0:04:50 > 0:04:57.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Hi, everybody, and welcome to Science Fiction -
0:05:06 > 0:05:09the show where we take your ideas on science...
0:05:09 > 0:05:12And give them a good old shake-up.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15Give us today's question, there, like a good lad.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21All right, Professor, just updating me firmware, so I am. Two ticks...
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Today's question comes from Julie in Belgooly.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27"Can you cure hiccups by standing on your head?"
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Hiccups are sudden contractions of muscles we use for breathing.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Air rushes into your lungs,
0:05:32 > 0:05:34causing the back of your throat to slam shut,
0:05:34 > 0:05:37making a "hic!" sound in the process. Hic!
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Some scientists believe we inherited hiccups
0:05:39 > 0:05:43from our ancient ancestors, who lived in the sea and had gills to breathe.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47How do you get rid of them? Here's a few tips my mammy showed me.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50One, tickle a donkey while standing on one leg.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52Two, somersault over a baby pig in your underpants.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Three, stand on your head while counting...
0:05:55 > 0:06:00- Professor, stop it! Those are just old wives' tales.- Hic!
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Tricks like holding your breath, counting backwards
0:06:03 > 0:06:06or even standing on your head CAN sometimes get rid of hiccups,
0:06:06 > 0:06:10but only because you're concentrating so hard on your new task.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12This is sometimes called the placebo effect.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Placebo - he's the man down the chipper, isn't he?
0:06:17 > 0:06:20So, Julie, you can't cure hiccups by standing on your head.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Aye, that's just a load of old science Hic!-tion.
0:06:29 > 0:06:30OK, here we go, now...
0:06:30 > 0:06:32TAKES A DEEP BREATH
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Hic! Ah! I'll try again.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39Hic! Nope, that's not working, lads. Bring in the donkey.