Discovery

Curiosity Weekly

Science EN ↓ 1622 episodes

Welcome to Curiosity Weekly from Discovery, hosted by Dr. Samantha Yammine. Once a week, we’ll bring you the latest and greatest in scientific discoveries and break down the details so that you don’t need a PhD to understand it. From neuroscience to climate tech to AI and genetics, no subject is off-limits. Join Sam as she interviews expert guests and investigates the research guiding some of the most exciting scientific breakthroughs affecting our world today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author

Discovery

Episodes

Melt Glass at Home (w/ Nick Uhas), How Matches Make Fire, and Odd Animal Sizes on Islands 07.08.2019 8:14

Learn about how a struck match creates fire; why "the island rule" makes some animals huge and other animals tiny; and how you can melt glass at home, with some help from Netflix reality glassblowing competition “Blown Away” host Nick Uhas. Please support today’s sponsor, Skura! Visit https://skurastyle.com to get sponges delivered right to your door, and enter promo code CURIOSITY to get your fir...

Wireless Charging May Be Bad for Your Battery, “Alpha Dog” Myths, and Penicillin’s Full Origins 06.08.2019 9:40

Learn about the true history of penicillin; why wireless charging may be bad for your battery; and why the “alpha dog” is a canine myth. In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes: In the Story of Penicillin, Alexander Fleming Was a Minor Character — https://curiosity.im/2SD8bmX...

Future of Cell-Sized Robots (w/ Cornell University) and Transferring Data Through Music 05.08.2019 8:48

Learn about how scientists found a way to transfer data through music. Then, learn about the world of possibilities for cell-sized robots, in the final edition of our Microscale Mondays mini-series with Cornell physicists Itai Cohen and Paul McEuen. In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following story from Curiosity.com about how scientists found a way to transfer data through...

Respecting Others with Hanlon’s Razor, What If the World Went Vegan, and Dancing Cockatoos 04.08.2019 10:01

Learn about a cockatoo that proves humans aren’t the only animals who can dance; mental models like Hanlon’s razor for reducing anxiety and getting along better with others, with some help from authors Gabriel Weinberg and Lauren McCann; and, what would happen if the world went vegan. In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following story from Curiosity.com about a cockatoo that...

Bioprinting (w/ Zach Weinersmith), Giant Underground Cities, and Miniature Pigeon Cameras 02.08.2019 8:42

Learn about bioprinting from Zach Weinersmith, creator of “Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal.” You’ll also learn about Derinkuyu, an ancient underground city; and, Dr. Neubronner’s miniature pigeon camera that predated drone photography. Please support today’s sponsor, Skura! Visit https://skurastyle.com to get sponges delivered right to your door, and enter promo code CURIOSITY to get your first...

Space Elevators (w/ Zach Weinersmith) and Why Get Off Your Phone When You Watch TV 01.08.2019 10:00

Learn about new research that shows why you might enjoy watching TV more if you put your phone away. Then, learn about space elevators with Zach Weinersmith, creator of the popular geek webcomic “Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal.” In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following story from Curiosity.com about why you should get off your phone while you watch TV: https://curiosit...

You Have A Type, Harmful Shark Myths, and Why Airplane Engines Have Spirals 31.07.2019 8:22

Learn about the truth behind harmful myths about sharks to help you celebrate Shark Week; the surprising purpose of the spiral on airplane engines; and how you can supercharge your relationships with research that shows you really do have a “type.” Please support this episode’s sponsor! Get your first month of KiwiCo FREE by visiting https://www.kiwico.com/curiosity In this podcast, Cody Gough and...

Measure Your Beliefs About the World, the Overview Effect, and a Mercury-Spewing Fountain 30.07.2019 8:21

Learn about how the overview effect changes your perspective when you leave Earth; why the Calder Mercury Fountain in Barcelona pumps out pure liquid mercury; and, how researchers came up with a set of core beliefs that measure how you feel about the world. Please support our sponsors! Visit capterra.com/curiosity to find the best software solution for your business — for free! In this podcast, Co...

Communicating with Cell-Sized Robots (w/ Cornell University) and Uncanny Valley Science 29.07.2019 9:43

Learn from Cornell University physicists Paul McEuen and Itai Cohen how cell-sized robots actually communicate with each other and move around. You’ll also learn about the “uncanny valley” and how scientists figured out what part of your brain gets creeped out by human-like robots. In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following story from Curiosity.com about how scientists pinp...

Why We Kiss, Ploonets, and The Unbelievable True Story of D.D. Palmer, the First Chiropractor 28.07.2019 8:03

Learn about ploonets, which are moons that leave their planets; the unbelievable true story of D.D. Palmer, the first chiropractor; and, why humans kiss. In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes: Moons That Leave Their Planets Are Called Ploonets — https://curiosity.im/30CoK5f...

You May Have Eaten Glass (w/ Nick Uhas), Using Positive Stress, and Identifying Screams 26.07.2019 8:35

Learn about how you’ve probably eaten glass, with Netflix’s “Blown Away” host Nick Uhas . You’ll also learn about how to tap into a positive kind of stress called eustress; and, how your unique screams can identify you. Please support today’s sponsor, ButcherBox! To get FREE bacon in EVERY box for the life of your subscription, PLUS $20 off your first box, visit https://www.butcherbox.com/curiosit...

Forcing Functions and “Super Thinking,” Rosalind Franklin’s Story, and Dogs Smelling Fear 25.07.2019 8:48

Learn about the truth behind Rosalind Franklin’s contributions to science; a mental model called “forcing functions” you can use to be more thoughtful and produce better results; and, whether dogs can smell fear. Please support today’s sponsor, Skura! Visit https://skurastyle.com to get sponges delivered right to your door, and enter promo code CURIOSITY to get your first month FREE! In this podca...

Your Nightmares Help You Survive, Tin Whiskers Break Your Gadgets, and Every Map Is Lying 24.07.2019 8:47

Learn about “tin whiskers,” the mysterious reason why your gadgets suddenly stop working; threat simulation theory and how your nightmares might be helping you survive; and why every map is lying to you. In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes: Tin Whiskers Are the Mysterious...

S’more History, How “Text Speak” Affects Literacy Skills, and What Lead Does to Your Body 23.07.2019 8:31

Learn about whether “text speak” harms your literacy skills; why the s’mores recipe isn’t as old as you think; and what lead does to the human body. In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes: Does 'Text Speak' Harm Your Literacy Skills? — https://curiosity.im/2Jv4L2p The S'more...

Microscale Machine Manufacturing (w/ Cornell University) and Stopping Hiccups with Science 22.07.2019 7:33

Learn about how researchers are manufacturing robots that are half the width of a human hair, in the second edition of our Microscale Mondays mini-series. You’ll also learn about a science-backed way to stop the hiccups. In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following story from Curiosity.com about one science-backed way to stop the hiccups: https://curiosity.im/2xAAF75 Addition...

Pomodoro Technique to Stop Procrastination, Where Medicine Goes, and Baseball Physics 21.07.2019 7:32

Learn about the physics of hitting a baseball; a productivity hack to stop procrastination; and, how viruses and medicines know where to go in your body. In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes: What It Takes to Hit a Baseball Makes Baseball Players Look Like Superheroes — ht...

Simple Quantum Physics (w/ George Greenstein), Parachute-less Falling, and Dog Adoption 19.07.2019 8:53

Learn about a simple way to explain quantum physics, with a special guest, astrophysicisist George Greenstein. You’ll also learn about how to survive falling without a parachute, and how to avoid “speed-dating mistakes” when adopting a dog. Please support our sponsors! Get two months of unlimited access to over 25,000 classes on Skillshare — for free. To sign up, go to skillshare.com/curiosity In...

EPR Paradox and Quantum Strangeness (w/ George Greenstein) and Temperatures for Sleep 18.07.2019 10:11

Learn about why room temperature is so important for getting a good night’s sleep. Plus, learn about the EPR paradox and a famous debate from the world of quantum physics with a special guest, astrophysicist George Greenstein. In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following story from Curiosity.com about how scientists figured out why room temperature is so important for sleep:...

Self-Defense Amputations, Unique English Words, and How Puppy-Dog Eyes Evolved 17.07.2019 9:08

Learn about how animals evolved to amputate their limbs in self-defence; how dogs literally have human friendship in their DNA; and English words that don’t exist in other languages. In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes: Here's Why Some Animals Amputate Their Limbs in Self...

A Normal Body Temperature Isn't 98.6 Degrees, Fettuccine-Like Rocks, and Toothbrush Tips 16.07.2019 7:49

Learn about why a normal temperature isn’t really 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit; why Mars rovers should search for rocks that look like fettuccine; and how often you should replace your toothbrush. Please support today’s sponsor, ButcherBox! To get FREE bacon in EVERY box for the life of your subscription, PLUS $20 off your first box, visit https://www.butcherbox.com/curiosity In this podcast, Cody Goug...

Cell-Sized Robots (w/ Cornell University), Learning Styles Don’t Exist, and Why Pulsars Matter 15.07.2019 10:04

Learn about the woman who discovered pulsars and why they matter; and, why learning styles don’t exist. You’ll also learn about cell-sized robots, in the the first edition of our Microscale Mondays mini-series with Cornell physicists Itai Cohen and Paul McEuen. In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something...

Songs in Tonal Languages (w/ James Kirby) and Neanderthal DNA in Human Chromosomes 14.07.2019 9:59

Learn how researchers found ancient Neanderthal DNA in human chromosomes. Plus, linguist James Kirby will answer a question about how musicians write songs in tonal languages. In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following story from Curiosity.com about how genetecists found Neanderthal DNA in the dark centers of human chromosomes: https://curiosity.im/2xF98kI Want to support o...

Smartphone Technology and the Future of Innovation 13.07.2019 18:13

Learn about the dielectrics, metals, and other components from EMD Performance Materials that make your smartphone possible. Plus: the unique challenges of advancing technology on a microscopic level, the future of virtual and augmented reality, and what’s in store for autonomous vehicles. This episode is sponsored by EMD Performance Materials, a business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The fin...

Surprising Science of Glass (w/ Nick Uhas), Satellite Tethers, and Map Coloring Math 12.07.2019 10:11

Learn about futuristic tethers that could help us stop making a mess in space; how we finally solved a deceptively simple mathematics mystery; and, the surprising science of glass, with special guest Nick Uhas. In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories from Curiosity.com to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes: Futuristic Tethers Could...

AI Translating Babies’ Cries, Being Suckered by the Barnum Effect, and City of Lies and Truth 11.07.2019 8:32

Learn about how scientists are using artificial intelligence to translate babies’ cries; test your skills with the City of Lies and Truth logic puzzle; and learn how to avoid falling prey to a common psychological phenomenon called the Barnum effect. Please support our sponsors! Visit capterra.com/curiosity to find the best software solution for your business — for free! In this podcast, Cody Goug...