IndiaAsksWhy
There is so much happening around us. How often do we pause and 'think'? Join Utsuka and Jigyasa as they explore the world around them through their curious lens. Each episode features a curious question and a researcher exploring it.
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why Are We Curious?
01/19/2024
IndiaAsksWhy | Why Are We Curious?
Coming to the end of season 3, we have discussed so many questions that came to our minds. Listening to these questions, Utsuka and Jigyasa’s friends, Avishka and Tavi, from Delhi Public School, Secunderabad, ironically asked “why do we ask so many questions?”. This question made us all think about human nature and how we are always curious to know more! In the last episode of season 03 of IndiaAsksWhy, we look at the importance of curiosity and the different types of curiosity. We learn that curiosity probably evolved as a survival mechanism in animals. The inquisitive group also spoke to a curiosity researcher, Prof. Jaison Manjaly, from the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar (IITGN), to understand how one could study human curiosity and its nature in the lab! We’re sure this conversation between the curious group would have made you curious, too. You can send your follow-up questions on our website, and we’ll pick them up :) Please write to [email protected] if you'd like your school to be involved with IndiaAsksWhy. References Byrne, Richard W. “Animal Curiosity.” Current Biology, vol. 23, no. 11, June 2013, pp. R469–R470,. Accessed 9 Dec. 2019. Kidd, Celeste, and Benjamin Y. Hayden. “The Psychology and Neuroscience of Curiosity.” Neuron, vol. 88, no. 3, Nov. 2015, pp. 449–460, , . Shin, Dajung Diane, and Sung-il Kim. “Homo Curious: Curious or Interested?” Educational Psychology Review, vol. 31, no. 4, 29 July 2019, pp. 853–874, . “The “Why” behind Asking Why: The Science of Curiosity.” Knowledge at Wharton, 27 Aug. 2017, knowledge.. “Why Are We so Curious?” Wonder Newsroom, . Accessed 14 Apr. 2023. Credits Hosts: Shweata N. Hegde and Ruchi Manglunia Guest scientist: Prof. Jaison Manjaly Students: Tanvi and Avishkaa from Delhi Public School, Secunderabad Audio Editor: Shweata N. Hegde Episode cover: Asif Khan Transcriber: Khushi Goel
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do Flowers Bloom?
12/19/2023
IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do Flowers Bloom?
“Why do flowers bloom?” Anushka and Hamsini from Delhi Public School, Secunderabad, ask. As the curious listeners joined Utsuka and Jigyasa in a garden one evening, they made an important observation about flowers. We all love the colorful petals of the flowers, but this curious group went a step ahead to question why they bloom at all! In the fourth episode of season 03 of IndiaAsksWhy, we look at the mechanism of flowering and what are the causes for flowers to bloom. We learn that plants go through multiple steps to understand the right time to bloom. The curious group also spoke to a plant scientist, Prof. Mukesh Lodha, from Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), to understand how scientists study the molecules involved in blooming of flowers! We’re sure this conversation between the curious group would have made you curious, too. You can send your follow-up questions on our website, and we’ll pick them up :) Please write to [email protected] if you'd like your school to be involved with IndiaAsksWhy. References 1. “30.12: Plant Development - Genetic Control of Flowers.” Biology LibreTexts, 16 July 2018, bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biology/Book%3A_General_Biology_(Boundless)/30%3A_Plant_Form_and_Physiology/30.12%3A_Plant_Development_-_Genetic_Control_of_Flowers.BioNinja. 2. “Photoperiodism | BioNinja.” Ib.bioninja.com.au, ib.bioninja.com.au/higher-level/topic-9-plant-biology/untitled-3/photoperiodism.html 3. “How Do Plants Know When to Flower? | Wonderopolis.” Wonderopolis.org, wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-do-plants-know-when-to-flower.Kirchoff, Bruce K., and Riva A. Bruenn. 4. “How Do Banana Flowers Develop?” Frontiers for Young Minds, vol. 6, 20 Nov. 2018, . Credits - Hosts: Shweata N. Hegde and Ruchi Manglunia - Guest scientist: Prof. Mukesh Lodha - Students: Anushka and Hamsini from Delhi Public School, Secunderabad - Audio Editor: Shweata N. Hegde - Episode cover: Asif Khan - Transcriber: Khushi Goel
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do People Get Paralysed? Bonus Episode
11/23/2023
IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do People Get Paralysed? Bonus Episode
“Why do people get paralyzed?” Kanishka and Myra from Delhi Public School, Secunderabad, ask. Check out our previous episode where the curious explorers along with Utsuka and Jigyasa explore this question. Both our curious explorers had so many more questions about brain diseases after they understood that paralysis can be a result of certain kinds of brain diseases. So, we have a bonus episode! Listen to find out what they learned. ## Credits - Hosts: Shweata N. Hegde and Ruchi Manglunia - Guest scientist: Prof. Sheeba Vasu - Students: Myra and Kanishka from Delhi Public School, Secunderabad - Audio Editor: Indulekha MS - Transcriber: Khushi Goel
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do People Get Paralysed?
11/19/2023
IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do People Get Paralysed?
“Why do people get paralyzed?” Kanishka and Myra from Delhi Public School, Secunderabad, ask. Utsuka and Jigyasa were chatting with their curious friends about how humans have this ability to physically move from one place to another. That’s when one of them asked why some people lose this wonderful ability to move and become paralysed. In the third episode of season 03 of IndiaAsksWhy, we look at what causes paralysis. We learn that paralysis happens because of numerous kinds of problems in muscular and neural systems, and the “neuromuscular” junction – the place where the neurons meet muscles. The curious group also spoke to a brain scientist, , from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), to understand how scientists study paralysis – or movements in general – in the lab using fruitflies! We’re sure this conversation between the curious group would have made you curious, too. You can send your follow-up questions on our website, and we’ll pick them up :) Please write to [email protected] if you'd like your school to be involved with IndiaAsksWhy. Credits Hosts: Shweata N. Hegde and Ruchi Manglunia Guest scientist: Prof. Sheeba Vasu Students: Karthik and Shree from Delhi Public School, Secunderabad Audio Editor: Indulekha MS Transcriber: Khushi Goel
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do Babies Kick In The Womb?
10/19/2023
IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do Babies Kick In The Womb?
“Why do babies kick in the womb?” ShreeKilambi and Karthik, from Delhi Public School Secunderabad, ask. Once when Utsuka and Jigyasa were chatting with their curious friends, they happened upon the topic of babies! That’s when one of them wondered why babies kick when they are still in their mother's womb. In the second episode of season 03 of IndiaAsksWhy, we learn about the development of bones in the unborn baby. We take a deep dive into how the bone-to-brain connection is tested out in the developing baby. The curious group also spoke to the developmental biologist, , from IIT Kanpur, to understand how one could possibly study developing bones in a lab! We’re sure this conversation between the curious group would have made you curious, too. You can send your follow-up questions on our , and we’ll pick them up :) Please write to [email protected] if you'd like your school to be involved with IndiaAsksWhy. References BIOMECHANICS OF FOETAL MOVEMENT. N C Nowlan. European Cells and Materials Vol. 29, 2015 (pages 1-21) DOI:10.22203/eCM.v029a01 Chapter 15 - Fetal movement patterns and behavioural states. Gerard H A Visser, Eduard J H Mulder. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. European Practice in Gynaecology and Obstetrics. 2009, Pages 271-284. Credits Hosts: Shweata N. Hegde and Ruchi Manglunia Guest scientist: Prof. Amitabha Bandyopadhyay Students: Karthik and Shree from Delhi Public School, Secunderabad Audio Editor: Kaviranjana Antony Transcriber: Khushi Goel
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do We Dream?
09/19/2023
IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do We Dream?
“Why do we dream? Satakshi, Fareeha and Navika from Delhi Public School, Secunderabad ask. One morning when Utsuka and Jigyasa visited their curious friends, they were chatting about their funny dream experiences! That’s when one of them wondered why we have dreams at all. In the first episode of the brand new season of IndiaAsksWhy, we take a deep dive into the functioning of human brains. We learn about the different ideas behind dreams and what might be causing them. They also spoke to the sleep scientist, [Dr. Nitin Chouhan](tifr.res.in/~dbs/faculty/N_Chouhan.html), from TIFR Mumbai, to understand how one could possibly study sleep and dreams in a lab! We’re sure this conversation between the curious group would have made you curious too. You can send your follow-up questions on our [website]( https://www.indiaaskswhy.org/contact/), and we’ll pick them up :) ## References 1. Pryor, Julie. “Why Do We Dream?” MIT McGovern Institute, 1 Aug. 2022, mcgovern.mit.edu/2022/08/01/why-do-we-dream/ 1. Spencer, Rebecca M. C. “The Science of Dreams.” Frontiers for Young Minds, vol. 7, 18 Dec. 2019, https://doi.org/10.3389/frym.2019.00140. 1. Suni, Eric. “Dreams: Why We Dream & How They Affect Sleep.” Sleep Foundation, 30 Oct. 2020, www.sleepfoundation.org/dreams. ## Credits - Hosts: Shweata N. Hegde and Ruchi Manglunia are the hosts of the podcast - Guest scientist: Nitin Chouhan - Students: Navika, Shatakshi, and Fareeha from Delhi Public School, Secunderabad - Audio Editor: Kaviranjana Antony - Transcriber: Khushi Goel
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IndiaAsksWhy Season 3 Trailer 2 (Featuring our guest scientists!!)
09/05/2023
IndiaAsksWhy Season 3 Trailer 2 (Featuring our guest scientists!!)
Happy Teachers' day to all educators who inspires us to learn and grow. And on this occasion we are dropping the trailer 2 for season 3! As before, we have with us scientists who will help as navigate through various mysteries of the universe🌌🌌. So what are you waiting for? Check the full trailer out💫 Make sure you subscribe to our podcast on Spotify, Apple podcast and Google Podcast🎙️. Also, check out our website at [www.indiaaskswhy.org](www.indiaaskswhy.org). As always, stay curious💫
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IndiaAsksWhy Season 3 Trailer
08/29/2023
IndiaAsksWhy Season 3 Trailer
The much-awaited trailer for season 3 is here! This time, we have our listeners, the school students, who will voice their questions! ⁉️ So what are you waiting for? Get set to wonder, learn, and unleash your inner scientist🔬🔭🧪🎤 Make sure you subscribe to our podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast🎙️. Also, check out our website at IndiaAsksWhy is a science podcast supported by the IndiaBioscience Extension Grant.
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do We Have Birthmarks and Moles
01/10/2023
IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do We Have Birthmarks and Moles
Bonus Episode of season 2! Utsuka and Jigyasa have received a question from one of their curious listeners- Rythem Goyal! Rythem is a first-year graduate researcher at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Hyderabad. Our listener wants to know why we have moles and birthmarks! Utsuka and Jigyasa have once again put on their detective hats to find the answer! They learned abnormal cellular behavior before birth can sometimes cause such harmless birthmarks and moles. They also spoke with who is a Cancer scientist at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He tells them how a delicate balance of signals keeps cells in the “right” state. He also shared about his journey from being a clinician to an interdisciplinary researcher. We’re sure that Utuska and Jigyasa’s conversations would have made you ask questions. You can leave them on our website ( ), and we’ll pick them up :)
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do Snakes Not Have Limbs?
11/15/2022
IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do Snakes Not Have Limbs?
Utsuka and Jigyasa spotted a snake charmer on the streets. Utsuka was mesmerized by its dance. But they both realized that the dancing snake had no legs or arms. That made them wonder: “Why snakes don’t have limbs?” They learn about the story of the past snakes and how they might have lost limbs. They also discuss how present-day scientists study snake evolution. In the interview segment, they talk with Dr. Megha Kumar, a scientist from CCMB who studies early forms of animals – embryos. Dr. Kumar talks about how researchers study snakes and other animals to answer questions about how their bodies develop. Dr. Kumar also shares her journey to becoming a scientist. References . Leal F, Cohn MJ. Loss and Re-emergence of Legs in Snakes by Modular Evolution of Sonic hedgehog and HOXD Enhancers. Curr Biol. 2016 Nov 7;26(21):2966-2973. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.09.020. Epub 2016 Oct 20. PMID: 27773569.
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do We Brush Our Teeth?
10/15/2022
IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do We Brush Our Teeth?
Utsuka and Jigyasa were thinking about the day they had loads of chocolates. Jigyasa rightly pointed out that eating too much chocolate causes cavities; that’s why we brush our teeth. This made them wonder: “How does brushing help stop cavities?” Listen to the episode as they both explore teeth up close. They learn about the microbial community living on tooth surfaces, how they function, and what role the microbes and food you eat play in causing cavities. They also talk with from Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), a scientist who studies microbes, about how researchers study microbes of teeth in labs. As a clinician turned scientist, Dr. Kaushik shares how her unique background allows her to see her research from a unique perspective. References Pitts, Nigel B, Svante Twetman, Julian Fisher, and Philip D Marsh. “Understanding Dental Caries as a Non-Communicable Disease.” British Dental Journal 231, no. 12 (December 1, 2021): 749–53. . Marsh, P. D., and Egija Zaura. “Dental Biofilm: Ecological Interactions in Health and Disease.” Journal of Clinical Periodontology 44, no. S18 (2017): S12–22. . Chhaliyil, Pranav, Kael F Fischer, Bernd Schoel, and Pradheep Chhalliyil. “A Novel, Simple, Frequent Oral Cleaning Method Reduces Damaging Bacteria in the Dental Microbiota.” Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry 10, no. 4 (August 6, 2020): 511–19. . Huang R, Li M, Gregory RL. Bacterial interactions in dental biofilm. Virulence. 2011 Sep-Oct;2(5):435-44. doi: 10.4161/viru.2.5.16140. Epub 2011 Sep 1. PMID: 21778817; PMCID: PMC3322631. Credits: Hosts: Shweata N. Hegde and Ruchi Manglunia Audio Editor: Indulekha MS Poster: Ruchi Manglunia Advisor: Megha Kumar
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do Some Squirrels Bury Nuts?
09/15/2022
IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do Some Squirrels Bury Nuts?
“Why do squirrels bury nuts?”, Utsuka asks. One afternoon Utsuka was enjoying a movie about ancient animals when she observed that the squirrel in the movie was obsessed with its hazel nut. This made her wonder why some squirrels bury nuts in the forest. In this episode, Utsuka and Jigyasa explore how squirrels know where to store and what to store. And importantly, who teaches them that they need to store their food? After learning not all squirrels bury nuts, they get speculative and ask what would happen if they move squirrels from the cold countries to India forever. Would the future generations of that squirrel forget to bury food? To answer this question, they ring up , a wildlife scientist from CCMB. Utsuka and Jigyasa also ask him how he studies animals in captivity and in forests. We’re sure that Utuska and Jigyasa’s conversations would have made you ask questions. You can leave them on our website ( ), and we’ll pick them up :) References:
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do Trees Not Stop Growing?
08/15/2022
IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do Trees Not Stop Growing?
“Why do trees not stop growing?”, Jigyasa asks! Jigyasa and Utsuka were going through Utsuka’s photo album when they realized something: Utsuka had barely grown a foot taller in a few years, whereas the tree in their backyard had grown several feet. This made them wonder why trees continue to grow in height, unlike us. What is growth? What drives trees to grow? Do trees grow all the time? Listen to the episode to learn about the tale of how trees grow. Towards the end, they reach an interesting question: what happens if all trees grow to the same height? To explore that question, they talk with , a plant scientist from the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal. After answering their curious question about trees, she shares with them why she loves plants so much. We’re sure that Utuska and Jigyasa’s conversations would have made you ask questions. You can leave them on our website ( ), and we’ll pick them up :) References: NCERT Class 11. Plant Growth and Development EurekAlert! “How Plants Become Good Neighbors in Times of Stress.” Accessed March 12, 2022. (https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/526169). “Chapter 25: Plant Growth—Patterns, Limitations and Models – Inanimate Life.” Accessed March 12, 2022. (https://milnepublishing.geneseo.edu/botany/chapter/plant-growth-patterns-limitations-and-model/). Fouracre, Jim P., and Richard Scott Poethig. “Lonely at the Top? Regulation of Shoot Apical Meristem Activity by Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors.” _Current Opinion in Plant Biology_ 58 (December 2020): 17–24. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbi.2020.08.008). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shade_avoidance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auxin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_development
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do We Like Chocolates?
07/15/2022
IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do We Like Chocolates?
“Why do we like chocolates?” Utsuka asks! Jigyasa was nibbling her bar of chocolate when Utsuka wondered, “Why do we like chocolates so much?” That question made them discuss how chocolate eating is an experience we love! What makes chocolate-eating an experience? Why do we crave them so much? What part of the brain tells you to eat chocolate? Join Utsuka and Jigyasa to find answers to their chocolatey questions and many more in the first episode of Season 2! To understand how brain researchers study this chocolate-eating experience, they talk with , a physicist studying the human brain. From physics to brain – how did she make that transition? We’ll also get to know more about it in this episode! We’re sure that Utuska and Jigyasa’s conversations would have made you ask questions. You can leave them on our website ( ), and we’ll pick them up :) Credits: Hosts: Shweata N. Hegde and Ruchi Manglunia Audio Editor: Indulekha MS Poster: Ruchi Manglunia Advisor: Megha Kumar
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IndiaAsksWhy Season 2 Trailer
07/07/2022
IndiaAsksWhy Season 2 Trailer
Utsuka and Jigyasa are back with more questions! They can't wait to share what they have learned. Subscribe on Libsyn or to get notified when the first episode comes out! You can revisit all the season 1 episodes on our brand new Credits: Co-hosts: Shweata N. Hegde and Ruchi Manglunia Advisor: Megha Kumar Trailer Audio Editor: Shweata N. Hegde Podcast Cover: Ruchi Manglunia IndiaAsksWhy is supported by IndiaBioscience Second Outreach Grant.
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why Does Rain Smell So Good?
07/05/2022
IndiaAsksWhy | Why Does Rain Smell So Good?
It’s a cloudy evening. You are sitting at your window and, suddenly, it starts raining. Along comes that earthy smell Ever wondered, why does rain smell so good? In the last episode of season 1 of IndiaAsksWhy, Utsuka and Jigyasa talk about the origins of the smell of rain! They discover how microbes and the winds together lead to this lovely aroma! In the Ask A Scientist segment, they speak to , who studies the evolution of bacteria to understand why organisms help each other!
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do Tigers Have Stripes?
07/05/2022
IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do Tigers Have Stripes?
Utsuka and Jigyasa, on their recent trip to the zoo wondered why tigers have stripes. We’re sure you must have had that question, too! Listen to this portfolio as they explore why! 👨🔬In the Ask A Scientist segment, they both talk to , a wildlife biologist, to know the purpose of these stripes in the wild. He also talks about his life as a biologist in the wild!
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do Birds Fly In Groups?
07/05/2022
IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do Birds Fly In Groups?
Have you ever looked up at the sky and wondered why some birds fly in groups? Join Utsuka and Jigyasa to find the reasons why. In the Ask A Scientist segment, they both talk to Dr. Vishwesha Guttal (https://teelabiisc.wordpress.com/), a theoretical ecologist, to know why some animals group whereas others don’t. He also talks about how researchers use maths and computers to study grouping and other behaviours.
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do We Find Babies Cute?
07/05/2022
IndiaAsksWhy | Why Do We Find Babies Cute?
Most of us find babies extremely cute -- their tiny toes, little fingers, and button nose make us go Awwwwwww! Ever wondered why we find babies so cute? What is it in our brain that makes us all warm and fuzzy on seeing a baby? Utsuka and Jigyasa had the same questions too! Join them in this episode to know more about human brain wiring! In the second segment Dr. Vidita Vaidya, a brain scientist, talks more about how emotions are studied in the lab.
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IndiaAsksWhy Season 1 Trailer
07/04/2022
IndiaAsksWhy Season 1 Trailer
Launching our brand new Podcast series: IndiaAsksWhy, where Utsuka and Jigyasa answer your curious questions! Growing up, we all have had a lot of questions running through our minds, and they seldom get answered by our science textbooks at school! We are bringing you the answers to all such questions. We also talk to Indian scientists and understand how they find such answers in their labs. Stay tuned for more updates from IndiaAsksWhy!
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IndiaAsksWhy | Why are Plants Green?
07/04/2022
IndiaAsksWhy | Why are Plants Green?
Plants are everywhere Ever noticed something about their colour? Yes, most of them are green. Have you wondered why are plants green? Like why not orange or blue? Utsuka and Jigyaasa had the same question, too! Join them in this episode to know exactly why plants are green. In our Ask A Scientist segment, listen to Dr Gitanjali Yadav, who studies plants using computers! If you want to learn more about her work, check out her website (http://www.nipgr.ac.in/research/dr_gyadav.php).
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