Curiosity Weekly

Today, you’ll learn about how when chimpanzees can’t figure out how to do something they get their friends to teach them, a potential breakthrough in the fight against breast cancer, and how singing repairs the brain after a stroke.  Chimpanzee Learning  “Chimpanzees use social information to acquire a skill they fail to innovate.” by Edwin J. C. van Leeuwen, et al. 2024.  “Like Humans, Bumblebees and Chimpanzees Can Pass on Their Skills to Form ‘Cumulative Culture’.” by Cristen Hemingway Jaynes. 2024.   Breast Cancer Gel   “Scientists make potential breast cancer breakthrough after preserving tissue in gel.” by Matthew Weaver. 2024.  “Breast cancer statistics.” Cancer Research UK. n.d.   Singing Brain Repair  “Singing repairs the language network of the brain after a cerebrovascular accident.” University of Helsinki. 2024.  “Vocal music boosts the recovery of language functions after stroke.” University of Helsinki. 2021.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about the remarkable social memory of chimps, the gut bacteria that could help fight cancer, and how gene therapy might one day help you out with that pesky lower back pain.   Chimp Memory  “Chimps Can Still Remember Faces After a Quarter Century.” by Carl Zimmer. 2023.  “Bonobos and chimpanzees remember familiar conspecifics for decades.” by Laura S. Lewis, et al. 2023.   Bacterial Tumor Killer  “Gut bacteria boost immune response to fight tumors.” by Marta Wegorzewska. 2024.  “The Human Microbiome and Its Impacts on Health.” by Grace A. Ogunrinola, et al. 2020.   Gene Disc Repair  “Gene therapy relieves back pain, repairs damaged disc in mice.” by Emily Caldwell. 2024.  “Increased Frequency of Low Back Pain in Recent Times: Does the Answer Lie in COVID-19?” by Sreedhar Sathu, et al. 2023.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about the surprising prevalence of heart abnormalities in elite athletes, how an oxytocin nasal spray might help with chronic loneliness, and a discovery that could help doctors diagnose a disease just by looking at your fingernails.   Elite Athlete Hearts    “Why are elite athletes prone to abnormal heart rhythms?” by Jennifer Couzin-Frankel. 2024.  “2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Join Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines.” by Jose A. Joglar, et al. 2023.  “Stroke in endurance athletes with atrial fibrillation.” by Marius Myrstad, et al. 2020.   Oxytocin & Loneliness   “Can oxytocin help against loneliness?” Uni-Bonn. 2024.  “Modulating Social Behavior with Oxytocin: How does it work? What does it mean?” by Patricia S. Churchland & Piotr Winkielman. 2011.  “Relationship Between Loneliness, Psychiatric Disorders and Physical Health? A Review on the Psychological Aspects of Loneliness.” by Raheel Mushtaq, et al. 2014.  “Oxytocin-Augmented Modular-Based Group Intervention for Loneliness: A Proof-Of-Concept Randomized Controlled Trial.” by Ruben Berger, et al. 2024.   Nail Diagnosis  “Benign nail condition linked to rare syndrome that greatly increases cancer risk.” NIH. 2024.  “Long Term Follow-up of Mesothelioma Patients and Their Family Members With Germline Mutations in BAP1 and Other Genes.” Study. 2024.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about what goes on in our brains when we sleepwalk, how playing video games might actually help us navigate the world IRL, and the endurance hunting of traditional societies.   Sleepwalker Brain   “Scientists Discover What’s Happening Inside a Sleepwalker’s Brain.” by Rhianna-lily Smith. 2024.  “Shared EEG correlates between non-REM parasomnia experiences and dreams.” by Jacinthe Cataldi, et al. 2024.  “Consciousness and cortical responsiveness: a within-state study during non-rapid eye movement.” by Jaakko O. Nieminen, et al. 2016.  “Parasomnia: what happens inside a sleepwalker’s brain?” Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience. 2024.   Games & Navigation  “Playing video games linked to enhanced wayfinding abilities.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.  “Sea Hero Quest.” Spiers Lab. n.d.  “5 facts about Americans and video games.” by Andrew Perrin. 2018.  “Video gaming, but not reliance on GPS, is associated with spatial navigation performance.” by Emre Yavuz, et al. 2024  Endurance Hunting  “Born to run? Endurance running may have evolved to help humans chase down prey.” by Kermit Pattison. 2024.  “Ethnography and ethnohistory support the efficiency of hunting through endurance running in humans.” by Eugene Morin & Bruce Winterhalder. 2024. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a breakthrough in the effort to create a vaccine for HIV, how engineers are turning carbon dioxide into useful products, and the silk fabric that could one day make your clothes noise-canceling.   HIV Vaccine  “A Trial HIV Vaccine Triggered Elusive and Essential Antibodies in Humans.” Duke Health. 2024.  “The impact of antiretroviral treatment on mortality trends of HIV-positive adults in rural Uganda: a longitudinal population-based study, 1999-2009.” by Ivan Kasamba, et al. 2012.   CO2 New Uses  “Engineers find a new way to convert carbon dioxide into useful products.” by Anne Trafton. 2024.  “Highly Efficient Carbon Dioxide Electroreduction via DNA-Directed Catalyst Immobilization.” by Gang Fan, et al. 2024.   No Noise Fabric  “Single Layer Silk and Cotton Woven Fabrics for Acoustic Emission and Active Sound Suppression.” by Grace H. Yang, et al. 2024.  “How Piezoelectricity Works to Make Crystals Conduct Electric Current.” by Edwin Robledo. 2023.  https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/blog/piezoelectricity/  Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about people who lack an inner voice, how yoga could help cancer survivors defog their minds, and the newly discovered hormone that is connected to promiscuous behavior in mice.   No Inner Voice   “People without an inner voice have poorer verbal memory.” University of Copenhagen. 2024.  “Not Everybody Has an Inner Voice: Behavioral Consequences of Anendophasia.” by Johanne S. K. Nedergaard & Gary Lupyan. 2024.   Yoga & Brain Health  “Yoga shows ‘most improvement’ in restoring brain health in long-term cancer survivors, Northeastern researcher says.” by Cynthia McCormick Hibbert. 2024.  “Management of Cancer-related Cognitive Dysfunction - Conceptualization Challenges and Implications for Clinical Research and Practice.” by Pascal Jean-Pierre. 2010.  “Yoga improves self-reported cognitive function among cancer survivors: results from the STAYFit trial.” by Neha P. Gothe, et al. 2024.   Monogamous Mice  “Some mice have a cheating heart. It’s a hormonal thing, scientists find.” by Mark Johnson. 2024.  “History of Adrenal Research: From Ancient Anatomy to Contemporary Molecular Biology.” by Walter L. Miller & Perrin C. White. 2023.  “Monogamy Rare In the Wild.” by Alisa Opar. 2013.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a gel that stops alcohol from making you drunk and harming your liver, the ancient viruses of Yellowstone hot springs, and the song that tiger beetles sing to confuse bats.   Anti-Drunk Gel  “Anti-intoxicant gel keeps alcohol out of the bloodstream.” by Ben Coxworth. 2024.  “Single-site iron-anchored amyloid hyrdrogels as catalytic platforms for alcohol detoxification.” by Jiaqi Su, et al. 2024.   Hot Spring Viruses  “Hot springs viruses at Yellowstone National Park have ancient origins and are adapted to thermophilic hosts.” by L. Felipe Benites, et al. 2024.  “Yellowstone’s Best Geothermal Features.” by Amelia Mayer. 2023.  “Hot Springs.” National Park Service. 2017.   Tiger Beetles  “Tiger beetles fight off bat attacks with ultrasonic mimicry.” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Echolocation.” Neighbourhood Bat Watch. N.d.  “Tiger beetles produce anti-bat ultrasound and are probably Batesian moth mimics.” by Harlan M. Gough, et al. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a new anxiety-free way to collect blood samples modeled on the sucking power of leeches, the super carbon-gobbling power of blue-green algae, and a new understanding of how asthma happens - and maybe how to stop it.   Leeches & Blood Tests  “Blood diagnostics modeled on leeches.” by Fabio Bergamin. 2024.  “Prevalence, causes, impacts, and management of needle phobia: An international survey of a general adult population.” by Kimberly Alsbrooks & Klaus Hoerauf. 2022.  “ A Bioinspired and Cost-Effective Device for Minimally Invasive Blood Sampling.” by Nicole Zoratto, et al. 2024.   Algae & Carbon  “Scientists unlock key to breeding ‘carbon gobbling’ plants with a major appetite.” Scimex. 2024.  “Light and carbon: Synthetic biology toward new cyanobacteria-based living biomaterials.” by Isabella M. Goodchild-Michelman, et al. 2023.  “Cyanobacterial a-carboxysome carbonic anhydrase is allosterically regulated by the Rubisco substrate RuBP.” by Sacha B. Pulsford, et al. 2024.   Asthma Cause  “Chronic asthma could be caused by cell overcrowding in the airways.” by Monique Brouillette. 2024.  “Asthma Surveillance Data.” CDC. 2021. “Bronchoconstriction damages airway epithelial by crowding-induced excess cell extrusion.” by Dustin C. Bagley, et al. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a groundbreaking new treatment for hair loss caused by autoimmune skin disease, a condition that affects the imagination, and the gadget that will put a cold brew coffee in your cup in minutes instead of hours.  Hair Loss Treatment  “New treatment could reverse hair loss caused by an autoimmune skin disease.” by Anne Trafton. 2024.  “Microneedle-mediated Delivery of Immunomodulators Restores Immune Privilege in Hair Follicles and Reverses Immune-Mediated Alopecia.” by Nour Younis, et al. 2024.   Aphantasia  “Aphantasia linked to abnormal brain responses to imagined and observed actions.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.  “What It’s Like to Be ‘Mind Blind’.” by Nayantara Dutta. 2022.  “Explicit and implicit motor simulations are impaired in individuals with aphantasia.” by William Dupont, et al. 2024.   Ultrasound Coffee  “Cold brew coffee in under 3 minutes? Ultrasound makes it possible.” by Paul Ridden. 2024.  “Laser-extracted cold-brew coffee could be a Monday-morning game changer.” by Loz Blain. 2022.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about the possible link between asthma, ADHD, and income in children, how whale communication is much more complex than we thought, and the secret lithium hidden away for millions of years under Pennsylvania.  Asthma & ADHD   “ADHD, asthma, and economic hardship: New research suggests a causal pathway.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.  “Associations between symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, socioeconomic status and asthma in children.” by Makiko Omura, et al. 2024.   Whale Codas  “Contextual and combinatorial structure in sperm whale vocalizations.” by Pratyusha Sharma, et al. 2024.  “Behaviors: Communicating.” Sperm Whales: Dominica. 2018.  Hidden Lithium  “Estimates of lithium mass yields from produced water sourced from the Devonian-aged Marcellus Shale.” by Justin Mackey. 2024.  “The Middle Devonian.” Palaeos. 2000.  Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about an accidental discovery of a dial in the brainstem that controls the body’s inflammation level, how centipedes might offer a treatment for kidney disease, and the problem with bringing back our deceased loved ones using AI.  Brainstem Dial   “Found: the dial in the brain that controls the immune system.” by Giorgia Guglielmi. 2024.  “Your brain could be controlling how sick you get - and how you recover.” by Diana Kwon. 2023.  “Tissues, not blood, are where immune cells function.” by Donna L. Farber. 2021.   Centipedes & Kidneys  “Centipedes used in traditional Chinese medicine offer leads for kidney treatment.” ACS. 2024.  “Giant Redheaded Centipede.” Missouri Department of Conservation. 2024. “Structurally Diverse Alkaloids with Anti-Renal-Fibrosis Activity from the Centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans.” by Bin-Yuan Hu, et al. 2024.   AI Ghosts  “Call for safeguards to prevent unwanted ‘hauntings’ by AI chatbots of dead loved ones.” University of Cambridge. 2024.  “Griefbots, Deadbots, Postmortem Avatars: on Responsible Applications of Generative AI in the Digital Afterlife Industry.” by Tomasz Hollanek & Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basinska. 2024.  “Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence.” LCFI. 2024.  Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about how sleep isn’t the brain detoxifier we thought it was, a new glass made out of bamboo, and the connection between leprosy and red squirrels in medieval England.   Sleeping Brain  “Sleep does not help brain wash out toxins, study suggests.” by Hannah Devlin. 2024.  “The sleep-deprived human brain.” by Adam J. Krause, et al. 2017.  “Brain clearance is reduced during sleep and anesthesia.” by Andawei Miao, et al. 2024.   Bamboo Glass  “A Novel Flame-Retardant, Smoke-Suppressing, and Superhydrophobic Transparent Bamboo.” by Jiahui Su, et al. 2024.  “Glass Transmittance.” Linshang Technology. 2020.  “Is Bamboo Sustainable? All You Need to Know About Eco-Friendly Bamboo.” by Raf Chomsky. 2023.   Leprosy & Squirrels  “In medieval England, leprosy spread between red squirrels and people, genome evidence shows.” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Ancient Mycobacterium leprae genome reveals medieval English red squirrels as animal leprosy host.” by Christian Urban, et al. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about how reading fiction could make you smarter, the first ever likely transmission of bird flu from a cow to a human, and how a beluga whale communicates with its squishy head.  Fiction Readers    “People who read a lot of fiction tend to have better cognitive skills, study finds.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.  “Cognitive effects and correlates of reading fiction: Two preregistered multilevel meta-analyses.” by Lena Wimmer, et al. 2024.   Bird Flu Transmission  “Texas dairy farm worker’s case may be first where bird flu virus spread from mammal to human, scientists say.” by Helen Branswell. 2024.  “Bird Flu Detections Reporting in Backyard and Commercial Birds.” CDC. 2024.  “Avian Influenza.” World Organization For Animal Health. 2023. “Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Infection in a Dairy Farm Worker.” by Timothy M. Uyeki, M.D., M.P.H., et al. 2024.   Beluga Heads  “Belugas may communicate by warping a blob of forehead fat.” by Elizabeth Anne Brown. 2024.  “Belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) create facial displays during social interactions by changing the shape of their melons.” by Justin T. Richard, et al. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a new and stimulating method that could potentially help smokers kick the habit, an innovative copper coating that kills bacteria on touchscreens, and the little birds that sometimes make for great stepdads.   Tobacco Treatment  “Can brain stimulation help people kick their tobacco addiction?” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.  “Why Won’t Our Patients Stop Smoking?” by David M. Mannino, MD. 2009.  “A randomized controlled trial of intermittent theta burst stimulation to the medial prefrontal cortex for tobacco use disorder: Clinical efficacy and safety.” by Merideth A. Addicott, et al. 2024.   Clean Touchscreen  “Copper coating turns touchscreens into bacteria killers.” by Ben Coxworth. 2024.  “Towards transparent and durable copper-containing antimicrobial surfaces.” by Christina Graham, et al. 2024.   Parrot Stepdads  “New animal dads often kill their stepchildren. These parrots adopt them instead.” by Virginia Morell. 2024.  “Eviction-driven infanticide and sexually selected adoption and infanticide in a neotropical parrot.” by Steven R. Beissinger & Karl S. Berg. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about the demand for a compound called squalene that is decimating deepwater shark populations, an amazing effort to create an eco-friendly lubricant using green chemistry, and the surprising connection between shepherds, women, and wildfires.  Shark Oil   “Deepwater Sharks Are Threatened by Demand for Liver Oil.” by David Shiffman. 2024.  “100 Million Sharks Killed Every Year, Study Show On Eve of International Conference on Shark Protection.” National Geographic. 2013.  “Fishing for oil and meat drives irreversible defaunation of deepwater sharks and rays.” by Brittany Finucci, et al. 2024.   Eco-Friendly Lubricant  “New eco-friendly lubricant additives protect turbine equipment, waterways.” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Minimizing Toxicity and Optimizing Lubricity of Ionic Liquids for Eco-Friendly Lubrication.” by Xin He, et al. 2024.   Historic Land Management  “Anthropologist documents how women and shepherds historically reduced wildfire risk in Central Italy.” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Wildfires as legacies of agropastoral abandonment: Gendered litter raking and managed burning as historic fire prevention practices in the Monte Pisano of Italy.” by Andrew S. Mathews & Fabio Malfatti. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a newly discovered deep sea ghost shark, the best way to treat prolonged grief disorder, and how the blood vessels in our brain coordinate to improve brain functioning.   Ghost Shark   “‘Ghost shark’ with enormous head and giant iridescent eyes discovered off Thailand.” by Elise Poore. 2024.  “Chimaera.” Shark Trust. 2020. “Chimaera supapae (Holocephali: Chimaeriformes: Chimaeridae), a new species of chimaera from the Andaman Sea of Thailand.” by David A. Ebert, et al. 2024.   Grief Treatment  “Which therapy works best to treat prolonged grief disorder?” by Lachlan Gilbert. 2024.  “Cognitive Behavior Therapy vs Mindfulness in Treatment of Prolonged Grief Disorder.” by Richard A. Bryant, et al. 2024.  “Comparing the efficacy of mindfulness-based therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression in head-to-head randomized controlled trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis of equivalence.” by Kristine Tretto Sverre, et al. 2022.  “Prolonged Grief Disorder.” Psychology Today. N.d.  Blood Vessel Coordination  “Coordinating Blood Vessel Activity Might be Associated with Better Brain Performance.” Tohoku University. 2024.  “Plastic vasomotion entrainment.” by Daichi Sasaki, et al. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about the incredible dynamics that make the thresher shark so good at threshing, how people with a rare growth disorder might actually have an advantage that leads to longer lifespans, and why people listen to sad music.   Thresher Shark   Fear the Tails, Not the Jaws, of These ‘Weirdo’ Sharks.” by Kate Golembiewski. 2024.  “Vertebral morphology in the tail-whipping common thresher shark, Alopias vulpinus.” by Jamie L. Knaub, et al. 2024.   Laron Syndrome  “People with Rare Longevity Mutation May Also Be Protected from Cardiovascular Disease.” by Beth Newcomb. 2024.  “Normal or improved cardiovascular risk factors in IGF-I-deficient adults with growth hormone receptor deficiency.” by Jaime Guevara-Aguirre, et al. 2024.   Sad Music  “New insights into the psychological enigma of sad music.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.  “Liking music with and without sadness: Testing the direct effect hypothesis of pleasurable negative emotion.” by Emery Schubert. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about the possible holy grail of great white shark sightings, a new flu vaccine that could knock out every strain and last a long time, and a map of human consciousness.   Newborn Great White  “Great white sighting may reveal ‘holy grail’ of shark science.” by Katie Hunt. 2024.  “Novel aerial observations of a possible newborn white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) in Southern California.” by Carlos Gauna & Phillip C. Sternes. 2024.   Long-Term Flu Shot  “New strategy could lead to universal, long-lasting flu shot.” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Duke University Developing Universal Flu Vaccine.” YouTube Video. 2023.  “Understanding Influenza (Flu) Infection: An Influenza Virus Binds to a Respiratory Tract Cell.” CDC. 2019.  Consciousness Map  “Brain imaging study reveals connections critical to human consciousness.” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Consciousness.” by Anil Seth. n.d. “What is the Connectome Coordination Facility?” CCF. n.d.  “Stimulant Therapy Targeted to Individualized Connectivity Maps to Promote ReACTivation of Consciousness (STIMPACT).” by Brian L. Edlow, M.D.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about the rare study of a hammerhead shark embryo, how touching your teammate might help them make free throws, and a super alloy that doesn’t break - it kinks.   Hammerhead Embryos  “Secrets of Hammerhead Sharks Revealed in ‘Very Rare’ Images.” by Robyn White. 2024.  “Bonnethead shark.” David A. Ebert, et al. 2021.  “Are Hammerhead Sharks Dangerous and Do They Attack Humans?” by Robyn White. 2022.  “Embryonic development in the bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo), a viviparous hammerhead shark.” by Steven R. Byrum, et al. 2023.   Free Throw Touch  “Physical touch from teammates appears to improve free throw accuracy in basketball.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.  “The power of human touch: Physical contact improves performance in basketball free throws.” by Christiane M. Buttner, et al. 2024.   Kinky Alloy  “This Allow is Kinky.” by Aliyah Kovner. 2024.  “Kink bands promote exceptional fracture resistance in a NbTaTiHf refractory medium-entropy alloy.” by David H. Cook, et al. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a massive prehistoric shark, the controversial plan to kill millions of barred owls, and how a condition called misophonia could be linked to stress and trauma.   Giant Shark  “Ancient, 30-foot relative of great white shark unearthed in Mexico quarry.” by Melissa Hobson. 2024.  “Exceptionally preserved shark fossils from Mexico elucidate the long-standing enigma of the Cretaceous elasmobranch Ptychodus.” by Romain Vullo, et al. 2024.  “Cretaceous period: Animals, plants and extinction event.” by Michael Dhar. 2022.   Barred Owl Cull  “They Shoot Owls in California, Don’t They?” by Franz Lidz. 2024.  “Northern Spotted Owl.” National Wildlife Federation. N.d.  “Barred-Owl-Letter.” Letter PDF. 2024.   Misophonia Stress  “Misophonia severity tied to higher stress and trauma, study shows.” by Vladimir Hedrih. 2024.  “What Is Misophonia?” by Paul Frysh. 2023.  “Misophonia is related to stress but not directly with traumatic stress.” by Rachel E. Guetta, et al. 2024.  Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about tiny robotic nerve cuffs, an orangutan that treated its own wound with medicine, and how nostalgia encourages us to take part in rituals.   Robotic Nerve Cuffs  “Robotic nerve ‘cuffs’ could help treat a range of neurological conditions.” University of Cambridge. 2024.  “Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).” Cleveland Clinic. 2022. “Electrochemically actuated microelectrodes for minimally invasive peripheral nerve interfaces.” by Chaoqun Dong, et al. 2024.   Orangutan Medicine  “In a first, an orangutan was seen treating his wound with a medicinal plant.” by Evan Bush. 2024.  “Active self-treatment of a facial wound with a biologically active plant by a male Sumatran orangutan.” by Isabelle B. Laumer, et al. 2024.   Ritual Nostalgia  “New research reveals the psychological impact of nostalgia on ritual engagement and meaning in life.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.  “Nostalgia, Ritual Engagement, and Meaning in Life.” by Yige Yin, et al. 2024.  “Nostalgia.” The Emotions Lab. 2022.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a new way to turn certain blood types into universal blood types that could save countless lives, how exercise makes time slow down, and the new plastic made of eggshells that could clean up our water and stop plastic pollution.   Universal Donors  “Bacterial enzyme strips away blood types to create universal donor blood.” by Paul McClure. 2024.  “Blood safety and availability.” WHO. 2023.  “Facts About Blood and Blood Types.” American Red Cross. 2024.  “Akkermansia muciniphila exoglycosidases target extended blood group antigens to generate ABO-universal blood.” by Mathias Jensen, et al. 2024.   Exercise & Time  “Time warps when you workout: Study confirms exercise slows our perception of time.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.  “The perception of time is slowed in response to exercise, an effect not further compounded by competitors: behavioral implications for exercise and health.” by Andrew Mark Edwards, et al. 2024.   Eggshell Plastic  “Researchers Develop Bioplastic From Eggshells as Sustainable Alternative to Plastic.” Technology Networks. 2024.  “Eggshell incorporated agro-waste adsorbent pellets for sustainable orthophosphate capture from aqueous media.” by Bernd G. K. Steiger, et al. 2024.  “Phosphorus and Water.” USGS. 2018.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about how microgravity affects sleep and physiological rhythms, the half a billion year old bioluminescent octocoral, and the truth about women’s synchronized menstrual cycles.  Microgravity Effects  “Simulated microgravity affects sleep and physiological rhythms.” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Effect of 60 days of head down tilt bed rest on amplitude and phase of rhythms in physiology and sleep in men.” by Maria-Angeles Bonmati-Carrion, et al. 2024.   Octocorals  “Glowing octocorals have been around for at least 540 million years.” by Jake Buehler. 2024.  “What is bioluminescence?” NOAA. N.D.  “Evolution of bioluminescence in Anthozoa with emphasis on Octocorallia.” by Danielle M. DeLeo, et al. 2024.   Menstrual Sync  “Do women who live together get their periods together, or is it a myth?” by Marlene Cimons. 2024.  “Women do not synchronize their menstrual cycles.” by Zhengwei Yang & Jeffrey C Schank. 2006.  “Menstrual synchrony: Fact or artifact?” by Anna Ziomkiewicz. 2026.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about the life-crushing conditions on Venus that could actually tell us about life elsewhere in the universe, how indigenous cultural fire burning could help us create healthier forests, and the people who brew beer in their stomachs.   Venus Environment  “To find life in the universe, look to deadly Venus.” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Davinci, a return to Venus’ clouds.” The Planetary Society. N.d.  “NASA’s Planetary Fleets, Including Mars, Venus, Discovery Missions, and Small Body Missions.” n.a. 2023.  “Missions to Venus: Highlights From History, and When We May Go Back.” by Shannon Stirone. 2020.  “Venus as an anchor point for planetary habitability.” by Stephen R. Kane & Paul K. Byrne. 2024.  “Venus.” NASA. 2024.   Forest Stewardship  “Research showcases Indigenous stewardship’s role in forest ecosystem resilience.” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Blending Indigenous and western science: Quantifying cultural burning impacts in Karuk Aboriginal Territory.” by Skye M. Greenler, et al. 2024.  “The Karuk Used Fire to Manage the Forest for Centuries. Now They Want To Do That Again.” by Danielle Venton. 2021.  “North America’s summer of wildfire smoke: 2023 was only the beginning.” by Charles O. Stanier, Gregory Carmichael, & Peter S. Thorne. 2023.  Auto-Brewery Syndrome “A Brewery Worker’s Drunken Driving Defense: His Stomach Made the Alcohol.” by Ali Watkins. 2024.  “Auto Brewery Syndrome: Can You Really Make Beer in Your Gut?” by Noreen Iftikhar, MD. 2018.  “Truck driver claims body produces alcohol, caused him to be drunk, crash and spill 11,000 salmon.” by Dana Hedgpeth. 2016.  “Case report and literature review of auto-brewery syndrome: probably an underdiagnosed medical condition.” by Fahad Malik, et al. 2019.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about the amazing regenerative effects of thistle extract on damaged nerves, the first synthetic, lab-made cells, and new insights into the development of language in people with autism.   Thistle Extract  “Thistle extract accelerates nerve regeneration by up to 29%.” by Paul McClure. 2024.  “Nerves.” Byju’s. N.d. “Cnicin promotes functional nerve regeneration.” by Philipp Gobrecht, et al. 2024.   Artificial Cells  “UNC-Chapel Hill researchers create artificial cells that act like living cells.” by Carleigh Gabryel. 2024.  “What Are Peptides and What Are They Used For?” by Jillian Kubala, RD. 2023.  “Designer peptide-DNA cytoskeletons regulate the function of synthetic cells.” by Margaret L. Daly, et al. 2024.   Autism Language  “New research unveils three distinct language comprehension phenotypes in autistic children.” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Autism Spectrum Disorder: Communication Problems in Children.” NIH. 2020. “Are there distinct levels of language comprehension in autistic individuals - cluster analysis.” by Andrey Vyshedskiy. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a new way to purify water simply by walking, robots controlled by liquid and rubber balls, and an accident that led to a wild discovery about bumblebees.   Clean Water Walking   “Walking-induced electrostatic charges enable in situ electroporated disinfection in portable water bottles.” by Young-Jun Kim, et al. 2024.  “Freshwater Crisis.” National Geographic. N.d.  “A revolutionary solution for on-the-go water disinfection.” by Manish Kumar Sharma & Zong-Hong Lin. 2024.   Metafluid  “Tiny rubber spheres used to make a programmable fluid.” by Jacek Krywko. 2024.  “Harvard’s bizarre ‘metafluid’ packs programmable properties.” by Michael Irving. 2024.  “Metamaterials.” News Atlas Database. N.d.  “Shell buckling for programmable metafluids.” by Adel Djellouli, et al. 2024.   Underwater Bees  “Bumblebee species able to survive underwater for up to a week.” by Nicola Davis. 2024.  “Unveiling the submerged secrets: bumblebee queens’ resilience to flooding.” by Sabrina Rondeau & Nigel E. Raine. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about the history of dragons, a lab-made gold that’s only a single atom thick, and a new low pressure way to make diamonds.   Dragon History    “Dragons: A brief history of the mythical, fire-breathing beasts.” by Callum McKelvie & Benjamin Radford. 2022.  “A Natural History of Dragons.” by Livia Gershon. 2022.  “Job 41.” Bible Study Tools. N.d.   Gold Atom Layer  “A single atom layer of gold - LiU researchers create goldene.” by Anders Torneholm. 2024.  “Synthesis of goldene comprising single-atom layer gold.” by Shun Kashiwaya, et al. 2024.   Low Pressure Diamonds  “A new method of making diamonds doesn’t require extreme pressure.” by Emily Conover. 2024.  “The Science Behind Diamonds.” by Dustin Lemick. 2023.  “Growth of diamond in liquid metal at 1 atm pressure.” by Yan Gong, et al. 2024.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a new tech that could turn all that nasty CO2 into electricity, the genes that allow cancer cells to metastasize, and the incredible, healing hearts of zebrafish.  CO2 Into Electricity  “Electricity generation from carbon dioxide adsorption by spatially nanoconfined ion separation.” by Zhuyuan Wang, et al. 2024.  “Novel Nanogenerator Turns CO2 Into Electricity.” Technology Networks. 2024.  “Can Removing Carbon From the Atmosphere Save Us From Climate Catastrophe?” by Renee Cho. 2018.  “Climate Change: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide.” by Rebecca Lindsey. 2024.   Shapeshifting Cancer  “Cancer Cells’ Shapeshifting Ability Reveals New Drug Targets.” by Blake Forman. 2024.  “Environmentally dependant and independent control of 3D cell shape.” by Lucas G. Dent, et al. 2024.   Zebrafish  “Why can zebrafish regenerate damaged heart tissue, while other fish species cannot?” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Distinct features of the regenerating heart uncovered through comparative single-cell profiling.” by Clayton M. Carey, et al. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about the genes that could make you left-handed, how trees are able to cope with heat waves, and what could possibly lie beneath the ice of Jupiter’s moon, Europa.   Left Hand Gene  “Gene involved in cell shape offers clues on left-handedness.” by Will Dunham. 2024.  “Half a century of handedness research: Myths, truths; fictions, facts; backwards, but mostly forwards.” by Chris McManus. 2019.  “One hundred famous left-handed people.” n.a. 2003.   Heat Wave Trees  “How do trees survive dry and hot summers? Leaf lifespan and growth recovery are key.” phys.org. 2024.  “Climate Change Impacts on Forests.” EPA. n.d.  “Guide to Conifers: 11 Types of Conifers Seen Across the US.” MasterClass. 2021.   Europa  “Our picture of habitability on Europa, a top contender for hosting life, is changing.” by Nikk Ogasa. 2024.  “Europa Clipper.” JPL. n.d. “Europa: Moon of Jupiter. Potential for life.” NASA. n.d.  “Europa: Facts.” NASA. 2024.  Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about how our perception of when old age hits is changing, a baby’s response to a happy face, and the housekeeping habits of neanderthals.  When is Old Age?    “Perception of when old age starts has increased over time, shows study.” by Nicola Davis. 2024.  “Psychology and Aging.” APA PsycNet database. 2024.  “The shift from old age to very old age: an analysis of the perception of aging among older people.” by Emile Escourrou, et al. 2022.   Sensative Mothers  “Researchers uncover link between maternal sensitivity and infant brain responses to happy faces.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.  “Mary Ainsworth’s legacy: a systematic review of observational instruments measuring parental sensitivity.” by Judi Mesman & Rosanneke A G Emmen. 2013.  “Love on the developing brain: Maternal sensitivity and infants’ neural responses to emotion in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.” by Jessica A. Stern, et al. 2024.   Neanderthal Homes  “Study: Just Like Homo sapiens, Neanderthals Organized Their Living Space in Structured Way.” Sci News News Staff. 2024.  “Study Compares Neanderthal and Modern Human Living Spaces.” Archaeology. 2024.  “Homo Sapiens  and Neanderthal Use of Space at Riparo Bombrini (Liguria, Italy).” by Amelie Vallerand, et al. 2022.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a new class of antibiotics that kills drug-resistant bugs, a water pollution test that can tell scientists where the pollution came from, and spiders that collaborate.   New Antibiotics  “New antibiotic class effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria.” Uppsala Universitet. 2024.  “10 reasons YOU should be worried about antibiotic resistance.” by Diane Ashiru-Oredope. 2014.  “What You Need to Know About a Klebsiella pneumoniae Infection.” by Kirsten Nunez. 2022.  “Antibiotic class with potent in vivo activity targeting lipopolysaccharide synthesis in Gram-negative bacteria.” by Douglas L. Huseby, et al. 2024.   H2O Pollution Test  “New approach to monitoring freshwater quality can identify sources of pollution, and predict their effects.” University of Cambridge. 2024.  “7 Effects Of Water Pollution.” AtlasScientific. 2023.  “Chemodiversity in freshwater health.” by Andrew J. Tanentzap & Jeremy A. Fonvielle. 2024.   Cooperative Camouflage  “In a first, these crab spiders appear to collaborate, creating camouflage.” by Saugat Bolakhe. 2024.  “Crab Spider.” A-Z Animals. N.d. “Male and female crab spiders ‘cooperate’ to mimic a flower.” by Shi-Mao Wu & Jiang-Yun Gao. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about the dreams of birds, why sound pollution in the oceans could be killing whales, and how fruit-eating birds are doing the work to save tropical forests.   Bird Dreams  “Birds sing in their sleep - and now we can decipher their dreams.” by Paul McClure. 2024.  “Replay of innate vocal patterns during night sleep in suboscines.” by Juan F. Doppler, et al. 2021.  “Synthesizing avian dreams.” by Juan F. Doppler, et al. 2024.  “What is World Environment Day.” n.a. N.d.   Whales & Noise   “Avoidance, confusion, solitude: whales react to rising noise pollution.” The University of Melbourne. 2024.  “Avoidance, confusion or solitude? Modelling how noise pollution affects whale migration.” by Stuart T. Johnston & Kevin J. Painter. 2024.  “How First Contact With a Whale Civilization Could Unfold.” by Ross Anderson. 2024.   Fruit-Eaters Save Forest  “Tropical forests can’t recover naturally without fruit eating birds.” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Frugivores enhance potential carbon recovery in fragmented landscapes.”  by Carolina Bello. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a paralyzed man who is making a recovery after receiving stem cell therapy, how bees learn architecture, and a potential new treatment for postpartum depression in new mothers.   Paralysis Recovery   “Paralyzed man who can walk again shows potential benefit of stem cell therapy.” by Amanda Dimare. 2024.  “Study documents safety, improvements from stem cell therapy after spinal cord injury.” by Susan Barber Lindquist. 2024.  “Spinal cord injury.” WHO. 2024.  “Case report: Stem cells a step toward improving motor, sensory function after spinal cord injury.” by Susan Barber Lindquist. 2019.   Bee Architecture  “The inheritance of alternative nest architectural traditions in stingless bees.” by Viviana Di Pietro, et al. 2024.  “Stingless Bees: Their Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution.” by Christoph Gruter. 2020. “Stigmergy as a Universal Coordination Mechanism: components, varieties and applications.” by Francis Heylighen. N.d.   Perinatal Treatment  “Esketamine injection just after childbirth reduces depression in new mothers.” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Is Esketamine the Game-Changer for Depression We Want?” by EJ Dickson. 2019.  “What is Perinatal Depression?” American Psychological Association. 2023.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about how non-invasive brain stimulation might offer relief to older patients suffering from anxiety and depression, the first known molecular fractal, and a new discovery turning the view of bonobos as peace-loving primates on its head.   Brain Stimulation  “Brain stimulation treatment may improve depression, anxiety in older adults.” by Jill Pease. 2024.  “Mental health of older adults.” WHO. 2023.  “tDCS reduces depression and state anxiety symptoms in older adults from the augmenting cognitive training in older adults study (ACT). by Hanna K. Hausman, et al. 2024.   Fractal Molecule  “Discovery of the first fractal molecule in nature.” Max Plank Gesellschaft. 2024.  “How Fractals Work.” by Craig Haggit & Yara Simon. 2023.  “Six Sierpinski Triangle Constructions (visual mathematics).” YouTube Video. 2023.   Bonobos  “Bonobos not the peace-loving primates once thought, study reveals.” by Nicola Davis. 2024.  “Differences in expression of male aggression between wild bonobos and chimpanzees.” by Maud Mouginot, et al. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a new AI developed to help doctors identify and treat diseases like cancer, why watching sports might give our sense of wellness a boost, and the real reason we blink so much.   AI Medical Research   “Mayo researchers invented a new class of AI to improve cancer research and treatments.” EurekAlert! 2024.  “The Rise of Hypothesis-Driven Artificial Intelligence in Oncology.” by Zilin Xianyu, et al. 2024.  Watching Sports  “The joy of sports: How watching sports can boost well-being.” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Watching sport enhances well-being: evidence from a multi-method approach.” by Keita Kinoshita, et al. 2024.   Blinking  “Why do we blink so much?” EurekAlert! 2024.  “Eye blinks as a visual processing stage.” by Bin Yang, et al. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about the traits most people value in romantic partners, a new link between a particular gut bacteria and cardiovascular health, and why dogs might make your kids healthier.   Romantic Traits   “Intelligence and kindness are the most valued traits in romantic partners, study finds.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.  “What Do Different People Look for in a Partner? Effects of Sex, Sexual Orientation, and Mating Strategies on Partner Preferences.” by Joao Francisco Goes Braga Takayanagi, et al. 2024.   Heart & Gut  “Scientists link certain gut bacteria to lower heart disease risk.” by Allessandra DiCorato. 2024.  “7 Crazy Facts About The Microbiome And Gut Bacteria.” by Ross Carver-Carter. N.d. “Gut microbiome and metabolome profiling in Framingham heart study reveals cholesterol-metabolizing bacteria.” by Chenhao Li, et al. 2024.  “Cholesterol Metabolism by Uncultured Human Gut Bacteria Influences Host Cholesterol Level.” by Douglas J. Kenny, et al. 2020.  “About the Framingham Heart Study.” n.a. N.d.   Canine Play  “The Serious Side of Kid And Canine Play.” UMass Amherst. 2024. “America’s Pandemic, Physical Inactivity.” PHIT America. 2023.  “Physical Activity: Children.” CDC. 2023.  “The KID Study (Kids Interacting With Dogs): Piloting a Novel Approach for Measuring Dog-Facilitated Youth Physical Activity.” by Colleen J. Chase, et al. 2024.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about how diversifying farms has a ton of upsides and virtually no downsides, the way we tend to predict how something will smell before we smell it, and a universally shared preference for simple rhythms in music.   Diversified Farming   “Major study reports that people and environment both benefit from diversified farming, while bottom lines also thrive.” University of Copenhagen. 2024.  “Joint environmental and social benefits from diversified agriculture.” by Laura Vang Rasmussen, et al. 2024.  “The Green Revolution: Norman Borlaug and the Race to Fight Global Hunger.” by Ray Offenheiser. 2020.   Sense of Smell   “The sense of smell is influenced by cues from other senses.” Stockholm University. 2024.  “Olfactory categorization is shaped by a transmodal cortical network for evaluating perceptual predictions.” by Stephen Pierzchajlo, et al. 2024.   Simple Rhythms  “Cross-cultural research reveals universal bias towards simple rhythmic ratios in music.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.  “Commonality and variation in mental representations of music revealed by a cross-cultural comparison of rhythm priors in 15 countries.” by Nori Jacoby, et al. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a tantalizing new discovery about dark energy that could change our understanding of the entire universe, how scientists are pulling electricity from raindrops, and the barcode memory tool inside a chickadee’s brain.   Dark Energy  “A Tantalizing ‘Hint’ That Astronomers Got Dark Energy All Wrong.” by Dennis Overbye. 2024.  “What Is Dark Energy? An Astrophysicist Explains.” Ars Technica. YouTube Video. 2023.  “What is Dark Energy? Inside our accelerating, expanding universe.” by Chelsea Gohd. 2024.  “DESI Data Documentation.” Database. 2023.  Electric Rain  “New green technology harvests energy from raindrops and humidity.” by Robert F. Service. 2024.  “The Amazing Drinking Bird.” by Brian Rohrig. 2024. “Rapid progress of key clean energy technologies shows the new energy economy is emerging faster than many think.” IEA.org. 2023.    Chickadees  “Chickadees use memory ‘bar codes’ to find their hidden food stashes.” by Jake Buehler. 2024.  “Barcoding of episodic memories in the hippocampus of a food-caching bird.” by Selmaan N. Chettih, et al. 2024.  “Birdist Rule #71: Figure Out What Kind Of Chickadees You’ve Got.” by Nicholas Lund. 2016.  “Somewhere in the brain is a storage device for memories.” by Laura Sanders. 2018.  “A manifold neural population code for space in hippocampal coactivity dynamics independent of place fields.” by Eliott Robert Joseph Levy, et al. 2023.  “Heterogeneous representations in the hippocampus.” by Kazumasa Z. Tanaka. 2021.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about some potential good news about whale populations, what decades-old cans of salmon can tell us about the health of the ocean, and how climate change is literally slowing down the world.   Recovered Whales   “Whale population recovers five years after hundreds washed up dead.” n.a. 2024.  “The gray whale die-off on West Coast is over, NOAA declares.” by Karen Garcia. 2024.  “Endangered Species Day Information.” Endangered Species Coalition. 2020.  Old Salmon Cans  “Decades-old Cans of Salmon Reveal Changes in Ocean Health.” by Rachel Nuwer. 2024.  “Opening a can of worms: Archived canned fish fillets reveal 40 years of change in parasite burden for four Alaskan salmon species.” by Natalie Mastick, et al. 2024.   Climate Change & Time  “Climate change is changing how we keep time.” by Carolyn Gramling. 2024.  “A global timekeeping problem postponed by global warming.” by Duncan Carr Agnew. 2024.  “50 years ago, timekeepers deployed the newly invented leap second.” by Cassie Martin. 2024.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about an AI-designed window film that could keep your house cool, the mysterious ways Mars causes deep-sea erosion on Earth, and how playing the didgeridoo could help treat sleep apnea.   Cooling Windows    “New window film drops temperature, slashes energy consumption.” by Paul McClure. 2024.  “Engineers use quantum computing to develop transparent window coating that blocks heat, saves energy.” University of Notre Dame. 2022.  “The Solar Spectrum.” Ossila.com. N.d.   Mars & Erosion  “Mars as a Driver of Deep-Sea Erosion.” by Grace van Deelen. 2024.  “Milankovitch (Orbital) Cycles and Their Role in Earth’s Climate.” NASA Science Editorial Team. 2020.  “Deep-sea hiatus record reveals orbital pacing by 2.4 Myr eccentricity grand cycles.” by Adriana Dutkiewicz, et al. 2024.   Didgeridoo Slumber  “Playing the Didgeridoo to Treat Sleep Apnea.” by Brandon Peters, MD. 2023.  “What Is Sleep Apnea?” by Brandon Peters, MD. 2023.  “Didgeridoo basics.” Hollow Log Digderidoos. N.d.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about an artificial reef that could save the shore from storms, how simply owning a pair of glasses can make you earn more income, and how air conditioners could help CSI detectives solve crimes.  Artificial Reef  “Artificial reef designed by MIT engineers could protect marine life, reduce storm damage.” by Jennifer Chu. 2024.  “Coastal Protection.” Coral Reef Alliance. 2024.  “Architected materials for artificial reefs to increase storm energy dissipation.” by Edvard Ronglan, et al. 2024.   Glasses & Income  “Having the right glasses could boost earning power by a third, Bangladesh study shows.” by Sarah Johnson. 2024.  “The effect on income of providing near vision correction to workers in Bangladesh: The THRIVE (Tradespeople and Hand-workers Rural Initiative for a Vision-enhanced Economy) randomized controlled trial.” by Farzana Sehrin, et al. 2024.  “Presbyopia.” Mayo Clinic. 2021. “The Global Burden of Potential Productivity Loss from Uncorrected Presbyopia.” by Kevin D. Frick, et al. 2015.   AC DNA  “Cold case: DNA in airconditioners to place suspects at the scene of a crime.” by Ben Coxworth. 2024.  “Up in the air: Presence and collection of DNA from air and air conditioner units.” by Mariya Goray, et al. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a revolutionary new system that can turn saltwater into drinking water with the help of the sun, how your brain chooses what memories to keep, and a super-Earth with a really dark side.   Solar Drinking Water  “Solar-powered technology converts saltwater into drinking water emission-free.” King’s College London. 2024.  “Flexible batch electrodialysis for low-cost solar-powered brackish water desalination.” by Wei He, et al. 2024.  “Valuing Water.” United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. 2021.  Forgetting Memories  “How the brain chooses which memories are important enough to save and which to let fade away.” by Linda Carroll. 2024.  “Relax! It’ll boost your memory, study shows.” by Kate Kelland. 2010.  “Normal and Abnormal Sharp Wave Ripples in the Hippocampal-Entohinal Cortex System: Implications for Memory Consolidation, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.” by Zhi-Hang Zhen, et al. 2021.   Super-Earth  “This super-Earth is the first planet confirmed to have a permanent dark side.” by Joseph Howlett. 2024.  “LHS 3844 b.” NASA Exoplanet Catalog. N.d.  “Tidal Locking.” NASA. 2024.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a massive discovery of new species from the depths of the ocean, why you shouldn’t buy your brand new driver their own car, and a possible breakthrough in microchip data collection from animals.   New Marine Species   “Scientists Discover 100 New Marine Species in New Zealand.” by Rebecca Carballo. 2024.  “Expedition to Uncover Secrets of New Zealand’s Unexplored Bounty Trough.” Ocean Census. 2024.  “Our Mission: Enhancing Ocean Life Discovery Worldwide.” Ocean Census. 2024.  “This metal marvel collects time capsules of life from the abyss.” Marine Biodiversity Hub. 2017.   Teen Drivers  “‘Don’t buy your kids a car’: young drivers with own cars in more crashes.” by Lachlan  Gilbert. 2024.  “Young drivers’ early access to their own car and crash risk into early adulthood: Findings from DRIVE study.” by Huei-Yang Chen, et al. 2024.  “Teen Drivers.” Injury Facts. 2024.  “Young Drivers.” NHTSA. 2022.  “Teen Driver Statistics.” Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute. 2024.   Animal Microchips  “Injectable Microchip Tracks Animal Health.” by Julianne Pepitone. 2024. “Microchips Result In Higher Rate Of Return Of Shelter Animals To Owners.” by Linda Lord. 2009.  “A Subcutaneously Injectable Implant for Multimodal Physiological Monitoring in Animals.” by Parvez Ahmmed, et al. 2024.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about the potential positive power of gossip, how climate change is making zooplankton in Lake Erie confused, and a surprising connection between new school buses and student performance in school.   Gossip  “Can’t Stand Gossip? Let’s Talk, New Research Suggests.” by Emily C. Nunez. 2024.  “Explaining the evolution of gossip.” by Xinyue Pan, et al. 2024.  “Who Gossips and How in Everyday Life?” by Megan L. Robbins, et al. 2019.   Zooplankton  “In Lake Erie, climate change scrambles zooplankton seasonal presence.” by Tatyana Woodall. 2024.  “Zooplankton Facts.” n.a. 2024.  “Biotic and thermal drivers alter zooplankton phenology in western Lake Erie.” by Jenna Bailey & James M. Hood. 2024.   School Bus Science  “Could riding older school buses hinder student performance?” University of Michigan. 2024.  “EPA Clean School Bus Rebate Program Offers $500 Million in Funding.” n.a. 2023.  “School Bus Rebate Program and Student Educational Performance Test Scores.” by Meredith Pedde, PhD, et al. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about the science of getting in the groove, a newly discovered burial ground for elite medieval horses, and more evidence that coffee could help you fight off cancer.   Grooving to Music  “Neural dynamics of predictive timing and motor engagement in music listening.” by Arnaud Zalta, et al. 2024.  “Two Concepts of Groove: Musical Nuances, Rhythm, and Genre.” by Evan Malone. 2022.  “An expanded role for the dorsal auditory pathway in sensorimotor control and integration.” by Josef P Rauschecker. 2011.   Horse Burial  “Tudor era horse cemetery in Westminster revealed as likely resting place of elite imported animals.” by Andrew Merrington. 2024.  “Horse cemetery in Westminster revealed as likely resting place for elite imported animals.” n.a. 2024.   Coffee & Cancer  “Coffee drinkers have much lower risk of bowel cancer recurrence, study finds.” by Denis Campbell. 2024.  “Sixty seconds on…Coffee and cancer.” by Nigel Hawkes. 2016.  “Coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer recurrence and all-cause mortality.” by Abisola M. Oyelere, et al. 2024.  “Colorectal Cancer: Facts & Figures 2020-2022.” American Cancer Society. 2020.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about the pros and mostly cons of using ChatGPT in the classroom, how wild animals responded to the sudden peace and quiet of Covid, and a new contact lens that can help heal eye wounds.   ChatGPT in School  “Is it harmful or helpful? Examining the causes and consequences of generative AI usage among university students.” by Muhammad Abbas, et al. 2024.  “Uses and Misuses of ChatGPT by Academic Community: An Overview and Guidelines.” by Muhammad Abbas. 2023.  Quiet Covid  “Hundreds of photos show animal behaviour during COVID-19 lockdowns.” by Andrew Kurjata. 2024.  “Mammal responses to global changes in human activity vary by trophic group and landscape.” by A. Cole Burton, et al. 2024.  “Scientists say new epoch marked by human impact - the Anthropocene - began in 1950s.” Associate Press. 2023.  “When COVID rules kept humans home, wildlife roamed more freely, international study shows.” by Wallis Snowdon. 2023.   Healing Contact Lens   “Fabrication and Characterization of an Enzyme-Triggered, Therapeutic-Releasing Hydrogel Bandage Contact Lens Material.” by Susmita Bose, et al. 2024.  “Corneal Injury.” NIH. 2023.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about why our brains are getting bigger and why that’s a good thing, how the sweet songs of the reef could help save it, and an AI device that gives a voice to the voiceless.   Bigger Brains   “Human brains are getting larger. That may be good news for dementia risk.” UC David Health. 2024.  “Trends in Intracranial and Cerebral Volumes of Framingham Heart Study Participants Born 1930 to 1970.” by Charles DeCarli, MD, et al. 2024.  “Framingham Heart Study.” Framingham Heart Study. N.d.  “Study examines factors behind decline in dementia incidence.” NIH. 2016.   Reef Songs  “Sounds appealing - reef recordings entice coral larvae to start building.” by Ben Coxworth. 2024.  “Life Below Water.” UN. n.d.  “Status of Coral Reefs.” Reef Resilience Network. N.d.  “Soundscape enrichment increases larval settlement rates for the brooding coral Porites astreoides.” by Nadege Aoki, et al. 2024.   AI Speech  “Speaking without vocal cords, thanks to a new AI-assisted wearable device.” by Christine Wei-li Lee. 2024.  “Speaking without vocal folds using a machine-learning-assisted wearable sensing-actuation system.” by Ziyuan Che, et al. 2024.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a nasal spray that could one day let those with sleep apnea toss out their CPAP machines, house paint that kills mosquitos, and the incredible giant redwoods… of England.   Sleep Spray   “A novel TASK channel antagonist nasal spray reduces sleep apnea severity in physiological responders: a randomized, blinded, trial.” by Amal M. Osman, et al. 2024.  “Obstructive Sleep Apnea.” by Rob Newsom & Dr. Abhinav Singh. 2024.   Insecticide Paint  “Insecticide paint controls mosquito population up to 1 year, experiment shows.” by Stephanie Soucheray, MA. 2024.  “Mosquito-Borne Human Viral Diseases: Why Aedes aegypti?” by Jeffrey R. Powell. 2018.  “Insecticide paints: a new community strategy for controlling dengue and zika mosquito vectors in Cabo Verde.” by Lara Ferrero Gomez, et al. 2024.  “Special insecticide paint may help curb zika and dengue fever outbreaks.” EurekAlert! 2024.   UK Redwoods  “Hidden giants: how the UK’s 500,000 redwoods put California in the shade.” by James Tapper. 2024.  “11 FActs About Coast Redwoods, the Tallest Trees in the World.” by Melissa Breyer. 2020.  “California: visitors to world’s tallest tree face $5,000 fine and possible jail time.” Associated Press. 2022.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about an effort to create palm oil without burning down millions of acres of forest, the surprising way polyglots’ brains approach their own native language, and new research on how the powerful psychedelic drug ayahuasca extinguishes fear.  Palm-Less Oil  “They Want to Make Palm Oil in a Lab. Without Palm Trees.” by Dionne Searcey. 2024.  “Things To Know About Palm Oil.” WWF. n.d.  Polyglot Brain  “For people who speak many languages, there’s something special about their native tongue.” by Anne Trafton. 2024.  “Functional characterization of the language network of polyglots and hyperpolyglots with precision fMRI.” by Saima Malik-Moraleda, et al. 2024.   Ayahuasca & Fear   “Ayahuasca accelerates fear extinction via its effect on serotonin receptors.” by Eric. W. Dolan. 2024.  “Ayahuasca-enhanced extinction of fear behaviour: Role of infralimbic cortex 5-HT2a and 5-HT1a receptors.” by Isabel Werle, et al. 2024.  “The Therapeutic Potentials of Ayahuasca: Possible Effects against Various Diseases of Civilization.” by Ede Frecska, et al. 2016.   Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Calli and Nate — for free! Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, you’ll learn about a new study shedding light on what species are most vulnerable to extinction from climate change, why species of living fossils take their time evolving, and a new theory about how the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs also impacted birds.   Extinction Risk   “New study reveals insight into which animals are most vulnerable to extinction due to climate change.” University of Oxford. 2024.  “What is mass extinction and are we facing a sixth one?” by Tammana Begum. 2021. Updated 2023.  “Mass extinctions, their causes and consequences: an interview with Douglas H. Erwin and Shuzhong Shen.” by Shucheng Xie. 2023.  “Species and climate change.” IUCN. 2021.  “Humanity’s Fitting Place on the List of Mass Extinction Events.” by Sam Baker. 2018.   Living Fossils  “Study of slowly evolving ‘living fossils’ reveals key genetic insights.” by Mike Cummings. 2024.  “A New Discovery Reveals Why Darwin’s ‘Living Fossil’ Keeps Defying Evolution.” by Tim Newcomb. 2024.  “Giraffe Evolution.” by Adam Atwood. 2024.   Asteroid vs Birds  “An Asteroid Wiped Out Dinosaurs. Did It Help Birds Flourish?” by Carl Zimmer. 2024.  “Dust Might Have Snuffed Out the Dinosaurs.” by Miriam Fauzia. 2023.  “How Did Birds First Take Off?” by Carl Zimmer. 2023.  “Genomes, fossils, and the concurrent rise of modern birds and flowering plants in the Late Cretaceous.” by Shaoyuan Wu, et al. 2024.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.