Dare to Know

Dismal progress reports from Canada’s Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development and the UN Secretary-General tarnished Earth Day festivities this year. Find out why the status of climate change and mass extinctions is nothing to celebrate. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2023/04/22/dismal-progress-reports-cause-earth-day-frustrations/

Amnesty International has just released its annual report on the state of the world’s human rights. Find out how it assesses human rights in 156 countries, including Canada.  This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2023/04/15/amnesty-international-state-of-worlds-human-rights/

Tiger personalities are as distinctive as those of humans, according to a new study. Find out how this clarifies the nature versus nurture debate and can improve nature conservation efforts. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2023/04/08/tigers-personalities-are-unique-study-finds/

Gamma-ray bursts are explosions so powerful they outshine our entire galaxy. Find out how scientists detected the brightest gamma-ray burst ever observed, and what it means for our understanding of the universe. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2023/04/01/brightest-gamma-ray-burst-ever-unveils-cosmic-mysteries/

A UN Report released this week contained even more dismal news about the climate crisis. Find out why the UN chief responded by saying, “It’s time to end the relentless — and senseless — war on nature.” This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2023/03/25/un-report-calls-for-urgent-climate-action/

Blood and Mistletoe is a book about the Druids by Professor Ronald Hutton. Find out why the fact that we know next to nothing about the Druids is what makes them fascinating. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2023/03/18/blood-and-mistletoe-a-review/

Kiska, Canada's last captive orca, died this week at Marineland after twelve years of isolation. Find out why animals rights groups want Marineland prosecuted, and how Kiska's story reflects changing attitudes toward our treatment of animals. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2023/03/11/kiska-canadas-last-captive-orca-has-died/

Massive early galaxies emerged from a review of the James Webb Space Telescope’s first dataset. Find out why current science says they shouldn’t exist, and what this means for our understanding of the Big Bang and galaxy formation. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2023/03/04/massive-early-galaxies-discovery-could-be-universe-breakers/

European archery was thought to have orginated about 11,000 years ago. Find out why a new discovery places that date another 40,000 years into the past. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2023/02/25/european-archery-40000-years-older-than-thought/

The mother tree hypothesis suggests that trees form networks to share resources and communicate using fungi growing in their roots. Find out why a new study questions the evidence for this idea and calls for better expermients to uncover the truth. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2023/02/18/mother-tree-skeptics-call-for-more-study/

UFOs, or UAP as researchers now call them, are no longer viewed with complete derision by science. Find out why some in the scientific and intelligence communities now think unidentified aerial phenomena might be worthwhile research topics. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2023/02/11/ufos-becoming-legitimate-research-topic-for-scientists/

The Agricultural Revolution took place about 12,000 years ago and brought many benefits. Find out how the lifestyle changes humanity embraced then also led to the conflict, disease, fitness and nutrition issues we cope with today. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2023/02/04/agricultural-revolution-still-affects-humanitys-modern-life/

Earth’s inner core appears to be slowing down relative the speed of our planet’s rotation on its axis. Find out how this affects our magnetic field and shortens the length of a day on our world. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2023/01/28/earths-inner-core-falling-behind-planets-rotation/

The DART Mission involved sending a spacecraft to collide with an asteroid. Find out how it demonstrated the feasibility of NASA’s planetary defense strategy and exceeded expectations. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2023/01/21/dart-mission-follow-up-a-smash-hit/

Human Rights Watch has released its“annual review of human rights around the globe.” Find out why Human Rights Watch described the year as a “litany of human rights crises.” This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2023/01/13/human-rights-watch-condemns-litany-of-human-rights-crises/

Photosynthesis signaling within plant cells is fundamental to life. Find out how a new discovery explains what triggers the process, potentially boosting crop yields and even helping cure cancer. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2023/01/06/photosynthesis-signaling-may-boost-crops-cure-cancer/

A doomed planet orbiting an aging star has been observed for the first time. Find out what this discovery can contribute to our search for life on other worlds. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2022/12/30/doomed-planet-may-foretell-earths-ultimate-fate/

Domestic chores overwhelmingly fall to women in most households. Find out the psychology behind this disparity and why it doesn’t give men a free pass to avoid housework. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2022/12/23/why-domestic-chores-matter-less-to-men/

A UN biodiversity conference called COP15 has ended with a deal involving 196 countries. Find out why environmentalists are hailing it as a landmark agreement, and what it will take to put its terms in place. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2022/12/19/biodiversity-conference-commits-to-protect-30-of-natural-world/

Artemis I is NASA’s ongoing, uncrewed test mission to the moon and back. Find out what the mission has accomplished so far, and about the plans for slashdown this Sunday, December 11. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2022/12/09/artemis-i-on-its-way-back-home/

Music training has been a recognized mental health treatment since the dawn of time. Find out how a new study shows that learning to play an instrument improves our cognition while relieving depression, anxiety and stress. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2022/12/02/music-training-improves-brain-function-and-mood/

Reforestation plans play a central role in global strategies to solve the climate crisis. Find out why simply getting millions of saplings into the ground doesn’t deliver long-term success. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2022/11/25/reforestation-plans-require-more-than-saying-plant-more-trees/

Artemis I is a 26-day, uncrewed mission to travel around the moon and return to Earth. Find out how the powerful SLS rocket finally got off the ground and what the mission hopes to accomplish. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2022/11/18/artemis-i-on-its-way-to-the-moon/

Screen time worries many parents, who fear it interferes with social development. Find out why a new study shows that restricted Internet access is more detrimental to teen self-esteem. This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2022/11/12/screen-time-better-for-teens-than-disconnection/

COP27, the UN’s annual meeting on climate change, starts November 6. Find out what’s on the agenda and why success at this gathering is essential to humanity’s future . This episode is also available as a blog post: http://daretoknow.ca/2022/11/04/cop27-whats-at-stake-for-the-climate-and-the-planet/