Curiosity Weekly

Learn about whether animals can predict earthquakes, why younger folks experience déjà vu more often, and how software that helped us reach the moon was literally woven by hand. Can Animals Really Sense an Earthquake Coming? A New Study Says Yes by Grant Currin Pratik Pawar. (2020, July 22). Animals Sense Earthquakes Before They Happen. Can They Help Us Predict Disasters? Discover Magazine. https:...

Learn about how children led their own research project into what they really think of adults, how painting eyes on cow butts could help solve a wildlife conservation problem, and whether it’s a good idea to rinse out your recycling. Children led a research project into what they really think of adults by Kelsey Donk Maynard, E., & Barton, S. (2020, August 7). Children reveal what they really thin...

Learn about how a phenomenon called the third-person effect makes us think we’re too smart for advertising to work on us, why scientists used violinists to study how humans sync in a complex network, and why you can relieve pain by holding hands! The Third-Person Effect Is Why We All Think We’re Too Smart for Ad Campaigns by Anna Todd Davison, W. P. (1983). The Third-Person Effect in Communication...

Learn about how that dark sense of humor can mean a higher IQ, the origin of the word “orange,” and how the arctic produces “zombie fires.” A Dark Sense of Humor May Mean You Have a High IQ by Joanie Faletto Willinger, U., Hergovich, A., Schmoeger, M., Deckert, M., Stoettner, S., Bunda, I., Witting, A., Seidler, M., Moser, R., Kacena, S., Jaeckle, D., Loader, B., Mueller, C., & Auff, E. (2017). Co...

Learn whether smiling can actually make you feel happier and why it took John Harrison, a working-class clockmaker, to figure out longitude. It Took a Working-Class Clockmaker to Figure Out Longitude by Ashley Hamer Dr Helen Klus. (2017, October 26). Latitude and Longitude. The Star Garden. http://www.thestargarden.co.uk/Longitude.html Longitude found - the story of Harrison’s Clocks. (2015, Octob...

Learn about how there are two types of empathy — and why we need both, why sturdy steel razors dull, and whether it’s possible to learn perfect pitch. There are two types of empathy, and we need both by Kelsey Donk Empathy Definition | What Is Empathy. (2020). Greater Good Magazine. UC Berkeley. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/empathy/definition Hot to Help. (2020). Greater Good Magazine. U...

Learn about why everyone claims they’re awful at remembering names; how “hobo code” helped itinerant workers communicate in the 1900s; and whether you probably see yourself as more attractive than you really are. We all think our memories are above average, except for remembering names by Steffi Drucker Finally, One Area Where We Don’t Think We’re Better Than Others: Remembering Names. (2020, Augu...

Learn about how a mutation that evolved to protect us against malaria actually makes us more prone to other diseases; and why astronauts are using old sailing technology (sextants) to navigate through space. Plus: a special update from Cody! A mutation that makes us prone to autoimmune diseases evolved to protect us from malaria by Cameron Duke Khan, N., de Manuel, M., Peyregne, S., Do, R., Prufer...

Learn about how the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest texts in the world, was first translated not by a scientist, but by an engraver’s apprentice named George Smith; how horses lost their toes; and why sperm swim differently than scientists previously thought. Some Random Guy Stumbled Upon and Translated a Legendary Ancient Text by Reuben Westmaas Damrosch, D. (2007, May). Epic Hero. Smithsoni...

Learn why fragrance-free is NOT the same as unscented, and how a cow named Cosmo was genetically edited so he’ll have more male offspring. There's a big difference between "unscented" and "fragrance free" by Kelsey Donk Schwarcz, J. (2017, July 21). What is the difference between “Unscented” and “Fragrance-free” products? Office for Science and Society. McGill University. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss...

Learn about why short-term pleasures are important for your well-being; a Thorne-Żytkow Object, which is what astronomers call a star within a star; and how science identified the culprit for your smelly armpits: Staphylococcus hominis . Short-term pleasures contribute to well-being just as much as self-control by Kelsey Donk Hedonism leads to happiness. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert....

Learn why pregnancy cravings might be more cultural than biological; and why raindrops don’t damage delicate insect wings. Then, play along at home and test your podcast knowledge with this month’s Curiosity Challenge trivia game. Pregnancy cravings are more cultural than biological by Grant Currin Orloff, N. C., Flammer, A., Hartnett, J., Liquorman, S., Samelson, R., & Hormes, J. M. (2016). Food...

Author Bill Sullivan discusses the surprising ways your genes can influence aggressive and violent tendencies. Then, learn about how it’s possible that anglerfish can fuse to their mates; and box breathing, a Navy SEAL technique for reducing stress and staying calm. Additional resources from Bill Sullivan: Pick up “Pleased to Meet Me: Genes, Germs, and the Curious Forces That Make Us Who We Are” o...

Learn about how frequent daydreaming may be killing your mood, why ancient Greek temples were purposely built on fault lines; and the invisible forces that make you do the things you do, with author Bill Sullivan. You Daydream Surprisingly Often, and It's Not Helping by Rachel Bertsche Bradt, S. (2010, November 11). Wandering mind not a happy mind. Harvard Gazette; Harvard Gazette. https://news.ha...

Learn about how people under stress can find a “new normal” surprisingly quickly, and why the Mercury 13 should have been the first women in space. Even under stress, our sense of normalcy bounces back surprisingly quickly by Kelsey Donk Sense of normalcy bounces back fast: New study. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-07/uom-son072920.php Anicich, E. M., Foulk, T. A....

Learn about how blind people can describe what animals look like, how “Ring Around the Rosie” probably doesn’t reference the Plague, and why scientists used Cladosporium sphaerospermum, a radiosynthetic species of fungus, to build a radiation shield. Ring Around the Rosie probably doesn't reference the plague by Kelsey Donk Mikkelson, D. (2000, November 17). Is ‘Ring Around the Rosie’ About the Bl...

Learn about the "shower-curtain effect," the mystery of why your shower curtain will randomly cling to you; whether masks affect our emotional development; and why humans perk up their ears. No One Knows Why the Shower Curtain Will Randomly Cling to You by Joanie Faletto Why Does the Shower Curtain Move Toward the Water? (2001, July 11). Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/arti...

Learn about what to do when your pet is scared; and why the theory of endosymbiosis says you have microbes inside your cells. Then, stick around to meet Natalia Reagan: an anthropologist, primatologist, and comedian who will be filling Cody’s shoes while he’s on paternity leave. What to do when your pet is scared by Cameron Duke Waite, M. (2020, July 28). You Can’t Reinforce Fear (So Go Ahead and...

Learn about how mapmakers catch copycats with paper towns and trap streets; why people on their deathbed can probably hear their loved ones pay their last respects; and that time some woodpeckers shut down NASA’s plan to launch the space shuttle Discovery. Paper Towns and Trap Streets Are How Mapmakers Catch Copycats by Reuben Westmaas Goblu and Beatosu, Ohio. (2017). Weird Universe. http://www.we...

Physician James Hamblin, staff writer for The Atlantic, explains what would happen if you stopped showering — and other fun facts from the emerging science of the skin microbiome. Plus: are some trees really immortal? Are some trees immortal? A new study says no by Grant Currin Despite debate, even the world’s oldest trees are not immortal. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releas...

Learn about how you can slash your exercise time with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) — and the science that backs it up; how “collective narcissism” can make groups toxic; and how dolphins make friends strategically. HIIT Is the Science-Backed Workout That Can Slash Your Exercise Time by Ashley Hamer Burgomaster, K. A., Howarth, K. R., Phillips, S. M., Rakobowchuk, M., MacDonald, M. J., M...

Learn about why it’s harder to clean grease off of plastic than glass; how zoos use their own version of dating apps for breeding programs; and why science says you don’t have to be married to be happy. Why is it harder to clean grease off of plastic than glass? by Ashley Hamer (Listener question from Lili) Saig, A. (2012, May 17). Why does soap easily remove fats from metalware and glassware but...

Learn about why people prefer round numbers over precise ones, thanks to a principle behavioral economists call attribute framing; and whether there really are wasps inside figs. People prefer round numbers even when the precise number is better news by Kelsey Donk Consumers Prefer Round Numbers Even When the Specific Number Is Better News. (2016). Rpi.edu. https://news.rpi.edu/content/2020/07/06/...

Learn what environmental cardiology has taught us about how we should live, with help from Dr. Aruni Bhatnagar. Then, you’ll learn about the world’s first 3D-printed nuclear reactor core; and why spaghetti always breaks in three. Environmental cardiology resources from Dr. Aruni Bhatnagar: HealthDay. (2020). California’s Wildfires May Have Fueled Cardiac Arrests. US News & World Report; U.S. News...

Environmental cardiology researcher Dr. Aruni Bhatnagar explains why experts are looking at our environment to improve our health. Then, learn how Polynesians and Native Americans connected across more than 2,000 miles of ocean — all the way back in the 12th century. Environmental cardiology resources from Dr. Aruni Bhatnagar: University of Louisville Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute https:/...