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Be Smart.

Be Smart.

Sunburn, Sweat and the Summer Science Explained!

Be Smart. · Nov 11, 2026 · 6:16

0:006:16

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A summertime look at why we sweat, why we burn, and why our fingers wrinkle in the pool.

References/further reading:
Eccrine and apocrine sweat glands: https://www.inkling.com/read/dermatology-bolognia-jorizzo-schaffer-3rd/chapter-35/eccrine-apocrine-and-apoeccrine

"Are Wet-Induced Wrinkled Fingers Primate Rain Treads?" M. Changizi et al, Brain Behav Evol 2011 http://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/328223

(Not everyone agrees with the rain tread hypothesis, though: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0084949)

Sunburn/UV light triggers immune response: http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v18/n8/full/nm.2861.html

UV-A rays and Unilateral Dermoheliosis (the truck driver's face) http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMicm1104059

DNA damage and repair and their role in carcinogenesis http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21554/

Joe Hanson - Host and writer
Joe Nicolosi - Director
Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads - Associate Producer
Editing/Motion Graphics - Andrew Matthews
Gaffer - John Knudsen

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"Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod

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