Are You Looking at the Environment or the Task?

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When we're talking virtually, our shared environment is pretty limited to the screen. And so if i want to show engagement, it makes more sense for me to limit myself to screen. We thought that this could lead to more focus, whe should hurt idea generation because we're actually the most creative and were unfocused and free. I don't have evidence for this yet, but based on my theory ialways suggest turning off the camera during idea generations who can walk around. Then it's not like we have to be in person.

00:56 How video calls can reduce creativity

As a result of the pandemic, workers around the world have become accustomed to meeting colleagues online. To find out if this switch from face-to-face meetings came at a cost to creativity, a team compared the number of ideas generated by workers collaborating either online, or in-person. They showed that people meeting virtually produced fewer creative ideas than those working face-to-face, and suggest that when it comes to idea generation maybe it’s time to turn the camera off.

Research article: Brucks & Levav

News and Views: Virtual collaboration hinders idea generation

Video: Why video calls are bad for brainstorming

08:08 Research Highlights

Fragments from an ancient pyramid suggest earliest known use of a Maya calendar, and how sweet snacks could damage rare iguanas’ metabolism.

Research Highlight: Deer symbol hints at early adoption of Maya calendar

Research Highlight: Tourists’ sweet treats threaten rare iguanas’ health

10:34 Fish skin reveals a new type of cell division

Researchers looking at the skin cells of zebrafish have discovered a new type of cell division, which doesn’t require DNA replication. DNA is usually essential for healthy cells, but the researchers think this puzzling finding may be a temporary measure to help the fish produce skin more rapidly during growth spurts.

Research article: Chan et al.

News and Views: Stretched skin cells divide without DNA replication

Video: A new kind of cell division

16:59 Briefing Chat

We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time, how laser-equipped submarines could help analyse gelatinous animals’ anatomy, and a push for a flagship mission to Uranus.

The New Yorker: Shedding Light on Untouchable Sea Creatures

Nature: Next stop, Uranus? Icy planet tops priority list for next big NASA mission

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