Curiosity Weekly

Today we discuss how decaf coffee can curb symptoms of caffeine withdrawal, how a recent study revealed that those who are rich in money aren’t necessarily rich in intelligence, and a study that looked into cheap and effective preventative cavity treatment.  To Re-Caf Choose Decaf “Decaf coffee reduces caffeine withdrawal – even when you know it’s decaf” by Matthew Warren https://www.bps.org.uk/re...

Today you’ll learn about how rockets are preventing the ozone layer from healing properly, how researchers are figuring out the smells of the ancient world, and how mother orca whales take care of their sons to ensure the survival of their species. Rockets Ruin Ozone  “A rapidly growing rocket industry could undo decades of work to save the ozone layer – unless we act now” by Laura Revell, Michele...

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 https://newatlas.com/medical/arthritis-drug-yo...

Today we discuss what causes a sense of social media fatigue, how scientists are tuning into our brainwaves to make us learn new tasks faster, and how a researcher invented a self-cooling tent that only needs sunshine and water to work.  Social Media Fatigue  “Too much overload and concerns: Antecedents of social media fatigue and the mediating role of emotional exhaustion” by Nan Sheng et al. htt...

Today you’ll learn about how a groundbreaking new study explores the nature of singlehood across the globe, how a new drug might be able to treat alcohol addiction, and how scientists have created a new type of ice that has never been seen on Earth before!  Global Singlehood  “Large-scale cross-cultural study provides insights into mating performance and singlehood” by Mane Kara-Yakoubian https://...

Today you’ll learn about how we are able to measure depression through speech patterns, a recent study that explores whether or not eating at a certain time of day affects weight, and how researchers used paintings to assess pollution levels during the industrial revolution.  Speech Signals of Depression “New research indicates signs of depression can be detected in speech patterns” by Laura Stalo...

Today we discuss how the pandemic has caused physical changes in the brains of teenagers, how geomagnetic disturbances can cause bird migration to go haywire, and why pregnancies in the US are a week and a half shorter on average than they are elsewhere.  Pandemic Brain “Brain scans suggest the pandemic prematurely aged teens’ brains” by Freda Kreier https://www.sciencenews.org/article/covid-pande...

Today you’ll learn about whether or not melatonin can be used to treat anxiety, the development of a laser that can change the path of lightning, and how a recent study shows that children are hard-wired to empathize with dogs!  Melatonin Anxiety  “Melatonin as a Potential Approach to Anxiety Treatment” by Kristina Repova et al. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/24/16187 “How Melatonin for Sleep M...

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 https://www.science.org/content/article/scientists-may-have-...

Today we discuss how using gas stoves has caused a huge uptick in childhood asthma, how motor memory is developed while we sleep, and how scientists are working to save the larvae of coral reefs!  Gasthma “Population Attributable Fraction of Gas Stoves and Childhood Asthma in the United States” by Talor Gruenwald et al. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/1/75 “Gas stove pollution causes 12.7% of ch...

Today you’ll learn about a potential new treatment for those suffering from brain fog after Covid, how freemium models of mental health apps might cause you to be more stressed out, and how developments in creating a vaccine for fungal infections might make them a thing of the past!  Covid Brain Fog “Potential New Treatment for “Brain Fog” in Long COVID Patients” by Isabella Backman https://medici...

Today we have an extra special episode where we talk to Dan Schachner about this year’s Puppy Bowl, then we’ll learn about the truths and myths of spontaneous human combustion, and how cancer rates in the US have gone down by 33% since the ‘90s!  The Puppy Bowl Human Candles  “Strange reports have claimed humans spontaneously burst into flames, but science can explain how bodies sometimes act like...

Today we discuss recent updates to powering the world through nuclear fusion, why ankle sprains are so common, and how we perceive musicians to be more attractive than those who don’t play an instrument. Net Energy Gain  “US scientists reach long-awaited nuclear fusion breakthrough, source says” By Ella Nilsen and René Marsh https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/12/politics/nuclear-fusion-energy-us-scientis...

Today you’ll learn about the recent eruption of the world’s biggest active volcano, how researchers have created wifi-emitting windows, and how we might be able to use evaporating ocean water as a new freshwater source.  Mauna Loa Eruption  “Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano is erupting. Here’s what you need to know” by Carolyn Gramling https://www.sciencenews.org/article/hawaii-mauna-loa-volcano-eruptin...

Today we discuss how new technology is making faster and more efficient rockets, a new bandage that might be able to heal wounds faster than the body, and how we’ve seen some new connections between the brain and the gut through a study of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  Helicon Thruster  “Can plasma instability in fact be the savior for magnetic nozzle plasma thrusters” by Staff Writers https://www.sp...

Today you’ll learn about how grapes have the potential to reduce the risk of skin cancer, how dogs’ behaviors are hardwired into their genes, and how underwater seaweed forests might be able to combat climate change.  Cancer-Fighting Grapes  “Short-Term Grape Consumption Diminishes UV-Induced Skin Erythema” by John M. Pezzuto https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/11/12/2372#B4-antioxidants-11-02372 “The...

Today we discuss how the rinse cycle in some commercial dishwashers might be negatively affecting your gut, how a groundbreaking new study might have found a solution to PTSD, and how video games have been proven to improve our executive functioning skills.  Dangerous Dishwashers  “Commercial dishwashers destroy protective layer in gut” by University of Zurich https://www.eurekalert.org/news-relea...

Today we explore how a recent meteorite that landed in the UK is giving us clues to the mysteries of the universe, the positive and negative side-effects found in a recent study on ayahuasca, and how some toxic “forever chemicals” were found to be completely eradicated with new technology. Winchcombe Meteorite   “Pristine meteorite found within hours of hitting Earth” by Eleanor K. Sansom https://...

Today you’ll learn about what it means for the planet now that we’ve reached a global population of 8 billion people, how leprosy might be able to repair damaged livers, and some information about an asteroid that’s been dubbed a, “Planet-killer.” World Population Reaches 8 Billion  “The world population has now reached 8 billion” by Allison Gasparini https://www.sciencenews.org/article/world-popu...

Today we discuss how a new piece of technology is able to transfer the data of the entire internet in just one second, how eating a lot of tomatoes can improve your gut health, and how scientists are looking into how medicine is processed in the body at different times of day.  Internet Chip “Record-breaking chip can transmit entire internet's traffic per second” By Michael Irving https://newatlas...

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 https://www.psypost.org/2022/11/li...

Today you’ll learn about how some researchers have activated a specific gene in the body that can make your muscles stronger without exercise, how a parasite that can still be found today was discovered in ancient viking poop, and how parrots understand timing when it comes to communication.  Strong Muscle Gene “Researchers Discover a Gene That Makes Your Muscles Significantly Stronger” by The Uni...

Today you’ll learn about how researchers have been able to grow embryos that have three genetic parents, how European moles can shrink down to a tenth of their size during winter, and whether or not being kind to narcissists makes any difference in their behavior.  3-Parent Babies  “Study reveals how babies born from 3 parents are surprisingly similar to normal babies” by Rupendra Brahambhatt http...

Today we explore how scientists are trying to find a way to make an “aging clock” that can determine your age and health by looking at your DNA, how looking at our gut could help us treat mental health disorders, and how there may be a new treatment option in the form of a vaccine for people suffering from brain tumors!   Aging Clock   “Aging clocks aim to predict how long you’ll live” by INfotech...

Today you’ll learn about the development of a potential new Covid vaccine in the form of a nasal spray, how your circadian rhythm affects how intensely you feel pain, and how the old saying that you need 8 glasses of water a day could be a myth.  Pain Worse at Night  “Why pain feels worse at night” by Allison Whitten https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/09/why-pain-feels-worse-at-night/ “Circadian...