Short answers, pulled from the story.
The hypothalamus triggers the sensation of thirst when the body's electrolyte levels shift or blood volume drops. This region acts as the brain's command center for fluid balance and can lead to death by hypernatremia if the signal is ignored.
A cat uses only the smooth tip of its tongue to pull a column of liquid into its mouth before it can escape. A dog scoops water with a ladle-shaped tongue to drink.
The USDA recommends a daily intake of total water amounting to 3.7 liters for an adult male and 2.7 liters for an adult female. This total includes water found in food and other beverages.
The first pictorial evidence of fermented drinks appears in Egypt around 4,000 BC. This marks the beginning of a long history where strong drinks were incorporated into meals, celebrations, ceremonies, and toasts.
Astronauts must adapt their drinking methods to the space environment because standard techniques like pouring from hands do not work in microgravity. The body's response to fluid intake must be carefully managed to prevent dehydration or overhydration during spaceflight.