Curiosity Weekly

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:/...

Learn about why you have false memories of doing daily tasks; how we know that dogs might be able to sense Earth’s magnetic field via magnetoreception; and the science behind why there’s no up or down in space. Science confirms we create false memories of doing daily tasks by Steffie Drucker Paper: Mundane behavioral decisions, actions can be “misremembered” as done. (2020). EurekAlert! https://ww...

To wrap up our Shark Week coverage, learn about why the US military tried to develop "Shark Chaser" shark repellent during World War II. Then, learn about the leading theories explaining why moths are drawn to lights; and the difference between mummies and fossils. Get even more from Shark Week 2020 on Discovery’s Daily Bite Podcast: https://www.discovery.com/shark-week/everything-you-need-to-know...

Forrest Galante, host of “Extinct or Alive” on Animal Planet, helps us celebrate Shark Week by explaining how we search for — and find! — lost species in the open ocean. Then, you’ll learn about the two types of nostalgia (reflective nostalgia and restorative nostalgia) and how they can influence your well-being. Get even more from Shark Week 2020 on Discovery’s Daily Bite Podcast: https://www.dis...

Forrest Galante, host of “Extinct or Alive” on Animal Planet, helps us celebrate Shark Week by explaining why sharks are so important to their ecosystems. You’ll also learn about giant prehistoric sea scorpions called Eurypterids who used to rule the sea and how cats affect online dating. More from Animal Planet’s “Extinct or Alive” and host Forrest Galante: Extinct or Alive official website — htt...

Learn about whether sharks can really smell a drop of blood from a mile away; how some sharks give birth from two uteruses (and why that’s not even the weirdest part); and the complicated way interstellar travel can mess with language. Can sharks really smell a drop of blood from a mile away? by Grant Currin Shark Smell Myth Found Fishy. (2013, July 10). Inside Science. https://www.insidescience.o...

To celebrate Shark Week, learn about why people are afraid of sharks; how scientists discovered four new species of “walking” sharks (also called epaulette sharks); and how enhanced rock weathering might help us fight climate change with rocks. People are afraid of sharks for 3 psychological reasons by Kelsey Donk Ipsos editor. (2015, July 7). Sharks: Half (51%) of Americans are Absolutely Terrifi...

Learn about the Luhn algorithm (the genius math behind credit card numbers) and how parents’ brains synchronize when they’re together. Then, play along at home and test your podcast knowledge with this month’s Curiosity Challenge trivia game. The genius math behind credit card numbers by Cameron Duke Berry, N. (2014, January 8). How Credit Card Numbers Work. Gizmodo; Gizmodo. https://gizmodo.com/h...

Learn the surprising reason why religious people tend to have more children; why sea turtles are actually pretty clumsy navigators; and where astronomers found the center of our solar system (spoiler alert: it’s not the center of our sun). Evolution explains why religious people have more children by Kelsey Donk New research examines links between religion and parental support from non-family memb...

Learn about how culture plays a role in feeling sick; that time scientists measured all the light in the known universe; and what Jurassic Park got wrong about the Dilophosaurus, that venomous dinosaur with the frilly collar. Culture plays a role in feeling sick by Kelsey Donk Researchers study role culture plays in feeling sick. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-03/...

Learn about why you have tiny rocks in your ears; why the self-congruity effect of music says you may prefer music by artists who have a similar personality to you; and how chemotherapy began as a chemical weapon. There are tiny rocks in your ears that help you detect motion by Cameron Duke Inner Ear “Rock Slides” Lead To Vertigo. (n.d.). NPR.org. https://www.npr.org/2009/04/27/103463398/inner-ear...

Learn about why some words are more memorable than others; how hair growth works; and how fish end up in landlocked lakes. Brain study reveals why some words are more memorable than others by Kelsey Donk NIH study finds out why some words may be more memorable than others. (2020). EurekAlert! https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-06/nion-nsf062620.php Xie, W., Bainbridge, W. A., Inati, S. K...

Learn about why more advertising means less happiness; how to calculate your maximum heart rate; and how parents and kids can help language researchers during the pandemic, with help from an app called KidTalk. The more ads we see, the less happy we are by Kelsey Donk Advertising Makes Us Unhappy. (2019, December 31). Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2020/01/advertising-makes-us-unhappy Ad...