Learn how mushrooms are more like humans than plants; why your tongue isn’t a muscle; and ferret-training robot badgers. Mushrooms are more like humans than plants by Grant Currin More from this author. (2016, January 12). How Are Mushrooms More Similar to Humans than Plants?» Science ABC. Science ABC. https://www.scienceabc.com/nature/how-are-mushrooms-more-similar-to-humans-than-plants.html Inglis-Arkell, E. (2012, September 7). Why are mushrooms more like humans than they are like plants? io9...
May 21, 2021•12 min
Learn about emotions in online reviews; how flowers smell in space; and how water efficiency affected human evolution. Emotions matter more than ratings when it comes to online reviews by Kelsey Donk “Emotional” reviews predict business success, new study shows. (2021). Northwestern.edu. https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2021/04/emotional-reviews-predict-business-success-new-study-shows Rocklage, M. D., Rucker, D. D., & Nordgren, L. F. (2021). Mass-scale emotionality reveals human behavi...
May 20, 2021•14 min
Learn about the “birthday paradox.” Then, George Craford — one of the pioneers of LED lighting — talks LED innovation. The Birthday Paradox by Cameron Duke Science Buddies. (2012, March 29). Probability and the Birthday Paradox. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-probability-birthday-paradox/ TED-Ed. (2017). Check your intuition: The birthday problem - David Knuffke [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtT_cgMzHx8 Understand...
May 19, 2021•14 min
Learn about imaginary beams of motion coming from people’s eyes; where lost luggage ends up; and octopus sleep cycles. Following someone's gaze may involve imagining a beam of motion from their eyes by Grant Currin Our Brains “See” Beams Of Motion Emanating From People’s Faces Towards The Object Of Their Attention. (2021, February 25). Research Digest; Research Digest. https://digest.bps.org.uk/2021/02/25/our-brains-see-beams-of-motion-emanating-from-peoples-faces-towards-the-object-of-their-att...
May 18, 2021•12 min
Learn about introverts’ and extroverts’ pandemic response; astronaut farts; and why violet and purple are different. Introverts fared better than extroverts during the pandemic by Kelsey Donk Benz, M. (2021). COVID-19 and College Students: Introverts Coped Better than Extroverts During Shutdown. Medicalresearch.com. https://medicalresearch.com/mental-health-research/covid-19-and-college-students-introverts-coped-better-than-extroverts-during-shutdown/57012/ Extroverts and introverts showed diffe...
May 17, 2021•13 min
Learn why learning too much can make you less passionate and how AI is resurrecting ancient board games. Plus: trivia! Learning too much about your passion may make you less passionate about it by Kelsey Donk Lange, A. (2021, March 28). Your passionate hobby might make you less passionate, study finds. The Academic Times. https://academictimes.com/your-passionate-hobby-might-make-you-less-passionate-study-finds/ Rocklage, M. D., Rucker, D. D., & Nordgren, L. F. (2021). Emotionally Numb: Expe...
May 14, 2021•14 min
Learn about Mauna Kea and how the pursuit of knowledge can be harmful. Plus: the smallest measurement of gravity ever. Additional resources from Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein: Pick up "The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, & Dreams Deferred" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/32JjzDu Website: http://www.cprescodweinstein.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/IBJIYONGI Learn more about Mauna Kea: Pu’uhuluhulu, P. o. (2020). Pu’uhonua o Pu’uhuluhulu. https://www.puuhuluhulu.com/ TMT...
May 13, 2021•13 min
Learn about the benefits of Googling symptoms; truly random number generation; and why science is about storytelling. Googling symptoms makes patients better at self-diagnosis by Steffie Drucker A visit to “Dr. Google” makes patients better at diagnosis. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/bawh-avt032621.php Levine, D. M., & Mehrotra, A. (2021). Assessment of Diagnosis and Triage in Validated Case Vignettes Among Nonphysicians Before and After Internet Search....
May 12, 2021•13 min
Learn about how lightning strikes led to life on Earth; the self-control of cuttlefish; and your roommate’s feelings. Lightning strikes were vital to the origin of life on Earth by Grant Currin Lightning strikes played a vital role in life’s origins on Earth. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/uol-lsp031621.php Hess, B. L., Piazolo, S., & Harvey, J. (2021). Lightning strikes as a major facilitator of prebiotic phosphorus reduction on early Earth. Nature Commu...
May 11, 2021•13 min
Learn about how to stop Zoom fatigue; a world that may be on its second atmosphere; and koalas’ human-like fingerprints. 4 reasons you feel "Zoom fatigue" and how to get over them, according to Stanford research by Kelsey Donk: Stanford Zoom Exhaustion and Fatigue Scale survey: https://comm.stanford.edu/ZEF Ramachandran, V. (2021, February 23). Four causes for “Zoom fatigue” and their solutions | Stanford News. Stanford News; Stanford University. https://news.stanford.edu/2021/02/23/four-causes-...
May 10, 2021•12 min
Learn why narcissism may come from insecurity, how lobster became a delicacy, and how astronauts clean their underwear. Narcissism may be driven by insecurity, not an oversized sense of self by Kelsey Donk Narcissism driven by insecurity, not grandiose sense of self. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/nyu-ndb032521.php Kowalchyk, M., Palmieri, H., Conte, E., & Wallisch, P. (2021). Narcissism through the lens of performative self-elevation. Personality and Ind...
May 07, 2021•13 min
Learn about the treadmill’s torture device origins. Then, author Melanie Peffer explains why biology is everywhere. Treadmills were originally torture devices by Steffie Drucker Protin, C., & Stuart, M. (2017, April 13). Treadmills were originally used as torture devices for prisoners. Business Insider; Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/treadmills-torture-device-prisoners-treadwheel-victorian-britian-crime-prison-2017-4 Treadmills Were Meant to Be Atonement Machines | JSTOR D...
May 06, 2021•13 min
Learn about a gender gap in 8-year-olds; how speaking another language can change you; and a monumental dino discovery. Learn about how kids as young as 8 show a gender gap when it comes to negotiating; how speaking another language can change your personality; and what paleontologists can learn from a momentous new discovery of fossilized dinosaur embryos. Kids as young as 8 show a gender gap when it comes to negotiating by Kelsey Donk Children As Young As Eight Show A Gender Gap In Negotiation...
May 05, 2021•12 min
Captain Sig Hansen from “Deadliest Catch” discusses the surprising ways the coronavirus pandemic made the world’s most dangerous job even harder. Then, you’ll learn about our moon’s comet-like tail that collides with Earth every month. Learn more about Deadliest Catch, Tuesdays at 8 PM ET/PT on Discovery Official website https://www.discovery.com/shows/deadliest-catch Stream Deadliest Catch on discovery+ https://www.discoveryplus.com/show/deadliest-catch Sign up for your 7-day free trial of disc...
May 04, 2021•13 min
Learn about a 5-step process for finding work-life balance; photosynthetic bacteria that have never seen the sun; and why researchers build a digital model of the ancient Greek Antikythera mechanism: the first known analog computer. A 5-step process for hitting the moving target of work-life balance by Kelsey Donk Lufkin, B. (2021). Why it’s wrong to look at work-life balance as an achievement. BBC.com. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210302-why-work-life-balance-is-not-an-achievement Wor...
May 03, 2021•13 min
Learn about why quitting smoking is good for your mental health, too; and why it’s possible to practice too much. We’ll also answer a listener question about how to get people to believe science, with some help from a special guest, Bill Nye. Quitting smoking is good for your mental health, too by Steffie Drucker Cochrane Review finds stopping smoking is linked to improved mental health. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/w-crf030921.php Taylor, G. M., Lindson, N...
Apr 30, 2021•14 min
Bestselling author and CBS news correspondent David Pogue explains why climate change is leading to more kidney stones and bar fights. Then, learn about the “doorway effect” when you forget why you walked into a room; and whether you should exercise on an empty stomach. Additional resources from David Pogue: Pick up "How to Prepare for Climate Change: A Practical Guide to Surviving the Chaos" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fq65UY David Pogue's website: https://davidpogue.com David Pogue on Twitter:...
Apr 29, 2021•13 min
Bestselling author and CBS news correspondent David Pogue discusses why preparing for climate change is just as important as fighting it, with. Then, you’ll learn why you can make someone less defensive by making them feel validated. Additional resources from David Pogue: Pick up "How to Prepare for Climate Change: A Practical Guide to Surviving the Chaos" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3fq65UY David Pogue's website: https://davidpogue.com David Pogue on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Pogue David Pogu...
Apr 28, 2021•13 min
Learn about why social egalitarians are more likely to discriminate against older adults; why throbbing pain has nothing to do with your pulse; and why naturally gluten-free food is labeled gluten-free. The biggest advocates for equality are most likely to discriminate against older adults at work by Kelsey Donk Advocates Of Equality For All Are More Likely To Show Prejudice Against Older Adults At Work. (2021, March 4). Research Digest; Research Digest. https://digest.bps.org.uk/2021/03/04/advo...
Apr 27, 2021•11 min
Learn about how researchers built a “soft robot” that reached the depths of the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean; why musicians with brain tumors serenade their surgeons; and the best way to phrase words of comfort. A "soft robot" reached the deepest part of the ocean by Grant Currin Li, G., Chen, et al. (2021). Self-powered soft robot in the Mariana Trench. Nature, 591(7848), 66–71. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-03153-z Laschi, C., & Calisti, M. (2021). Soft robot reaches ...
Apr 26, 2021•13 min
Bill Nye discusses the 2 things that make “science” what it is. Then, you’ll learn about how female tree frogs have noise-canceling lungs; and why your stomach growls when you’re hungry. Additional resources from Bill Nye: Official website https://billnye.com/ Bill Nye’s podcast, Science Rules! https://www.askbillnye.com/ Pick up “Bill Nye's Great Big World of Science” on Amazon https://amzn.to/3u8iKQi “Everything All at Once: How to Think Like a Science Guy, Solve Any Problem, and Make a Better...
Apr 23, 2021•16 min
To help you celebrate Earth Day, Bill Nye discusses some unexpected ways we can save our environment, including raising the standard of living for women and girls. Then, you’ll learn about why spicy solar panels capture more sunlight — with a little help from capsaicin. Additional resources from Bill Nye: Official website https://billnye.com/ Bill Nye’s podcast, Science Rules! https://www.askbillnye.com/ Pick up “Bill Nye's Great Big World of Science” on Amazon https://amzn.to/3u8iKQi “Everythin...
Apr 22, 2021•13 min
Bill Nye explains why you should be excited about the Perseverance Rover and the Mars 2020 mission. Plus: learn about why old tech is better than new tech when it comes to connecting during COVID and a 5-minute trick for falling asleep faster. When it comes to connecting during COVID, old tech outranks new tech by Kelsey Donk Call me, maybe? UNLV study probes how people connected during the pandemic. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/uonl-cmm030521.php Hall, J.,...
Apr 21, 2021•14 min
Learn about why cannabis gives people the munchies; the Bicameral Mind theory that says the ancient Greeks lacked consciousness; and the evolutionary reason why you listen to songs on repeat. Why does cannabis give you the munchies? by Grant Currin Hull, M. (2019, April 17). The science behind munchies: cannabis and your appetite. Examine.com; Examine.com. https://examine.com/nutrition/cannabis-munchies/ How cannabis affects appetite: Brain changes. (2018). ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily...
Apr 20, 2021•12 min
Learn about why you can BS a BS-er; how you can get your hands on some of the world’s oldest books at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library; and a sea slug in the genus Elysia that cuts off its own head when it wants a new body. You *can* BS a BSer — but it depends on the kind of BS by Steffie Drucker It Turns Out You Can Bullshit A Bullshitter After All. (2021, March 5). Research Digest; Research Digest. https://digest.bps.org.uk/2021/03/05/it-turns-out-you-can-bullshit-a-bullshitter-after-all/ L...
Apr 19, 2021•12 min
Learn about a new computer model that may have gotten us closer to figuring out how we choose our mates; why Meno’s paradox says you can’t ever learn anything new; and whether the Earth weighs the same as it did billions of years ago. How do we choose our mates? A new computer model may have gotten us closer to the answer by Cameron Duke Computer love. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/uoc--cl021221.php Conroy-Beam, D. (2021). Couple Simulation: A Novel Approach...
Apr 16, 2021•14 min
Learn about how blind and low-vision gamers have an edge when it comes to certain games, with Cornell University Professor Andrew Campana. Then, learn how some viruses actually protect their hosts; and the shocking solution to the Monty Hall Problem, an infamous brain teaser that may leave you questioning your math skills. Additional resources from Andrew Campana: Andrew Campana's faculty page: https://asianstudies.cornell.edu/andrew-campana Andrew Campana, Cornell University – Taking the Video ...
Apr 15, 2021•14 min
Learn about how blind and low-vision gamers are taking the “video” out of video games, with Cornell University Professor Andrew Campana. Then, learn about a newly discovered mammoth fossil that shatters the record for the oldest DNA we’ve ever found. Additional resources from Andrew Campana: Andrew Campana's faculty page: https://asianstudies.cornell.edu/andrew-campana Andrew Campana, Cornell University – Taking the Video out of Video Games, Cornell Academic Minute: https://academicminute.org/20...
Apr 14, 2021•11 min
Learn about why engineers tested a temporary “smart tattoo” that emits light via OLEDs; a female vampire bat that adopted her best friend’s baby after the friend’s death; and how you can sharpen your mind with device-free quiet time. Engineers tested a temporary "smart tattoo" that emits light by Steffie Drucker Light-emitting tattoo engineered for the first time. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/ucl-lte022621.php Barsotti, J., Rapidis, A. G., Hirata, I., Greco...
Apr 13, 2021•12 min
Learn about how atheists and believers have different moral compasses; how scientists will know if life ever existed on Mars; and how to persuade people to do what you want using the foot-in-the-door technique. Atheists and believers both have moral compasses -- they're just different by Kelsey Donk Ståhl, T. (2021). The amoral atheist? A cross-national examination of cultural, motivational, and cognitive antecedents of disbelief, and their implications for morality. PLOS ONE, 16(2), e0246593. h...
Apr 12, 2021•12 min
