Curiosity Weekly

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 hygienist.” by Kath...

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 reorganisation.”...

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 Repetition Cos...

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.   •“...

Today, we’re bringing you three new stories that cover a few topics we’re really passionate about. You’ll learn about how cats become like liquid to fit through small spaces and why that’s a big deal, the new super sticky strong silk inspired by Spiderman, and a new method of 3D-printing that uses sound. Be sure to stick around until the end of the episode to hear a special message from Calli and...

Today, you’ll learn about a new bacteria-busting polymer inspired by barnacles, how the things you do today will affect your brain in two weeks, and the memories elephants keep of their favorite people from long ago.     Barnacle Polymers    “Barnacle-inspired polymers could present new way to design antibiofilm materials, researchers say.” by Cynthia McCormick Hibbdrt. 20...

Today, you’ll learn about the tiny tractor beam that could change how certain diseases are diagnosed, how a screw allowed an iconic historical building to go up faster than anyone thought possible, and why scientists are worried about the 33 dark spots with thousands of unknown plants.    Tractor Beam    “MIT engineers create a chip-based tractor beam for biological particles.”...

Today, you’ll learn about how whales could be carrying on conversations from over 60 miles away, the struggles of foster moms in the 1600s, and why your blood pressure reading might be way off.     Whale Talk    “Whales May Be Communicating Across Vast Distances.” by Joanna Thompson. 2024.    “Alaska’s Population of Bowhead Whales Rebounding.” by Riley Woodford....

Today, you’ll learn about the entire neuron-for-neuron model of a fly brain, jellyfish that can merge together seamlessly, and how talking to our dogs in that way-too-cutesy voice might actually have a purpose.     Fly Brains    “Researchers simulate an entire fly brain on a laptop. Is a human brain next?” by Robert Sanders. 2024.    “A Drosophila computational b...

Today, you’ll learn about the cause of static electricity, how a new headband could help you stop a stroke before it happens, and why the ground in Siberia is exploding.     Static Electricity    “We Finally Know What Creates Static Electricity, After Thousands of Years.” by Michelle Starr. 2024.    “Why petting your cat leads to static electricity.” Northwestern...

Today, you’ll learn about how scientists were able to witness water form at the molecular level and what that could mean for life on Mars, why Mount Everest is still growing, and why scientists are putting tiny backpacks on sea turtle hatchlings.      Water Molecules    “Researchers Watch Water Form at the Molecular Scale for the First Time.” Technology Networks. 2024...

Today, you’ll learn about a new transparent solar cell that could replace your windows to power your home, the discovery of hundreds of new mysterious Nazca Glyphs, and how singing in a choir might be good for your brain.     Solar Cell Charging    “All-back-contact neutral-colored transparent crystalline silicon solar cells enabling seamless modularization.” by Jeonghwan...

Today, you’ll learn about the trouble hearts have in space, an ancient log that could help us hit climate targets, and how our brain divides our days into chapters.     Heart Cells in Space     “Space Travel Found To Disrupt Normal Rhythm in Heart Muscle Cells.” Technology Networks. 2024 .   “Spaceflight-induced contractile and mitochondrial dysfunction in a...

Today, you’ll learn about a more sustainable jet fuel made from trees, how a new process allows you to 3D print glass, and why feeding coral reefs might save them from heat stress.     Plant Jet Fuel    “New continuous reaction process can help turn plant waste into sustainable aviation fuel.” by Seth Truscott. 2024.    “Lignin-based jet fuel and its blending eff...

Today, you’ll learn about how nuclear weapons might one day actually save the Earth, the video game that lets you power wash your bad mood away, and a study that suggests being a picky eater might be genetic.     Asteroid Blast    “Nuclear blast could save Earth from large asteroid, scientists say.” by Ian Sample. 2024.    “Simulation of asteroid deflection with...

Today, you’ll learn about a potential cure for diabetes, how ancient extinct volcanoes might provide a boost for your cell phones, and why sharks and rays fling themselves out of the water.     Stem Cells & Diabetes    “Stem cells reverse woman’s diabetes - a world first.” b y Smriti Mallapaty. 2024.    “How a pioneering diabetes drug offers hope for preventi...

Today, you’ll learn about how earthquakes shake up quartz to make gold nuggets, the discovery of a new type of cell, and an effort to redefine sustainability in our oceans.     Gold Nuggets    “How do gold nuggets form? Earthquakes may be the key.” by Robin George Andrews. 2024.    “Gold nugget formation from earthquake-induced piezoelectricity in quartz.” by Chr...

Today, you’ll learn about a new way to use a defibrillator that works over 250% better, how octopuses go hunting with fish, and the keys to happiness.     Defib Placement    “New defib placement increases chance of surviving heart attack by 264%.” by Paul McClure. 2024.    “Warning signs of sudden cardiac arrest different for men and women.” by Paul McClure. 2023...

Today, you’ll learn about the synthetic slime that might help people heal from back surgery, how cities tend to get more rain than the rural areas around them, and a new genetically engineered golden lettuce packed with vitamins.     Cow Slime     “Cow slime can help disc herniation patients after surgery.” EurekAlert! 2024.    “Preserving the Immune-Privile...

Today, you’ll learn about the brain science behind choking under pressure, a newer, tougher, stronger concrete inspired by bones, and how skin cancer rates in Sweden could offer a sign of hope.    Pressure & Performance    “Choking under pressure: Brain neurons misfire when the stakes are highest.” by Bronwyn Thompson. 2024.    “Research sheds new light on decreas...

Today, you’ll learn about how surgeons operated on a pig from 5,000 miles away, a population of neanderthals that were isolated for 50,000 years, and why trees could be linked to lower risks of ADHD in kids.     Remote Surgery     “Remote surgery performed on a pig 9,000 km away using a game controller.” by Michael Irving. 2024.    “Teleoperated Magnetic End...

Today, you’ll learn about a new device that can get inside the mind of babies, the edible protein that’s made out of carbon dioxide, and how the modern ideal of the 15-minute city might not be for everyone.     Baby Brain Device     “Wearable brain imaging device shines a light on how babies respond in real-world situations.” UCL. 2024.    “Whole-head high-d...

Today, you’ll learn about how climbing on monkey bars and other risky play could be a gift from our ancestors, the dangers of mold in space, and new evidence on how cravings take root in our brains.     Risky Play    “Risky Play Exercises an Ancestral Need to Push Limits.” by Morgan Kelly. 2024.    “Commemorating the monkey bars, catalyst of debate at the interse...

Today, you’ll learn about a potential positive side to side effects, how mega El Niños triggered the world’s worst mass extinction event, and the antidote to pesticides that could save bees.     Positive Side Effects     “How side effects can improve treatment efficacy: a randomized trial.” by Lieven A. Schenk, et al. 2024.    “Side-effects are often a curse...

Today, you’ll learn about a breakthrough in our understanding of the behavior and abilities of bacteria, the queen ants that cannibalize their sick larvae and recycle it, and how tiny shards of plastic are finding their way into our brains.     Bacteria Behavior    “New discovery of how bacteria navigate their environment could change how we treat infection.” University of...