Curiosity Weekly Water Breakthrough, Suppress Stress, Ancient Wood
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Nov 3, 2023 In this podcast, they discuss a new method for purifying drinking water, the potential benefits of suppressing negative thoughts for mental health, and the groundbreaking discovery of a 476,000-year-old wooden structure. They also touch on the use of wood by early humans, innovations in water desalination, and even throw in a call for a five-star podcast review.
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Low-Energy Desalination
- A new desalination method uses a low electrical current to pull chloride ions through a membrane, dragging water molecules while blocking sodium ions.
- This reduces energy consumption compared to reverse osmosis, potentially providing affordable drinking water in disaster zones or remote areas.
Thought Suppression Benefits
- Suppressing negative thoughts might improve mental health, contrary to popular belief. A Cambridge study found that actively blocking anxious thoughts reduced their vividness and impact, improving overall mental well-being.
Ancient Wooden Structure
- Archaeologists rediscovered a dig site near the Colombo Falls after a river changed course. They found a 476,000-year-old wooden structure, the oldest known, likely built by Homo heidelbergensis.