Curiosity Weekly - podcast cover

Curiosity Weekly

Discoverywww.discovery.com

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.  


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Episodes

Why You Need Self-Compassion for Self-Improvement

Learn about why adding cold cream to your coffee keeps it hotter longer, why social identity can make people distrust the scientific consensus, and why you need self-compassion for self-improvement. Why Adding Cold Cream to Your Coffee Keeps it Hotter Longer by Ashley Hamer The Physics of Coffee & Cream - Modernist Cuisine. (2012, December 12). Modernist Cuisine. https://modernistcuisine.com/mc/the-physics-of-coffee-cream/ https://en-gb.facebook.com/thenakedscientists. (2011). What loses hea...

Dec 07, 202013 min

Why It’s Relaxing to Breathe in Through Your Nose

Learn about why it’s relaxing to breathe in through your nose and the first woman who’s ever been struck by a meteor. We’ll also answer a listener question about why smacking electronics helps to make them work again. Why do relaxation exercises have you breathe in through your nose? Two words: nitric oxide by Grant Currin Hirschlag, A. (2020, July 14). Breathing Through Your Nose Is Healthier for You | Elemental. Medium; Elemental. https://elemental.medium.com/how-nasal-breathing-keeps-you-heal...

Dec 04, 202012 min

Why Animals Keep Evolving Into Crabs

Learn about why animals keep evolving into crabs in a principle called “carcinization,” whether water is actually wet, and if there’s any truth behind the old adage "feed a cold, starve a fever." Animals keep evolving into crabs by Grant Currin Delbert, C. (2020, October 19). Animals Keep Evolving Into Crabs, Which Is Somewhat Disturbing. Popular Mechanics; Popular Mechanics. https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a34389129/crab-evolution-carcinization/ Crustaceans. (2015). Mesa.Edu.Au. http:/...

Dec 03, 202012 min

The Smells That Existed Before Earth (w/ Harold McGee)

Learn about why your dog might be lying about its size and how physicists just achieved room-temperature superconductivity for the first time. But first, food science expert Harold McGee is back to talk about the smells that existed before Earth did. Additional resources from food science expert and author Harold McGee: Pick up "Nose Dive: A Field Guide to the World's Smells" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3kGFpxT Harold McGee's website: https://curiouscook.typepad.com/site/about-harold-mcgee.html H...

Dec 02, 202012 min

Scientists Finally Found a Dinosaur Cloaca

Learn about why we now know what a dinosaur's cloaca looks like. You’ll also learn why smells change with context from food science expert Harold McGee. We now know what a dinosaur's cloaca looks like by Grant Currin See the photo here: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2258023-dinosaur-fossil-with-preserved-genital-orifice-hints-how-they-mated/ Black, R. (2020, October 21). We Finally Know What a Dinosaur’s Butthole Looks Like. Slate Magazine; Slate. https://slate.com/technology/2020/10/dino...

Dec 01, 202013 min

The Stressful Psychology of a Ghosted Email

Learn about how a ghosted email causes different stress than a rude response does, the 15-year grudge match between rival dino hunters known as The Bone Wars, and crown shyness, the forest’s version of social distancing. Ignoring someone's email and drafting a rude response stress people out in similar but different ways by Kelsey Donk What new research reveals about rude workplace emails. (2020). ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200925113648.htm Yuan, Z., Park, Y., &a...

Nov 30, 202014 min

Is That Real Money or Fun Money? The Trap of Mental Accounting

Learn about how to avoid the too-familiar trap of mental accounting, the story of when a glitchy instrument led to evidence for the Big Bang, and the real science behind how to make cut flowers last longer. Is That Real Money Or Fun Money? The Familiar Trap Of Mental Accounting by Ashley Hamer Thaler, R. H. (1999). Mental accounting matters. Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 12(3), 183–206. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/(SICI)1099-0771(199909)12:3%3C183::AID-BDM318%3E3.0.C...

Nov 27, 202014 min

The More You Wish for Self-Control, the Less of It You Have

Learn about a nearly mile-long trackway of fossilized human footprints is the longest ever found, a trick to keep experiences feeling fresh and new, and the more you wish for self-control, the less of It you have. This nearly mile-long trackway of fossilized human footprints is the longest ever found by Steffie Drucker Wei-Haas, M.(2020, October 15). Incredible details of 10,000-year-old trek revealed in fossil footprints. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/10/i...

Nov 26, 202013 min

Do Turkeys Really Drown in Rainstorms?

Neil Shubin is back to talk about the viruses lurking in your DNA. You’ll also learn about whether it’s true that turkeys are so dumb that they drown in rainstorms, and why domineering people don't rise through the ranks any faster. Additional resources from biologist and author Neil Shubin: Pick up "Some Assembly Required: Decoding Four Billion Years of Life, from Ancient Fossils to DNA" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/36mmaF1 Neil Shubin's website: http://www.neilshubin.com/ Neil Shubin on Twitter:...

Nov 25, 202013 min

What People Get Wrong About Evolution (w/ Neil Shubin)

Learn about the “superhabitable” planets that may have conditions better for life than Earth. Then, biologist and best-selling author Neil Shubin will explain a common misconception about how animals evolve. Two dozen planets have been identified that may have conditions better for life than Earth by Grant Currin Some planets may be better for life than Earth. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-10/wsu-spm100220.php In Search for a Planet Better than Earth: Top Conte...

Nov 24, 202012 min

Venus Flytraps Store Short-Term “Memories”

Learn about how scientists discovered that Venus flytraps can store short-term “memories,” why you shouldn't use real-time updates when waiting for the bus, and how epigenetics can make your DNA change within your lifetime. Venus flytraps store short-term ‘memories’ in their hairs by Grant Currin Segarra, C. (2020, October 14). How Venus flytraps store short-term ‘memories’ of prey. Science News. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/how-venus-flytraps-store-short-term-memories-prey Suda, H., Mano...

Nov 23, 202013 min

Do Rocket Stages Ever Hit Ships? (w/ NASA’s Cody Chambers)

Learn about how saying no to kids makes them more resourceful and why humans aren’t the only animals capable of deception. We’ll also answer a listener question about whether rocket stages ever hit ships in the ocean, with a little help from Cody Chambers at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Saying no to kids makes them more resourceful by Anna Todd To Raise Better Kids, Say No (Published 2017). (2017, May 17). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/17/well/family/to-raise-better-kids-sa...

Nov 20, 202014 min

Why Is Life Based on Carbon and Not Silicon?

Learn about why life is based on carbon and not silicon, whether you should be using plastic or wood cutting boards, and how jealous feelings can help maintain friendships. Why is life based on carbon and not silicon? by Cameron Duke Cosmic Evolution - Future. (2020). Harvard.Edu. https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/~ejchaisson/cosmic_evolution/docs/fr_1/fr_1_future5.html Could silicon be the basis for alien life forms, just as carbon is on Earth? (1998, February 23). Scientific American. https://www.sc...

Nov 19, 202012 min

What to Do When You Make the Wrong Decision (w/ Annie Duke)

First, Annie Duke will explain what to do when you make the wrong decision. Then you’ll learn why we may want to think about recycling our poop, and about misophonia, a true hatred for certain sounds. Additional resources from decision strategist Annie Duke: Pick up "How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices" from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3kO1qvK Pick up "Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts" from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mDbmZE Annie Duke's web...

Nov 18, 202014 min

The Best Time to Make a Gut Decision (w/ Annie Duke)

Learn about why gynandromorphs are born half male and half female. Then, we’ll talk to poker champion turned decision strategist Annie Duke about when it’s best to go with your gut. Gynandromorphs are animals born half male and half female by Grant Currin Robson, D. (2015). These animals are male on one side and female on the other. Bbc.Com. http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150916-these-animals-are-male-on-one-side-and-female-on-the-other MacDonald, J. (2019, March 18). The Mysterious Gynandromo...

Nov 17, 202014 min

4 of the World's Weirdest Weather Phenomena

Learn about how babies' random choices become their preferences, why modern agriculture requires “migratory beekeeping” — basically, taking honeybees on road trips, and four of the world’s weirdest weather phenomena. Just like adults, babies' random choices become their preferences by Kelsey Donk Babies’ random choices become their preferences. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-10/jhu-brc100120.php Silver, A. M., Stahl, A. E., Loiotile, R., Smith-Flores, A. S., &am...

Nov 16, 202013 min

Why Are Spacesuits White?

Learn why spacesuits are white, and how to avoid drama by breaking the Karpman Drama Triangle. Then, test your podcast knowledge with this month’s Curiosity Challenge trivia game. Why are spacesuits white? By Cameron Duke Harry Jones. (2009, July 12). Spacesuit heat rejection loads on the moon and Mars, W. ResearchGate; ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Spacesuit-heat-rejection-loads-on-the-moon-and-Mars-W_tbl3_288944210 LUNAR RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER: Temperature Variation on the ...

Nov 13, 202013 min

Befriend Cats with the Slow Blink

Learn about how slow blinking at a cat can help you make friends with it, how temptation bundling can help you reinforce good habits, and why Moravec’s Paradox says the easy stuff is hardest for artificial intelligence. Slow blinking at a cat can help you make friends with it by Steffie Drucker Feline friendly? How to build rap-paw with your cat - new psychology study. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-10/uos-ffh100720.php Rigby, S., & Science, P. (2020, Octobe...

Nov 12, 202012 min

Why Bugs Are Basically Robots (w/ Alie Ward)

Learn about how AI could help predict which drugs won’t agree with women, and why Point Nemo is considered planet Earth’s spacecraft graveyard. But first, Ologies podcast host Alie Ward is back to tell us about her favorite ologie. Resources from Ologies host Alie Ward: Ologies Podcast: https://www.alieward.com/ologies Alie Ward's website: https://www.alieward.com/ Alie Ward on Twitter: https://twitter.com/alieward Alie Ward on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alieward/ AI could help predict...

Nov 11, 202013 min

Ask Smart People Stupid Questions (w/ Alie Ward)

Learn about why birds are the only surviving dinosaurs. Then, we’ll talk to Alie Ward of the Ologies podcast about why we should all ask smart people stupid questions. Why are birds the only surviving dinosaurs? By Grant Currin Hendry, L. (2018, June 15). Why are birds the only surviving dinosaurs? The Natural History Museum London. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/why-are-birds-the-only-surviving-dinosaurs.html Black, R. (2020, September 15). Why Birds Survived, and Dinosaurs Went Extinct, After ...

Nov 10, 202013 min

Why You Need a Virtual Commute

Learn about why remote workers need a "virtual commute," what happened when scientists tried growing prehistoric-sized insects, and how the solar system has not one, but two alignment planes. Separate work from home with a "virtual commute" by author Kelsey Donk MacLellan, L. (2020, October). Create boundaries when working from home with commute rituals. Quartz at Work; Quartz. https://qz.com/work/1909901/how-to-design-virtual-commute-rituals-that-energize-you/ Deighton, K. (2020, September 29)....

Nov 09, 202013 min

You Can Control Your Dreams with Science

Learn how fathers benefit from being involved with their newborn babies, what you can do to control your dreams with science, and why the asterisk is used for corrections. Being Involved with the Baby Early on Benefits a Father's Mental Health by Kelsey Donk Greater father involvement in infant parenting is beneficial for paternal mental health. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/f-gfi091720.php Bamishigbin, O. N., Wilson, D. K., Abshire, D. A., Mejia-Lancheros, ...

Nov 06, 202014 min

A Brain-Training Task to Reduce Motion Sickness

Learn about a simple brain-training task that may reduce motion sickness, what parasites found in medieval human remains can tell us about eradicating them today, and the two main reasons why everything takes longer than you think it will. A Simple Brain-Training Task May Reduce Motion Sickness by Kelsey Donk You can train your brain to reduce motion sickness. (2020). Warwick.Ac.Uk. https://warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/you_can_train Smyth, J., Jennings, P., Bennett, P., & Birrel...

Nov 05, 202011 min

5G Might Impair Weather Forecasts

Learn about how 5G may impair weather forecasts, and how the first confirmed exoplanet was discovered a lot more recently than you may realize. Plus, science writer John Tierney is back to explore how negativity bias affects our relationships. Curiosity Daily is a finalist in the 2020 Discover Pods Awards, and we need your vote to win! Please vote for Curiosity Daily for Best Technology & Science Podcast via the link below. It's free and only takes a minute. Thanks so much! https://awards.di...

Nov 04, 202014 min

How to Make the Most of Your Negativity Bias (w/ John Tierney)

Learn about two new neuroscience studies that show why birds are so dang smart. Then science writer John Tierney will talk negativity bias and how you can use it to your own benefit. Curiosity Daily is a finalist in the 2020 Discover Pods Awards, and we need your vote to win! Please vote for Curiosity Daily for Best Technology & Science Podcast via the link below. It's free and only takes a minute. Thanks so much! https://awards.discoverpods.com/vote/ Two new bird-brain studies show why bird...

Nov 03, 202013 min

Can a Selfie Screen You for Heart Disease?

Learn about whether it’s better to be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond, a mysterious, ancient city called Cahokia that’s, weirdly, just outside St. Louis, and how AI might be able to catch heart disease with a selfie. Is It Better to Be a Big Fish in a Small Pond or a Small Fish in a Big Pond? By Kelsey Donk Even When You’re A Member Of An Elite Group, It Can Be Demoralising To Rank Lower Than Your Peers. (2020, September 24). Research Digest; Research Digest. https://dig...

Nov 02, 202012 min

The Door to Hell Is a Fiery Pit That’s Been Burning Since 1971

Learn about a new theory for the uncanny valley effect and the Door to Hell, a giant fiery pit that’s been burning since 1971. We’ll also answer a listener question about how drug and alcohol tolerance works. Curiosity Daily is a finalist in the 2020 Discover Pods Awards, and we need your vote to win! Please vote for Curiosity Daily for Best Technology & Science Podcast via the link below. It's free and only takes a minute. Thanks so much! https://awards.discoverpods.com/vote/ There's a New ...

Oct 30, 202014 min

Baby Tortoises Love Faces, and That’s a Big Deal for Science

Learn how deliberate practice makes perfect, what the New England Vampire Panic is, and how baby tortoises are attracted to faces from birth. Curiosity Daily is a finalist in the 2020 Discover Pods Awards, and we need your vote to win! Please vote for Curiosity Daily for Best Technology & Science Podcast via the link below. It's free and only takes a minute. Thanks so much! https://awards.discoverpods.com/vote/ Practice Won't Make Perfect, But Deliberate Practice Might by Ashley Hamer Scott ...

Oct 29, 202012 min

Einstein Worried That Science Can't Explain "The Now"

Learn why Einstein worried that science can’t explain “the now,” how high-impact exercise is actually good for your bones, and why in Haiti, zombies are more than fiction. Curiosity Daily is a finalist in the 2020 Discover Pods Awards, and we need your vote to win! Please vote for Curiosity Daily for Best Technology & Science Podcast via the link below. It's free and only takes a minute. Thanks so much! https://awards.discoverpods.com/vote/ Einstein Worried That Science Can't Explain "The No...

Oct 28, 202013 min

How Hollywood Gets Seances Wrong

Learn about how bacteria in your gut can produce electricity. Then, performer and lecturer Thom Britton will tell us about the origins of seances and how Hollywood gets them wrong. Some Bacteria in Your Gut Produce Electricity by Cameron Duke Specktor, B. (2020, September 18). Scientists find “secret molecule” that allows bacteria to exhale electricity. Livescience.Com; Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/electron-breathing-geobacter-microbes.html Chabert, N., Amin Ali, O., & Achouak, ...

Oct 27, 202012 min
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