WeWow on the Weekend (1/11/25)

Summary

Wow in the World: "WeWow on the Weekend" (January 11, 2025)

Hosts: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz
Released: January 11, 2025
Publisher: Tinkercast | Wondery

---

Introduction

In the episode titled "WeWow on the Weekend," hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz delve into the intriguing science behind why mosquitoes prefer biting certain individuals over others. This episode combines humor, scientific inquiry, and engaging storytelling to explore the genetic and environmental factors that make some people more attractive to mosquitoes.

Segment 1: The Mosquito Mystery

Timestamp [00:50 - 01:33]

The show kicks off with Dennis and Reggie from their segment "Wee Wow on the Weekend," providing a light-hearted introduction before handing control over to Mindy and Guy. This transition sets the stage for a deeper dive into the science of mosquito attraction.

Segment 2: Experimenting with Mosquito Preferences

Timestamp [08:16 - 18:55]

Mindy and Guy discuss Professor James Logan’s research on mosquito behavior, focusing on what makes certain humans more appealing to these insects. They explore various factors, including carbon dioxide emission, body temperature, and genetic makeup.

Key Discussions:

1. Carbon Dioxide and Mosquito Attraction

   • Mindy: "Our human bodies also release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every time we breathe out... But when we breathe out, we release more carbon dioxide than we do oxygen." ([11:04])
   • Guy Raz: "So back to the mosquitoes. How would they know if one human is releasing more carbon dioxide than another?" ([12:09])

   Mosquitoes detect carbon dioxide using CPA neurons, which helps them identify potential hosts.

2. Genetic Factors in Mosquito Preferences

   • Mindy: "Professor Logan has this hunch that there might be more to why mosquitoes attack some people, but not others. And it might have to do with something called genetics." ([13:27])
   • Guy Raz: "Genetics, huh? So like the human characteristics passed down from grandparents to parents to kids." ([13:09])

   Professor Logan’s hypothesis centers on genetics determining why identical twins are equally attractive to mosquitoes, unlike non-identical twins or regular siblings.

3. Twin Studies and Mosquito Behavior

   • Mindy: "They found out that if mosquitoes were attracted to one identical twin, they were more likely to also be attracted to the other identical twin." ([15:02])
   • Guy Raz: "And in the non identical twins, there didn't seem to be a real connection between their twinsiness and how badly the mosquitoes wanted to eat them." ([15:14])

   This finding suggests a genetic component influencing mosquito preferences, prompting further research.

Notable Insights:

• Genetic Influence: The episode highlights that genetics play a significant role in how attractive a person is to mosquitoes. Identical twins, who share more genetic similarities, respond similarly to mosquito attraction compared to non-identical twins.

• Future Implications: If scientists can pinpoint the exact genetic factors, it could lead to the development of targeted repellents or treatments to make humans less appealing to mosquitoes, potentially reducing the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

Experiment Overview:

Stinky Socks in a Wind Tunnel:

• Mindy: "These scientists will gather pairs of stinky socks from 100 sets of identical and non identical twins from the UK and Gambia." ([15:57])
• Guy Raz: "Why a wind tunnel?" ([16:21])
• Mindy: "To blow around the stink... They plan to figure out which of these stinky socks the mosquitoes like best." ([16:09])

By analyzing the chemical compositions of socks worn by identical and non-identical twins, researchers aim to identify specific scents that attract mosquitoes. This innovative approach could uncover the underlying genetic markers that make certain individuals more susceptible to mosquito bites.

Segment 3: Implications and Future Research

Timestamp [17:10 - 18:02]

The discussion transitions to the broader implications of Professor Logan’s research.

• Potential Solutions:

  • Mindy: "If we could figure this out, scientists might be able to make a pill or another type of medicine that we could take to help keep the mosquitoes off of us." ([17:24])

  This suggests that understanding genetic predispositions could lead to personalized mosquito repellents, enhancing public health measures in regions plagued by mosquito-borne illnesses.

• Public Health Impact:

  • Guy Raz: "This stinky sock in a wind tunnel experiment could actually save lives." ([17:38])

  By identifying key attractants, preventative strategies can be implemented to protect vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

The episode culminates with a humorous yet thoughtful wrap-up from Dennis, reflecting on the scientific discussions and their real-world applications. Mindy and Guy emphasize the importance of scientific research in unraveling everyday mysteries, encouraging listeners to appreciate the wonders of science.

Quotes to Remember:

• Mindy: "Don't try to change who you are just to attract a bunch of mosquitoes." ([10:20])
• Guy Raz: "So if these scientists are able to figure out what it is that makes some humans so tasty to mosquitoes, will they also be able to find a way to make people like me less tasty?" ([17:11])

Final Thoughts

"WeWow on the Weekend" adeptly blends entertainment with education, making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging for both kids and their grown-ups. By exploring the genetic and environmental factors influencing mosquito behavior, the episode not only answers common questions but also inspires curiosity about the natural world and the ongoing efforts to improve human health.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Mindy: "Our human bodies also release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every time we breathe out... But when we breathe out, we release more carbon dioxide than we do oxygen." ([11:04])
• Guy Raz: "Genetics, huh? So like the human characteristics passed down from grandparents to parents to kids." ([13:09])
• Mindy: "If we could figure this out, scientists might be able to make a pill or another type of medicine that we could take to help keep the mosquitoes off of us." ([17:24])
• Guy Raz: "This stinky sock in a wind tunnel experiment could actually save lives." ([17:38])

---

Listen Early and Ad-Free:
Experience "Wow in the World" first by subscribing to Wondery+ through the Wondery app or Wondery Kids+ on Apple Podcasts. Prime members can also enjoy ad-free listening on Amazon Music.

Join the Conversation:
Share your thoughts and experiences by filling out the short survey at wondery.com/survey.

---

This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key scientific discussions, experiments, and their implications, while incorporating notable quotes to enhance engagement and understanding.

Transcript

[Guy Raz]

Grown ups Wondery subscribers can listen to wow. In the World early and ad free right now. Join Wondery in the Wondery app or Wondery Kids plus on Apple Podcasts. Hey Wowzer fams. It's Guy Raz here and before we start the show, have you watched wow. In the world on YouTube? That's right. You can now watch some of your favorite tinkercast podcasts like 2 what's and a wow Flip and mosey. Who when wow and wow in the World. To start watching today, head to Tinkercast.com YouTube that's Tinkercast.com YouTube. That's it. Now back to the show.

[Nintendo Ad]

Hey Grown Ups. Give your loved ones the gift of family gaming fun with the Nintendo Switch System. The home of Mario and friends compete for first place in thrilling high speed races in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Or try your luck on action packed game boards and enjoy the fun, fun and funny minigames of Super Mario Party Jamboree. And those looking for a wonder filled adventure can join Mario, Peach, Toad and friends as they explore the whimsical flower kingdom in Super Mario Bros. Wonder. No matter how you like to play, there's fun for the whole family on Nintendo Switch. Go to Nintendo.com to learn more and browse the full lineup of Nintendo Switch systems. Additional accessories may be required for multiplayer mode game systems and some accessories sold separately. Games rated E for everyone.

[Dennis]

Wee wow on the weekend. Wee wow on the weekend. Wee wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend. Talking, laughing, me and Reggie singing, laughing. And then we. Oh wait, no, I said laughing twice. Whatever. We wow on the weekend. Yeah, we wow on the weekend. Laugh, laugh. We wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend. Hello and welcome to Wee Wow on the Weekend. I'm your host, Dennis and that's Reggie, my co host, actually. Yeah, what does the co and co host mean? Cold blooded. Are you a cold blooded host, Reggie? Oh, pigeons aren't cold blooded. Well, what animals are cold blooded? Lizards and snakes? Ew. No, I don't want to talk about that. Let's move on and answer questions from my devoted listeners. Fine. Fine, Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine. Our devoted listeners who are mostly listening to me anyway, let's do the Q and A segment.

[Mindy]

Ahem.

[Dennis]

The Q and A segment. All right, let's just get the old answering machine pulled up here. Okay, Here we go. Hi, you've reached Dennis from WEW on the Weeknd. That's me. Do you have a question? Well, I do too. Lots of them. And who's gonna answer all my questions? You? Probably not, but I guess I can answer yours. Leave me a message.

[Reggie]

Hi, Dennis, my name is Riley, I live in Maryland and I love you guys show.

[Dennis]

Thanks.

[Reggie]

I'm watching it right now, matter of fact. Well, what you've been told that we're not crazy.

[Dennis]

So many scufferies in Japan.

[Reggie]

How do you know what Reggie tells you? Like how do you know what he says? Love you, bye.

[Dennis]

Oh, thanks, Riley. And yeah, well, Reggie has a very strong pigeon accent, so it can be difficult to understand sometimes. I understand him most of the time, except for certain words like Reggie say refrigerator. Okay, now say it again with a French accent. Okay, now do a robot voice. Okay, now do your impression of that actor from that movie we like. Stop, stop, stop. Okay, okay, we need to move on or I'm gonna wet my pants. Next question.

[Reggie]

Hi, my name is Jessica. My question for you is why does my brother always copy me? Oh, he's six years old and he's so annoying. Thanks, Dennis.

[Dennis]

Oh, Jessica. Oh no, he's copying you. That's horrible. Reggie, I do not copy everyone and then shout twins just to try to fit in. No, I don't. That's a big, big lie. Rogy, stop doing that. Next question.

[Reggie]

Hi, Dennis. Have you ever eaten any part of Mindy's Gingerbread Mansion?

[Guy Raz]

Thanks.

[Reggie]

And say hi to dentist for me.

[Dennis]

Oh, dentist says hi. And yes, I have tried eating some of Mindy's Gingerbread Mansion before and it's not very tasty. It's mass produced construction gingerbread which replaces the sugar with adhesive and sawdust. Well, it tastes like sawdust. Yeah. Ha. I snuck into her yard and tried to eat some that one time Mindy added on the indoor jumbo sized mini golf course. Well, it had rained the day before, so all the gingerbread walls were stale and slimy. Yeah, you're right, the gumdrops taste good. Next question.

[Reggie]

Hi Dennis, my name is Kiera and I live in Connecticut. I have a question for you. Why do you like yourself so much?

[Dennis]

Oh, well, that's easy. Cause I'm the best. Next question.

[Reggie]

Hi, I'm Reese. Hi, I'm Leighton and we're from Southside, Alabama. We have a question. How many cups of coffee do you drink in a day?

[Dennis]

Great question, Reese and Leighton. I only drink one cup of coffee a day, brewed with fresh single origin beans imported from Peru's Cajamarca region, hand picked and sorted, fully washed and sun dried, roasted to perfection and brewed by yours truly, Raje I do too. Only drink one cup a day. My cup is big. Well, who cares how big my coffee cup is? They asked how many cups, not how big your giant coffee cup. I mean my perfectly normal sized coffee cup that I ordered from cute and custom enormous coffee cups dot org. Well, thanks for your calls, everyone. If you've got a question for me, call and leave me a message. The number is 1-888-7-WOW WOW. I just might answer your question on Wee Wow on the weekend. Okay, that takes care of that. All right, let's move on to a little segment I like to call Inside Tinkercast Studios. Inside Tinkercast Studios. This is the part where we revisit an episode of one of my favorite Tinkercast shows. And today we're gonna listen to a story from wow in the World, Season 1, Episode 15 called Mosquitoes and Stinky Socks. Oh, no. Bugs and smelly feet are among my least favorite things. Yes, I've even written a song about it. And it goes a little something like this. Gym socks with Sant in loud. Motorcycles. When Guy Raz won't come to my piano recitals. Dog's breath and rats breath and insects that sting. These are among my least favorite things. Cow breath and horse breath and hippopotamus breath and alligator. Okay, fine. I mostly just don't like it when things breathe on me. Right. Let's listen to the episode. Okay, here we go. And play.

[Mindy]

Wee wow will be right back. Grown ups, this message is for you.

[Reggie]

That's it. Now back to the show.

[Guy Raz]

Wow in the world. Ah. Get away from me. Where?

[Mindy]

Raz, why do you keep slapping yourself in the face?

[Guy Raz]

Mindy, these mosquitoes are trying to eat me alive.

[Mindy]

Oh, well, that just means they're hungry. Give them a little bite. Yeah, they are really going for it. You must taste delicious, Guy Raz.

[Guy Raz]

What?

[Mindy]

Wait. Oh, are you wearing ranch dressing?

[Guy Raz]

No, I just put on the sunscreen that you had in your bag.

[Mindy]

Oh, yeah, so that was ranch, but.

[Guy Raz]

The label on it said it.

[Mindy]

No, it's a long story.

[Guy Raz]

Well, if they're biting me because I taste delicious, why aren't they biting you? I mean, you're covered in cheese. Wait, why are you covered in cheese?

[Mindy]

Oh, well, it's actually part of a little experiment I'm conducting. Oh, no, See, I never get bitten by mosquitoes.

[Guy Raz]

Ouch. Well, consider yourself lucky, Mindy.

[Mindy]

Lucky. I take offense to it, Guy Raz. It's like they're like they're like they're repulsed by me or something. Like I'm not Good enough for them.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, I don't see a problem here.

[Mindy]

I mean, just look at them with you. So, yeah, you're covered in salad dressing, but even if you weren't, those mosquitoes just still wouldn't be able to get enough of you.

[Guy Raz]

And this is why you covered yourself from head to toe in slices of American cheese?

[Mindy]

Well, I just thought maybe if I could just make myself taste more delicious, then maybe the mosquitoes would come, you know?

[Guy Raz]

No, I. I don't. This is really weird, Mindy.

[Mindy]

Anywho, I've learned a lot from this experiment. Like.

[Guy Raz]

Like, mosquitoes don't eat cheese.

[Mindy]

No, like, be yourself. Don't try to change who you are just to attract a bunch of mosquitoes. And maybe it's not about the taste at all. Uh, see, there's this scientist, Professor James Logan, and he's a medical entomologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

[Guy Raz]

Oh, yeah, a medical entomologist. A scientist who studies how insects, like mosquitoes affect human health.

[Mindy]

Exactly. And as a medical entomologist, Professor Logan wants to find out once and for all what. What makes mosquitoes so attracted to some humans like you, and not at all attracted to other humans like you. You don't have to rub it in.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, sorry.

[Mindy]

Anywho, there have been a bunch of studies that have shown that mosquitoes may be attracted to things that smell or look a certain way, or people who sweat more, or people with higher body temperatures, and even women who are pregnant with babies.

[Guy Raz]

Because pregnant women usually have a higher body temperature. Right?

[Mindy]

Ye. Because they're generally among a group of people who breathe out more carbon dioxide than others.

[Guy Raz]

Interesting. You know, we've talked a lot about carbon dioxide and how it comes from things like cars that burn gasoline to keep them going, or when we burn coal to generate electricity for our homes.

[Mindy]

Right. But our human bodies also release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every time we breathe out. No need to hold your breath, Guy Raz. It's perfectly normal for humans to breathe carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In fact, we breathe it in, too, along with oxygen. But when we breathe out, we release more carbon dioxide than we do oxygen.

[Guy Raz]

So back to the mosquitoes. How would they know if one human is releasing more carbon dioxide than another? I mean, carbon dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas.

[Mindy]

Okay, well, female mosquitoes have these little sensors called CPA neurons, and they help them to detect carbon dioxide.

[Guy Raz]

Wow.

[Mindy]

And researchers have also discovered that there seems to be a connection between mosquitoes and large and tall people, because, I.

[Guy Raz]

Guess, well, large and tall people would give off more carbon dioxide.

[Mindy]

Yeah, and they have more body surface area, so they breathe in more of it. Which means they also breathe out more of it.

[Guy Raz]

Well, if we know all of this, then what's the mystery that this medical entomologist, Professor Logan, is trying to solve?

[Mindy]

Okay, so Professor Logan has this hunch that there might be more to why mosquitoes attack some people, but not others. And it might have to do with something called genetics.

[Guy Raz]

Genetics, huh? So like the human characteristics passed down from grandparents to parents to kids.

[Mindy]

Yeah, exactly. So every human being looks a certain way, talks a certain way, and even walks a certain way. In part because of the genetic code inside our bodies.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah. Kind of like how you sound exactly like your mom when you laugh.

[Mindy]

Yeah. And how you sneeze exactly like your dad.

[Guy Raz]

I do?

[Mindy]

Uh, yeah.

[Guy Raz]

Okay, so what would give Professor Logan the idea that genetics could have something to do with which humans mistakes mosquitoes prefer?

[Mindy]

Well, this is where it gets interesting.

[Guy Raz]

Go on.

[Mindy]

The answer is twins.

[Guy Raz]

Twins, huh?

[Mindy]

Twins like you and me?

[Guy Raz]

Uh, we're not twins.

[Mindy]

Yeah, but I mean, we look exactly alike.

[Guy Raz]

Uh, no.

[Mindy]

If you cross your eyes.

[Guy Raz]

Nope.

[Mindy]

Okay, so about two years ago, Professor Logan and some other researchers gathered about 40 sets of twins. Half of them were identical.

[Guy Raz]

So the kind of twins that look almost exactly alike.

[Mindy]

Right. And half of them were non identical.

[Guy Raz]

Meaning that they did not necessarily look alike.

[Mindy]

Yep.

[Guy Raz]

But why twins? Why not just two siblings? One brother, one sister?

[Mindy]

Well, there's been other research that's shown that identical twins actually smell more alike than non identical twins or regular siblings. And this has to do with the fact that they're genetically more alike.

[Guy Raz]

And the way they smell matters because.

[Mindy]

The way they smell matters because like. Like I said earlier, smell is believed to be one of the things that attracts mosquitoes to certain people.

[Guy Raz]

Got it. So when these researchers experimented with these sets of twins, what did they find out?

[Mindy]

They found out that if mosquitoes were attracted to one identical twin, they were more likely to also be attracted to the other identical twin.

[Guy Raz]

And what about in the non identical twins?

[Mindy]

Well, in the non identical twins, there didn't seem to be a real connection between their twinsiness and how badly the mosquitoes wanted to eat them.

[Guy Raz]

And since identical twins are closer genetically than other siblings or family members, does Professor Logan suspect that there's a certain part of our genetic code that makes some people taste and even smell better to mosquitoes than others?

[Mindy]

Yes, but it's still not clear exactly what that gene is. But Professor Logan and some scientist pals Plan to conduct an experiment to help them get closer to the answer.

[Guy Raz]

And what's the experiment?

[Mindy]

I was hoping you'd ask that. Because it's a crazy experiment.

[Guy Raz]

Well, if you think it's crazy, Mindy.

[Mindy]

These scientists will gather pairs of stinky socks from 100 sets of identical and non identical twins from the UK and Gambia.

[Guy Raz]

This is starting to smell like a scheme you cook up.

[Mindy]

And it gets better. The scientists will then throw these stinky socks into a wind tunnel with a bunch of mosquitoes.

[Guy Raz]

Wait, wait, why a wind tunnel?

[Mindy]

To blow around the stink. I told you this was a crazy experiment.

[Guy Raz]

Yeah, so what do they hope to find out?

[Mindy]

Well, first, these scientists plan to figure out which of these stinky socks the mosquitoes like best. And then they'll study what it was about those socks that attracted the mosquitoes to them in the first place.

[Guy Raz]

And what kind of things will they study?

[Mindy]

So they plan to study the chemical combinations or threats that makes up the stink.

[Guy Raz]

And what about the genetics that you mentioned earlier?

[Mindy]

Well, they also plan to study how the DNA of the two groups of twins affect how attracted the mosquitoes are to the socks.

[Guy Raz]

And by DNA, you mean the microscopic bits in the human body that we get from our parents and grandparents and great grandparents that are found in our cells and together make up our genetic code.

[Mindy]

Exactly.

[Guy Raz]

So if these scientists are able to figure out what it is that makes some humans so tasty to mosquitoes, will they also be able to find a way to make people like me less tasty?

[Mindy]

Well, that's the idea guy. Raz. I mean, if we could figure this out, scientists might be able to make a pill or another type of medicine that we could take to help keep the mosquitoes off of us. Especially in places around the world where the mosquitoes. Mosquitoes carry bad diseases.

[Guy Raz]

Wow. So this stinky sock in a wind tunnel experiment could actually save lives.

[Mindy]

And not only that, but it might also help us to find out which groups of people, based on their genes, are most likely to become mosquito munch.

[Guy Raz]

Well, whatever that group is, I'm pretty sure I'm in it. Mindy.

[Dennis]

Yay. That was so cool. I didn't even really mind that it was about bugs and gross socks. And what about the thing where mosquitoes were attracted to identical twins the same amount? I know. I'm practically twins with, like, everyone. Reggie. What if I have a real twin out there somewhere and, like, we got separated when we were babies? Yeah, just like Parrot Trap. Oh, good idea. We should watch Parent Trap later. All right, let's wrap up the show, that's the end of the show. Gimme a call if you're my long lost twin and I'll do another show tomorrow. But for now, that's the end of the show. Bye.

[Mindy]

Grown ups. If you like wow in the world, you can listen early and ad free right now on Wondery.

[Guy Raz]

Join Wondery plus in the Wondery app or on Wondery Kids plus on Apple Podcasts prime members can listen ad free on Amazon Music.

[Mindy]

And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail] survey.