Welcome to Curiosity Weekly from Discovery, hosted by Dr. Samantha Yammine. Once a week, we’ll bring you the latest and greatest in scientific discoveries and break down the details so that you don’t need a PhD to understand it. From neuroscience to climate tech to AI and genetics, no subject is off-limits. Join Sam as she interviews expert guests and investigates the research guiding some of the most exciting scientific breakthroughs affecting our world today.
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Today, you’ll learn about new ways to kill antibiotic resistant bacteria, the discovery of the most powerful pulsar we’ve ever seen, and the truth about hippo poop. Stopping Superbugs “Dangerous ‘superbugs’ are a growing threat, and antibiotics can’t stop their rise. What can?” by Nicoletta Lanese. 2023. “Retrospective, observational analysis of the first one hundred consecutive cases of personalized bacteriophage therapy of difficult-to-treat infections facilitated by a Belgian consortium.” by ...
Today, you’ll learn about a possible genetic link to vegetarianism, the discovery of a very important ancient woman, and the truth about homework. Genetic Vegetarianism “Going vegetarian? The dietary choice may be influenced by your genes.” by Emily Cooke. 2023. “Genetics of vegetarianism: A genome-wide association study.” by Nabeel R. Yaseen, et al. 2023. “Large-scale GWAS of food liking reveals genetic determinants and genetic correlations with distinct neurophysiological traits.” by Sebastian...
Today, you’ll learn about a new technique that can print stem cells, how elephants can solve puzzles, and if delulu is really the solulu. 3D Print Stem Cells “Scientists develop 3D printing method that shows promise for repairing brain injuries.” Science News. 2023. “Oxford researchers develop 3D printing method that shows promise for repairing brain injuries.” University of Oxford. 2023. Puzzling Elephants “Wild Asian elephants display unique puzzle solving skills.” ScienceDaily. 2023. “How int...
Today, you’ll learn about the psychological toll of steroid use, a very slow moving penguin-iceberg collision, and why we sometimes get dizzy when we stand up. Steroid Psychopath “Male weightlifters who use steroids are more prone to psychopathology than those who do not.” by Vladimir Hedrih. 2023. “Clustering psychopathology in male anabolic-androgenic steroid users and nonusing weightlifters.” by Marie Lindvik Jorstad, et al. 2023. “Anabolic Steroids.” Cleveland Clinic. 2023. Iceberg Crash “45...
Today, you’ll learn about how hypnotherapy could be a tool to fight pain after surgery, a discovery that could lead to less mosquito-borne diseases, and how you might have worms to thank for your fall feast. Hypno Pain Killer “The Role of Hypnotherapy in Postoperative Cardiac Surgical Patients, A Scoping Review of Current Literature.” by Basil Ahmad, et al. 2023. “Hypnosis.” Cleveland Clinic. 2022. “Direct comparisons between hypnosis and meditation: A mini-review.” by Gabriele Penazzi & Nic...
Today, you’ll learn about how happiness fluctuates with age, a study that suggests compassion fatigue might be a self-fulfilling prophecy, and a possible new revolution in arthritis treatment. Happiest Age “At which age are we at our happiest.” Ruhr Universitat. 2023. “The development of subjective well-being across the life span: A meta-analytic review of longitudinal studies.” by Susanne Buecker, et al. 2023. Compassion Fatigue “Compassion Fatigue as a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Believe Compass...
Today, you’ll learn about the possible return of the Tasmanian tiger, the future of hurricanes, and how one animal shelter made a stunning discovery. Tasmanian Tigers “For the first time, researchers decoded the RNA of an extinct animal.” by Katherine Kornei. 2023. “Facts About Tasmanian Tigers.” by Alina Bradford. 2017. “Genome of the Tasmanian tiger provides insights into the evolution and demography of an extinct marsupial carnivore.” by Charles Y. Feigin, et al. 2017. “Historical RNA express...
Today, you’ll learn about the brain mechanisms behind mechanisms behind post traumatic stress disorder, new insights into the effects of dopamine, and where love exists in our bodies. PTSD in the Brain “Posttraumatic brain activity predicts resilience to PTSD.” EurekAlert! 2023. “Greater Early Post-Traumatic Activation in Right Inferior Frontal Gyrus Predicts Recovery From Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms.” by Jony Sheynin, et al. 2023. Dopamine Decisions “Dopamine regulates decision thres...
Today, you’ll learn about how new moms see faces in inanimate objects, why some people think cilantro tastes like soap, and the problem solving prowess of vocal birds. New Mom Pareidolia “New mothers more likely to experience pareidolia, when your brain thinks it sees faces in inanimate objects.” by Emily Cooke. 2023. “What is pareidolia?” by Tia Ghose. 2023. “Oxytocin: Facts about the ‘cuddle hormone’.” by Stephanie Pappas & Ailsa Harvey. 2022. “Why new mothers are more likely to see faces ...
Today, you’ll learn about a new tech that will turn buildings into chameleons, a mathematical mystery lurking in our cells, and how to spot gravitational waves. Chameleon Buildings “‘Warm in Winter and Cool in Summer’: Scalable Biochameleon Inspired Temperature-Adaptive Coating with Easy Preparation and Construction.” by Yan Dong, et al. 2023. “Chameleon-Inspired coating could cool and warm buildings through the seasons.” EurekAlert! 2023. “Namaqua Chameleon.” Animalia. N.D. “Buildings.” IEA.Org...
Discover groundbreaking advancements in this episode, including a novel low-energy method for desalinating saltwater, offering hope for drought-stricken regions. Learn about a controversial Cambridge study that challenges conventional wisdom, suggesting that actively suppressing negative thoughts can significantly improve mental well-being. Additionally, uncover the archaeological marvel of a 500,000-year-old wooden structure, revealing early human ingenuity and resourcefulness.
Today, you’ll learn about a teensy tiny cure for zits, superpower spider webs, and how scientists have begun having conversations with plants. Nano Zit Zapper “Tiny nanocarriers could prove the magic bullet for acne sufferers.” by UNISA. 2023. “Why is acne *so* hard to get rid of? Dermatologists explain.” by Maddy Sims. 2023. “Nanotechnology and narasin: a powerful combination against acne.” by Fatima Abid, et al. 2023. Super Strong Silk “High-Strength and ultra-tough whole spider silk fibers sp...
Today, you’ll learn about how swabbing leaves could save biodiversity, the science of saltwater taffy, and how some of our memories are surprisingly accurate. Leaf Swab Tell All “A new DNA leaf swab technique could revolutionize how we monitor biodiversity.” by Darren Incorvaia. 2023. “Kibale: The primate capital of the world.” n.a. N.d. “Detecting a vast diversity of rainforest animals by swabbing their DNA from leaves.” ScienceDaily. 2023. “A ‘Crossroads’ for Humanity: Earth’s Biodiversity Is ...
Today, you’ll learn about the sounds that make some people want to run for the hills, how our sense of self determines what we find beautiful, and an ancient naval cannon with some secrets of its own. Misophonia “A symptom network model of misophonia: From heightened sensory sensitivity to clinical comorbidity.” by Nora Andermane, et al. 2023. “Misophonia: When sounds really do make you ‘crazy’.” by James Cartreine, PhD. 2019. Self-Relevant Artwork “In the ‘I’ of the beholder: People believe sel...
Today, you’ll learn about how a tool we use to keep clean might need a little cleaning of its own, the wild intelligence of wild crows, and the case of the missing black holes. Dirty Toothbrush “An updated systematic review on toothbrush contamination: An overlooked oral health concern among general population.” by Shahrukh Ali Khan, et al. 2023. “Can Your Toothbrush Make You Sick?” n.a. 2019. “Toothbrush Terror! Can Your Toothbrush Make You Sick?” by Stephanie Watson. N.d. Smart Crows “For the ...
Today, you’ll learn about a study of near death experiences, how breast milk biopsies could lead the way to early cancer detection, and why employers hire the wrong people. Death Experiences “Patients Recall Death Experiences After Cardiac Arrest.” NYU Langone Health. 2023. “Some Patients Who ‘Died’ but Survived Report Lucid ‘Near-Death Experiences,’ a New Study Shows.” by Rachel Nuwer. 2023. “Surges of electroencephalogram activity at the time of death: a case series.” by Lakhmir S Chawla, et a...
Today, you’ll learn about why our memories are so bad, the amazing logical reasoning of toddlers, and why mathematicians want to have their cake and slice it, too. False Memory False Memories For Ending of Events.” by Petar P. Raykov. 2023. “Factors Affecting the Accuracy of Eyewitness Identification.” by Sheena M. Lorenza. 2023 . Logic in Toddlers “Toddlers learn to reason logically before they learn to speak, according to a study by UPF.” n.a. 2023. “The scope and role of deduction in infant c...
Today, you’ll learn about a tiny device that could have a huge impact on brain cancer, some news about keto and fertility, and the truth about the old saying opposites attract . Microbot Tumor Killer “Microdevices implanted into tumors offer new way to treat brain cancer.” EurekAlert! 2023. “Gliomas.” by Fassil B. Mesfin & Mohammed A. Al-Dhahir. 2023. “Treatment of Adult Gliomas: A Current Update.” by Joo Ho Lee & Chan Woo Wee. 2022. Keto & PCOS “Women with PCOS on keto diet may see ...
Today, you’ll learn about a breakthrough in embryo modeling, a breathing ball that could take the edge off anxiety, and the fall of a dynasty. Embryo Model “Scientists grow whole model of human embryo, without sperm or egg.” by James Gallagher. 2023. “Dynamic stem cell states: naive to primed pluripotency in rodents and humans.” by Leehee Weinberger, et al. 2016. “Complete human day 14 post-implantation embryo models from naive ES cells.” by Bernardo Oldak, et al. 2023. “Synthetic human embryo r...
Today, you’ll find yet another reason to avoid sugary sodas, why we might pee more in the winter, and the plight of the penguins. Sugary Drinks Depression “Large study links sugary carbonated drinks to increased risk of depression.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2023. “Sugary Drinks.” Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. 2023. Peeing In Cold Weather “Why do I need to pee more in the cold?” by Christian Moro & Charlotte Phelps. 2022. “Reliability of 24-h void frequency as an index of hydration stat...
Today, you’ll hear the truth about the chromosome that determines the male sex, new secrets from an old iceman, and an exoplanet denser than steel. Y Chromosome Puzzle “The Y Chromosome’s genetic puzzle is finally complete.” by Tina Hesman Saey. 2023. “Chromosomal Sex Determination in Mammals.” National Library of Medicine. N.d. “Chromosomes Fact Sheet.” National Human Genome Research Institute. 2020. “The new human pangenome could help unveil the biology of everyone.” by Tina Hesman Saey. Icema...
Today, you’ll learn about the colors of climate change, the benefits of exercising with your pals, and the science behind the highs and lows of online dating. Climate Change Color “Nature’s changing colors makes climate change visible.” by Sujata Gupta. 2023. “The Science of Fall Foliage and Climate Change: UVM Expert.” by Ellie Scott and BAsil Waugh. 2022. “The colour of seawater: colour perception and environmental change in Dominican seascapes.” by Kyrstin Mallon Andrews. 2023. “Climate chang...
Today, you’ll learn about a successful moon landing that could launch another space race, an answer to the age-old debate about whether you should marry for love or money, and a 250 million year old human-sized armored sea lizard. Indian Moon Landing “India’s successful moon landing follows recent failures by other countries.” by Katherine Kornei. 2023. “How many countries have been to the moon.” Starlust. 2023. “NASA’s Artemis program: Everything you need to know.” by Adam Mann & Ailsa Harv...
Today, you’ll learn the truth about farts and pink eye, about studies showing the seven year itch might just be a thing, and about an ancient dance floor you could play like a drum. Pink Eye Cause “Can You Get Pink Eye If Someone Farts on Your Pillow?” by Scott Frothingham. 2019. “The ultimate guide to pink eye.” by Amir Monzavi, OD. 2020. Seven Year Itch “Does Infidelity Peak in the Seventh Year of Marriage?” by Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. 2023. “Sex.” Psychology Today. N.D. “Marriage.” Psycholog...
Today, you’ll learn about how barnacles could lead researchers to the site of a lost plane crash, a record breaking polar bear party up north, and a new dinosaur discovery that could shed light on the era of their demise. MH370 Barnacles “Barnacles may help reveal location of lost Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.” ScienceDaily. 2023. “Flight 370 ‘will be found’ near ‘7th arc’.” by Jeff Pegues & Tucker Reals. 2014. “What are barnacles?” NOAA. 2023. Polar Bear Town “‘Polar bear capital of the w...
Today, you’ll learn about urban greening, a new sci-fi like crystal that’ll make things move without electricity, and Darwin’s Paradox. Urban Greening “Large positive ecological changes of small urban greening actions.” by Luis Mata, et al. 2023. “Small urban greening projects can dramatically increase the number of insect species in cities.” Science Daily. 2023. “The collapse of insects.” by Julia Janicki, Gloria Dickie, Simon Scarr, & Jitesh Chowdhury. 2022. Power Crystals “Researchers Dev...
Today, you’ll learn about a new twist with carbon and plants, some good news for all you walkers out there, and a new study on kids and self-esteem. Carbon & Plants “For Decades, Our Carbon Emissions Sped the Growth of Plants - Not Anymore.” YaleEnvironment360. 2023. “CO2 is making Earth greener - for now.” by Samson Reiny. 2016. “Climate Change: Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide.” by Rebecca Lindsey. 2023. “Global water use efficiency saturation due to increased vapor pressure deficit.” by Fei Li,...
Today, you’ll learn about a breakthrough in decoding brain activity using Pink Floyd, an anatomy class that would be a hit at Gotham University, and an everyday germ-blowing machine. Pink Floyd Brain Activity “Neuroscientists Re-create Pink Floyd Song from Listeners’ Brain Activity.” by Lucy Tu. 2023. “Music can be reconstructed from human auditory cortext activity using nonlinear decoding models.” by Ludovic Bellier, et al. 2023. Superhero Science “Dissecting the anatomy of a ‘superheroic’ scie...
Today, you’ll learn about hidden consciousness in comatose patients, the eerie secret glowing language of frogs, and the mysterious blinking of race car drivers. Comatose Consciousness “Source of Hidden Consciousness in ‘Comatose’ Brain Injury Patients Found.” Columbia University. 2023. “Injury patterns associated with cognitive motor dissociation.” by Eva Franzova, et al. 2023. Glowing Frogs “Many frogs glow in blue light, and it may be a secret, eerie language.” by Jake Buehler. 2023. “Evidenc...
Today, you’ll learn about turning dirty fog into clean drinking water, how hookworms might help stave off diabetes, and a surprising link between memory and paranoia. Dirty Fog to Clean Water “Collecting clean water from fog.” by Fabio Bergamin. 2023. “Scientists are harvesting water by building fog harps and zapping the air.” by Angela Chen. 2018. Hookworms “Hookworms successfully prevent type 2 diabetes in human trial.” by Bronwyn Thompson. 2023. “Metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetic patients...
