Curiosity Weekly

Today, you’ll learn about a new way to purify water simply by walking, robots controlled by liquid and rubber balls, and an accident that led to a wild discovery about bumblebees.     Clean Water Walking     “Walking-induced electrostatic charges enable in situ electroporated disinfection in portable water bottles.” by Young-Jun Kim, et al. 2024.    “Freshwa...

Today, you’ll learn about the history of dragons, a lab-made gold that’s only a single atom thick, and a new low pressure way to make diamonds.     Dragon History      “Dragons: A brief history of the mythical, fire-breathing beasts.” by Callum McKelvie & Benjamin Radford. 2022.    “A Natural History of Dragons.” by Livia Gershon. 2022.   ...

Today, you’ll learn about a new tech that could turn all that nasty CO2 into electricity, the genes that allow cancer cells to metastasize, and the incredible, healing hearts of zebrafish.    CO2 Into Electricity    “Electricity generation from carbon dioxide adsorption by spatially nanoconfined ion separation.” by Zhuyuan Wang, et al. 2024.    “Novel Nanogenerator Tu...

Today, you’ll learn about the genes that could make you left-handed, how trees are able to cope with heat waves, and what could possibly lie beneath the ice of Jupiter’s moon, Europa.     Left Hand Gene    “Gene involved in cell shape offers clues on left-handedness.” by Will Dunham. 2024.    “Half a century of handedness research: Myths, truths; fictions, facts;...

Today, you’ll learn about how our perception of when old age hits is changing, a baby’s response to a happy face, and the housekeeping habits of neanderthals.    When is Old Age?      “Perception of when old age starts has increased over time, shows study.” by Nicola Davis. 2024.    “Psychology and Aging.” APA PsycNet database. 2024.    “The shift...

Today, you’ll learn about a new class of antibiotics that kills drug-resistant bugs, a water pollution test that can tell scientists where the pollution came from, and spiders that collaborate.     New Antibiotics    “New antibiotic class effective against multidrug-resistant bacteria.” Uppsala Universitet. 2024.    “10 reasons YOU should be worried about antibio...

Today, you’ll learn about the dreams of birds, why sound pollution in the oceans could be killing whales, and how fruit-eating birds are doing the work to save tropical forests.     Bird Dreams    “Birds sing in their sleep - and now we can decipher their dreams.” by Paul McClure. 2024.    “Replay of innate vocal patterns during night sleep in suboscines.” by Jua...

Today, you’ll learn about a paralyzed man who is making a recovery after receiving stem cell therapy, how bees learn architecture, and a potential new treatment for postpartum depression in new mothers.     Paralysis Recovery     “Paralyzed man who can walk again shows potential benefit of stem cell therapy.” by Amanda Dimare. 2024.    “Study documents safet...

Today, you’ll learn about how non-invasive brain stimulation might offer relief to older patients suffering from anxiety and depression, the first known molecular fractal, and a new discovery turning the view of bonobos as peace-loving primates on its head.     Brain Stimulation    “Brain stimulation treatment may improve depression, anxiety in older adults.” by Jill Pease...

Today, you’ll learn about a new AI developed to help doctors identify and treat diseases like cancer, why watching sports might give our sense of wellness a boost, and the real reason we blink so much.     AI Medical Research     “Mayo researchers invented a new class of AI to improve cancer research and treatments.” EurekAlert! 2024.    “The Rise of Hypothe...

Today, you’ll learn about the traits most people value in romantic partners, a new link between a particular gut bacteria and cardiovascular health, and why dogs might make your kids healthier.     Romantic Traits     “Intelligence and kindness are the most valued traits in romantic partners, study finds.” by Eric W. Dolan. 2024.    “What Do Different People...

Today, you’ll learn about how diversifying farms has a ton of upsides and virtually no downsides, the way we tend to predict how something will smell before we smell it, and a universally shared preference for simple rhythms in music.     Diversified Farming     “Major study reports that people and environment both benefit from diversified farming, while bottom lines...

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...