Barmaids Brain And Other Strange Tales From Science

In The Barmaid's Brain, Jay Ingram explores some of the little known quirks of human behaviour, including why we laugh and how we see mirages; he reports on science's various attempts to reexamine history, including startling theories about the Salem witches, a psychiatric profile of Joan of Arc and the raging debate about the first-ever map of the New World; he brings our attention to remarkable battles, from the parasitic nastiness of cowbirds, to the tiny but deadly guerrilla attacks of ant lions; and he introduces us to the sometimes odd concerns of the scientist, for instance whether it is possible that early humans spent their lives in water instead of on land, and just how does slinging drinks affect the memory and the perception of the barmaid's brain? Weird, witty and always edifying, The Barmaid's Brain serves up a splendid cocktail of fact, theory and anecdote in twenty-one of Jay Ingram's favourite tales from the world of science.

Here are twenty-one unexpected and fascinating tales of science's stranger facts and episodes-from why we laugh, to why moths fly to the light, to how slinging drinks affects both memory and perception in a barmaid's brain (for the better!). Best-selling author and media personality Jay Ingram offers investigations from the very edges of science that evoke the impressive breadth of the scientific mind and demonstrate how science works. Ingram explores how science adds to a re-examination of history with startling new theories about the Salem witches and a psychiatric profile of Joan of Arc. He describes remarkable battles-from the parasitic nastiness of cowbirds to the microscopic viciousness of bacteriophages. And he lets us in on some of the odder concerns of scientists: Will we be able to build a ladder attaching earth to an orbiting satellite? Is it possible that early humans spent their lives in water instead of on land? Surprising, witty, and always edifying, The Barmaid's Brain serves up a splendid cocktail of fact, theory, and anecdote guaranteed to entertain and stimulate.

Chock-full of peculiar puzzles, mind-bending mythbusters, and quirky questions, the fifth pop science book in the bestselling Science of Why series is perfect for anyone curious about the weird and wondrous world we live in. Have you ever wondered if octopuses are from outer space? What Mexican jumping beans are? Or if banana peels are really slippery? If questions like these are keeping you up at night, you can rest easy. Bestselling author Jay Ingram is here to answer all the whimsical and whacky wonderings that have baffled people since the dawn of time. From our bodies to our pets (and other beasts) to the natural world around us, Jay tackles science topics big and small, such as: Did dinosaurs sit on their eggs? What is our funny bone? Is there a specific muscle that makes dogs cute? Because who hasn’t pondered whether plants have feelings? Or if Robin Hood was a real person? Or what humans will look like in the future? Teeming with amusing answers to bemusing questions—and handy and hilarious illustrations—this latest volume separates fact from fiction, lesson from legend, and myth from marvel. Endlessly illuminating and entertaining, The Science of Why, Volume 5 is five times the fun for new and old readers of the series.

Back by popular demand: a brand-new volume of science queries, quirks, and quandaries in the mega-bestselling Science of Why series, sure to enlighten and entertain readers of all ages. Have you ever wondered why we close our eyes when we sneeze? Or how far underground things can live? Or if there’s a way to choose the fastest lineup at the grocery store? Yes? Then fasten your seat belts! Bestselling author Jay Ingram is here to take you on a rollercoaster ride through science’s most perplexing puzzles. From the age-old mysteries that have fascinated us to the pressing unknowns about our future and all the everyday wonderings in-between, Jay answers questions that confound and dumbfound, such as: Why do zebras have stripes? How many universes might there be? Can we live for 200 years? ...along with everything you ever wanted to know about alien civilizations, photographic memories, nanobots, poop, and (conveniently) toilet paper. Bursting with laugh-out-loud illustrations, jaw-dropping marvels, and head-scratching science fictions, The Science of Why, Volume 4 will give readers of all stripes a real thrill.

The newest volume in the beloved Science of Why series—full of fascinating science that will amuse and astonish readers of all ages. Have you wondered why you cringe when fingernails are scratched along a chalkboard? Or why some people are left-handed? Or if a shark can smell a drop of blood a mile away? Then you’re in luck! Bestselling author Jay Ingram is back to answer all those questions and more as he explores and explains the world around us in all of its head-scratching curiosity. From the smallest parts inside us to the biggest questions about our universe, Jay tackles pressing topics, such as: Could we use a laser to shoot an asteroid that was about to hit earth? What exactly was a dodo and why did it go extinct? What makes peppers spicy? Touching on everything from food to robots to space to the animal kingdom, The Science of Why 3 is perfect for anyone who has stayed up late into the night pondering the weird and wonderful world we live in. Full of captivating science questions (and answers!), this book is sure to surprise and delight science readers of all ages.

Jay Ingram takes us on a tour of the universe, and explores scientific wonders big and small.

Ever wonder why onions make you cry? Or why lizards do pushups? Or why leaves change color in the fall? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Acclaimed science writer and broadcaster Jay Ingram wonders the same things. After a long career of asking important questions (Does time speed up as we age? How much Neanderthal is in me? Why do some animals throw their feces?), he’s here to put our scientific quandaries to rest. In this insightful, witty book for curious readers of all ages, Jay shares his favorite head-scratchers and mind-benders, settling pressing questions, such as... -What is déjà vu? -Why were Tyrannosaurus Rex’s arms so short? -Why are you plagued by mosquitoes while your friends aren’t? -Does your cat actually like you?* -What is déjà vu? ...along with everything you ever wondered about human echolocation, Bigfoot and farts (though not all at once). Whimsically illustrated and chock-full of fun science facts (and fictions), this book will delight and surprise your inner science geek. *SPOILER: She actually thinks you’re a larger, dumber version of her mother.

Discovery Channel host and acclaimed writer Jay Ingram helps you find the answers to questions you've never really settled, like “What is déjà vu?” “Why do we blink?”, “Why are yawns contagious?” and the perennial “Do we really use only 10% of our brains?” Note that this book is a combined and abridged edition of The Science of Why and The Science of Why2. Have you ever wondered if people really do weird things during the full moon? How about whether fingernails grow faster than toenails? And do we really dream in color? Jay Ingram is here to put these and many other long-lived scientific uncertainties to rest in this whimsically illustrated guide to the science of everyday life. Combining the wit of What If? by Randall Munroe and the accessible science smarts of ASAP Science, this new collection features answers to common queries with part sections that address the supernatural, the human body, the animal kingdom, the natural world, and more. It includes fun facts, myth busters and line drawings, all with the end goal of delighting and surprising your inner science geek. Whether these questions have been on your mind constantly, or occasionally resurface like the myth of Loch Ness (Is it real?), whether they’re silly (Why does my pee smell like asparagus?) or serious (Why does time speed up as I age?) or just plain frustrating (Why do mosquitoes love me?), Ingram will settle them once and for all.