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Hic Hic Hooray: Hiccups Explained

Posted by chrisd on from the don't-gulp-your-food dept.

Anonymous Hero writes "Finally after millions of years (and zillions of hiccups) New Scientist gives us an explanation for this most annoying and least obvious of adaptations!"

10 of 417 comments (clear)

  1. This is an idea - a theory, for goodness sake! by anomaly · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The article seems to indicate that this is a concept - something that may have arisen from brainstorming, and may not be backed up by any data at all!!

    This "explanation" is apparently supported by the thinnest of threads in terms of evolutionary history, and hard evidence is not presented to back this claim. This does not stop the Slashdot editors from posting this as "stuff that matters."

    Please let the brainstormers check their ideas with research, show correlation, then causation, then present their findings in a way that can be checked by others.

    This hypothesis, if you can call it that, is not tested and is perhaps not testable.
    Why this reflex motion a) exists at all, and b) why it persists, if it descende from the frog may only be fodder for spectulation.

    Science requires more than mere speculation.

    Phooey.

    Anomaly

    --
    But Herr Heisenberg, how does the electron know when I'm looking?
    1. Re:This is an idea - a theory, for goodness sake! by Noehre · · Score: 2, Insightful

      At least use the correct scientific definition of 'theory.'

      A theory is not a hypothesis. A theory is not just an idea.

    2. Re:This is an idea - a theory, for goodness sake! by nanojath · · Score: 5, Insightful
      I think you're being overly hard on the idea proposed in this article and overly optimistic about the function of Slashdot. The point of the article is that this is an interesting hypothesis that fits known facts and eliminates some of the problems of other theories that have been proposed. Although it will be, as one scientist notes, very difficult to prove, the scientists proposing the theory do in fact suggest how they might pursue experimental evidence in support of their hypothesis.


      Does it "matter?" I think this article is fascinating. The suggestion that specific adaptations might persist beyond their usefulness to an organism because they form a foundation for later adaptations raises really interesting questions about how complex neurological behaviors are "built up" in organisms, and research in this territory could lead to a greater understanding of the line between inherited and learned behaviors, and the evolution of neurological response. That's cutting edge.


      Science is indeed more than speculation but science begins with speculation, hypothesis, and theory. When I want hard science news I go to the resources in the scientific community, I read my Chemical and Engineering News magazines. 95 percent of what I read there is so dry and technical it would be pointless to post it on Slashdot.


      "Münchnones, or mesoionic 1,3-oxazolium-5-oxides, are versatile substrates for 1,3-dipolar additions in constructing biologically active heterocycles. They usually are made by multistep synthesis, but now, Bruce A. Arndtsen, an associate professor of chemistry at McGill University, Montreal, and coworkers have come up with an easier way [J. Am. Chem. Soc., 125, 1474 (2003)]."


      That's "real" science reporting. And it is definately more groundbreaking, in the immediate sense, than an article speculating about hiccups. But there is nothing wrong with a "color" science article that makes me think and wonder and dream a little bit about larger issues.

      --

      It Is the Nature of Information to Transgress Artificial Boundaries

  2. Re:What I want to know by Q-Branch · · Score: 2, Insightful

    If the yawning/coughing are at least partially caused by environmental influences, you are probably sharing that same environment when you see someone else yawn/cough. This shared experience, a dusty room or boring presentation, is probably what increases the odds of you following suit, not necessarily the initial yawn/cough.

  3. Explanation? by rasteri · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but the article seems to be a bunch of speculation.

  4. Chronic Hiccups by stixman · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It would be great if this research could help bring an end to Chronic Hiccups, a condition in some people which lasts for hours, days, or, in extreme cases, indefinitely, as a result of various illnesses of the lower abdomen. This could help afflicted people return to a normal lifestyle and regain their social life.

    --
    -
  5. Re:Not quite as useful... by rdpie · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Allow me to ANSWER ALLLLL your Questions (how come no-one knows this stuff). a) We yawn when we are TIRED -- the extra oxygen and the expelling to stale old CO2 rich air helps to WAKE US UP. Thats why you yawn when you are tired. b) The whole you yawn I yawn thing is due to humans being social animals. If one of our 'tribe' is tired (i.e. ANYONE else) then its probably time for sleep, yawning is a way of passing the message around (or so it is thought). Its kinda like when you see other people sleeping you want to go to sleep... c) Based on answer a: i) SIT UP -- give your lungs space to move ii) Breath more deeply iii) Get some fresh air and some light. Ultimately, 'yawning is just a BIG breath of fresh air'. Thats also why you yawn when you get up in the morning.

  6. Re:But... what's the cure? by Omkar · · Score: 2, Insightful

    1. A spoonful of dry sugar works for many.

    2. My mom taught me this - get a glass of water, then hold your breath and take 8-10 little sips, swallowing after each one. 80% success rate, for me.

  7. This is an idea - a theory, for goodness sake! by TheJesusCandle · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The article seems to indicate that this is a concept - something that may have arisen from brainstorming, and may not be backed up by any data at all!!

    This "explanation" is apparently supported by the thinnest of threads in terms of evolutionary history, and hard evidence is not presented to back this claim. This does not stop the Slashdot editors from posting this as "stuff that matters."

    Please let the brainstormers check their ideas with research, show correlation, then causation, then present their findings in a way that can be checked by others.

    This hypothesis, if you can call it that, is not tested and is perhaps not testable. Why this reflex motion a) exists at all, and b) why it persists, if it descende from the frog may only be fodder for spectulation.

    Science requires more than mere speculation.

    Phooey.

    Anomaly

  8. Re:Stopping hiccups by Lobsang · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I am very prone to hiccups. The only thing that works every time is to drink any soda real fast and (eeew!) burp real loud! I don't know what it does but the burping stops right there. Try it next time you have hiccups [but please, please, find the nearest restroom first -- nobody wants the cure to be worse than the disease :)]