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University Communications Network > Ask Dr. Universe > Body and Brain

Dr. Universe: Why do we have a belly button? – Jane, 9, Kennewick, WA

January 11, 2019 rcwebber

Whether you have an innie or an outie, pretty much all us mammals have a belly button. But before you had a belly button, there was actually a different bit of anatomy in its place. While you were still growing inside of your mother, a small, bendy tube on your tummy connected the two of you. This tube is how you got pretty much everything you needed to grow before you were born into the world. Read More ...

Dr. Universe: Why do we have five fingers and five toes? -Eli, 11, Edinburgh, Indiana

December 14, 2018 rcwebber

Dear Eli, While humans may be one of the few animals that can give a high five, they are one of many with five fingers and toes. Humans are part of the primate family, which also includes monkeys, apes, and even lemurs. As a member of the family, you also have fingernails instead of claws and pads on your fingertips that help with your sense of touch. Read More ...

Dr. Universe: Why does music give us chills? -Nicole, 11, Spokane, Wash.

June 21, 2018 rcwebber

Dear Friends,

If you are anything like me, maybe you’ve suddenly felt a chill while listening to music. Perhaps, you got goosebumps and saw your arm hairs stand on end. Maybe you even teared up.

Dr. Universe: What is happening when we sleepwalk? -Daniel, 11, Easton, CT

June 21, 2018 rcwebber

Dear Daniel,

Our brains work hard to help us move, talk and think. They also help us sleep. When we rest, some parts of our brain are active. When we are up and moving around, parts of our brain are actually at rest.

Why do feet smell? -Jose, 10, Costa Mesa, Calif.

September 26, 2017 rcwebber

Dear Jose,

We live in a world filled with all kinds of smells. Take off a pair of tennis shoes after a long day and you might even get a whiff of something pretty stinky. You can blame it on your bacteria. Millions of these tiny things live on your feet.

What causes a mirage? –Georgia, 10, Wash.

September 11, 2017 rcwebber

Dear Georgia,

Imagine you’re riding in the car on a very hot day, when you look out the window and see a shimmering puddle of water up ahead. As you get closer, you find there’s not really anything there. It’s a mirage.

Dr. Universe: Why are there different blood types? - Sarah, Tacoma, Wash.

August 28, 2017 rcwebber

Dear Sarah,

At this very moment, several quarts of blood are circulating through your body at nearly 4 mph. But as you’ve pointed out, not everyone’s blood is the same.

Your question made me wonder exactly what we mean when we talk about blood types. I decided to ask my friend Amber Fyfe-Johnson, a researcher at Washington State University who studies cardiovascular diseases--diseases of the blood vessels-- in kids.

Why do people grow hair under their nose? Why does it grow down instead of up? –Riley, 11, Prior Lake, MN

July 10, 2017 rcwebber

Dear Riley,

Humans have hair all over their bodies, including above the upper lip. Of course, not all hair is quite the same. A lot of people have very fine hairs on their faces. Others can sprout a thick beard or mustache.

Why do we have different feelings? - Charan and Aishwarya V., 10 & 8, Rutherford, New Jersey

June 5, 2017 rcwebber

Dear Charan and Aishwarya,

Imagine you are playing a game of soccer and your best friend is on the opposing team. The sun is out, you are having a great time, and you score the winning goal. You’d probably feel pretty happy and so would your team.

How do viruses affect animals? -Gianni, 10, Cayman Islands

May 3, 2017 rcwebber

Dear Gianni,

Our planet is home to more than seven million amazing animal species. While we have our differences, we also have something in common: We are all made up of a bunch of cells.