Curiosity Weekly

Today, you’ll learn about how reading fiction could make you smarter, the first ever likely transmission of bird flu from a cow to a human, and how a beluga whale communicates with its squishy head.    Fiction Readers      “People who read a lot of fiction tend to have better cognitive skills, study finds.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.    “Cognitive effects and c...

Today, you’ll learn about a new and stimulating method that could potentially help smokers kick the habit, an innovative copper coating that kills bacteria on touchscreens, and the little birds that sometimes make for great stepdads.     Tobacco Treatment    “Can brain stimulation help people kick their tobacco addiction?” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.    “Why Won’t Ou...

Today, you’ll learn about the demand for a compound called squalene that is decimating deepwater shark populations, an amazing effort to create an eco-friendly lubricant using green chemistry, and the surprising connection between shepherds, women, and wildfires.    Shark Oil     “Deepwater Sharks Are Threatened by Demand for Liver Oil.” by David Shiffman. 2024.  &nbs...

Today, you’ll learn about a newly discovered deep sea ghost shark, the best way to treat prolonged grief disorder, and how the blood vessels in our brain coordinate to improve brain functioning.     Ghost Shark     “‘Ghost shark’ with enormous head and giant iridescent eyes discovered off Thailand.” by Elise Poore. 2024.    “Chimaera.” Shark Trust. 2020. &nb...

Today, you’ll learn about the incredible dynamics that make the thresher shark so good at threshing, how people with a rare growth disorder might actually have an advantage that leads to longer lifespans, and why people listen to sad music.     Thresher Shark     Fear the Tails, Not the Jaws, of These ‘Weirdo’ Sharks.” by Kate Golembiewski. 2024.    “Vertebr...

Today, you’ll learn about the possible holy grail of great white shark sightings, a new flu vaccine that could knock out every strain and last a long time, and a map of human consciousness.     Newborn Great White    “Great white sighting may reveal ‘holy grail’ of shark science.” by Katie Hunt. 2024 .   “Novel aerial observations of a possible newborn white shar...

Today, you’ll learn about the rare study of a hammerhead shark embryo, how touching your teammate might help them make free throws, and a super alloy that doesn’t break - it kinks.     Hammerhead Embryos    “Secrets of Hammerhead Sharks Revealed in ‘Very Rare’ Images.” by Robyn White. 2024.    “Bonnethead shark.” David A. Ebert, et al. 2021.    “Are Ham...

Today, you’ll learn about a massive prehistoric shark, the controversial plan to kill millions of barred owls, and how a condition called misophonia could be linked to stress and trauma.     Giant Shark    “Ancient, 30-foot relative of great white shark unearthed in Mexico quarry.” by Melissa Hobson. 2024.    “Exceptionally preserved shark fossils from Mexico elu...

Today, you’ll learn about tiny robotic nerve cuffs, an orangutan that treated its own wound with medicine, and how nostalgia encourages us to take part in rituals.     Robotic Nerve Cuffs    “Robotic nerve ‘cuffs’ could help treat a range of neurological conditions.” University of Cambridge. 2024.    “Peripheral Nervous System (PNS).” Cleveland Clinic. 2022. &nbs...

Today, you’ll learn about a new way to turn certain blood types into universal blood types that could save countless lives, how exercise makes time slow down, and the new plastic made of eggshells that could clean up our water and stop plastic pollution.     Universal Donors    “Bacterial enzyme strips away blood types to create universal donor blood.” by Paul McClure. 202...

Today, you’ll learn about how microgravity affects sleep and physiological rhythms, the half a billion year old bioluminescent octocoral, and the truth about women’s synchronized menstrual cycles.    Microgravity Effects    “Simulated microgravity affects sleep and physiological rhythms.” EurekAlert! 2024.    “Effect of 60 days of head down tilt bed rest on amplitude...

Today, you’ll learn about the life-crushing conditions on Venus that could actually tell us about life elsewhere in the universe, how indigenous cultural fire burning could help us create healthier forests, and the people who brew beer in their stomachs.     Venus Environment   “To find life in the universe, look to deadly Venus.” EurekAlert! 2024.    “Davinci, a...

Today, you’ll learn about the amazing regenerative effects of thistle extract on damaged nerves, the first synthetic, lab-made cells, and new insights into the development of language in people with autism.     Thistle Extract    “Thistle extract accelerates nerve regeneration by up to 29%.” by Paul McClure. 2024.    “Nerves.” Byju’s. N.d.   “Cnicin promotes...

Today, you’ll learn about a new way to purify water simply by walking, robots controlled by liquid and rubber balls, and an accident that led to a wild discovery about bumblebees.     Clean Water Walking     “Walking-induced electrostatic charges enable in situ electroporated disinfection in portable water bottles.” by Young-Jun Kim, et al. 2024.    “Freshwa...

Today, you’ll learn about the history of dragons, a lab-made gold that’s only a single atom thick, and a new low pressure way to make diamonds.     Dragon History      “Dragons: A brief history of the mythical, fire-breathing beasts.” by Callum McKelvie & Benjamin Radford. 2022.    “A Natural History of Dragons.” by Livia Gershon. 2022.   ...

Today, you’ll learn about a new tech that could turn all that nasty CO2 into electricity, the genes that allow cancer cells to metastasize, and the incredible, healing hearts of zebrafish.    CO2 Into Electricity    “Electricity generation from carbon dioxide adsorption by spatially nanoconfined ion separation.” by Zhuyuan Wang, et al. 2024.    “Novel Nanogenerator Tu...

Today, you’ll learn about the genes that could make you left-handed, how trees are able to cope with heat waves, and what could possibly lie beneath the ice of Jupiter’s moon, Europa.     Left Hand Gene    “Gene involved in cell shape offers clues on left-handedness.” by Will Dunham. 2024.    “Half a century of handedness research: Myths, truths; fictions, facts;...

Today, you’ll learn about how our perception of when old age hits is changing, a baby’s response to a happy face, and the housekeeping habits of neanderthals.    When is Old Age?      “Perception of when old age starts has increased over time, shows study.” by Nicola Davis. 2024.    “Psychology and Aging.” APA PsycNet database. 2024.    “The shift...

Today, you’ll learn about a new class of antibiotics that kills drug-resistant bugs, a water pollution test that can tell scientists where the pollution came from, and spiders that collaborate.     New Antibiotics    “New antibiotic class effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria.” Uppsala Universitet. 2024.    “10 reasons YOU should be worried about antibio...

Today, you’ll learn about the dreams of birds, why sound pollution in the oceans could be killing whales, and how fruit-eating birds are doing the work to save tropical forests.     Bird Dreams    “Birds sing in their sleep - and now we can decipher their dreams.” by Paul McClure. 2024.    “Replay of innate vocal patterns during night sleep in suboscines.” by Jua...

Today, you’ll learn about a paralyzed man who is making a recovery after receiving stem cell therapy, how bees learn architecture, and a potential new treatment for postpartum depression in new mothers.     Paralysis Recovery     “Paralyzed man who can walk again shows potential benefit of stem cell therapy.” by Amanda Dimare. 2024.    “Study documents safet...

Today, you’ll learn about how non-invasive brain stimulation might offer relief to older patients suffering from anxiety and depression, the first known molecular fractal, and a new discovery turning the view of bonobos as peace-loving primates on its head.     Brain Stimulation    “Brain stimulation treatment may improve depression, anxiety in older adults.” by Jill Pease...

Today, you’ll learn about a new AI developed to help doctors identify and treat diseases like cancer, why watching sports might give our sense of wellness a boost, and the real reason we blink so much.     AI Medical Research     “Mayo researchers invented a new class of AI to improve cancer research and treatments.” EurekAlert! 2024.    “The Rise of Hypothe...

Today, you’ll learn about the traits most people value in romantic partners, a new link between a particular gut bacteria and cardiovascular health, and why dogs might make your kids healthier.     Romantic Traits     “Intelligence and kindness are the most valued traits in romantic partners, study finds.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.    “What Do Different People...

Today, you’ll learn about how diversifying farms has a ton of upsides and virtually no downsides, the way we tend to predict how something will smell before we smell it, and a universally shared preference for simple rhythms in music.     Diversified Farming     “Major study reports that people and environment both benefit from diversified farming, while bottom lines...