Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe Listener Questions #19
Oct 21, 2025
In this entertaining discussion, the hosts delve into how pinworms know it's nighttime, exploring fascinating biological cues. They also explain the intricate relationship between quarks and proton mass, revealing mind-bending consequences of heavy quarks. Lastly, they tackle the quirky phenomenon of carotenemia, describing how consuming too many carrots can tint your skin yellow. From quirky parasites to the heart of particle physics, there's something for everyone!
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Why Pinworms Come Out At Night
- Pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis) are tiny nematodes that spread via the fecal-oral route and are very common in children.
- Females exit the anus at night to lay sticky eggs in the perianal region, which causes itching and facilitates transmission.
Test And Treat Household For Pinworms
- Use the scotch-tape test first thing in the morning to detect pinworm eggs around the perianal area.
- Treat the whole household if one person tests positive because transmission is easy among close contacts.
We Don't Know What Signals Pinworms
- Researchers suspect pinworms cue on host changes like lower body temperature or immobility during sleep, but definitive studies are lacking.
- The scotch-tape test yields eggs in the morning, supporting nocturnal laying but leaving the actual cue unresolved.
