Curiosity Weekly

Learn about why Christmas music sounds like Christmas; the most influential films ever; and the truth behind mistletoe. The stories in this episode originally aired on these dates: December 21, 2018: "Scientists Have Determined the Most Influential Film of All Time" and "Mistletoe Is a Poisonous Parasite ... of Love?" https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/the-most-influential-film-ever-your-memory...

Learn about why researchers are developing new GMO foods like golden rice; why you underestimate how often others are thinking about you; and how your brain knows when you’re uncomfortable and you need to change your position. FDA's Feed Your Mind website: https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/agricultural-biotechnology You regularly underestimate how often someone else is thinking about you by Steff...

From Animal Planet comes a new podcast, Dogs 101, where you'll get a rundown of all your favorite dog breeds. Check out the first episode, "Puppies" here. Is there a biological reason why humans are drawn to puppies? How long does a canine pregnancy last, and what's the average litter size? When are puppies able to first see and hear? Find out the answers on this episode of Dogs 101 where we'll gu...

Learn about GMOs with help from Dr. Patrick Cournoyer of the FDA. Plus: a trick for hearing someone in a noisy room. FDA's Feed Your Mind website: https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/agricultural-biotechnology To hear someone in a noisy room, look at their face by Grant Currin To better understand speech, focus on who is talking. (2021, October 26). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-relea...

Learn about how saving the whales could help combat climate change; Jupiter’s rings; and why reading makes you carsick. Plus: a major announcement about the future of Curiosity Daily. Saving the whales could help us capture more than a billion tons of CO2 every year by Briana Brownell Nature’s Solution to Climate Change – IMF F&D. (2019). Imf.org. https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2019/12...

Learn why robots should look like cartoons; why more access to an opioid antidote doesn't make people think heroin is safe; and why dishwashers make knives less sharp. More from Ruth Aylett, professor of computer science at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh: Pick up "Living with Robots: What Every Anxious Human Needs to Know": https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/living-robots Follow @ruthaylett on Tw...

Robotics researcher Ruth Aylett explains why some people fear robots. Plus: how a sonata can reduce epilepsy seizures. More from Ruth Aylett, professor of computer science at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh: Pick up "Living with Robots: What Every Anxious Human Needs to Know": https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/living-robots Follow @ruthaylett on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ruthaylett University...

Learn why you act irrationally when your freedom is threatened; why you spend more with your credit card than you do when you use cash; and how statisticians calculate the probability of dying from something. The stories in this episode originally aired July 29, 2018 “Odds of Dying (w/ Ken Kolosh), Reactance, Credit Card Psychology” https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/odds-of-dying-w-ken-kolosh-...

Learn about why scientists study “mystical experiences” in psychedelics; and precisely measuring a neutron’s lifetime. Mystical experiences might be key to the power of psychedelic therapy -- but they're really hard to study by Grant Currin Natan Ponieman. (2021, October 12). How Science Is Making Sense Of The Mystical Experience In Psychedelic Medicine. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/natanp...

Learn about whether you lose more heat through your head; red blood cells in immunity; and Venus’ non-existent oceans. You Don’t Lose The Most Heat Through Your Head by Ashley Hamer Noreen. (2011, June). You Don’t Lose Heat Faster Through Your Head than Other Parts of Your Body. Today I Found Out. http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/06/you-dont-lose-heat-faster-through-your-head-than-othe...

Learn why the #NoMakeup movement actually drove more makeup sales; photosynthetic frogs; and why atoms don’t collapse. The #nomakeup movement is linked to a rise in makeup sales -- here's why by Steffie Drucker “Natural beauty” isn’t effortless (or free). (2021). Chicago Booth Review. https://review.chicagobooth.edu/marketing/2021/article/natural-beauty-isn-t-effortless-or-free Smith, R. K., Yazda...

Learn what the Perseverance Rover taught us about Mars’ Jezero Crater; and new exposure therapy using augmented reality. The Perseverance Rover confirms that Mars's Jezero Crater used to be a huge lake by Briana Brownell Rover images confirm Jezero crater is an ancient Martian lake. (2021, October 7). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/930684 Jezero Crater - Perseverance Landing...

Learn about why having a “drink to cope” doesn’t work; why human brains shrunk 3,000 years ago; and high heel history. Having a "drink to cope" doesn't actually work, and can even make you feel worse by Steffie Drucker One year on: Unhealthy weight gains, increased drinking reported by Americans coping with pandemic stress. (2021, March 11). One year on: Unhealthy weight gains, increased drinking...

Learn about an island “geomyth” that helped researchers solve an ancient mystery; and whether truth serum really works. An indigenous "geomyth" helped scientists figure out where 3 huge boulders came from by Grant Currin Hakai Magazine. (2021). Rounding Out the Story of Three Legendary Boulders | Hakai Magazine. Hakai Magazine; Hakai Magazine. https://www.hakaimagazine.com/news/rounding-out-the-st...

Learn about how socializing too much can be bad for your health; rogue planets without a home star; and ancient bâdgirs. Socializing too much can be bad for your health by Steffie Drucker Research Shows Too Much Socializing Can Harm You. (2021). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/finding-new-home/202110/research-shows-too-much-socializing-can-harm-you Stavrova, O., & Ren, D....

Learn about psychological ownership; why cats love boxes; and how researchers—and AI—finished Beethoven’s 10th symphony. "Psychological ownership" is why holiday shopping can get so hostile by Steffie Drucker Kirk, C. P. (2018, November 20). Why do Black Friday shoppers throw punches over bargains? A marketing expert explains “psychological ownership.” The Conversation. https://theconversation.com...

Learn about how rival sports fans see games differently; waking up hungry after overeating; and “some assembly required.” Today’s stories originally ran in the following episodes of Curiosity Daily: Rival Sports Fans Experience the Same Game Completely Differently by Reuben Westmaas originally published November 22, 2018 https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/rival-sports-fans-experience-games-comp...

Learn about how to avoid conflict at family meals; what causes food comas; and how to be a great host or guest. Today’s stories originally ran in the following episodes of Curiosity Daily: How to Avoid Conflict at Family Meals by Ashley Hamer originally published November 21, 2018 https://omny.fm/shows/curiosity-daily/be-the-best-host-or-guest-w-jihan-murray-smith-avo Food Coma? Here's Why You Get...

Learn about a mysterious new archaeological discovery around Stonehenge; and why females feel colder in many species. More from world-renowned Stonehenge archeologist Susan Greaney: STONEHENGE: LAND OF THE DEAD’ Premieres Sunday, November 28 at 8 PM ET/PT on Science Channel: https://press.discovery.com/us/sci/programs/stonehenge-land-dead/ Start your free trial of discovery+ at https://discoverypl...

Learn about psychedelics research in the 1950s; cold shower benefits; and an inaccurate stereotype about the only child. Thousands of patients were treated with psychedelics in the 1950s by Cameron Duke Fuentes, J. J., Fonseca, F., Elices, M., Farré, M., & Torrens, M. (2020). Therapeutic Use of LSD in Psychiatry: A Systematic Review of Randomized-Controlled Clinical Trials. Frontiers in Psychiatry...

Learn about the link between birthdays and COVID-19; “psychological richness” for a good life; and satellites vs. stars. More from Dr. Bapu Jena: Listen to Freakonomics, M.D.: https://freakonomics.com/freakonomics-md/ Covid and the “Birthday Effect” (Freakonomics, M.D. Ep. 1) - Freakonomics. (2021, August 4). Freakonomics. https://freakonomics.com/podcast/covid-and-the-birthday-effect-freakonomics...

Learn about how “left digit bias” affects your decisions and why researchers caught birds in caves with their bare hands. More from Dr. Bapu Jena: Listen to Freakonomics, M.D.: https://freakonomics.com/freakonomics-md/ What Do Grocery Store Prices and Heart Surgery Have in Common? (Freakonomics, M.D. Ep. 4) - Freakonomics. (2021, August 27). Freakonomics. https://freakonomics.com/podcast/fmd-left-...

Learn about research into how you should clean your teeth; the world’s loneliest whale; and how to argue with a partner. When it comes to cleaning your teeth, here's what the evidence supports — and what it doesn't by Cameron Duke Dental care: The best, worst and unproven tools to care for your teeth, according to a UB study. (2021, September 29). Buffalo.edu. http://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/...

Learn about why magic mushrooms evolved to be “magic” and new research into when children develop “theory of mind.” Magic mushrooms evolved to scramble insect brains by Cameron Duke Hallucinogenic mushrooms drug profile. (2020). Europa.eu. https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/hallucinogenic-mushrooms_en Lee, N., & Benji Jones. (2021, April 27). How psychoactive psilocybin in mag...

Learn about a planet orbiting three stars at once; useless architectural relics; and deep conversations with strangers. We found a planet orbiting three stars at once by Briana Brownell This May Be the First Planet Found Orbiting 3 Stars at Once. (2021). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/28/science/triple-sun-planet.html Siegel, E. (2021, September 30). Planet found orbiting thre...