Contagious yawning remains one of the most studied and least understood reflexes in human biology. A new finding about yawning in the womb just made the mystery harder to explain.

Thirty-eight pregnant women at 28 to 32 weeks watched videos and images designed to trigger a yawn. Within 90 seconds of the mother yawning, the baby yawned on ultrasound a significant amount of the time. The researchers confirmed it was not coincidence. The finding matters because we assumed contagious yawning was a learned behaviour that developed over time. Fetuses cannot have learned it yet.

Samantha Yammine's best current explanation: it may be physiological, something happening in the mother's body that triggers a reflex rather than imitation. The broader question she keeps returning to is why contagious yawning survived across vertebrates and species at all. Anything that sticks through evolution is doing something. We just do not know what.

Topics: contagious yawning, fetal yawning study, yawning learned behaviour, yawning evolution, yawning mirror neurons

GUEST: Dr. Samantha Yammine | http://samanthayammine.com | @‌science.sam

Originally aired on 2026-05-13

Contagious yawning remains one of the most studied and least understood reflexes in human biology. A new finding about yawning in the womb just made the mystery harder to explain.
Thirty-eight pregnant women at 28 to 32 weeks watched videos and images designed to trigger a yawn. Within 90 seconds of the mother yawning, the baby yawned on ultrasound a significant amount of the time. The researchers confirmed it was not coincidence. The finding matters because we assumed contagious yawning was a learned behaviour that developed over time. Fetuses cannot have learned it yet.
Samantha Yammine's best current explanation: it may be physiological, something happening in the mother's body that triggers a reflex rather than imitation. The broader question she keeps returning to is why contagious yawning survived across vertebrates and species at all. Anything that sticks through evolution is doing something. We just do not know what.
Topics: contagious yawning, fetal yawning study, yawning learned behaviour, yawning evolution, yawning mirror neurons
GUEST: Dr. Samantha Yammine |<a href="http://samanthayammine.com"> http://samanthayammine.com</a> | @&zwnj;science.sam
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-05-13

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

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Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.