Curiosity Weekly

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.or...

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: ht...

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 Univ...

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.e...

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 c...

Learn about how we could use DNA to store all of human knowledge for thousands of years. Then, test your podcast knowledge with the Curiosity Challenge trivia game. You’ll also learn about why becoming a parent may help you live longer. DNA data storage could store all human knowledge in a small space for thousands of years by Grant Currin TED-Ed. (2017). Is DNA the future of data storage? - Leo B...

Learn about how mice seem to feel each other’s pain; why our known solar system just got a little bigger thanks to “Farfarout” 2018 AG37; and the history of quinine, the malaria cure that eventually led to the gin and tonic. Mice seem to feel each other's pain by Steffie Drucker Mice feel for each other. (2021, January 15). Mice feel for each other. Science | AAAS. https://www.sciencemag.org/news/...

Scientist and award-winning author Camilla Pang explains why she wanted to write a manual for humans. You’ll also learn about the planetary chaos that resulted when the Earth’s magnetic poles reversed. Additional resources from Camilla Pang: Pick up "An Outsider's Guide to Humans: What Science Taught Me About What We Do and Who We Are" from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vXzmMD Camilla Pang's website: h...

Learn about how caregivers may experience “post-traumatic growth” from the pandemic; why the UK has one of the world’s most memorable postcode systems; and how researchers witnessed the birth and development of a completely new language: Idioma de Señas de Nicaragua. Survey suggests most caregivers have experienced "post-traumatic growth" from the pandemic by Kelsey Donk Study identifies “post-tra...

Learn about why most conversations go on for a lot longer than we want them to; a genetic mutation that makes some people resilient to the cold; and how homing pigeons pass down their knowledge. Most conversations go on for twice as long as we want them to by Kelsey Donk When people want conversations to end. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-03/potn-wpw022421.php Ma...

Learn about which sleep trackers are actually accurate; how important closure is for a life transition; and why mirrors flip horizontally, but not vertically. Study of 9 sleep trackers finds that all but 2 are inaccurate by Kelsey Donk You snooze, you lose - with some sleep trackers. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-02/wvu-ysy021721.php Stone, J. D., Rentz, L. E., F...

Learn about what the “frenemy effect” can teach us about bullying; the surprising ability of marmosets to eavesdrop on each others’ conversations; and why April Fool’s Day may have originated from an out-of-date calendar. The "frenemy effect" says bullying happens most between friends by Kelsey Donk Most Teen Bullying Occurs Among Peers Climbing the Social Ladder. (2021, February 17). UC Davis. ht...

Award-winning photographer, filmmaker, and environmentalist Ian Shive gives the inside scoop on a research expedition to the Aleutian Islands. Then, learn how researchers solved a molecular mystery about how our ears turn sound into what you hear. Additional resources from Ian Shive: Watch “The Last Unknown” on discovery+ https://www.discoveryplus.com/show/the-last-unknown Start your 7-day free tr...

Learn about why there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog; why you should praise kids for their work ethic, not their smarts; and why you should never put coffee grounds in your garden. There's no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog by Grant Currin More, D. (2021). The Myth of Hypoallergenic Dogs. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-myth-of-hypoallergenic-dogs-82709 Pet allergy:...

Learn about why it’s a big deal that researchers found animal life underneath the Antarctic ice shelf; how scientists measured blinks to figure out why exercise gives your brain a boost; and why having a bad boss can make you a good boss. Scientists accidentally found animal life 3,000 feet beneath the Antarctic ice shelf by Steffie Drucker Sample, I. (2021, February 15). Researchers rethink life...

Learn about why bubbles appear in your water overnight; the “other-contingent extravert,” a new type of extravert that’s only outgoing in certain situations; and why food sticks to nonstick pans. Bubbles in water left out overnight by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Adam) Why do bubbles form if a glass of water is left alone for a while? (2006, February 6). Scientific American. https://www.sc...

Learn about a change in language use that could mean a breakup is on the way; why ogre-faced spiders are basically ninja assassins, with help from Cornell University professor Ron Hoy; and how it’s possible to exercise too much. A change in pronoun use could signal an impending breakup by Kelsey Donk Use of pronouns may show signs of an impending breakup. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert...

Learn why Cygnus X-1, the first black hole ever discovered, is bigger than we thought. Then, learn about spider hearing with help from Ron Hoy, a professor of neurobiology and behavior at Cornell University who studies acoustic communication in insects. The first black hole ever discovered is bigger than we thought by Grant Currin First black hole ever detected is more massive than we thought. (20...

Learn about why changing out of your pajamas while you work could improve your mental health; why local honey doesn’t stop seasonal allergies; and shisa kanko, a surprisingly simple Japanese ritual that greatly improves accuracy. Working from home in your pajamas is linked to poorer mental health by Kelsey Donk The Re:Set Team. (2021, February 5). Scientists Say Working From Home in Pyjamas Can Da...

Learn about why it might actually be healthy to gain weight as you get older; the alkaloids responsible for why our pets can’t eat chocolate; and how small a minority can be to reshape society. Gaining weight as you age may be healthier than staying at the same weight by Grant Currin Survival tip: Start at normal weight and slowly add pounds. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_rele...

Learn about a simple way to reduce your internet carbon footprint; how brain images can make you more likely to believe fake science; and how loud the sun is. The internet has a big carbon footprint, and you can reduce yours with a simple fix by Kelsey Donk Turn off that camera during virtual meetings, environmental study says. (2021). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/pu...

Writer, producer, and “Flash Forward” podcast host Rose Eveleth explains why so many technology breakthroughs never pan out. Then, learn about real-life giant sand worms and why the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon makes you notice some things more than others. Additional resources from Rose Eveleth: Rose's website: http://roseveleth.com/ Flash Forward podcast: https://www.flashforwardpod.com/ Flash Forw...

Rose Eveleth — writer, producer, and “Flash Forward” podcast host — explains why futurists don’t need to know the future. Then, you’ll learn about the oldest examples of money ever discovered. Additional resources from Rose Eveleth: Rose's website: http://roseveleth.com/ Flash Forward podcast: https://www.flashforwardpod.com/ Flash Forward Presents: https://www.ffwdpresents.com/ Follow Rose on Twi...

Learn about why liars may mimic your body language; why “tend and befriend” is an alternative response to “fight or flight”; and why lakes freeze from the top down, not the bottom up. Liars imitate the body language of the person they're lying to by Kelsey Donk Lesté-Lasserre, C. (2020). Lying men mimic the body language of other men they are talking to. New Scientist. https://www.newscientist.com...

Learn about why time management can make you happier; how catnip can protect your cat from mosquitoes; and 3 ways your identity could be stolen without getting your computer hacked — and how to protect yourself. Time management has a stronger effect on wellbeing than on job performance by Kelsey Donk Aeon, B., Faber, A., & Panaccio, A. (2021). Does time management work? A meta-analysis. PLOS ONE,...