What happens when you pull a muscle?
(Image source: Pixabay) Question from Stef Ingham Muscles are made up of thousands of fibres, and if they are overstretched or torn the result can be pretty painful. The medical term is muscle strain,...
Category: Brain Dump
Why are there so many castles in Britain?
(Image credit: Joshua Miranda) Question from Laura Torres Britain was in a state of civil war for much of the Middle Ages, as nobles feuded with each other or revolted against the king. Lords...
How does tattoo ink stay in the skin?
(Image source: Pixabay) Question from Marcell Hughes Tattoos are injected into the second layer of our skin, the dermis, which rests underneath the protective layer of the epidermis. This alone isn’t enough to make...
What substances make paints matte or glossy?
(Image credit: David Pisnoy) Question from Rachel Sampson Both types of paint contain matte powder pigments, but each has a different binder. Gloss paints contain long polymers called alkyd resins, which cover the pigments...
Why are cats scared of cucumbers?
(Image credit: Charles Deluvio) Question from Sophie Oxbridge You may have seen videos online of cats appearing to be spooked by cucumbers, but it’s not cucumbers in particular that they’re scared of. Cats are...
How are dams built?
(Image source: Pixabay) Question from Oliver Johnson Before building a dam, the river has to be diverted to keep the construction site dry. To prepare the site for this, a tunnel is built through...
What is the tree line?
(Image credit: Nathan Anderson) Question from Ahmed Ali The tree line is the highest point in a habitat where trees can grow. The low temperatures and dry conditions at high altitude make it difficult...
Why does your temperature fluctuate when you have a fever?
(Image source: Pixabay) Question from Lauren Lancaster When you have an infection, your body produces white blood cells to fight it. These affect your hypothalamus, the area of your brain that controls body temperature,...
Is it better to sleep on your back or your side?
(Image credit: Gaelle Marcel) Question from Jane Smythe It’s generally thought that it’s best to sleep on your back, as this keeps your spine in a neutral position, reduces heartburn and leads to fewer...
Why do rabbits have long ears?
Do rabbits have long ears for balance, or is it more to do with ensuring their survival? Find out by reading on
