Curiosity Weekly

Today, you’ll learn about mind-reading machines, the brightest object in the known universe, and the potential power punch of cinnamon.    Mind-Reading    “Mind-reading devices are revealing the brain’s secrets.” by Miryam Naddaf. 2024.    “The brain-reading devices helping paralysed people to move, talk and touch.” by Liam Drew. 2022.    “The rise of brain-...

Today, you’ll learn about hurricanes so powerful they need a new category, bacteria linked to young-onset colo-rectal cancer, and ancient treasures made out of meteorites.     Category 6    “In a warming world, climate scientists consider category 6 hurricanes.” EurekAlert! 2024.   “How do hurricanes form?” NOAA. 2023.    “AMCR’s Wehner Explores Impact of ‘E...

Today, you’ll learn about the surprising effect our immune system has on our emotional health, a new discovery about the biological clock of plants, and how researchers are rediscovering the science of psychedelics.     Stress & Immunity    “Mount Sinai Study Shows That Circulating Immune Cells Drawn to the Brain During Stress Can Control Emotional Behaviors.” Mt. Sina...

Today, you’ll learn about the link between body temperature and depression, how taking the the Polar Bear Plunge could soothe symptoms of menopause, and a new sticker that can detect organ failure.     Depression Temp    “Are Body Temperature and Depression Linked? Science Says, Yes.” by Jess Berthold. 2024.    “Surprising Link Discovered Between Body Temperature...

Today, you’ll learn about a new blood test that can detect signs of psychosis and guide precision treatment, a gene mutation that happened in two different high altitude populations thousands of years apart, and new findings of the mental impacts of polycystic ovary syndrome.     Psychosis Blood Test    “Blood test predicts psychosis risk, most effective treatments.” UI Sc...

Today, you’ll learn about a new rapid test for detecting fentanyl, a hyper-sensitive new lead detector, and the mathematical proof that Bach… was a great composer.     Fentanyl Rapid Test      “Researchers Develop Rapid Test for Detecting Fentanyl.” by Kim Horner. 2024.    “Fentanyl and the U.S. Opioid Epidemic.” Claire Klobucista & Mariel Ferragamo...

Today, you’ll learn about how a population of female chimps have surprisingly been found to go through menopause and live well beyond their reproductive years, an ancient tsunami and its devastating impact on stone age populations, and the dire effects of sexism in science.     Chimp Menopause     “Surprisingly long-lived wild female chimps go through menopause.” by B...

Today, you’ll learn about a potential breakthrough in the treatment of ovarian cancer, how just passively listening can help you learn things much more quickly, and the ant that changed the lion’s cuisine.     Ovarian Cancer Treatment    “mRNA therapeutic successfully combats ovarian cancer in mice.” by Monika Raab, et al. 2023.    “Key Statistics for Ovarian Can...

Today, you’ll learn about how we experience colors differently as we age, a discovery from the time of the very first continents on Earth, and the impact of mobile phones on infant health - it’s not what you might expect.    Aging & Colors     “Colours fade as people age.” UCL. 2024.    “Pupil responses to colorfulness are selectively reduced in healthy older...

Today, you’ll learn about the possible dangers of growing leafy greens in microgravity, a study that let AI tag along with a toddler to learn language the human way, and research on stabilizing elephant populations on the African savannah.     Microgravity Gardening    “Simulated microgravity facilitates stomatal ingression by Salmonella in lettuce and suppresses a biocont...

Today, you’ll learn about the reason and the history of leap year, how scientists could tailor microgreens to your own personal dietary needs, and a lesson in getting teens to listen to your advice.     Leap Year    “Why do we have leap years? And how did they come about?” by Harry Baker. 2024.    “Which years are leap years?” Royal Museums Greenwich. N.d.  ...

Today, you’ll learn about how feeling the effects of racism might actually change the victim’s brain chemistry, how scientists have successfully completed the first embryo transfer in an endangered rhino, and how handwriting increases brain connectivity.    Racism & The Brain    “Experiencing racism may physically change your brain.” by Jon Hamilton, Rachel Carlson, & R...

Today, you’ll learn about a bacteria that turns plastic into spider webs, a massive deep-sea discovery right in our own backyard, and how CRISPR could reshape agriculture for an entire continent.    Silk-Making Bacteria    “Researchers Engineer Bacteria That Eat Plastic, Make Multipurpose Spider Silk.” Technology Networks. 2024.    “Two-step conversion of polyethylene...

Today, you’ll learn about a new discovery that turns our understanding of hunter-gatherer diets on its head, the effect of self-checkout on our sense of loyalty to grocery stores, and some good news about the majestic emperor penguin.     Hunter-Gatherer Diets    “Hunter-gatherers were mostly gatherers, says archaeologist.” by Hannah Devlin. 2024.    “Paleo diet:...

Today, you’ll learn about the fastest mini robots ever created, how Bigfoot sightings may help scientists study bear populations, and the link between financial stress and poor health.    Insect Robots    Mini-robots modeled on insects may be smallest, lightest, fastest ever developed.” Washington State University. 2024.    “A New 1-mg Fast Unimorph SMA-Based Actuator...

Today, you’ll learn about a new test that can show how well each of your organs are aging, some interesting links between comfort food and stress, and a surprising finding about certain snails.    Organ Age    “Are your organs ageing well? The blood holds clues.” by Max Kozlov. 2023.    “Blood test shows if organs are ageing fast or slowly.” by Michelle Roberts. 2023....

Today, you’ll learn about ants that play doctor to their fellow ants after going into battle, a possible game-changing way to sequester carbon at the bottom of the ocean, and the changes that can happen in the female mind during menstruation.     Ant Doctors    “Ants Recognize Infected Wounds and Treat Them.” Universitat Wurzburg. 2024.    “Innovative drugs, chem...

Today, you’ll learn about a breakthrough in our understanding of how the brain creates long-term memories, the effect of chronic childhood ear infections on the development of language, and how salt may have helped shape the planet Mercury.     Long-Term Memories    “Neurons aren’t the only cells that make memories in the brain, rodent study reveals.” by Emily Cooke. 2023....

Today, you’ll learn about a new polymer that could battle antibiotic resistant infections, a possible new way to detect life on other planets from afar, and what to expect when you’re expecting to adopt a furry friend,     Powerful Polymer    “Texas A&M Team Develops Polymers That Can Kill Bacteria.” by Shana K. Hutchins. 2023.    “The global threat of antibi...

Today, you’ll learn about how hearing aids may help you live longer, a potential breakthrough that could help usher in the age of quantum computing, and the incredible power of simply saying, “Hi”.     Hearing Aids    “Hearing aids may help people live longer.” EurekAlert! 2024 .   “Association between hearing aid use and mortality in adults with hearing loss in...

Today, you’ll learn about communicating with sleepers, a possible new miracle cure for skin injuries called super melanin, and the secret social lives of garter snakes.     Dreamtalk    “The study of dreams: Scientists uncover new communication channels with dreamers.” by Basak Turker & Delphine Oudiette. 2024 .   “Behavioral and brain responses to verbal sti...

Today, you’ll learn about a bacterial discovery that challenges our understanding of how and when life formed on Earth, the importance difference between self control and willpower, and the truth about whether or not your dog really loves you.     Origin of Life    “Scientists Just Made a 1.75 Billion-Year-Old Discovery About the Origin of Life.” by Mirjam Guesgen. 2024.&n...

Today, you’ll learn about a supervitamin you might already be taking some good news about the health of the world’s forests, and a new study that mapped ketamine’s effects on the brain.     B12    “Vitamin B12 emerges as key player during cellular reprogramming.” by Alba Vilchez-Acosta. 2023 .   “Vitamin B12: A key player in cellular reprogramming and tissue rege...

Today, you’ll learn about how your ears are eavesdropping on your eyes, a bold new study on the anti-inflammatory effects of psychedelics, and an astonishing new discovery linking hoarding disorder with ADHD.    Ears & Eyes     “Your Eyes Talk to Your Ears. Scientists Know What They’re Saying.” by Dan Vahaba. 2023.    “Research Discovery: Astonishing Connecti...

Today, you’ll learn about a new ink that can 3D print inside your body using soundwaves, why saying no to invitations isn’t as bad as you might think, and some new drugs that could potentially make your dog live longer.     3D Ink    “Soundwaves Harden 3D-Printed Treatments in Deep Tissues.” by Michaela Martinez. 2023.    “Dental curing light.” Wikipedia.  &...