Curiosity Weekly

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.  &...

Today, you’ll learn about why you may want to consider letting yourself daydream, how a sense of humor might protect you from depression and anxiety, and the effects of caffeine on the performance of soccer players.     Daydream Brain     “What Happens in the Brain While Daydreaming?” by Catherine Caruso. 2023.    “Is the role of sleep in memory consolidatio...

Today, you’ll learn about the 139 genes that set the human mind apart from our primate cousins, a new gel that could change the game for those suffering from dry mouth, and why psychopaths could be immune from the contagious yawn.    Human Genes     “139 Genes Set Human Cognitive Ability Apart From Other Primates.” by Sarah Whelan, PhD. 2023.    “Comparative sing...

Today, you’ll learn about how the bilingual brain might be better at multitasking, good news for women who are at risk for morning sickness, and the strangely complex science behind cat purring.    Bilingual Brain    “The bilingual brain may be better at ignoring irrelevant information.” EurekAlert!. 2023.    “Bilingual attentional control: Evidence from the Partial R...

Today, you’ll learn about how babies pick up language before they’re even born, an AI that takes on the busy work for doctors, and new insight into how humans collaborate.     Baby Language    “Babies’ Brains Are Primed For Their Native Language Before Birth.” by Nyla Husain. 2023.    “Prenatal experience with language shapes the brain.” by Benedetta Mariani. 202...

Today, you’ll learn about a new brain interface that allows people to play games with their minds, how bad luck might make you less committed to achieving greatness, and some alarming news about how the way humans use salt is not just bad for our bodies, but the planet as well.     Brain Game     “New brain-computer interface allows people to play a game using their t...

Today, you’ll learn about the brain’s ability - or inability - to rewire itself, the imagination of rats, and how dogs can have a positive effect on those suffering from PTSD.     Brain Rewiring     “Our brains are not able to ‘rewire’ themselves, despite what most scientists believe, new study argues.” University of Cambridge. 2023.    “Against cortical reo...

Today, you’ll learn about a microchip-sized laboratory, how childhood traumas can lead to a lifetime of headaches, and strange blobs in the Earth’s mantle.     Lab on a Chip    “‘Lab on a chip’ genetic test device can identify viruses within three minutes with highest accuracy.” University of Bath. 2023.    “LoCKAmp: lab-on-PCB technology for <3 minute virus g...

Today, you’ll learn about a new blood test that could revolutionize bipolar diagnoses, how music could help knock out pain, and how a changing climate is changing puffins.     Bipolar Blood Test    “Simple blood test can help diagnose bipolar disorder.” University of Cambridge. 2023.    “Bipolar Disorder.” NIH. n..d.   “Diagnosis and management of bipolar di...

Today, you’ll learn about an ancient diagnostic tool getting an AI upgrade, the world’s slipperiest surface, and some insight into the minds of everyone who loves this show!     Healthy Tongue   “Eyes may be the window to your soul, but the tongue mirrors your health.” University of South Australia. 2023.    “Ancient tongue diagnosis for the 21st century dental hygien...

Today, you’ll learn about how people who have lost the power of speech could get their voices back through AI, the cool truth about the weighted blanket fad, and an 8-billion-year-old blast from outer space.     Speech Reconstruction    “Neural Networks Help Reconstruct Speech From Brain Activity.” Technology Networks. 2023.    “How Intel Gave Stephen Hawking a V...

Today, you’ll learn about the hunt for the elusive sixth taste, a new discovery showing how HIV keeps fighting the immune system even with effective treatment, and the altruism of bees.     Sixth Taste    “And then there were 6 - kinds of taste, that is.” by Darrin S. Joy. 2023.    “How does our sense of taste work?” NIH. 2020.    “Researchers Say Ammon...

Today you’ll learn about how scientists are using a drug meant for arthritis to mimic blood transfusions, how cinnamon could potentially be improving our brain’s health, and how a new filter is capable of removing 99% of microplastics from water.       Young Blood      “Arthritis drug mimics "young blood" transfusions to reverse aging in mice” By Michae...

Today you’ll learn about a zombie virus recovered from the arctic permafrost and brought back to life, some good news about 26 Australian animal species that have been brought back from the brink, and how a new pill could potentially limit the levels of “bad” cholesterol in the body.       Zombie Virus       “Scientists have revived a ‘zombie’ viru...