Curiosity Weekly

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 consolidatio...

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 sing...

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 R...

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. 202...

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 t...

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 reo...

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 g...

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 di...

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 hygien...

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 V...

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 Ammon...

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 Michae...

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’ viru...

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...

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 D...

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, stu...

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 A...

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...

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 sen...

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 survi...

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 Accu...

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.&nb...

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...

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...

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...