Curiosity Weekly

Today, you’ll learn about a tantalizing new discovery about dark energy that could change our understanding of the entire universe, how scientists are pulling electricity from raindrops, and the barcode memory tool inside a chickadee’s brain.     Dark Energy    “A Tantalizing ‘Hint’ That Astronomers Got Dark Energy All Wrong.” by Dennis Overbye. 2024.    “What Is...

Today, you’ll learn about some potential good news about whale populations, what decades-old cans of salmon can tell us about the health of the ocean, and how climate change is literally slowing down the world.     Recovered Whales     “Whale population recovers five years after hundreds washed up dead.” n.a. 2024.    “The gray whale die-off on West Coast is...

Today, you’ll learn about an AI-designed window film that could keep your house cool, the mysterious ways Mars causes deep-sea erosion on Earth, and how playing the didgeridoo could help treat sleep apnea.     Cooling Windows      “New window film drops temperature, slashes energy consumption.” by Paul McClure. 2024.    “Engineers use quantum computing...

Today, you’ll learn about an artificial reef that could save the shore from storms, how simply owning a pair of glasses can make you earn more income, and how air conditioners could help CSI detectives solve crimes.    Artificial Reef    “Artificial reef designed by MIT engineers could protect marine life, reduce storm damage.” by Jennifer Chu. 2024.    “Coastal Prote...

Today, you’ll learn about a revolutionary new system that can turn saltwater into drinking water with the help of the sun, how your brain chooses what memories to keep, and a super-Earth with a really dark side.     Solar Drinking Water    “Solar-powered technology converts saltwater into drinking water emission-free.” King’s College London. 2024.    “Flexible ba...

Today, you’ll learn about a massive discovery of new species from the depths of the ocean, why you shouldn’t buy your brand new driver their own car, and a possible breakthrough in microchip data collection from animals.     New Marine Species     “Scientists Discover 100 New Marine Species in New Zealand.” by Rebecca Carballo. 2024.    “Expedition to Uncove...

Today, you’ll learn about the potential positive power of gossip, how climate change is making zooplankton in Lake Erie confused, and a surprising connection between new school buses and student performance in school.     Gossip    “Can’t Stand Gossip? Let’s Talk, New Research Suggests.” by Emily C. Nunez. 2024.    “Explaining the evolution of gossip.” by Xinyue...

Today, you’ll learn about the science of getting in the groove, a newly discovered burial ground for elite medieval horses, and more evidence that coffee could help you fight off cancer.     Grooving to Music    “Neural dynamics of predictive timing and motor engagement in music listening.” by Arnaud Zalta, et al. 2024.    “Two Concepts of Groove: Musical Nuances...

Today, you’ll learn about the pros and mostly cons of using ChatGPT in the classroom, how wild animals responded to the sudden peace and quiet of Covid, and a new contact lens that can help heal eye wounds.     ChatGPT in School    “Is it harmful or helpful? Examining the causes and consequences of generative AI usage among university students.” by Muhammad Abbas, et al. 2...

Today, you’ll learn about why our brains are getting bigger and why that’s a good thing, how the sweet songs of the reef could help save it, and an AI device that gives a voice to the voiceless.     Bigger Brains     “Human brains are getting larger. That may be good news for dementia risk.” UC David Health. 2024.    “Trends in Intracranial and Cerebral Volu...

Today, you’ll learn about a nasal spray that could one day let those with sleep apnea toss out their CPAP machines, house paint that kills mosquitos, and the incredible giant redwoods… of England.     Sleep Spray     “A novel TASK channel antagonist nasal spray reduces sleep apnea severity in physiological responders: a randomized, blinded, trial.” by Amal M. Osman, e...

Today, you’ll learn about an effort to create palm oil without burning down millions of acres of forest, the surprising way polyglots’ brains approach their own native language, and new research on how the powerful psychedelic drug ayahuasca extinguishes fear.    Palm-Less Oil    “They Want to Make Palm Oil in a Lab. Without Palm Trees.” by Dionne Searcey. 2024.    “T...

Today, you’ll learn about a new study shedding light on what species are most vulnerable to extinction from climate change, why species of living fossils take their time evolving, and a new theory about how the asteroid that killed the dinosaurs also impacted birds.     Extinction Risk     “New study reveals insight into which animals are most vulnerable to extinction...

Today, you’ll learn about a compelling study on twins and the nature versus nurture debate, how scientists solved a 60-year-old mystery about bees, and why you shouldn’t go last.     Twin Trauma    “One Twin Was Hurt, the Other Was Not. Their Adult Mental Health Diverged.” by Ellen Barry. 2024.    “Adverse Childhood Experiences and Adult Mental Health Outcomes.”...

Today, you’ll learn about a new plan to use waste from beer brewing to clean metal out of our water supply, a study that puts languages like Orc and Klingon to the test, and a discovery about the direction our memories travel in our brains.     Brewer’s Yeast     “The same beer waste that gives us Vegemite could help us recycle metal waste.” n.a. 2024.    “S...

Today, you’ll learn about a medication that can successfully treat frostbite, the study of bloodsplatter in space, and a surprising finding about the supposed benefits of small class sizes.    Frostbite Treatment    “The U.S. now has a drug for severe frostbite. How does it work?” by Saugat Bolakhe. 2024.    “Frostbite.” NIH. 2023.    “FDA Approves First Med...

Today, you’ll learn about a skin printer that could lead to scar-free surgeries, the possibility of bringing the wooly mammoth back to life, and how to work at being happy.     Printed Skin    “Scar-free surgery prints living skin (and maybe hair) right into wounds.” by Paul McClure. 2024.    “New bioink promotes growth & regeneration of 3D-printed muscle tis...

Today, you’ll learn about a radical idea for installing a curtain around a massive ice sheet, how positive vibrations might help people with social anxiety, and new tech that could remove dangerous forever chemicals from our environment.     Glacier Curtain    “Scientists want to build 62-mile-long curtains around the ‘doomsday glacier’ for a $50 billion Hail Mary to save...

Today, you’ll learn about a surprising discovery inside the worms of Chernobyl, a way to protect metals at sea inspired by barnacles, and foot-eye coordination.     Chernobyl Worms    “Radiation-proof Chernobyl worms offer answers about cancer.” by Paul McClure. 2024.    “Chernobyl Accident 1986.” n.a. 2022.    “Environmental radiation exposure at Chorn...

Today, you’ll learn about the magic of the upcoming solar eclipse, a simple way to reduce the amount of microplastics in your drinking water, and the connection between self-control and the perception of power.  Livestream of the total solar eclipse on Discovery’s YouTube channel on April 8 at 2:15pm ET here ! Eclipse 2024    “What this solar eclipse can teach us about our planet an...

Today, you’ll learn about a potentially risky new idea to geoengineer our way out of extreme heat, bad news for fans of artificially sweetened drinks, and an incredible new discovery about butterflies.     Geoengineering    “Dehydrate the stratosphere to curb global warming? Scientists float new risky strategy.” by Paul Voosen. 2024.    “Contributions of Stratosp...

Today, you’ll learn about an alarming new killer behavior in orcas, a potential breakthrough for patients with one of the deadliest cancers, and the brain science behind flow.     Shark Hunter    “Orcas Demonstrating They No Longer Need to Hunt in Packs to Take Down the Great White Shark.” Taylor & Francis. 2024.    “Further insights into killer whales Orcinu...

Happy 300 episodes to our Curiosity Daily listeners! Today, you’ll learn about a massive database of human genomes that’s uncovering major new genetic discoveries, the scientists building stone age tools from scratch… and then putting them to work, and a treasure trove of deep sea discoveries in an underwater mountain range.     Human Diversity     “Ambitious survey o...

Today, you’ll learn about how we learn the same information differently from people we like than from those we don’t like, a drug men already take that could have incredible added benefits, and a weed that could feed a hungry world.     Learning From Friends     “The brain is ‘programmed’ for learning from people we like.” Lund University. 2024.    “Ingroup...

Today, you’ll learn about how ADHD might have actually helped our ancient ancestors thrive, the way pollution makes it hard for nighttime pollinators to stop and smell the flowers, and a new study that suggests lions, tigers, and other big cats can tell who’s talking to them.     ADHD Foraging    “Attention deficits linked with proclivity to explore while foraging.” by Dav...