Scientists Discover The Cure For Hiccups?
University of Texas professor Ali Seifi has created a device called HiccAway, a tool to stop involuntary contractions.
Science and technology have come a long way over the past several decades, making strides by way of artificial intelligence and major discoveries within space exploration that will forever change the way we view our world. And, while all these findings can be considered a giant step forward for human life, one scientist is truly taking the cake. A professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio named Ali Seifi has developed a device called the HiccAway that promises to rid those afflicted of the ever-persistent and annoying hiccups.
No matter what your political beliefs are or how you feel about the Star Wars sequel trilogy, the universal hatred of hiccups is something that can bond mankind together. And, with his invention, hiccup expert Seifi says that he can clear your blues and spasms away. Of course, we live in a capitalistic society, so the professor’s handy tool will set you back $14, but he promises that it will be a surefire way to rid yourself of hiccups time and time again.
Whether you typically go for the bag breathing method or chug a glass of water without taking a breath, Seifi says that these methods to stop hiccups are what he’s based the HiccAway on. During his interview, the professor explained that his device is essentially a straw that features a small hole at the base with a slightly larger one at the top. He went on to say that by using the reverse movement of a physics hack called Bernoulli’s Principle, the straw will alleviate your hiccups for good.
Breaking it down into layman’s terms, Seifi told the interviewer to think about turning on the faucet for a “water hose.” He went on to explain that “if you put half your thumb in front of the hose, the flow stays the same, but by changing the diameter the speed of the fluid changes; it ejects more.” Essentially, as one could gather from the use of Bernoulli’s Principle, the tool is all about using the wonderful powers of physics to add just the right amount of pressure to clear your hiccups.
Studying the body’s bizarre spasms for years, Seifi is one of many scientists trying to understand why we experience hiccups. What we do know is that the annoying event is caused by our diaphragms spasming, which then leads to a speedy breath of air that in turn, closes the area between the vocal cords known as the glottis, which is actually responsible for the “hic” sound. Triggered by the fast-paced reaction, the vagus nerve causes our bodies to repeat the action over and over again until we’re ready to bang our heads against a wall.
If you’re still a bit confused about how the HiccAway works, you’re not alone, as it’s a tough concept to wrap your head around (especially for those of us less physics-inclined folks!), but the tool’s patent assures future patrons that you don’t need to fully understand it to gain the benefits. So, when can you expect to see the hiccup destroyer on shelves? While it isn’t clear exactly when Seifi will be launching his product, the researcher did appear on an episode of Shark Tank during which he was able to cash Mark Cuban in on investing a whopping $250,000, which is a great first step.
