Scientists Invented Smart Underwear to Track Farts

What If We've Been Counting Farts Wrong Our Entire Lives?For years, scientists believed the average person passes gas about 14 times per day. It turns out that number may have been dramatically underestimated.In this bonus episode, Shea dives into a wonderfully bizarre study where researchers developed wearable "smart underwear" capable of detecting intestinal gas. The device allowed scientists to measure real-world gas production more accurately than ever before, and the findings were both surprising and hilarious.But that's only half the story.Once we're done discussing wearable fart technology, we head to the ocean where a whale's gas reportedly created sounds that were mistaken for a possible underwater security threat. Because apparently even military intelligence isn't immune to the power of a well-timed toot.In This EpisodeThe surprising reason the "14 farts per day" estimate may be wrongHow researchers built wearable gas-detecting underwearWhy self-reporting isn't always reliable scienceThe Human Flatus Atlas project and what researchers hope to learnThe medical importance of understanding normal gas productionThe whale fart that allegedly sounded suspiciously like a military threatWhy some of the funniest scientific studies can still produce valuable discoveriesFact, Folklore, or Speculation?Fact: Researchers developed wearable technology to measure intestinal gas production in real-world settings and found people may pass gas far more often than previously estimated.Fact: Scientists are using this data to better understand digestion, microbiomes, and gastrointestinal health.Reported Incident: Unusual underwater sounds investigated as a potential security concern were later attributed to a whale.Universal Truth: Farts have apparently been funny for thousands of years.Coming Soon: Klondike Kate Live!🎙️ Join us for our upcoming Klondike Kate live show!Rainy Day Rabbit Holes is heading to the stage to explore the fascinating history, colorful characters, and larger-than-life legends surrounding the iconic Klondike Kate. Expect laughs, fascinating stories, audience interaction, and plenty of unexpected rabbit holes along the way.For show details, updates, tickets, and upcoming events, visit:https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.comRelated EpisodesIf bizarre science, strange human behavior, and wonderfully weird discoveries are your thing, check out:Hold My Sake: Japan Made Alcohol Out of Moth Poophttps://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/hold-my-sake-japan-made-alcohol-out-of-moth-poop-5-minute-fridayWhy Are People Putting Coffee There?https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/why-are-people-putting-coffee-thereRectum? Damn Near Evacuated 'Emhttps://www.rainydayrabbitholes.com/podcast/5-minute-friday-rectum-damn-near-evacuated-emExplore the full archive at:https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.comListen, Laugh, and Keep DiggingGot a strange article we should cover in a future bonus episode? We'd love to hear it.Visit us at:https://www.rainydayrabbitholes.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-unhinged-rainy-day-rabbit-holes/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy