Today, you’ll learn about communicating with sleepers, a possible new miracle cure for skin injuries called super melanin, and the secret social lives of garter snakes. Dreamtalk “The study of dreams: Scientists uncover new communication channels with dreamers.” by Basak Turker & Delphine Oudiette. 2024 . “Behavioral and brain responses to verbal stimuli reveal transient periods of cognitive integration of the external world during sleep.” by Basak Turker, et al. 2023. “Lucid dreaming incide...
Feb 07, 2024•11 min
Today, you’ll learn about a bacterial discovery that challenges our understanding of how and when life formed on Earth, the importance difference between self control and willpower, and the truth about whether or not your dog really loves you. Origin of Life “Scientists Just Made a 1.75 Billion-Year-Old Discovery About the Origin of Life.” by Mirjam Guesgen. 2024. “The Great Oxygenation Event as a consequence of ecological dynamics modulated by planetary change.” by Jason Olejarz, et al. 2021. “...
Feb 02, 2024•14 min
Today, you’ll learn about a supervitamin you might already be taking some good news about the health of the world’s forests, and a new study that mapped ketamine’s effects on the brain. B12 “Vitamin B12 emerges as key player during cellular reprogramming.” by Alba Vilchez-Acosta. 2023 . “Vitamin B12: A key player in cellular reprogramming and tissue regeneration.” ScienceDaily. 2023 . Healthy Forests “Twenty-year study confirms California forests are healthier when burned - or thinned.” by Kara ...
Feb 01, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about how your ears are eavesdropping on your eyes, a bold new study on the anti-inflammatory effects of psychedelics, and an astonishing new discovery linking hoarding disorder with ADHD. Ears & Eyes “Your Eyes Talk to Your Ears. Scientists Know What They’re Saying.” by Dan Vahaba. 2023. “Research Discovery: Astonishing Connection Between Vision and Hearing.” by Doug Garfield. 2023 . “Parametric information about eye movements is sent to the ears.” by Stephanie N. Lovich...
Jan 31, 2024•11 min
Today, you’ll learn about a new ink that can 3D print inside your body using soundwaves, why saying no to invitations isn’t as bad as you might think, and some new drugs that could potentially make your dog live longer. 3D Ink “Soundwaves Harden 3D-Printed Treatments in Deep Tissues.” by Michaela Martinez. 2023. “Dental curing light.” Wikipedia. “Self-enhancing sono-inks enable deep-penetration acoustic volumetric printing.” by Xiao Kuang, et al. 2023. RSVP No “Just say no to that invitation.” n...
Jan 26, 2024•13 min
Today, you’ll learn about why you may want to consider letting yourself daydream, how a sense of humor might protect you from depression and anxiety, and the effects of caffeine on the performance of soccer players. Daydream Brain “What Happens in the Brain While Daydreaming?” by Catherine Caruso. 2023. “Is the role of sleep in memory consolidation overrated?” by Mohammad Dastgheib, et al. 2022 . “Cortical reactivations predict future sensory responses.” by Nghia D. Nguyen, et al. 2023. “Why Day...
Jan 25, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about the 139 genes that set the human mind apart from our primate cousins, a new gel that could change the game for those suffering from dry mouth, and why psychopaths could be immune from the contagious yawn. Human Genes “139 Genes Set Human Cognitive Ability Apart From Other Primates.” by Sarah Whelan, PhD. 2023. “Comparative single-cell transcriptomic analysis of primate brains highlights human-specific regulatory evolution.” by Hamsini Suresh, et al. 2023. “Middle Tempor...
Jan 24, 2024•10 min
Today, you’ll learn about how the bilingual brain might be better at multitasking, good news for women who are at risk for morning sickness, and the strangely complex science behind cat purring. Bilingual Brain “The bilingual brain may be better at ignoring irrelevant information.” EurekAlert!. 2023. “Bilingual attentional control: Evidence from the Partial Repetition Cost paradigm.” by Grace deMeurisse & Edith Kaan. 2023. Morning Sickness “Cause of Morning Sickness and a Potential Treatment...
Jan 19, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about how babies pick up language before they’re even born, an AI that takes on the busy work for doctors, and new insight into how humans collaborate. Baby Language “Babies’ Brains Are Primed For Their Native Language Before Birth.” by Nyla Husain. 2023. “Prenatal experience with language shapes the brain.” by Benedetta Mariani. 2023. “The What and When of Universal Perception: A Review of Early Speech Sound Acquisition.” by Katerina Chladkova & Nikola Paillereau. 2020. ...
Jan 18, 2024•11 min
Today, you’ll learn about a new brain interface that allows people to play games with their minds, how bad luck might make you less committed to achieving greatness, and some alarming news about how the way humans use salt is not just bad for our bodies, but the planet as well. Brain Game “New brain-computer interface allows people to play a game using their thoughts.” by Vladimir Hedrih. 2023. “Combining brain-computer interfaces and multiplayer video games: an application based on c-VEPs.” by ...
Jan 17, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about the brain’s ability - or inability - to rewire itself, the imagination of rats, and how dogs can have a positive effect on those suffering from PTSD. Brain Rewiring “Our brains are not able to ‘rewire’ themselves, despite what most scientists believe, new study argues.” University of Cambridge. 2023. “Against cortical reorganisation.” by Tamar R. Makin & John W. Krakauer. 2023. Rat Imagination “Rats have an imagination, new research finds.” EurekAlert! 2023. “Voliti...
Jan 12, 2024•13 min
Today, you’ll learn about a microchip-sized laboratory, how childhood traumas can lead to a lifetime of headaches, and strange blobs in the Earth’s mantle. Lab on a Chip “‘Lab on a chip’ genetic test device can identify viruses within three minutes with highest accuracy.” University of Bath. 2023. “LoCKAmp: lab-on-PCB technology for <3 minute virus genetic detection.” by Sotirios Papamatthaiou, et al. 2023. “What’s the difference between a PCR and antigen COVID-19 test?” by Nate Hafer, PhD. 2...
Jan 11, 2024•10 min
Today, you’ll learn about a new blood test that could revolutionize bipolar diagnoses, how music could help knock out pain, and how a changing climate is changing puffins. Bipolar Blood Test “Simple blood test can help diagnose bipolar disorder.” University of Cambridge. 2023. “Bipolar Disorder.” NIH. n..d. “Diagnosis and management of bipolar disorders.” by Fernando S. Goes. 2023. Music & Pain “Emotional responses to favorite and relaxing music predict music-induced hypoalgesia.” by Darius ...
Jan 10, 2024•11 min
Today, you’ll learn about an ancient diagnostic tool getting an AI upgrade, the world’s slipperiest surface, and some insight into the minds of everyone who loves this show! Healthy Tongue “Eyes may be the window to your soul, but the tongue mirrors your health.” University of South Australia. 2023. “Ancient tongue diagnosis for the 21st century dental hygienist.” by Kathryn Gilliam. 2023. “Analysis of Tongue Color-Associated Features among Patients with PCR-Confirmed COVID-19 Infection in Ukrai...
Jan 05, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about how people who have lost the power of speech could get their voices back through AI, the cool truth about the weighted blanket fad, and an 8-billion-year-old blast from outer space. Speech Reconstruction “Neural Networks Help Reconstruct Speech From Brain Activity.” Technology Networks. 2023. “How Intel Gave Stephen Hawking a Voice.” by Joao Medeiros. 2015. “Distributed feedforward and feedback cortical processing supports human speech production.” by Ran Wang, et al. 2...
Jan 04, 2024•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about the hunt for the elusive sixth taste, a new discovery showing how HIV keeps fighting the immune system even with effective treatment, and the altruism of bees. Sixth Taste “And then there were 6 - kinds of taste, that is.” by Darrin S. Joy. 2023. “How does our sense of taste work?” NIH. 2020. “Researchers Say Ammonium Is the Sixth Basic Taste: Here’s What to Know.” by Julia Ries. 2023. HIV Immunity Battle “‘Dormant’ HIV has ongoing skirmishes with the body’s immune syst...
Jan 03, 2024•13 min
Today you’ll learn about how scientists are using a drug meant for arthritis to mimic blood transfusions, how cinnamon could potentially be improving our brain’s health, and how a new filter is capable of removing 99% of microplastics from water. Young Blood “Arthritis drug mimics "young blood" transfusions to reverse aging in mice” By Michael Irving “Stromal niche inflammation mediated by IL-1 signalling is a targetable driver of haematopoietic ageing” by Carl A. Mitchell et al. “Will revitaliz...
Dec 29, 2023•17 min
Today you’ll learn about a zombie virus recovered from the arctic permafrost and brought back to life, some good news about 26 Australian animal species that have been brought back from the brink, and how a new pill could potentially limit the levels of “bad” cholesterol in the body. Zombie Virus “Scientists have revived a ‘zombie’ virus that spent 48,500 years frozen in permafrost.” By Katie Hunt. 2023. “Arctic permafrost is thawing rapidly. It affects us all.” By Katie Hunt. 2022. Back From th...
Dec 28, 2023•15 min
Today you’ll learn about how ancient Roman concrete can heal itself, the recent discovery of a virovore, and how a new study looks into whether or not we can control feelings of guilt through the placebo effect. Roman Concrete Magic “Scientists may have found magic ingredient behind ancient Rome’s self-healing concrete” by Jacklin Kwan “Why modern mortar crumbles, but Roman concrete lasts millennia” by ZAHRA AHMAD Virovore “First "virovore" discovered: An organism that eats viruses” By Michael I...
Dec 27, 2023•18 min
Today you’ll learn about how scientists are using AI to talk to animals, the discovery of new, very big, very old candidate galaxies, and how there just may be an extra layer in the earth’s inner core. AI Animal Translator “How Scientists Are Using AI to Talk to Animals” by Sophie Bushwick “Bat Chatter Is More Than a Cry in the Dark” By Christopher Intagliata “In Honeybee Dance, Direction Is Key” By Kate Wong Big Old Galaxies “Webb telescope spots super old, massive galaxies that shouldn’t exist...
Dec 22, 2023•18 min
Today we discuss the psychological effects of listening to podcasts, how climate change actually makes us more likely to engage in hate speech, and how giving plants alcohol in the form of ethanol can make them resistant to drought. Podcast Friends “Listening to podcasts may help satisfy our psychological need for social connection, study finds” by Beth Ellwood “Why people listen: Motivations and outcomes of podcast listening” by Stephanie J. Tobin Drunk Plants “Getting Plants ‘Drunk’ Insulates ...
Dec 21, 2023•16 min
Today we discuss how nicknames for young boys can help them socialize better, how archaeologists in Poland have unearthed the grave of a woman people feared might return from the dead, and a new study that disproves Freud’s theory that more successful people are unhealthier than less successful people. Boyhood Nickname “Why You Should Ask Men About Their Boyhood Nicknames” By Jett Stone “Why Men Need to Prioritize, and Celebrate, Their Friendships” by Jett Stone Vampire Grave “Archaeologists une...
Dec 20, 2023•18 min
Today, you’ll learn about how your next scrape might be healed using algae, what ancient Mayans can teach us about water conservation, and the skincare routines… of humpback whales Healing Algae “Plasma tech transforms blue-green algae into wound-healing wonder.” by Paul McClure. 2023. “Health Benefits of Blue-Green Algae: Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.” by Chai Siah Ku, et al. 2013. “Transforming Spirulina maxima Biomass into Ultrathin Bioactive Coati...
Dec 15, 2023•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about how our sense of smell can change how we see colors, the pickiness of bees, and research that shows how listening to this show will increase your sense of well-being. Smells and Colors “Our sense of smell changes the colors we see, show scientists.” by Mischa Dijkstra. 2023. “Let’s obliterate the myth that humans have a bad sense of smell.” by Brian Resnick. 2017. “Odors modulate color appearance.” by Ryan J. Ward, et al. 2023. Bee Preferences “Honeybees are more select...
Dec 14, 2023•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about a breakthrough in transplanting organs from one species to another, a study on the lightning-quick perception of soccer goalies, and the importance of clean snow in the battle against climate change. Monkey Pig Kidney Transplant “Monkey survives for two years after gene-edited pig-kidney transplant.” by Max Kozlov. 2023. “Monkey survives for two years with pig kidney in ‘extraordinary milestone’.” by Ian Sample & Anna Bawden. 2023. “Organ Donation Statistics.” HRSA....
Dec 13, 2023•11 min
Today, you’ll learn about some really counterintuitive findings on OCD and decision making, how albatross might fly on a wave of sound, and a new understanding of the relationship between ice… and fungus. OCD Decisions “Brain imaging study reveals peculiarities in uncertainty processing in obsessive-compulsive disorder.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2023. “Evidence Accumulation and Neural Correlates of Uncertainty in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.” by Yi-Jie Zhao, et al. 2023. Albatross Sound Waves “Albatr...
Dec 08, 2023•13 min
Today, you’ll learn about an incredible bionic hand, how scientists are watching what we eat… from space, and a new study that looks into how humans feel about AI judging them. Bionic Hand “Groundbreaking achievement as bionic hand merges with user’s nervous and skeletal systems, remaining functional after years of daily use.” by Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna. 2023. “Phantom Limb Pain.” by Aaron A. Hanyu-Deutmeyer, et al. 2023. “Artificial limbs.” by Linda J Marks & John W Michael. 2001. Satell...
Dec 07, 2023•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about a brainy new study on chronic pain, how female frogs play dead to avoid having to deal with male frogs, and a possible breakthrough on avian flu that involves editing chickens. Brain & Chronic Pain “New study provides evidence for more effective brain-based treatment of chronic back pain.” ScienceDaily. 2023. “New Study Provides Evidence for More Effective Brain-Based Treatment of Chronic Back Pain.” by Julia Milzer. 2023. “Retraining the brain to treat chronic pain...
Dec 06, 2023•11 min
Today, you’ll learn about a possible breakthrough in the fight against Strep A, a new theory on the demise of dinos, and how pied tamarins communicate in a noisy city. Nasal Vaccine “Vaccine via the nasal passage could be the new line of defence against Strep A.” SceinceDaily. 2023. “Vaccine via the nasal passage could be the new line of defence against Strep A.” Griffith University. 2023. Dino Killer Volcano “New computer analysis hints volcanism killed the dinosaurs, not an asteroid.” by Carol...
Dec 01, 2023•12 min
Today, you’ll learn about new genetic clues to male hair loss, some helpful news about the future of renewable energy, and some sweet and juicy new research on the origins of citrus. Hair Loss Clues “New findings on hair loss in men.” ScienceDaily. 2023. “Male Pattern Baldness.” reviewed by Dany Paul Baby, MD. 2023. “Male Androgenetic Alopecia.” by Leila Asfour, et al. 2023. Renewable Energy Transition “Plummeting prices for solar power and storage make global climate transition cheaper than exp...
Nov 30, 2023•12 min
