporation data from 1981 to 2022, revealing that global drought areas increased from 10% to 30%. In some regions like Africa, South America, Australia, and the Southwest U.S., drought conditions worsened by up to 60% (07:51). Hydrologist Yadu Prakrel comments on the implications: "Because this effect has gotten worse in the last five years of the study, it indicates that this may further intensify in the coming five years, 10 years, and we may have a dire situation" (08:50).

Understanding the role of an increasingly "thirsty" atmosphere allows for better anticipation and preparation for potential famines and impacts on agriculture and livestock. This knowledge is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of worsening droughts.

Key Takeaways

• Breathing Patterns as Unique Identifiers: Human nasal breathing patterns are unique and can potentially indicate mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

• Sauropod Diet Diversity: Analysis of sauropod stomach contents reveals a more varied diet, including unexpected flowering plants, suggesting co-evolution with plant species during the Cretaceous period.

• Exacerbating Droughts: Climate change-induced warmer atmospheres hold more moisture, leading to more severe and widespread droughts, which could have dire consequences for global agriculture and water resources.

Notable Quotes

• Mary Louise Kelly (02:24): "We view the world through the nose. When you inhale, namely sniff, then you have information."

• Mary Louise Kelly (04:08): "Noam says he wonders if this tool could be used to help identify mental or physical health problems in the future."

• Stephen Porapat (05:58): "We know from other fossils what kind of plants were available, but we wouldn't necessarily expect all of them to be on the menu."

• Yadu Prakrel (08:50): "Because this effect has gotten worse in the last five years of the study, it indicates that this may further intensify in the coming five years, 10 years, and we may have a dire situation."

This episode of Short Wave offers a deep dive into the intricate connections between human biology, ancient ecosystems, and contemporary environmental challenges, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of these diverse scientific topics.