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

How to Talk to Strangers, Red Dead Redemption 2 Naturalists, July Curiosity Challenge

Learn how to get better at talking to strangers; and how Red Dead Redemption 2 turns gamers into naturalists. Trivia too! Additional resources from Joe Keohane: Pick up "The Power Of Strangers" at your local bookstore: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984855770?aff=penguinrandom Website: https://joekeohane.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeKeohane Red Dead Redemption 2 accidentally turns gamers into amateur naturalists without them even knowing by Cameron Duke Parker, R. (2018, October 30)...

Aug 13, 202114 min

History of Talking to Strangers, Dark Matter Between Galaxies

Learn why talking to strangers shouldn’t be scary; and a new map revealing hidden dark matter “bridges” between galaxies. Additional resources from Joe Keohane: Pick up "The Power Of Strangers" at your local bookstore: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781984855770?aff=penguinrandom Website: https://joekeohane.net/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoeKeohane A new AI-generated map revealed hidden dark matter "bridges" that connect galaxies by Briana Brownell Pappas, S. (2021, May 28). Dark matter map...

Aug 12, 202113 min

Meat Disgust, Cosmic Rays for Medicine, Immortal Battery

Learn about how meat-eaters really feel; using cosmic rays in medical diagnoses; and the Oxford Electric Bell mystery. People who eat meat think it's gross, which suggests new ideas for cutting consumption by Kelsey Donk Even Some Meat-Eaters Are Disgusted By Meat — And Encouraging Those Feelings Could Help Reduce Consumption. (2021, June 3). Research Digest. https://digest.bps.org.uk/2021/06/03/even-some-meat-eaters-are-disgusted-by-meat-and-encouraging-those-feelings-could-help-reduce-consumpt...

Aug 11, 202113 min

New Human Species, Digital Library of Babel, Running to Music

Learn about two newly discovered ancient human species; the Digital Library of Babel; and benefits of running to music. Two new species of ancient human were just discovered by Grant Currin A new type of Homo unknown to science. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/tu-ant062321.php Hershkovitz, I., et. al. (2021). A Middle Pleistocene Homo from Nesher Ramla, Israel. Science, 372(6549), 1424–1428. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abh3169 TAUVOD. (2021). Dramatic disc...

Aug 10, 202114 min

Earworms Aid Memory, How Auroras Happen, Don’t Give Cats Milk

Learn how earworms could be helping your memory; how auroras are created; and what your cat should drink instead of milk. Maybe that song stuck in your head is helping your long-term memory by Cameron Duke Karen Michele Nikos-Rose. (2021, June 15). That Song Is Stuck in Your Head, but It’s Helping You to Remember. UC Davis. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/song-stuck-in-head-helps-remember Kubit, B. M., & Janata, P. (2021). Spontaneous mental replay of music improves memory for incidentally asso...

Aug 09, 202114 min

Tool to Cure Hiccups, Corvid Childhoods, How Spacecraft Move

Learn about a scientific tool to cure hiccups; why corvids owe big brains to longer childhoods; and how spacecraft move. Finally, the first-ever scientific tool to cure hiccups by Grant Currin Team describes science-based hiccups intervention. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/uoth-tds061821.php Alvarez, J., Anderson, J. M., Snyder, P. L., Mirahmadizadeh, A., Godoy, D. A., Fox, M., & Seifi, A. (2021). Evaluation of the Forced Inspiratory Suction and Swallow ...

Aug 06, 202112 min

An Out-of-Body Experience Without Drugs and Earth’s “Pulse”

Learn how scientists induced an out-of-body experience in a human without using drugs; and Earth’s geological “pulse.” Scientists induced an out-of-body experience in mice and a human without using drugs by Grant Currin Scientists Say A Mind-Bending Rhythm In The Brain Can Act Like Ketamine. (2020, September 16). NPR.org. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/09/16/913565163/scientists-discover-way-to-induce-altered-state-of-mind-without-drugs Wells, S. (2020, October 3). Scientists Can...

Aug 05, 202111 min

Your Biggest Regret, Tall Mountain Myths, The Deep Web

Learn about why your biggest regret is the thing you didn’t do; the tallest mountains on Earth; and the Deep Web. The stories in this episode originally aired May 29, 2018 “The Deep Web, Biggest Regrets, and a Mount Everest Misconception” https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/the-deep-web-biggest-regrets-and-a-mount-everest-misconception Additional information about the Dark Web: The Tor Project | Privacy & Freedom Online. (2021). Torproject.org. https://www.torproject.org/download/ The Guar...

Aug 04, 202113 min

Anger Looks Guilty, Quantum Microscope, Good News About Cancer

Learn about anger makes you look guilty; a new quantum microscope; and why the fight against cancer is going very well. Anger makes you look guilty by Kelsey Donk Johnson, S. (2021, June). Falsely accused? Stay calm, because anger makes you look guilty. Big Think; Big Think. https://bigthink.com/mind-brain/signs-of-guilt DeCelles, Katherine, Gabrielle Adams, Holly S. Howe, and Leslie K. John. "Anger Damns the Innocent." Psychological Science (in press). https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20File...

Aug 03, 202113 min

Kids v. Sarcasm, 24,000-Year-Old Worm, Why Betelgeuse Dimmed

Learn about why younger kids don’t understand sarcasm; a 24,000 year old living worm; and Betelgeuse’s “Great Dimming.” Kids don't get sarcasm until around age 7 because of the kind of thinking it requires by Kelsey Donk Pexman, P. (2021, June 8). Why it’s difficult for children to understand sarcasm. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/why-its-difficult-for-children-to-understand-sarcasm-160915 Do young children understand irony? (2007, January 25). Research Digest. https://digest.bps...

Aug 02, 202112 min

Your Brain on Music, Super-Singing Songbirds, Animal Sunburns

Learn about the social neuroscience of music; songbirds’ ultra-precise song control; and how animals can get skin cancer. This is what happens in the brain when people make music together by Kelsey Donk What happens in the brain when people make music together? (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/bu-whi060921.php Greenberg, D. M., Decety, J., & Gordon, I. (2021). The social neuroscience of music: Understanding the social brain through human song. American Psyc...

Jul 30, 202113 min

Alien Dataomes, How Animals Smell Viruses, Why to Read Aloud

Learn why aliens have a dataome; how animals sniff out viral infections; and how reading out loud can boost your memory. Additional resources from Caleb Scharf: Pick up "The Ascent of Information: Books, Bits, Genes, Machines, and Life's Unending Algorithm" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ascent-Information-Machines-Unending-Algorithm/dp/0593087240 Website: http://www.calebscharf.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/caleb_scharf When animals sniff out viral infections, what are they smelling? by ...

Jul 29, 202114 min

Accent-Changing Monkeys and the Information “Dataome”

Learn about why monkeys imitate other species’ accents; and the “dataome,” a new way to think about information. You can vote for Curiosity Daily in the 2021 People's Choice Podcast Awards! Register at https://podcastawards.com , select Curiosity Daily in the categories of Education and Science & Medicine , and then click/tap "save nominations" at the bottom of the page. Voting in other categories is optional. Your vote is greatly appreciated! Monkeys change their "accent" to get along with ...

Jul 28, 202113 min

Brain Replays Memories at 20x Speed & A Real Maxwell’s Demon

Learn how your brain replays the things you’ve practiced at 20 times speed; and an engine that uses information as fuel. On your practice breaks, your brain replays memories of your practice session at 20x speed by Kelsey Donk Human brain replays new memories at 20 times the speed during waking rest. (2021). EurekAlert! https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-06/cp-hbr060321.php Buch, E. R., Claudino, L., Quentin, R., Bönstrup, M., & Cohen, L. G. (2021). Consolidation of human skill linked ...

Jul 27, 202111 min

Dog Days of Summer, Magic Tricks for Birds, Planck Time

Learn the “Dog Days of Summer”; why scientists did magic tricks for birds; and the smallest conceivable length of time. What are the "Dog Days of Summer"? by Steffie Drucker Farmers' Almanac Staff. (2015, June 29). What Are the Dog Days of Summer? Farmers’ Almanac. https://www.farmersalmanac.com/why-are-they-called-dog-days-of-summer-21705 Little, B. (2015, July 10). Why Do We Call Them the “Dog Days” of Summer? Animals; National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/150...

Jul 26, 202111 min

Letting Wounds Breathe, Grocery App Benefits, Tardigrade Guns

Learn about when to use bandages; online shopping’s hidden health benefits; and why tardigrades were shot out of a gun. LISTENER Q: Should you let a wound breathe or keep it covered? by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Brian) Bishop, S.M.; Walker, M.; Rogers, A.A.; Chen, W.Y.J. (2003). Importance of moisture balance at the wound-dressing interface. Journal of Wound Care, 12(4), 125–128. https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/abs/10.12968/jowc.2003.12.4.26484 The Claim: Wounds Heal Better When ...

Jul 23, 202111 min

Speech-to-Song Illusion and a High-Tech Use for Tree Rings

Learn about the links between language and music via the speech-to-song illusion and what we can learn from tree rings. The speech-to-song illusion demonstrates the tight links between language and music by Steffie Drucker The Speech-to-Song Illusion. (2020). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/illusions-and-curiosities/202002/the-speech-song-illusion Diana Deutsch - Speech-to-Song Illusion>. (2011). ucsd.edu. https://deutsch.ucsd.edu/psychology/pages.php?i=212 5th grade...

Jul 22, 202114 min

Daddy Longlegs, Dyson Spheres, and Exercising with a Partner

Learn about why daddy longlegs aren’t dangerous; the theoretical Dyson Sphere; and benefits of exercising with a partner. “Daddy Longlegs Myths, Dyson Spheres, Benefits of Exercising with a Partner” originally aired May 15, 2018: https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/daddy-longlegs-myths-dyson-spheres-and-benefits-of Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to learn something new every day with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer . Still curious? Get exclusive science shows, nature documentar...

Jul 21, 202112 min

Missions to Venus and How to Extract DNA from Strawberries

Learn about past missions to Venus — and why we’re going back; and how to extract DNA from strawberries in your kitchen. We're going back to Venus. Here are the missions to look forward to by Briana Brownell NASA Selects 2 Missions to Study “Lost Habitable” World of Venus. (2018). NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-2-missions-to-study-lost-habitable-world-of-venus ESA selects revolutionary Venus mission EnVision. (2021). Esa.int. https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_S...

Jul 20, 202112 min

Revenge Bedtime Procrastination, Elephant Trunks, Pineapples Eat You Back

Learn about how to combat revenge bedtime procrastination; the power of elephant trunks; and how pineapples eat you back. How to combat "revenge bedtime procrastination" by Kelsey Donk Cohut, M. (2021, March 19). Revenge bedtime procrastination: A plight of our times? Medicalnewstoday.com; Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/revenge-bedtime-procrastination-a-plight-of-our-times Patia Braithwaite. (2021, May 28). Revenge Bedtime Procrastination: 6 Ways to Manage It. SELF...

Jul 19, 202113 min

Why Megalodon Was So Huge, Misophonia in the Brain, Trivia

Learn about how huge Megalodon was and why some people have misophonia, a severe hatred of sounds. Plus: a trivia game! Dive deeper into all your favorite Shark Week shows with Shark Week’s Daily Bite Podcast hosted by Luke Tipple: Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shark-weeks-daily-bite/id1527053422 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0dfzM1ktSB1mSKD5z4Qujm?si=R8rNBksMRS-JrgMs9JIJ5g&dl_branch=1 Learn more: https://www.discovery.com/shark-week/every...

Jul 16, 202113 min

Glowing Sharks, Cities’ Unique Microbes, Milky Way Mistake

Learn about the record-breaking glowing kitefin shark; cities’ unique microbiomes; and the true origin of the Milky Way. Dive deeper into all your favorite Shark Week shows with Shark Week’s Daily Bite Podcast hosted by Luke Tipple: Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shark-weeks-daily-bite/id1527053422 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0dfzM1ktSB1mSKD5z4Qujm?si=R8rNBksMRS-JrgMs9JIJ5g&dl_branch=1 Learn more: https://www.discovery.com/shark-week/ever...

Jul 15, 202114 min

Shark Week Tech, Crime & Birth Year, Sharks’ Near-Extinction

Learn about cutting-edge Shark Week tech; how birthdays impact criminal records; and the time sharks nearly went extinct. More from Joe and Lauren Romeiro and Shark Week 2021: Start your 7-day free trial of discovery+ https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity Shark Week 2021 Full Schedule https://corporate.discovery.com/discovery-newsroom/discovery-channels-shark-week-2021-swims-off-with-jawsome-lineup-featuring-more-hours-of-shark-programming-than-ever-before/ Shark Week 2021 Visual Guide https://www...

Jul 14, 202115 min

Bomb-Detected Whales & What It’s Like to Film Shark Week

Learn how nuclear bomb detectors found a secret population of blue whales. Plus: what it takes to film sharks underwater. Dive deeper into all your favorite Shark Week shows with Shark Week’s Daily Bite Podcast hosted by Luke Tipple: Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shark-weeks-daily-bite/id1527053422 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0dfzM1ktSB1mSKD5z4Qujm?si=R8rNBksMRS-JrgMs9JIJ5g&dl_branch=1 Learn more: https://www.discovery.com/shark-week/eve...

Jul 13, 202113 min

Scary Shark Music, Your Brain Predicts the Future, Hydrobot

Learn about ominous music’s effect on conservation efforts; why our brains constantly predict the future; and “Hydrobot.” Dive deeper into all your favorite Shark Week shows with Shark Week's Daily Bite Podcast hosted by Luke Tipple: Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shark-weeks-daily-bite/id1527053422 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0dfzM1ktSB1mSKD5z4Qujm?si=R8rNBksMRS-JrgMs9JIJ5g&dl_branch=1 Learn more: https://www.discovery.com/shark-week/eve...

Jul 12, 202111 min

Does ESP Exist?

Learn about ESP; why people panicked about electricity in the 1800s; and how embryos use sound to prepare for the world. Is there such a thing as ESP? by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Anay in Georgia) ESP: What can science say? (2021). Berkeley.edu. https://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/esp Engber, D. (2017, June 7). Daryl Bem Proved ESP Is Real. Which Means Science Is Broken. Slate Magazine; Slate. https://slate.com/health-and-science/2017/06/daryl-bem-proved-esp-is-real-showed-science-is-...

Jul 09, 202113 min

Could You Adapt to Having an Extra Thumb?

Learn about a robotic “third thumb”; how measuring time increases entropy; and how to distinguish friends from foes. People's brains adapted to having a robotic "third thumb" by Steffie Drucker UCL. (2021, May 19). Robotic “Third Thumb” use can alter brain representation of the hand. UCL News. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2021/may/robotic-third-thumb-use-can-alter-brain-representation-hand Kieliba, P., Clode, D., Maimon-Mor, R. O., & Makin, T. R. (2021). Robotic hand augmentation drives change...

Jul 08, 202113 min

How to Improve Your Sense of Direction

Learn about how to improve your sense of direction; the true story of the pied piper; and how our planets got their names. The stories in this episode originally aired May 1, 2018 “How Improve Your Sense of Direction, Pied Piper Mysteries, Planet Name Origins” https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/how-to-improve-your-sense-of-direction-pied-piper Follow Curiosity Daily on your favorite podcast app to learn something new every day with Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer . Still curious? Get exclusive sc...

Jul 07, 202112 min

Weird Dreams Might be a Brain Feature, Not a Bug

Learn how weird dreams may help us in the real world; how we date dinosaurs; and why a healthy grip means a healthy body. A theory from AI says our weird dreams help us better perceive the world by Briana Brownell Our dreams’ weirdness might be why we have them, argues new AI-inspired theory of dreaming. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/cp-odw050621.php Hoel, E. (2021). The overfitted brain: Dreams evolved to assist generalization. Patterns, 2(5), 100244. https...

Jul 06, 202111 min

Why Song Lyrics Are Getting Simpler

Learn how a man wrote sentences using only his mind; how popular song lyrics got simpler; and the bitterness of Bitrex. Brain-computer interface lets people communicate by imagining they're writing by Grant Currin Composing thoughts: mental handwriting produces brain activity that can be turned into text | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2021). Nih.gov. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/News-Events/News-and-Press-Releases/Press-Releases/Composing-thoughts-mental-handwriting-pro...

Jul 05, 202114 min
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